Osaka, Japan — The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on Monday said that it is the only realistic solution to resolve the Tibet issue in a mutually beneficial way, Tibet too needs China's help to develop economically.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Monday arrived in Osaka city of Japan, where a group of over one hundred Taiwanese and Mongolian devotees welcomed him with bouquets and traditional Tibetan scarves.
"As for Tibet, we have a huge land and a rich culture but we need China's help to develop economically," he told reporters in Osaka in Japan.
"I really admire the concept of federation, such as the European Union, where countries are foregoing their sovereign rights to join the union," His Holiness the Dalai Lama said.
The Nobel Peace laureate believes in the "Middle Way Approach" that implies not seeking "Independence" for Tibet, but a "Meaningful" or "Genuine" Autonomy" for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet within the framework of the People's Republic of China.
The spiritual leader also applauded the reconciliatory spirit of the Japanese and the Germans. “Even though two atomic bombs were dropped in Japan, most Japanese have reconciled from the past and doesn’t carry sentiments of vengeance anymore. The same goes for the Germans," he said.
"Similarly, Tibetans should be realistic and preserve its rich cultural traditions through genuine autonomy,” His Holiness said, emphasising that ‘common interest should be more important than independence at this crucial juncture in our country’s history.
His Holiness will give teachings on Shantideva's A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life (Tib: Chodjug) to about 2700 devotees at the Osaka International Convention Center from 10 – 13 May. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will return to India on Saturday, 14 May.
