His Holiness the Dalai Lama Speaks on Peace to Thousands of Youngsters

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Tibet.net
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama answering questions from panelists and the audience of over 5,000 young people from 29 counties who attended the Peace Conference of Youth 2010 held at Intex Osaka Hall, Osaka, Japan on November 7th, 2010. (Photo: Taikan Usui)

Osaka, Japan, 07 November: His Holiness the Dalai Lama had a private meetings with some Tibet supporters this morning. A delegation from Korea comprising some dignitaries also had a brief audience with His Holiness.

As the main event of the day, His Holiness gave a talk to a gathering comprising 5000 young people including representatives from some 29 countries at Intex hall in Osaka city. The talk is one of main events of Junior Chamber of Commerce's eight-day program entitled "Peace Conference of Youth".

His Holiness expressed his happiness over meeting so many young people and being able to interact with them on the occasion. His Holiness said that this 21st century belongs to the young people and it is their responsibility in making a new world of peace and less violence.  

"Desire for peace only is not enough, it must come with concrete action. Peace does not means the absence of violence, difference of opinion and conflict is bound to be there. But the means to solve and redress these differences and conflicts should be through proper dialogue and not war. Destruction of your neighbour is destruction of yourself.

"Science and technology has greatly benefited the humanity in bringing material prosperity and conveniences, but it has its own limitation. Material progress alone does not bring happiness. Japan is one of the most industrialized and developed nations, but loneliness and suicides abound in this nation. This is because we tend to forget the inner value and development of our mind.

"Scientists have been studying matters, now these days scientists have began to study their own mind. Science and technology are very important, but the mind of the human beings who are the ultimate users of these technologies should also develop accordingly in a positive direction so that the technologies are used for the welfare of humanity and world peace.

"Peace comes from human action, human action comes from motivation, so in order to have a good and peaceful motivation, human being first should have a peace within themselves," His Holiness addressed the young members of the audience.

Afternoon session was discussion with the members of the Chambers and their presentations. Foreign participants made a brief presentations about the youths' activities in their own countries for world peace. His Holiness advised the young participants that the concept of "We and They" should be narrowed to include everyone in "we".

His Holiness' talk was received by the gathering with standing ovation, the Chairman Mr. Yasuyuki Honda and the members thanked His Holiness for his advise and said that His Holiness' vision for world peace will live in the young people's heart.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the entourage members left Osaka for Nara city in the evening. His Holiness is scheduled to give talk to Buddhist and Shinto priests, and later to the general public at Todaiji Temple in Nara city tomorrow.