®NOBEL PEACE PRIZE ’■ ADDRESS? Delivered December 10,1989—Oiso, Noi By the Dalai Lama —An Excerpt— I am very happy to be here with you today to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace. I feel honored, humbled and deeply moved that you should give this important prize to a simple monk from Tibet. I am no one special. But I believe the prize is a recognition of the true value of altruism, love, compassion and non-violence which I try to practice, in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and the sages of India and Tibet. I accept the prize with profound gratitude on behalf of the oppressed everywhere and for all those who struggle for world peace. I accept it as a tribute to the man who founded the modern action tradition of non-violent for Gandhi—whose change—Mahatma life tapght and inspired me. And, of course, Iaccept it on behalf of the six million Tibetan people, my brave countrymen and women inside Tibet, who have suffered and continue to suffer so much. They confront a calculated and systematic strategy aimed at the destruction of their national and cultural identities. The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated. ,— No matter what part of the World come from, we are all basicWy ( same human beings. We all seeklH piness and try to avoid sufferings have the same basic human needle and concerns. All of us human beings want freedom and the right to determine our own destiny as individuals and as peoples. That is human nature. ters showed the Chinese leadership and the world the human face of that great nation. Last week, a number of Tibetans were once again sentenced to prison terms of up to 19years at a mass show trial, possibly intended to frighten the population before today’s event. Their only “crime” was the expression of Tibetans’ widespread desire for the restoration of their beloved country’s independence. A l l of us human-beings^ff can be resolved through human effort, understanding and the development of a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share. Although I Shavefotand my own Buddhist religion ^Helpful Jn generating love and com- 2^assj^h, even for those we consider in d iG t o r o P W Eastern a clear our>jenemies, I am convinced that S ^ ^ v e ry o n e can develop a good heart oW- and a sense of universal responsibility with or without religion . . . . Both science and the teachings of the Buddha tell us of the fundamental he problems we face today—violent conflicts, destruction of nature, poverty, hunger and so o n - are human-created problems which can be resolved through human effort, understanding and the development of a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. The great changes that are taking place everywhere in the world, from Eastern Europe to Africa, are a clear indication of this. In China, the popular movement for democracy was crushed by brutal force in June of this year. Bpt I do not believe the demonstrations were in vain, because the spirit of freedom was rekindled among the Chinese people and China cannot escape the impact of this spirit of freedom sweeping in many parts of the world. The brave students and their supporThe suffering of our people during the past 40 years of occupation is well documented. Ours has been a long struggle. We know our cause is just. Because violence can only breed more violence and suffering, our struggle must remain non-violent and free of hatred. We are trying to end the suffering of our people, not to inflict suffering on others . . . . The problems we face today— violent conflicts, destruction of nature, poverty, hunger and so on— are human-created problems which unity of all things. This understanding is crucial ifwe are to take positive and decisive action on the pressing global concern with the environment. I believe all religions pursue the same goals, that of cultivating human goodness and bringing happiness to all human beings. Though the means might appear different, the ends are the same. As we enter the final decade of this century, I am optimistic that the ancient values that have sustained mankind are today reaffirming themselves to prepare us for a kinder, happier twenty-first century. I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human understanding and love, and that in doing so, we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings. Thank you. The Dalai Lama lives in Dharamsala in northern India. This is his first appearance in Clinton St. Tibet A Cry For Freedom A comprehensive lookatT ibfet’s struggle to regain independenceCby two lexile leaders Jamyang Norbu, guerilla resistances / ' Lhasang Tsering, President of the fighter, author of Warriors of Tibet, Tibetan Youth Congress, former founder of the National Demt-irati; ^ Deputy Director Tibetan Children's Movement for Tibet, authority onffibetap Village, of the Tibetan government-in- music and performing traditions}>fof^eif,^ ^kit^SRaramsala, India and former director of the Tibetan Institute ’ x ' I’cfitorofVA't’ Tibetan Review, news Performing Arts, Dharamsala, India. magazine about Tibetan issues. Tuesday , June 5, 7:30 pm First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th Street, Portland Suggested donation $5 Sponsored by The Tibetan Foundation, (503) 656-9701 evenings Saint Ignatius Church 3400 SE 43rd—Portland June 12—7:30 pm $5-$10 Sliding Scale Reception Follows For More Information: (503) 234-4107 Clinton St.—Spring 1990 43
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