In the photograph, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is bumping heads with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Yesterday His Holiness received the first Lantos Human Rights Prize from Speaker Pelosi. The prize was was established in honor of the late U.S. House Representative Tom Lantos. Rep. Lantos was a Holocaust survivor and strong supporter of Tibetan rights.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama is being soundly roasted from many sides because he will not meet with the Dalai Lama while His Holiness is in Washington. The President will be meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao next month and no doubt is wary of Beijing's pathologically irrational sensibilities regarding the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet.
Should President Obama meet with the Dalai Lama this week? Read on for arguments for and against.
The government of China has intimidated the world's heads of state from being seen with His Holiness. If they do meet with him, they do it in an informal setting. For example, last year British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with His Holiness at the residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury.
Past Presidents of the U.S. have met the Dalai Lama, but I'm reasonably sure the Dalai Lama has never set foot in the Oval Office. I dimly remember he was allowed into the White House kitchen once, but I couldn't find corroboration.
One does wish the world's heads of state would stop being such a pack of weenies and let China know they will meet with whomever they wish, and wherever, nyah nyah nyah. But I'm not holding my breath for that to happen.
Over the years His Holiness has received no end of honors and awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize and a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. And while heads of state are wary about being seen with him, lesser politicians line up by the dozens to bravely stand up to China and get their pictures taken with the benign old monk.
And I would like to point out that while such posturing may earn the politicians a few votes, they don't seem to be doing Tibet much good.
A representative of the Dalai Lama writes in today's Washington Post that the decision not to meet before the China summit was mutual. White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and Under Secretary of State Maria Otero met with His Holiness is Dharamsala last month to discuss the not-meeting, and the Dalai Lama supports the President's decision. The two leaders will meet, but not until after the China-U.S. summit.
David L. Phillips wrote in the Boston Globe that "the decision to defer an Oval Office meeting is based on careful calculation. Instead of a photo-opportunity with the Dalai Lama, the administration believes it would be better to focus on diplomacy to restart negotiations between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama's envoys that were suspended last year."
While these continual contretemps are disappointing and sometimes disconcerting, still they are a reminder of the world of samsara we all, including HH the Dalai Lama, President Obama, and the Chinese Government officials live in and, one way or another, hope to escape from, eventually. (Well, I suppose there are those who would be content to remain in samsaric existence forever, but I seriously suggest they need their heads examined.)
After 69 years’ experience of samsara, I really don’t expect anything ever to go well — and when somethings seems to, there’s usually a catch to it. That’s what samsara’s all about.
So we stumble on.
Agree with Jon R. If anyone understands the complex nature of the composition of all things (including meetings) it is His Holiness. Attention goes where it is most needed, and the self is a lesser metric in the algorithm. He and the President will meet when it is less likely to cause harm to all.
I personally find it offensive that Obama is playing politics with His Holiness. While I’m working on that anger problem, I found the Jon Stewart treatment given the issue last night greatly helped me find my center. I’m sure HH would enjoy it as well as he seems to have not only compassion but humor for all of us. See: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-october-7-2009/hell-no–dalai
Note – the John Oliver “on the scene” report in the clip may be offensive to some as he makes some satirical comments about His Holiness with respect to the Chinese that are rather over the top. Remember, it’s the Daily Show, and respect is shown in different ways by different people.
I totally agree with the first 2 comments. On top of that I especially agree with the author where she states:
“One does wish the world’s heads of state would stop being such a pack of weenies and let China know they will meet with whomever they wish, and wherever, nyah nyah nyah. But I’m not holding my breath for that to happen.
On NPR at a person by the name of Jon Nason left the perfect comment about the Dalai Lama, responding to a piece about Obama being slammed by a comedian. Jon said:
I know this will sound harsh but, it would be difficult for me to care less about what Jon Stewart’s thoughts are on this matter. In regard to H.H. The Dalai Lama, he understands what is most important at this point and that is; constructive dialog with China. He understands that if he needs to be publicly slighted by our President in order to advance this constructive dialog, then for him, this is a very small price to pay. His Holiness’ character and reputation far exceed any advantage an audience with our President would afford, even though, on a personal basis, I’m certain he would love to talk with President Obama.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. ~ Les O’Riley
Yes, however it very sad that the value of meeting with H.H. Dalai Lama is put secondary to those that are oppressing the Tibetan people. That being said it is apparent that the value is money and not humanity..this is apparent in other areas of the world as well. We can send blessings out in hopes that there will soon be clarity on what is truly important, because we are all connected in either joy or samsara.
Obama did not permanently put off meeting the Dalai Lama. He just aid that this was not the appropriate time. One must consider the larger picture. Although the attitude of the Chinese toward Tibet borders on genocidal – if genocidal can be interpreted as destruction of national identity – yet the larger picture has to be taken into account. We cannot allow the relations between the two countries to be jeopardized by an issue like this. We are dealing here with a postponement, not a permanent refusal.
I agree that it would be preferable if a number of countries could get together to stand up to the Chinese about Tibet. The even bigger picture shows why we cannot: Our lifestyle in the US has left the Chinese holding a lot of our debt. All they have to do is call in the loans, and we’re in deep trouble. Also, we’ve done some things that make it difficult for us to point fingers.
I feel it is a shame that Obama would miss ANY chance whatsoever to meet with and celebrate His Holiness The Dalai Lhama. Thousands of people make all sorts of travel and expenses to visit his presentations/teachings quite far from home and work…and organize tight schedules and money and succeed! Nevermind he be right in your town! With His Holiness and The Dalai Lhama and the situation in Tibet, there might not be a later! I bet Obama will be kicking himself when its too late!
However, I can understand His Holiness feeling like it would be a distraction and waste of time either way.
I appreciate the people of Washington who are preparing to celebrate him, and he them and I’m kinda glad all the fuss there would be with a meeting with Obama, won’t be cutting into that!
Its like ‘the precious human birth’. Lets think of this meeting between all these folks in Washington and His Holiness as very precious and be thankful there won’t be cobra units and copters and all that!
Obama ignoring Tibet though, is another question. I don’t know Obama’s position on that.
A bit disappointed though!
Thanks for your contributions Barbara!
OH MY GOODNESS! Moments after my post…I just saw that Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am in Europe so I get news a wee bit later but still…I just found this out!!!!
Okay folks! Would this have anything to do with the meeting? How will this effect the cancelled/postponed meeting? Did either of them know this already? Now what?
All I can say is WOW!
So?
I believe that Obama and His Holiness are two brilliant men, each working toward a common goal (world peace). each playing the “personna cards” they’ve been dealt to the best of their abilities.
Perhaps evidence that when the President Obama was inaugurated he had, unknown to most, a khata (the usually white Tibetan offering/blessing scarf) once given to him by His Holiness in his jacket pocket.
Patience is the one of the six perfections of mind Bodhisattvas strive for. Concerning an Obama/HHDL meeting, I believe it is best to be patient, to unhook from your opinions and leave it to those who know what they are doing.
Meaning ’so cheer up!’
It is sad to see the strongest of the nations keep making mistake after mistake. At this point of time it is scared of China for the money US owe. We saw about US that when they got attacked on 9/11. They attacked Afghan and killed many innocents but the real culprits are still untraceable. Then Iraq eventhough they knew there is no WMD. They attacked with nuclear bombs on common people of Japan. I will not be surprised even CIA orders to kill Dalai Lama, Au San Sui Ki etc to appease China. US never acted as a responsible nation and cannot expect. Let us not talk about these in such forums. China is now trying to become a US. I wonder how power corrupts not just person but society as a whole. I know this is complete politics and nothing to do with Buddhism. Let us try to keep out…….