Today he is one of the most popular spiritual leaders in the world. For believers – the embodiment of the Buddha, for everyone else – peacefulness and common sense. The XNUMXth Dalai Lama agreed to speak with our correspondents at his residence. Tenjin Gyatso – about himself, about us and about life.
From Delhi to the residence of the Dalai Lama – 9 hours drive on a bumpy Indian road. Dusty village outskirts, along which cows and monkeys roam, are replaced by a forest of Himalayan pines, a narrow serpentine climbs higher and higher into the mountains. The tiny village of McLeod Ganj, home to Namgyal Monastery and the Tibetan government-in-exile, is characterized by purity, calmness, sedateness and gradualness. Mantras are heard everywhere, Indian rickshaws ask a humane price, and even thin lazy bulls lounging in the heat look like meditating ascetics.
The interview is scheduled for 11 am. After passing through two metal detectors, turning in my mobile and filling out a form that looks like a customs declaration, I find myself in an audience room. There are thangkas on the walls, Buddhist icons on fabric. There is a large altar against the wall… But monks run along the corridor, and an unexpectedly tall and broad-shouldered elderly man in orange appears in the doorway – Tenjin Gyatso, the XNUMXth Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ocean of Wisdom, Holder of the White Lotus and Protector of the Land of Snows. He folds his arms in a boat at his chest, smiles broadly and cordially, quickly walks to the chair. There is not a hint of old age in his movements, his eyes sparkle lively and a little slyly from under old-fashioned square glasses. You instantly feel at home in his presence. And after the first questions of the interview, it begins to seem to me that we have known each other for a thousand years and this is my most faithful and close friend.
“POSSIBLE MOST PEOPLE DO NOT NEED RELIGION AT ALL. THE MAIN THING IS TO BE A GOOD, KIND PERSON.”
Almost a year ago, His Holiness celebrated his 70th birthday. Today he is one of the most popular spiritual leaders in the world; politicians and journalists, the Hollywood elite and energetic Moscow yuppies are looking for meetings with him. He went into exile in 1959. He is unable to liberate Tibet from Chinese occupation and cannot help his people. But he invariably says that hatred and the desire for revenge are bad advisers.
Tenjing Gyatso has been on the road almost continuously since 1973, when His Holiness traveled to Europe for the first time in Tibetan history, meeting with the Pope, presidents and prime ministers. And, although initially these trips were needed to draw attention to the problem of his homeland, it suddenly turned out that this smiling monk, brought up in the rigid canons of feudal protocol, turned out to be exactly the religious and political leader that the West so lacked. Direct and wise, sincere and cheerful, able to discuss metaphysical issues and listen to the complaints of mere mortals about problems with superiors. He does not try to convert anyone to Buddhism and generally believes that “most people probably do not need religion at all. The main thing is to be a good, kind person.”
He travels the world giving lectures, giving interviews and performing elaborate religious ceremonies. He also writes books – clear and wise, with self-explanatory titles: The Art of Being Happy at Work, The Power of Compassion, The Politics of Kindness. And at the same time it remains amazingly natural and attentive. During our conversation, he constantly smiles, gesticulates and makes faces, like a seven-year-old boy, causing despair in our photographer, who does not have time to fix the right angle. There is not a single gram of pathos or moralizing in it, unlike many, he constantly makes a reservation: “It seems to me”, “This is just my opinion”, “I by no means insist on this, but perhaps my advice will come in handy for you” .
Psychologies: At the age of two, you were recognized as the reincarnation of the XNUMXth Dalai Lama, your predecessor. When did you realize the uniqueness of your personality? How did you take on the responsibilities that you were supposed to?
Tenzin Gyatso: It cannot be said that I assumed the duties of the Dalai Lama one fine day, when they were entrusted to me. I consider myself, and I think I have always considered myself the incarnation of my predecessors. The people around me were also sure of this and, naturally, prepared me to carry out my duties. But even earlier, when I was a child like everyone else, my subconscious – especially in dreams – seemed to remind me of the connection that exists between me and previous Dalai Lamas. For example, I told those who were ready to listen that I was born in Lhasa, although I had never been there. And I really wanted to go back there. When a delegation appeared in the vicinity of our village, entrusted with the mission of finding the incarnation of my predecessor, I was terribly excited!
Have you ever wondered what your life might have been like if it hadn’t happened?
T.G.: I was born in the outback, there were no schools – most likely, without education, I would have become a peasant. Although I was always interested in technology… So there was a chance to become a tractor driver.
How predetermined is our destiny?
T.G.: If I am born a Tibetan, then, of course, the color of my hair or the shape of my eyes is predetermined from the moment of conception. But from a Buddhist point of view, everything else is in constant flux and we must act according to circumstances. What will your next life be like? Until the last minute, until the last breath, this issue is not resolved. Even after death there is a certain transitional period when changes are possible.
You left home very young. Have you ever felt miserable far away from loved ones?
T.G.: And I have never been completely separated from my family. When I left my parental home at the age of two, I first went to a monastery in Kumbum, where two of my brothers were already living. And two years later he went to Lhasa, and his parents settled near Norbulingka, the summer residence of the lama. Of course, my mother visited me almost every day. And yet I distinctly remember several difficult partings for me. Once, on the occasion of the holidays, my mother spent a whole week with me. When they ended, I actually felt a kind of anguish. Due to the departure of the mother, of course, but … mainly due to the fact that I had to return to school again! (Laughs.)
Did you lack female care then?
T.G.: This is not entirely true. (Thinking.) You know, I was surrounded by elderly monks who paid a lot of attention to me, were attached to me, constantly played with me. What I certainly lacked was the company of my peers. I grew up among adults.
You often say that you are first and foremost a simple monk. But for the Tibetans you are a living Buddha…
T.G.: “Living Buddha” is a mistranslation from Chinese. “Lama” is a “teacher”, that is, someone who has more knowledge than others and therefore deserves respect. And that’s it. According to the vinaya law (monastic code. – Note ed.), there are no exceptions for high-ranking lamas. The Dalai Lama cannot shirk his obligation to meditate, nor his annual retreat during the three months of the monsoon season. If during this time I need to travel somewhere for more than ten days, I must obtain permission from the monastic college. The petition of the monk Tenjin Gyatso will be considered at the meeting. But … whether they approve my petition or not, it will be necessary to go anyway! (Laughs.)
In November of the year before last, for the first time in 12 years, you were able to come to Russia, to Kalmykia, before that you were denied a visa in order to avoid friction with China. What did you feel?
T.G.: It was a very short visit, almost like a dream. It was still dark when I arrived, and I was struck by the fact that thousands of people took to the streets, and then, despite the snow and frost, stood and listened to my lecture. The XNUMXth Dalai Lama had special connections with the Russian tsars. For many centuries, students from the Buddhist regions of Russia – Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva – came to Tibet to study. From these countries came the greatest philosophers. But after the revolution, almost all contacts between Buddhists from the Soviet Union and Tibet ceased, I could only meet Buryats or Kalmyks in the USA or Europe. Russia is a great country. The people of Russia have gone through many trials, and now you seem to have a more open society.
“WHAT WILL YOUR LIFE BE? UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, UNTIL THE LAST BREATH THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED.
You and your people were in exile, and you never called for a declaration of war on China. You should feel anger, hatred or fear. How do you deal with negative emotions?
T.G.: When faced with a genuine tragedy, we either lose hope and engage in self-destruction, or accept the situation as a challenge and the need to become internally stronger. Through exile, many Buddhist truths and virtues were revealed to me. I think there are two countermeasures against negative emotions. I am a Buddhist and I seek help from the Buddha. I know that as a Buddhist I shouldn’t be angry. A follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ also knows that he must not develop these negative feelings. But if you are an unbeliever, your only option is to think. And it’s even more efficient! I use this method myself. I analyze: I got angry, yelled at another person and … felt relieved. But time passes, and I regret what happened. This means that under the influence of negative emotions, we lose the ability to distinguish good from bad.
One more aspect. Anger haunts me. I don’t sleep well, I lose my appetite. Does my anger bring real damage to my enemy? No. But it destroys my body and mental balance. This is a very scientific approach. It has been established that positive emotions have a beneficial effect on the brain, while negative ones hinder its work. This way of dealing with emotional problems in Buddhism is called “analytical meditation.”
