News Feed: more recent "splittist activities" of HHDL in the USA

The past few days Dalai Lama has been continuing his visit to the USA, namely going to Boston area. During this visit to Boston - the Dalai Lama's sixth trip to the region - apart from visiting and lecturing at Harvard University, he dedicated a new ethics center, named after him, at MIT; discussed the relationship between meditation and psychotherapy at a Harvard Medical School-sponsored panel discussion; and hosted two large public events, including an introductory course in Buddhism, that was attended by as many as 17,000 people on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

So among his "splittist activities" were:

1. Giving a speech co-hosted by the Divinity School and the Graduate School of Education co-at Harvard University's Memorial Church. The speech was entitled “Educating the Heart.”

2.Planting a birch tree in Harvard

3.Heading a psychology conference organised by Harvard's Medical School about meditation and compassion.at the Georgian Ballroom of the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Before him were about 1,000 medical professionals and academics, eager for his wisdom.

4. Speaking at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which dedicated a new ethics center named for him

5.On May 2 delivering grace to thousands at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts. The speech he gave was entitled 'The Path to Peace and Happiness'

At one of the above events (the lecture at Harvard I think) he emphasized infusing education with compassion. “The brain alone will not bring joyfulness or happiness,” the Dalai Lama said, adding that “one must practice love, compassion.”


Picture: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, takes his seat before speaking to a crowd about the 'The Path to Peace and Happiness' at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts May 2, 2009.REUTERS

He DID make some political comments such as:

At a news conference, the Dalai Lama, asked whether, after 50 years with no success in his quest to win greater autonomy for Tibet, there is any reason for hope for the Tibetan cause, acknowledged that, "if we look at issues locally, then, it is almost hopeless." However, he said, "if you look from a wider perspective, there is real hope."
He offered several reasons for hope, including "Tibetan spirit," which, he said, "remains very strong" despite the passing of the generation that remembers the Tibetan uprising of 1959. He also cited "big change" in China, calling China's ruling party "a Communist party without Communist ideology" and labeling it as "capitalist-authoritarian-communist, something like that."
As for whether he will ever see Tibet again, the Dalai Lama said, "Oh, yes."

I admire him for his optimism and good humor, but frankly, is there any hope really?!

My point with these posts about the Dalai Lama is, instead of vilifying this charismating and influencial monk (who can exhersice much positive influence in solving the Tibet issue), and who if nothing else has the GREAT merit to make many people at least HEAR about Buddhism, compassion and spirituality, the Chinese need to find a way to engage him constructively.
But on this point too, I see no hope.
So, at least in his hopeless cause the Dalai Lama at least has the merit of "spreading the Word". That, I think, in terms of single person's accomplishment, is merit deserving to be admired.
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News articles:

Mind Games: The Dalai Lama Takes Harvard (TIME)http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1895470,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

Dalai Lama inspires reverent silence, cheers at stadium
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/03/dalai_lama_inspires_reverent_silence_cheers_at_stadium/