Dalai Lama: I’m here to meet ordinary Scots

THE Dalai Lama shrugged off suggestions of a snub by ministers during the second day of his visit to Scotland yesterday, saying attempts to nobble civic leaders by Chinese officials had become almost routine for him over the last 40 years of travelling the globe.

Instead, the exiled leader of the Tibetan people said his primary reason for his visit was to meet ordinary Scots.

Commenting on the controversy, the Dalai Lama said: “Wherever I go meeting the public … spreading a message of human values, spreading a message of harmony, is the most important thing. I think governments can’t do much. Of course, if there is an opportunity of meeting [members of the government], then I am happy.”

In a talk at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, he appealed for the younger generation to fight corruption, oppose the gap between rich and poor and avoid repeating the bloodshed which he said characterised the 20th century. “My generation belongs to the 20th century. Now we have to find ways of making change – of making sure we respect each other’s right.”

The Dalai Lama spoke of developing proper self-confidence, of the importance of human affection and of concern for others human beings as the most important principles to follow.

“It is in our power to make this century more peaceful, more happy. It’s up to you,” he said.

The Tibetan leader shared his thoughts with an audience which included Edinburgh lord provost Donald Wilson, Lord Steel and the SNP leader on Edinburgh council, Steve Cardownie.

Earlier, at a meet-the-press session, the Dalai Lama joked that he would hardly have time to meet Alex Salmond if the First Minister had had a change of heart – saying his schedule in Scotland was so packed that his normal lunchbreak had been cut to 20 minutes instead of 30.

He spoke about human rights in China, saying: “The Chinese people are the rulers of China and the 1.3 billion Chinese people have a right to know the reality.”

Asked if he felt there was a parallel between the struggle for freedom in Tibet and the Scottish independence debate, he suggested “meaningful autonomy” was the most important thing. He said when he met Chairman Mao in 1954, the Chinese leader had agreed with him that Tibetans should have autonomy, but that the Chinese government had later gone back on that promise.

Nonetheless, the Dalai Lama said he was inspired by the fact that Buddhism was becoming ever more popular in China.

It was another packed day for the Tibetan leader, who took time to greet the crowds. He first went to watch archive films of Tibet in the Signet Library. Then he visited the National Library of Scotland, where he was shown letters, books and photographs by Victorian traveller Isabella Bird.

After a presentation of a scarf in the new World Peace tartan at the Usher Hall, he shared some secrets about world leaders, saying Prince Charles was “a very nice person”.

He said he was very close to George Bush but had disagreed with him about the Iraq War. “The motivation was good – but not the method”.