Oh. Firstly I received an invitation that, in principle, I accepted. Then I received some request that I should not go there because of this is controversial; some allegations.
“Then we carry further investigation. Then finally, including this organization’s teacher [ Keith Raniere], and his, some friend, {Nancy Salzman] came to see me in Dharamsala and I discuss, I observe, basically, they are carrying some kind of movement about ‘ethics.’
“Then, as I mentioned earlier, it is my moral responsibility to support any movement by any person who carry, who are working for ethics. Because in today’s world many problems essentially our own creation. Nobody want more problems, but due to lack of ethics, lack of principle, this unwanted man-made problems happen. Whether politician, whether businessman, whether a religious person, whether anyone, moral principle is very essential, like backbone.
“So, therefore, I felt, I feel it is my moral responsibility, but, at the same time, these allegations [of Mr. Raniere being an unethical person].
Keith and Nancy listen attentively to the Dalai Lama.
“So when I met them personally in Dharamsala, I told them very friendly, very openly, ‘As far your sort of work for promotion of ethics, I fully support. Is my moral responsibility, but, at the same time, those allegations you must make very clear.
If you have done something wrong, you must accept, you must admit, and change, make correction. If you not done [anything unethical], make clear all these allegations, truthfully, honestly, openly, transparently.’
“Then some media, I always telling media people, ‘media people should have long nose, as long as (audience laughs and applauds)
… wait, wait, wait… [applause dies down] as long as an elephant nose and smell, in the front and behind. That’s very important. And make clear to the public what’s going on. Whether with the politician or with the mayor or religions people, the bishop or myself, must sort of watch and make clear, and inform public, provided it must be very honest, unbiased, objective, that’s important.
Sometimes, say, one company financing a newspaper then newspaper report a little bit biased. I think not as biased as Chinese propaganda. But sometimes you see a little sort of biased sort of version also is happening. That must be avoided, must be honest, truthful.
“So, now I think in front of, I think the public, I want to to tell the media people, ‘please carry continuously, all these spots where you have some doubt, thorough investigation.’
“And those concerned people’s side: ‘Also make clear. All your work must be transparent.’
“So, that’s my view. So, I feel, no problem, come here, meet people, and talk . Because of some criticism remain distance? Not much use., Come face to face and talk, friendly, bluntly. Truth always win. So, more talk, more investigation, truth will become more clear clear, clear, like that. So, that’s my answer.” (applause).
Frank Parlato
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognized AUM leader Shoko Asahara as great Buddhist leader including a written statement and this is his next big case. In the monastic Buddhist tradition the receipt of a donation by a monk is honoring the donor and morally legitimates his power (i.e. as a king). Buddha himself did not want his monks to receive money in any form but later this was allowed in the Mahayana tradition and one of the reasons for the schisma dividing Buddhism in Theravada and Mahayana. But donations of $ 1 Million for a camera show to spiritually advertise a psychopathic and sadistic cult leader was unthinkable for Buddha as total damage of his basics. The statements of His Holiness are not convincing as they were in the past. On one hand he was a long term CIA agent (“there were contacts”) on the other he described himself as “fifty percent marxist” (speaking to left orientated students). When he received the peace Nobel price he called himself an “ordinary monk”. Contrary he received a special and long upper class education to prepare him as leader of Tibet which followed his recognition as reincarnated Daila Lama when he was a child. And contrary to the Nobel price he was an anti-communist warlord which is documented by photos showing him as military tank commander to take the salute and inspecting troops. From a buddhist point of view it might be wise to look after friends who are not involved in such dark activities like working together with the CIA in black operations. And the call of transparency? Where is the transparency of all the money donations which were made to His Holyness and his community? There was neither transparency as he received million dollars from the CIA nor there is today. But the good news: On the true path of love, compassion and happiness is Sarah Edmundson. This is the woman who had the courage to speak out thereby opening the door for liberation of those enslaved in the cult. In my thoughts I bow before her and I know that Buddha was absolutely impressed and enjoyed by such women also mentioned in the pali canon and the later texts of the tantric tradition.