Non-violence Does Not Mean Remaining Silent or Indifferent

The Dalai Lama Receives the Democracy Service Medal

The National Endowment for Democracy hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama on February 19 at the only public event he attended during his most recent visit to Washington.

The day after a private meeting with President Obama, the Dalai Lama came to the Library of Congress, where NED President Carl Gershman paid tribute to the Tibetan spiritual leader before presenting him with the Democracy Service Medal in front of a packed auditorium of almost 500 guests. The guests were welcomed by Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington, and NED Vice-Chair Judy Shelton gave introductory remarks.

Commenting on the significance of the honor for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, NED President Carl Gershman said,

"The struggle of the Tibetan people to preserve their culture is world renowned. What is little known, however, is that the Dalai Lama, even before leaving Tibet, sought to implement significant reforms in the system of government. Only in exile was the Dalai Lama able to implement those reforms. Today, the Tibetan community in exile operates under a democratic constitution, with an elected National Assembly and a Supreme Court, with day-to-day powers vested in an elected prime minister. The Dalai Lama himself has often said that it is not enough to oppose Chinese totalitarianism, but that it is necessary to offer a democratic alternative. Because the Tibetan people have transformed their suffering into a source of moral strength, they have become an inspiration to others who have suffered injustice."

After receiving the medal, the Dalai Lama spoke of his childhood and his formative years, and how he

“did not learn the value of democracy through education, but through experience.” He went on to compare the passive silence he witnessed in China’s legislative body against the vibrancy of debate in India’s. He also noted that despite opposition of Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister of India, 1947-64) to the Dalai Lama raising the Tibet issue at the UN, Nehru gave “no sign” later of disapproval. The Dalai Lama concluded,

"And then I felt…this is democracy. Every person, every people have a right to express their feeling, carry their own beliefs."

He also reiterated his commitment to making the continuation of the Dalai Lama as an institution subject to the democratic preferences of Tibetans.

Following his remarks, His Holiness took written questions from the audience in a lively session moderated by Judy Shelton. :: MORE

The standing room-only audience included representatives from a major human rights summit organized by Freedom House and Human Rights First, chaired by William Zabel. Joining them were Will Taft, Chairman of the Board of Freedom House; Jennifer Windsor, Executive Director of Freedom House; and Elisa Massimino, the President and CEO of Human Rights First. International Campaign for Tibet chairman Richard Gere and his wife actress Carey Lowell were present, as was actor Michael Imperioli of Sopranos fame. The program was covered widely by both domestic and international press, and over 6,000 viewers have watched the video online via C-SPAN, which covered the event live.

The Dalai Lama is the most recent in a long and distinguished line of recipients who have been committed to advancing the principles of democracy and human dignity.

While at the Library, the Dalai Lama viewed selections from the Library’s Tibetan collection, including pieces presented by past Dalai Lamas. He commented that the Library of Congress represents the democratic belief that truly representative government has to be based on knowledge and the freedom to use it.

For more, read NED President Carl Gershman’s Op-Ed in The Washington Post on the event.

Read the Dalai Lama's lively Q&A with NED Vice-Chair Judy Shelton :: MORE