The Dalai Lama and the TV reporter Franz Alt have met 19 times in the last few years. This has resulted in many TV programmes, many articles, and joint events. Here are some extracts from these conversations.

Franz Alt:
Holiness, in a previous conversation you spoke about a “cultural genocide in Tibet” and told me that 1.2 million Tibetans have lost their lives as a result of the Chinese occupation. What is the present situation in Tibet?
 
Dalai Lama:
There has lately been some progress economically, but in the religious, cultural and ecological spheres, the situation is frightful. There is violence, suppression and massive human-rights violations against the Tibetans. There are political prisoners and torture in the prisons. What little freedom that has meanwhile been granted in China, for example some freedom of speech and demonstration, has still not been given to the Tibetans.
 
The greatest problem is the basic mistrust of the Chinese occupiers towards Tibetans, simply because we are Tibetans.
 
A positive trend is that more and more Chinese are taking an interest in Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism. They can now travel to Tibet as religious tourists. That promotes friendship between Chinese and Tibetans at a personal level.
 
 
Franz Alt:
In Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, I have seen that there are already more Chinese than Tibetans. I’ve heard about Chinese plans to resettle 20 million Chinese to Tibet in the coming decades. Then there would be three times as many Chinese as Tibetans in Tibet. Are you afraid that your country will be swamped by foreigners?
 
Dalai Lama:
That’s my greatest worry. This cultural inundation is resulting in Tibetans becoming a minority in their own country. It is also leading to environmental catastrophe, because the Chinese cannot adapt to the ecology on the “roof of the world”. The environmental situation in Tibet, however, affects the whole of east and south Asia, China, Nepal and India. To give just one example: The five longest rivers in Asia all have their source in the Himalayas.  Deforestation in Tibet has resulted in huge floods in China. In 1998, more than 100 million Chinese were affected by such floods. The world, however, takes almost no notice of these ecological consequences.
 
The ecological situation is, of course, catastrophic all over the world: the greenhouse effect, water shortage, the extinction of whole species, deforestation, chemicals in agriculture! If we continue like this, our children and grandchildren will inherit nothing but a desert from us! We are in the process of wiping ourselves out. Indeed, it would be better for the earth if we humans were soon to disappear. The earth would be much better off without us humans. We do, however, still have a chance to change our ways. (laughs loud and long) But nobody knows whether we will really make use of this chance. (continues laughing)
 
 
Franz Alt:
Your laugh and your smile are your trademark. Where do you find the strength to do so?
 
Dalai Lama:
As a practising monk, I am a contented person and a happy person. There is a way to happiness. And moreover, in spite of many setbacks and despite many problems in the world, I also see a lot of progress in this phase of my present life. I’m pleased about this.
 
Getting upset doesn’t achieve anything. We shouldn’t even allow our enemies to upset us. It is more intelligent to love your enemies. Jesus said this also in the Sermon on the Mount – a pearl of wisdom! You can learn a lot from your enemies. (laughs) I have the vision of a peaceful world. If we do not achieve peace in this generation, then perhaps in the next generation. (smiles) We can learn to overcome anger, hate and desire. That is the way to peace and true freedom. My advice: don´t build too much on material happiness – it is more important to distinguish between that which really helps us and that which harms us.
 
 
Franz Alt:
The USA got rid of a dictatorial regime in Iraq in four weeks by the use of violence. You have been trying for 40 years now to gain freedom for Tibet using the path of non-violence. But without success. Does Iraq not prove that a policy of violence is more successful than your policy?
 
Dalai Lama:
The situation in Tibet and Iraq is not comparable. In the case of Tibet and China it concerns the cooperation of two nations who have lived side by side, mostly in peace, for over 2000 years. I would like to restore this situation. That, however, cannot be achieved by force. Violence always leads to more violence – as can now be seen clearly from the example of Iraq.
 
Non-violence is not just a diplomatic expression but rather a real feeling of sympathy. War is always a defeat for humanity. Violent solutions are old solutions. Today we need new, peaceful solutions. These must, however, come from below, (from the people). Governments alone won’t manage it. Peace in the heart leads to peace in politics. The demonstrations for peace by millions of people this spring was a sign of great progress.
 
I continue to work on the basis of trust and reconciliation.  This is the only way to achieve genuine peace. The fact that millions of Chinese are nowadays sincerely interested in the fate of Tibet, confirms the success of my policy of non-violence. In Tibet, we want to show the whole world a new way to freedom - a way that is free of violence. Non-violence is slowly becoming more successful than violence. Violence is moreover always an expression of a lack of patience and control over one’s own inner aggression.
 
 
Franz Alt:
Let me follow up on that by asking: can you understand young Tibetans who say:” For 40 years now, the Dalai Lama’s way has not been successful. Now we must try violence.”?
 
Dalai Lama:
I understand this impatience. Even some older Tibetans put forward this argument. A Tibetan proverb says: There are some neighbours with whom you simply cannot live in peace. Many of those who think in this way have had to bear an immeasurable amount of pain, hatred and torture during the Chinese occupation.  Their negative attitude is understandable at an emotional level. My rational way is still, however, the way of non-violence. Only in this way can there be long-term success, freedom and happiness for everybody. Of course, I cannot name you a date for the freedom of Tibet. At the moment, however, a Tibetan delegation is again negotiating with a Chinese government delegation. This fills me with hope.
 
 
Franz Alt:
I have heard the demand from many Tibetans:” The Dalai Lama should return. Only then can we live in harmony and die in peace” Do you still believe you that you will be able to return to Tibet?” You are after all 68 years old!
 
Dalai Lama: (laughing)
When I see the question of Tibet in the context of new, positive developments in China, I am optimistic. Almost every month I see progress towards more freedom in China. If this development continues, I will soon be able to return to Tibet.
 
 
Franz Alt:
So you still hope?
 
Dalai Lama: (smiling)
Yes.
 
 
Franz Alt:
You know the catholic theologian Hans Kung. Do you agree with him that peace between religions is a prerequisite for world peace?
 
Dalai Lama:
I am not convinced that most wars are motivated by religion. Religion is often abused and orchestrated in politics. The real reasons for war generally have to do with economics and the politics of power. It often concerns financial resources and raw materials. In Northern Ireland I suggested that religion be left out of the equation when considering the conflict there. There, also, it primarily comes down to power and social conflict.
 
 
Franz Alt:
But looking at September 11 and the reaction of the USA in Afghanistan and Iraq, we see that religion always plays a part in the argument as well. Muslim fundamentalists speak of the “Holy War” and George W. Bush of  a “Just War”. In the coming years is there not a real danger of a “Clash of Civilisations” and a “Clash of Religions” between the Christian and Islamic world?
 
Dalai Lama:
The events of September 11 are manifold. The conflict has been building up over many years. In this case also there is much more involved than just religion. This is an especially clear case of the abuse of religion.  In fact, there is no such thing as “Religious wars” or  “Just Wars“
 
Wars are always a catastrophe. In India also the conflict between Hindus and Moslems is not solely a religious one. Both religions have lived together in peace for centuries. The struggle for political power and dominance are the cause of the conflict between India and Pakistan. Religion is just a secondary cause. Power games and economic interests are the main causes. Since we all live on a small planet, we must learn to live in peace and harmony and to be at one with nature. This is not just a dream but also a necessity.
 
 
Franz Alt:
Dear Dalai Lama, my dear friend: What is the common core of all religions?
 
Dalai Lama:
Fundamental human values such as love, tolerance and sympathy are the basis of all religions. Of course there are also philosophical, cultural and historical differences between the religions. But all religions have as their aim to reinforce the above mentioned basic values all over the world. The main purpose for my travels all over the world and in my many interviews - including those that both of us have conducted since 1983 - is to promote an understanding for these deeper human values. In your Sermon on the Mount and your Books of Jesus I find that the words of Jesus have a great similarity to those of the Buddha. We have discussed this in earlier interviews. Our mutual values are sympathy, care and commitment towards others. All religions wish to strengthen these basic values around the world so that people can become better and more aware. Our common way must surely be: More respect for all life, including animals and plants.
 
The conclusion that we must therefore draw is quite concrete and practical: peace instead of war. In comparison with the last century I actually see progress in the question of peace. The history of Europe is, after all, one of progressing from war to peace. Such a positive example also gives us personally a lot of hope. There are many more common aspects in all religions than there are differences. This applies also at a political and national level. If we concentrate more on the common ground in the religions and less on arguing about our metaphysical differences, then we are promoting peace between mankind and peace with nature.
 
 
Franz Alt:
In the last few decades you have been twenty times to Germany but never has a German Chancellor dared to receive you, for fear of the Chinese politics. It was, however, quite a different thing in the USA, in France and in Switzerland. There the heads of government have had talks with you. Are you disappointed at the cowardice of the German politicians?
 
Dalai Lama:
The purpose of my journeys is to promote universal values – and, in this respect, every person I meet serves this end. I am also happy to meet politicians, but I am not disappointed when politicians have to take specific interests into consideration. Neither am I against economic contacts with China. I do, however, suggest that economists bring up human-rights issues during their discussions and business in China.
 
I don’t wish to cause any problems for the politicians, of course. Basically, however, I would like to stress that the Tibetan question has the support of many people in Germany. There are many Tibetan support-groups here which have been engaged in the question of human rights in Tibet for decades now. This is a great  help to us. I am grateful for this. This keeps people aware of the Tibetan question. In the German government, we have, in Joschka Fischer, the Foreign Minister, a committed champion of human rights in Tibet and of our efforts to achieve more religious freedom and cultural autonomy in Tibet. 
 
 
Franz Alt:
My last question: this TV programme has the title:  “Peace, Environment, Human Rights” – what do these three values mean for the future of mankind?
 
Dalai Lama:
These basic values are decisive for our future. An environmental policy, if it is really to deserve this name, is a prerequisite for our survival. We cannot live and work successfully in a world out of balance. The most important thing we have to learn is to live, work and produce in harmony with nature, that means no longer working against nature. Our planet is our home – our only home. Where are we to go then if we destroy it?
 
As I have already said: the earth would be better off at present without us humans than with us. Humans are the greatest pests on the earth. If humans didn’t exist there would also be no more wars and no weapons of mass destruction threatening all life. (again a long laugh).
 
Seriously though: peace is also, as a basic value, essential for survival and the respect for human rights is  an essential element in the search for peace. If we humans cause suffering for each other and violate human rights there can be no harmony on this beautiful earth. It is important that your colleagues recognise this relationship and report on it. Thank you, dear Franz, for having tackled this subject so comprehensively in your books and TV programmes over the last decades.

Source:
Franz Alt 2005