Written by Laurence Brahm - Published by South China Morning Post on 03/14/2005

The two most important Tibetan spiritual figures share their philosopy.

The 11th Panchen Lama divides his time between Beijing and his home at the Tashilumpo Monastery in central-western Tibet where he meditates for world peace every day.

Before meeting the Panchen Lama in a temple hall, his teacher Lama Tsering, who is more than 80 years old, grasped my hands and whispered: “This meeting is very important to us all because you are the first foreigner to meet his holiness. This is the first time.”

I later learned this was also the first time the Panchen Lama had ever granted a filmed interview. Even official Chinese media have not had this opportunity.

Apart from Tibetan (spoken with a strong Shigatse accent), the 14-year-old lama speaks Putonghua and, to my surprise, perfects American-accented English. As we began filming the interview, in a room lit with yak butter candles, the Panchen Lama on a dais attended by retainers, me sitting below, I thought about a similar scene in the movie Seven Years in Tibet, depicting the teenage Dalai Lama’s first meeting with foreigner.

The Panchen Lama seemed both enthused and amused that I was traveling across western Tibet filming locations described in the Shambhala Sutra. “Originally, the Shambhala concept came from India where the first Buddha, Shakyamuni, was born,” he said. “Many people thought of it as a dimension. In Tibetan history, many famous Buddhist scholars, including my predecessors the first, sixth and ninth Panchen Lamas, spoke and wrote about Shambhala, describing the location as a harmonious place.”

He then offered a word of both caution and advice: “It is hard to say if each person can reach Shambhala. It depends on determination and study. If you think positively you can reach there.”

Then, in metaphysical images, he explained: “In the Shambhala dimension, the king of Shambhala must use positive energy to destroy evil caused by negative energy, so the environment can be protected, people can live longer, Buddhist ideals will flourish, and there will be peace and harmony among humanity.”

The Panchen Lama then turned the interview around, asking me many questions ranging from religious tolerance and intolerance in the west, to concerns about international events.

I could not imagine that he was only 14 years old. It felt as thought I were speaking to a mature adult, a potential religious and possible political leader, immensely concerned with international current events. I asked him: “Your Holiness, given the situation today, hw can Shambhala ideal be applied for peace on Earth? What should we do?”

He replied: “Firstly, use compassion to help others, even at your own loss. Then there will be peace. If you are selfish and achieve for yourself at loss to others, then the world will have no peace.

“in my own opinion, many countries spend much money to by arms and weapons of mass destruction. By doing so, these countries will gain power for their country, but it will bring harm to the world. This expense is very large and tremendous. If these countries used this money to help less-developed countries and nationalities, if this money went to disabled people and students, and to buy medical facilities and promote medical research then there would be peace. But by spending the money on arms, it is a waste, like throwing money into a vast sea.

“I wish the world may enjoy peace and that people love and respect each other. May there be tolerance among different religions and beliefs.

“Secondly, I wish Tibetan people here and living abroad love their country and home town, and put their efforts into economic development in their homeland.”

He then, almost as an afterthought, clasped his hands together in prayer, delivering his last message: “In the end I will pray in English for the world. I pray for peace in the world. May Buddha bless [all] human beings.”

Leaving the Panchen Lama, I was struck by the teenage “living Buddha” who at 14 is consumed with concern about world peace. He also astutely used the meeting to send a subtle message to overseas Tibetans: put down past differences and strengthen Tibet’s economy for its broader interest. Moreover, he had given me the task to deliver this message: but to whom? I could think of only one person.

Laurence Brahm is a global activist, international mediator, political columnist and author. He is the leading advocate of a fresh development paradigm - The Himalayan Consensus - an innovative approach to development.

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