Alumni Bulletin - Fall 2008 - (Page 25)

trust between China and India,” he said. “So therefore I think eventually concerned people have to find more sort of normalcy in that region. I think the presence of a tense situation is nobody’s interest.” And that, the Dalai Lama said, is cause for optimism. “If we look at Tibet’s situation locally, then really you get a feeling of hopelessness. But if you look at Tibet’s situation from a wider perspective, there’s real hope.” Relying on Common Sense—And Science On an individual level, the key is to cultivate “a more open mind, a more compassionate mind.” “I stress the importance of secular ethics,” the Dalai Lama which is “very much related to an extreme self-centered attitude,” he said. Recognizing that those who surround you each day are “human brothers and sisters” and that your future largely depends on them is simply “common sense,” he said. Even science has found that having a “compassionate mind” can make you “mentally happier, physically healthier,” he added. Studies have shown that a “calm mind” improves brain function, while an “agitated mind” can impede brain function, he said. “Some scientists even say that anger and hatred are actually eating our immune system,” he said. “On the other hand, a compassionate mind, a calm mind, a peaceful mind, is very good for sustaining our immune system. presidential election, the Dalai Lama artfully deflected the question. After saying that he admires the United States as “the greatest democratic country and a superpower,” and conceding that “certainly everybody has some interest” in the outcome of the November election, he concluded, “But then, choice is up to you. Not my business.” However, he noted that he knows both Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama. “So anyone wins, one of my friends win,” he said, laughing ebulliently. But his demeanor turned decidedly somber when he was asked whether he was concerned that the Tibetan people will grow impatient and at some point abandon the nonviolent method he has es- said. “I’m not talking about next life or heaven or these things. Secular ethics … means using common sense, common experience.” For example, most people understand that anger and hatred grow primarily from fear. “Of course, there’s certain fear with reasons,” he said. “That’s good. That’s realistic.” But much of the time, fear can be traced to “mental exaggeration or mental projection,” “So I think that’s what we really need is to educate people from kindergarten up to university level,” the Dalai Lama said. “All over the world, everyone knows the importance of education. But I think, still, many people may not recognize the importance of warmheartedness. I think many people consider compassion or warmheartedness is a religious matter. I think that’s a mistake.” Asked about the upcoming poused throughout his life. “So far, generally, they really carry a nonviolent spirit, even under difficult circumstances. Now, how long it will remain, I don’t know. As a human being, too much stress, too much sort of feeling of desperation, hopefully, never, never happens. Violence never happens,” he said. Then, after a pause, his voice quiet and reflective, he added a single word: “Hopefully.” FALL 2008 25

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Alumni Bulletin - Fall 2008 Contents From the President's Desk Mailbox On Campus Research Arts & Culture Sports Cover Story: The Dalai Lama at Lehigh Heart of a Champion Around the World in 80 Years Fighting for Children wth Autism Keepers of the Flame From the Publisher's Desk Alumni News The Last Word

Alumni Bulletin - Fall 2008

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