Noble Peace Prize Acceptance Speech by Dalai Lama

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                The 14th Dalai Lama delivered his Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech om 10th December 1989 in the assembly hall at the University of Oslo, Norway. In this speech Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, brought both the plight of Tibet and Dalai Lama into the global spotlight.

                Dalai Lama felt happy and honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. He accepted the award as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He felt that by giving this award to a simple monk of Tibet, it is once again proved that with the help of courage and determination, Tibet will be liberated.

                Dalai Lama said that the basic needs of all human beings are the same. All human beings want happiness, freedom and the right to determine their own destiny as individuals. Though China crushed the democratic movement in Tibet by brutal force, the spirit of freedom in Tibet had never ceased. Many Tibetans were imprisoned and sentenced to death by China just because they fought for their country’s freedom.

Dalai Lama said that the Tibetans had suffered for nearly 40 years. But still they had followed the path of non-violence and their hearts were free from hatred. They wanted to end the suffering of all human beings and they did not want to inflict suffering upon others.

In 1987, Dalai Lama proposed a negotiation between China and Tibet with a Five-point plan for the restoration of peace and human rights in Tibet. Because of this negotiation, he believed Tibet will become a nation of Ahimsa and a sanctuary of peace. In European parliament, Dalai Lama expressed these ideas which were both realistic and reasonable. But the Chinese leader’s didn’t considerd it important.

Dalai Lama felt that the relationship between Tibet and China should be based on the principles laid down by the wise rulers of Tibet and of China in 823 AD and also upon the principles of equality, respect, trust and mutual benefit. Dalai Lama recalled the words carved on the pillar at Lhasa that “Tibetans will live happily in the great land of Tibet, and the Chinese will live happily in the great land of China”

As a Buddhist monk, Dalai Lama was concerned about the whole human race. He believed that all suffering was caused by the ignorance of human beings. He said that people inflict pain on others for their own happiness and satisfaction, but Dalai Lama told that the real happiness could be felt only through the feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood. He also added that everyone should develop a good heart and a sense of universal responsibility.

Dalai Lama believed that both science and the teachings of Buddha tell the fundamental unity of all things. He believed that the goal of all religion is human goodness and happiness. He also said that understanding the fundamental unity of all things was necessary for the present global concern about the environment.

Dalai Lama ended his speech by stressing the importance of ancient values. He said that the ancient values alone could make the 20th century kinder and happier. And finally Dali Lama wanted all the human beings to stand together to build a better nation, which must be based on human understanding and love.

Thus Dalai Lama took this unique opportunity to represent the situation in Tibet. He put forward the Tibetan position and placed the issues in global context by aligning them with the struggles for human rights across the world.

--- HAPPY LEARNING -----

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