Events >> The Democratic Invention Lecture Series >> Summary of Talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Professor of Political Science
November 10, 1998
On November 10, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke at George Washington University as part of the National Endowment for Democracy's Democratic Invention Lecture Series.

The Dalai Lama began by discussing the relationship between individual duties and rights within a democratic system. He cautioned that citizens too often show enthusiasm for democratic rights while displaying reluctance to accept the duties of a democracy. According to His Holiness, these duties include a sense of responsibility, a sense of caring, and self-discipline. Each of these is vital in assuring that the exercise of rights is not abused and that individual freedoms are enjoyed by all.

His Holiness then spoke out against the Asian values argument, which claims that the practice of democracy is irrelevant and alien to Asian states because of their unique cultural backgrounds. The Dalai Lama believes that this argument is misguided and that fundamentally, all human beings are the same and should enjoy the same rights. In fact, when conflicts arise between democracy or human rights and various cultural traditions, it is those traditions which should be modified.

The Dalai Lama also discussed the growing gap between the world's rich and poor. This economic inequality, he feels, is the source of numerous problems today. Most notably, those on the poorer side of the gap experience a lack of self-confidence. Many poor people come to believe that they will never reach the same economic standards as the world's fortunate few. As a result, they give up hope. Two steps must be taken in order to overcome this lack of confidence. First, wealthy Northerners must adopt a sense of caring towards the poorer South. The North can best provide help not with money but through education, providing the means for self-improvement. Second, the poor must make the best possible use of that assistance, taking the initiative in improving their own lives.

The Dalai Lama closed his speech by stressing the importance of a warm heart and a sm I brain, two elements which are essential to happiness and progress. His Holiness warned that the warm heart side of a person's development is too often neglected today, due especially to the waning influence of religious institutions and the family. To fill this void, teachers must establish themselves as role models of compassion, sharing, and commitment to which their students can look for guidance.

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