You invited scientists from the universities of Princeton, Harvard and Berkeley to study the work of the brain of Buddhist monks during meditation. Why did you need it?
T.G.: Buddhist practices are an extremely powerful and effective method of dealing with negative emotions. Tibetans have been using them for centuries. So I suggested to my scientist friends that they use the most modern equipment to study the processes that take place in the brain during meditation.
For example, the Buddhist meditation of compassion. And the results were amazing! In particular, it was found that some lamas did not flinch when they heard a pistol shot. Scientists thought that this was a reflex that a person cannot control by an effort of will, and the lamas remained completely impassive.
It also turned out that experienced monks can almost accurately feel and understand the emotional state of other people. Ordinary people take it almost like mind reading. They also found that the areas of the brain responsible for fear and aggression are practically inactive in llamas, and those responsible for joy and creative thinking are very active. If scientists confirm that Buddhist meditation does indeed have such a positive effect on the brain, then everyone, regardless of religion, will be able to benefit from these practices.
Do you have weaknesses?
T.G.: I’m lazy. (Laughs.)
But you work so hard!
T.G.: This is laziness of a different kind. For example, when I come to the West, I get enthusiastic and decide to improve my English. But as soon as I return home, after a few days all my ardor disappears. And among my weaknesses are still anger and affection. For example, I am tied to my watch and rosary.
“IF YOU ARE NOT A BELIEVER, YOU HAVE ONE OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT AGAINST NEGATIVE EMOTIONS – TO THINK”
Can you tell us about your daily routine?
T.G.: I get up at 3.30 am. I meditate, I do prostrations, then I wash my face. Then I go for a walk and read mantras or continue to meditate. At 5 am I have breakfast and listen to Voice of America in Tibetan. After breakfast, I meditate again or study Buddhist philosophy. Sometimes I read magazines and newspapers before breakfast – Newsweek, Time. And be sure to listen to the BBC news at 7.30. I even developed something of an addiction: when I’m abroad and for some reason I can’t listen to the BBC, I feel like I’m left without information about the world. Then I work until 5.30 pm, at 6 I drink tea. As a Buddhist monk, I can’t eat after noon, but sometimes I allow myself two cookies. At this time I watch BBC news. Then I meditate again and at 8.30 I go to bed. Sleep is the most important meditation for everyone. Even for birds! Not to get into nirvana, but to survive.
Many public figures of our time could envy your incredible cheerfulness and sense of humor…
T.G.: You just didn’t see me in a bad mood! (Laughs) I’m a refugee. And therefore I can behave quite informally, unlike other people who are forced to correspond to their positions. I can afford to laugh out loud! In my family, everyone loved and loves to laugh – both brothers and sisters. Tibetans are generally very cheerful people. I often think that too strict protocol and a lot of formalities only create additional barriers between people. And I try to avoid barriers.
- 1935: Lhamo Dhondrup was born on July 6 in Amdo, northeast Tibet.
- 1938: A government delegation from Lhasa recognizes him as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the 74th manifestation of the Bodhisattva Chenrezig.
- 1940: elevated to the dignity. Now his name is Tenjin Gyatso.
- 1949–1950: Chinese occupation of Tibet; The Dalai Lama calls for non-resistance to violence.
- 1956: An emergency session of the National Assembly of Tibet asks Tenjin Gyatso to assume full power.
- 1959: Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru offers the Dalai Lama and 78 Tibetans political asylum.
- 1961: The UN General Assembly passes a resolution recognizing the right of the Tibetan people to self-determination.
- 1973: The Dalai Lama’s “Common Responsibility and Mercy” speech becomes a manifesto for the renewal of our civilization.
- 1989: Tenjing Gyatso receives the Nobel Peace Prize.
- 2002: The Dalai Lama resigns as head of government, remaining spiritual leader. n 2006: In Israel, the XNUMXth Dalai Lama calls on Hamas leaders to renounce violence.
HIS HOLY THE DALAI LAMA XIV«POWER OF COMPASSION» OPEN WORLD, 2006.
HIS HOLY THE DALAI LAMA AND HOWARD K. CUTLER “The Art of Being Happy at Work” SOFIA, 2005.