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Dalai Lama gives Glastonbury his verdict on Isis: 'unthinkable' Dalai Lama gives Glastonbury his verdict on Isis: 'unthinkable'
(about 1 hour later)
The Dalai Lama has used a historic appearance at Glastonbury to describe the Islamic State violence in Syria and Iraq as “unthinkable”.The Dalai Lama has used a historic appearance at Glastonbury to describe the Islamic State violence in Syria and Iraq as “unthinkable”.
In a speech before hundreds of rain-soaked campers on Sunday morning, the Tibetan spiritual leader stressed the importance of the “oneness” of the planet’s 7bn people – and made a rare comment on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.In a speech before hundreds of rain-soaked campers on Sunday morning, the Tibetan spiritual leader stressed the importance of the “oneness” of the planet’s 7bn people – and made a rare comment on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The Dalai Lama, 80, did not explicitly refer to Islamic State, but told an audience of hundreds:”In Syria and Iraq and some other places they’re killing other human beings. Unthinkable. The worst thing [about] the conflict is the killing of others in the name of faith. Unthinkable.” The Dalai Lama, 80, did not explicitly refer to Islamic State, but told an audience of hundreds: “In this very moment, in some part of the world, like Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and some other places – they’re killing, human to human being. Unthinkable. And the worst thing [is that] conflict, killing each other, in the name of their faith. Unthinkable.”
He said all major religions carry a message of “love and tolerance and fairness” but said those values were being used by some to create division.He said all major religions carry a message of “love and tolerance and fairness” but said those values were being used by some to create division.
He said the real meaning of jihad was not harming others, but to use “constructive emotion” to combat destructive emotions. “I daily use it in my five hours of meditation, this kind of jihad,” he said.
He added: “There is nothing wrong with religious beliefs, but the people who are supposed to be following the religion have a lack of moral principle, lack of conviction.
“There is no basis to kill. I love my own life. Everyone loves their own life. Everyone has the right to live happily. Once you have a firm conviction in that then suddenly man-made problems will reduce.”
Asked later whether music made him happy, the Dalai Lama said “not much”. He added that he challenged the view that music could bring inner peace: “If music really brings inner peace, then this Syria and Iraq – killing each other – there through some strong music can they reduce their anger? I don’t think so.”
His three tips for living a health and fulfilled life were for people to keep their inner strength and hope, get plenty of sleep – he has nine hours a night – and meditate for five hours every morning, waking up at 2.30-3am.
The spiritual leader addressed festival-goers from a modest wooden stage emblazoned with the Tibetan flag in the festival’s Stone Circle.The spiritual leader addressed festival-goers from a modest wooden stage emblazoned with the Tibetan flag in the festival’s Stone Circle.
He was introduced on stage by the BBC executive Alan Yentob and greeted by a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by those in the crowd.He was introduced on stage by the BBC executive Alan Yentob and greeted by a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by those in the crowd.
The biggest cheer of the Dalai Lama’s 30-minute speech came when he called for the “demilitarisation of the world”. He said the billions spent on arms by governments would be better used to address the “huge gap between the rich and the poor”.The biggest cheer of the Dalai Lama’s 30-minute speech came when he called for the “demilitarisation of the world”. He said the billions spent on arms by governments would be better used to address the “huge gap between the rich and the poor”.
Growing inequality was a “very very serious matter” not just for certain nations, but around the world. “It’s not just morally wrong but also it’s a practical problem,” he said.Growing inequality was a “very very serious matter” not just for certain nations, but around the world. “It’s not just morally wrong but also it’s a practical problem,” he said.
In a question-and-answer session with Yentob, the revered Buddhist monk also gave an insight into his life – revealing that he woke up at 2.30am to meditate for five hours before his Glastonbury appearance.
Asked what he would do if he wasn’t the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader said he would be a farmer or tractor driver.Asked what he would do if he wasn’t the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader said he would be a farmer or tractor driver.
After the speech, one of those in the crowd, Merle Hansen, said Dalai Lama’s appearance was one of the highlights in more than 30 years of coming to Glastonbury. “I thought it was great, absolutely wonderful and perfect timing. It’s so nice to see so many people here – I find it very touching and moving,” she said, describing him as the most talked-about act of Glastonbury this year.After the speech, one of those in the crowd, Merle Hansen, said Dalai Lama’s appearance was one of the highlights in more than 30 years of coming to Glastonbury. “I thought it was great, absolutely wonderful and perfect timing. It’s so nice to see so many people here – I find it very touching and moving,” she said, describing him as the most talked-about act of Glastonbury this year.
Her partner, Ian Hamilton, holding their daughter Alyana Hansen-Hamilton aloft on his shoulders, added: “You have to ask yourself why are people here? They are here because of what he embodies, what he represents, which is love, forgiveness and harmony.”Her partner, Ian Hamilton, holding their daughter Alyana Hansen-Hamilton aloft on his shoulders, added: “You have to ask yourself why are people here? They are here because of what he embodies, what he represents, which is love, forgiveness and harmony.”
Nearby a Tibetan man, clutching a giant flag of his home country, said he had bought a Glastonbury ticket just to see the Dalai Lama and driven since 2am to get to Worthy Farm.Nearby a Tibetan man, clutching a giant flag of his home country, said he had bought a Glastonbury ticket just to see the Dalai Lama and driven since 2am to get to Worthy Farm.
“I’m very, very excited. It means a lot to hear him speak. We drove from two o’clock last night, it took a long time. The whole night I couldn’t sleep. It is very exciting to be here,” he said, declining to be named because he feared repercussions from the Chinese authorities.“I’m very, very excited. It means a lot to hear him speak. We drove from two o’clock last night, it took a long time. The whole night I couldn’t sleep. It is very exciting to be here,” he said, declining to be named because he feared repercussions from the Chinese authorities.
“He is very peace-loving – that’s why people are here. I’ve seen the Dalai Lama many times in England, India, Belgium. This is my first time [at Glastonbury], that’s why I bought the ticket – it is very expensive but worth it. It is exciting.”“He is very peace-loving – that’s why people are here. I’ve seen the Dalai Lama many times in England, India, Belgium. This is my first time [at Glastonbury], that’s why I bought the ticket – it is very expensive but worth it. It is exciting.”