Mexico City, Mexico 14 October 2013 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama began a final busy day in Mexico City by giving an interview to Adela Micha of Televisa. She began by telling her viewers that she was speaking in person to the Dalai Lama and asked him how he sees himself, to which he answered: "As just another human being."
She asked his view on the status of women in Buddhism and His Holiness replied that 2600 years ago women were treated equally. As human history unfolded men took over leadership because of their physical strength. He added that education now compensates for that inequality and he looks forward to women filling more leadership roles.
His Holiness was asked about the issue of Tibet and siad that he expects to see change within the next 10-15 years.
On the subject of young Tibetans criticizing his approach he said that they lacked experience and a holistic view of the issues involved. He then outlined his past meetings with Mao Zedong, Pandit Nehru and the UN, stating that all Tibetans should have the opportunity to preserve their culture and language etc.
His Holiness then sat quietly in the Arena where he was going to teach and a Sanskrit recitation of the Heart Sutra was recited. He then talked about generating the awakening mind of Bodhichitta and pointed out that when he conducts such a ceremony, rather than just a lecture, a bond is formed between teacher and student. Therefore, he requested that anyone who propitiates Gyalpo Shugden should leave the arena. The 5th Dalai Lama described Shugden as a perfidious spirit who brought only harm to the Dharma and sentient beings.
The assembled crowd then recited the appropriate verses from the 'Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life' and then His Holiness led them in reciting the verses for generating the awakening mind of Bodhichitta, the altruistic aspiration to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.
Tony Karam, the organiser, thanked His Holiness on behalf of Casa Tibet Mexico and read out a financial statement. A donation to the Dalai Lama Trust would be made from surplus funds.
During a lunch break His Holiness was interviewed by Fernanda Gonzalez Vilchis, Editor of the National Geographic Magazine. Pictures of Lhasa appeared in the very first edition and she offered His Holiness archive photographs including some of the Potala Palace in 1946. His Holiness told her that he had found copies that belonged to his predecessor the 13th Dalai Lama and that he regularly received the magazine when he was in Tibet.
His Holiness returned to the Arena to meet a number of members from other faiths. There were 12000 in the audience, which was free to enter, and tickets had been distributed to students who in turn were allowed to invite teachers, parents and friends.
His Holiness began by noting that the young people in the audience belong to the 21st century and it will be their responsibility to shape the future and make this 'a time when disputes are settled by dialogue.' He said that they will need 'vision' and 'determination and self-confidence.'
His Holiness then answered several questions and left the Arena to much applause.
former Mexican President Vicente Fox and his wife came to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They met privately for a few minutes before walking with him from the main house to the newly established Vicente Fox Center of Studies, Library and Museum.
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