Dalai Lama on way to attend Global Buddhist meet in Delhi

Despite strong objections from China, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, left Dharamshala today to address the Global Buddhist Congregation in New Delhi on November 30.

Indian officials said a meeting between Indian and Chinese diplomats was cancelled, after China attempted to interfere in India's internal affairs and sought a ban on Dalai Lama address.

The Buddhist Congregation was now into its second day on Tuesday, with religious scholars debating the finer points of Buddhist philosophy and morality. Yesterday, China reportedly objected to His Holiness' attendance and warned India to cancel the conference, which is being attended by around 900 Buddhist scholars and others from 46 countries.

Speaking from Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said, "We oppose any country that provides a platform for his anti-China activities, in any form."

The Global Buddhist Congregation has been organized by the Asoka Mission, to commemorate the 2,600th year of Sambobdhi Prapti (the enlightenment of the Buddha).

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee addressed the conference's second day. Speaking on the Buddhist view of the environment and the natural world, he stressed the importance of a clear understanding of nature and the interdependence of all things.

He added that environmental problems are man-made - a result of human self-centeredness.

Speaking at one of the conference venues, Tempa Tsering, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi protested against China's attempts politically colour a religious event, saying that India "has done the right thing" by refusing to cave in.

"India is a free, democratic society. China is a closed society. That's why they are reacting in a paranoid manner. “

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been a guest of India for the last 52 years. It would have been unusual if His Holiness, who is regarded the world over as a spiritual leader and the head of Tibetan Buddhism, will not attend this conference."

Among the countries represented at the conference are Taiwan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar.

-Asian Tribune-