The Dalai Lama, in Mumbai to celebrate World Compassion Day

Never confuse compassion with weakness

The Dalai Lama, in Mumbai to celebrate World Compassion Day, talks to Pritish Nandy. Excerpts:

Do you occasionally feel that compassion has failed as an instrument of change in recent times? Does this disappoint you? No, compassion never fails. It is our understanding of compassion that occasionally does. We are not always sure what we expect from compassion. That is our failing. We are disappointed because we do not always understand how compassion works. It is a very powerful emotion and only those who have courage and a strong sense of self esteem can afford to be compassionate.
Since you speak in defence of animals and how they need to be protected, have you ever had pets? Yes, birds to begin with. Then some dogs. Now I have a cat. Children should be encouraged to have pets because it helps them to bond with other species and, as they grow older, they understand the importance of compassion in all relationships. It makes them stronger, better people.
You have been recommending vegetarianism? Are you one? Tibetans are not vegetarians by birth. I tried very seriously to be one but because of certain medical reasons I had to give it up after a while. But that does not mean I do not support and recommend vegetarianism. It is the best thing for your health and well being, as any doctor will tell you. We have often been offered money to do poultry farming, rearing animals for food. But I have always turned it down. I would like my people to reduce their intake of meat and meat products. Good health and good eating habits go together. Research shows that food that does not involve killing makes you emotionally stronger.
What is your favourite food?
South Indian vegetarian food. It is nutritious, very tasty and I like it very much.
Does it disappoint you that China does not respond to your voice of compassion? No. I still believe compassion is the only way we can resolve such issues, even in politics. But compassion does not mean weakness. We Tibetans are a strong people. We do not accept defeat so easily. Things are rapidly changing. The China of today is not what it was thirty years ago. Their leaders are also changing. They are no longer so strong and stubborn as they once were. I have every reason to believe that the future will be better than the past.
Are you happy? People sometimes call me the mischievous Lama because I laugh, I smile, I speak in jest. Yes, I believe that nothing can be achieved if you are not happy. But you cannot be happy unless others around you are also happy. So I seek happiness for everyone. People. Animals. Birds. Even insects. As the Japanese believe, even plants and flowers have life and feelings. I do not know about feelings but life they certainly have and we must learn to love and protect anything that has life. That is what compassion is all about. Though sometimes I must confess I do not feel very compassionate about mosquitoes when they come and bite me. (Laughs).

Pritish Nandy with the Dalai Lama