April 15, 2023
Apr
15
I am deeply saddened by the recent media coverage of a short video clip of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with a young boy who sought affection from His Holiness during a public event on 28th February 2023.
Throughout his life, His Holiness has worked solely and tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of others in his homeland of Tibet and around the world. At 87 years old, as the longest serving religious leader of our time, and as a Nobel Peace Laureate, His Holiness has been a peerless and exemplary embodiment of compassion, non-violence, selflessness, and wisdom. His Holiness has demonstrated remarkable commitment to promoting international, inter-faith and inter-personal harmony, peace, and friendship.
His Holiness has been an icon of compassion and has made an unparalleled positive impact throughout the world with his kindness and pure morality, promoting a sense of the oneness of humanity. As we all know, His Holiness is loved and respected for his unfailing humility and informal displays of human connection and affection.
It saddens me profoundly that a small video clip, deliberately edited with negative intentions, can so easily influence the minds of the population at large. This incident highlights a serious danger in our society, a growing tendency to accept without question the images and messages presented to us through the media, without carefully investigating and critically analyzing the underlying motives, agenda and broader context that might inform our understanding and response. Unless we are careful, we may be easily exploited by parties seeking to disingenuously influence public opinion.
I share the feelings of all those who have been affected by the recent allegations, which are baseless. The truth will prevail and His Holiness will continue to be a beacon of hope and peace in the world. I pray for His Holiness’s long life and for his infinite compassionate activities to continue to benefit humanity.
Sincerely
Ling Rinpoche
