DHARAMSHALA: In an interview with ARD TV, one of Germany’s largest TV network before leaving for his ongoing visit to Germany from Dharamshala, His Holiness lauded Germany’s refugee policy, calling it ‘compassionate’ in the wake of the Syrian refugee crisis that began since 2013.
“During the refugee crisis, the Chancellor (Angela Merkel) has spoken about compassion. Not artificial but sincere compassion. So therefore, I believe Germany can make some significant contribution regarding a compassionate world,” His Holiness told Markus Spieker of ARD TV.
His Holiness further condemned violence in the name of religion and called for logic and analysis in religious faith.
Speaking about how inner values are borne out of a deep faith in secular ethics, His Holiness said that one of his primary commitments in life is to promote human values and religious harmony.
“These days, there are more and more so-called religious people in the world who sometimes create more trouble. So, what really matters is to convey inner values to others through education. Education that is based on scientific findings and not based on religious faith,” His Holiness said.
The interview also touched on themes such as the 15th Dalai Lama and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar between the Burmese military and ethnic Muslims in the country’s northwestern Rakhine state.
Speaking about the 15th Dalai Lama, His Holiness lightly brushed off the topic and said that there are more important issues in the world which needs urgent attention.
“This is frankly speaking not my business,” His Holiness said. “The remaining years I have, I should use it in the best way that I can for my objectives. Some Chinese officials find that very important, they seem to take more interest in the next Dalai Lama than I do,” His Holiness added.
On the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, His Holiness has expressed sorrow over the plight of the persecuted minority and has also written a letter to fellow Nobel peace laureate Daw Ang San Su Kyi who is the state Councillor of Myanmar, calling for a peaceful resolution of the issue
In the letter His Holiness has written, ““As a Buddhist like you, I call on you to find a sustainable and kind solution.”
One of the most admired religious and public figures among the public in Germany, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Germany from September 13-15. His Holiness arrived in Italy yesterday.