Trending This Week on Social Media: His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Japan

On Monday this week, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama descended on the land of the rising sun, Japan. The “simple Buddhist monk,” as he often calls himself, has a series of teachings and public engagements in Yokohama, Tokyo, Chiba and Fukuoka in Japan, from 12 November to 22 November.

After coming into exile, Japan was the first foreign country that His Holiness visited, from 25 September to 10 October 1967. His Holiness was invited by the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism; Yomiuri Shimbun, a media mogul in Japan, sponsored it. This year marks the 25th visit to Japan.

On 13 November in Yokohama city, His Holiness appeared for an interview with Ms Rina Yamasawa for Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (NHK), Japan Broadcasting Corporation. When asked about his reincarnation, His Holiness playfully removed his glasses and said, “Look at my face, is the need to address the question of my reincarnation urgent?”

During the first interview, His Holiness stressed on his third commitment, and he reiterated as a Tibetan, his Middle Way Approach is the only viable solution to seek mutual agreement for mutual benefit with the Chinese counterpart.

His second interview was with Ms Sakurai Yoshiko, President of the Japan Institute of National Fundamentals, touched on similar topics. Speaking on the preservation of Tibetan tradition and culture in foreign soil, His Holiness expressed his gratitude for the support of the government of India and the encouragement of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India.

On 14 and 15 November, His Holiness gave teaching on ‘Heart Sutra and stages of meditation’ and conferment of ‘Avalokiteshvara Empowerment’ in the Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall.

On 16 November, in the same venue, His Holiness took part in a dialogue on ‘Modern Science and Buddhist Science’ with three panellists including Dr Iri Atsushi, Japanese neuroscientist; Dr Yoshiko Sakiko, Psychologist of Kyoto University and Dr Chong-Sun Chu, a quantum physicist from Taiwan. The events are being organised at the request of the Liaison Office of the Dalai Lama in Japan.

 

On 17 November, His Holiness gave a public talk on a theme: We are one family for Japanese youth at Hibiya open-air concert hall in Tokyo. The event is being organised by Sherab Kyetsel Ling Institute.

Today, His Holiness will participate in the opening ceremony of Sherab Kyetsel Ling Institute in Chiba, Japan.

 

A glimpse of netizens’ reactions on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public engagements and teachings in Japan: