About a month ago, I read an article on CNN that the Dalai Lama was refused a visa to enter South Africa. The Dalai Lama requested the visa so that he could attend an international peace conference which was being held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to the article, the government denied His Holiness a visa because it was “not in South Africa’s interest that he attend”. The government was concerned that if the Dalai Lama attended it would overshadow the fact that South Africa is to be the host country for the 2010 World Cup. The government of South Africa also did not want to jeopardize any trading agreements that they have with China so they figured it would be best to simply deny His Holiness a visa.
When I was finished reading the article, I realized that this piece of news was an excellent example of how non-violence truly does make a difference. A man whose whole mission is about peace and love scares the Chinese government so much that South Africa had to turn him away out of fear of how the Chinese government would respond. Amazing, if you ask me. What is the worse that could happen at the peace conference? All the Nobel Laureates would gather together and sing All You Need Is Love?
For most of my young life, I have been a believer in non-violence. Many do not endorse that belief and that is based on anger or the fear of being injured or that their way of life would be vulnerable or in jeopardy. However, the next time you are in a situation where your buttons are pushed, who do you want to be, the Dalai Lama or someone who represents and operates from fear?
Here is a link to the article mentioned above: Dalai Lama Denied Visa
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The range and scope of your posts stuns me, Nadia. The universe definitely has great things lined up for you!
This made me smile-snort out loud! But the serious point behind your post is a deep one. Nothing more powerful than a serene person whose life, actions, beliefs and soul are in complete harmony. Mother Teresa, Ghandi – all inspirations.
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You know Nadia, I read the first part about South Africa refusing the visa and the reasons and I was all ready to share your outrage at such a scandal … then you go and turn it around and see the positive side to it. The power of nonviolence. Amazing!
And you are so right. That this man can have such an influence so that whole governments are affected. That is truly powerful.
Ian | Quantum Learning’s most recent blog post..Do my words improve silence?
That is the question: However, the next time you are in a situation where your buttons are pushed, who do you want to be, the Dalai Lama or someone who represents and operates from fear?
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I also read about this and it made me angry at the time. But you’re right – it shows a great respect and fear of non-violence by the Chinese. Since the Chinese people have no civil recourse to address their grievances, the Chinese government is very afraid of a massive, non-violent protest that could result in its demise.
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Wow, Nadia! I agree with Ian. I was so ready to jump to your side with anger and indignation, and then you totally flipped it on me!
You are truly a powerful presence, and a blessing unto this world. The Dalai Lama often asks himself if he would like to be Nadia, or someone who reacts from fear.
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I agree with the commenters above, who were ready to jump to anger and indignation. You see, I’m originally from South Africa. We emigrated here in 1978, but my roots are still there…so it’s embarrassing that this is what happened. I like how you turned it into a positive post, though.
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@ Janice – Thank you for all the kind things you said.
It means a lot. The power of serenity is pretty amazing, isn’t it?
@ Ian – When I first saw the news story on CNN, I was shocked and all kinds of thoughts came into my mind. Then it occurred to me that this was a great example of the power of non-violence so that is why I wanted to share it with all of you.
@ Sunny – How are you feeling? I saw you on Twitter the other day and it was great to see all your little comments.
And yes, that last question is very important. I sincerely hope with all my heart that I can always come from love like the Dalai Lama…well…the female married version of the Dalai Lama. 
@ Roger – Thank you so much for the comment. Goes to show you that non-violence is more powerful than it may seem.
@ Jay – I am so fortunate to have such wonderful people such as yourself who read my blog. Thank you so much for all that you said, it touched my heart. Thank you. By the way, what we see in others is a reflection of ourselves. So Jay; it takes one to know one.
@ Kirwin – I am happy that you liked the positive spin on the story. I would think it had to be hard for the government of South Africa to do what it did. BTW, South Africa is one country I would love to visit. I hear it so beautiful.
This is a great question to ask yourself when someone is pushing your buttons. Thanks for posting on this topic. I have a hard time dealing with people who drive me a bit crazy and next time I encounter such a person I will most definitely think about this post and ask myself, “Who do you want to be?”
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Hi P.P.!
Glad you liked the post and that you discovered something that will assist you in those moments when someone is triggering some kind of negative reaction.
Nadia-this reminds me of Mahatma Gandhi’s life in S.Africa.He was thrown out of the first class train coupe (even though he had valid tickets),because he was brown!
HH the Dalai Lama is such a simple,down-to-earth person.I had the good fortune to meet him when he had inaugurated the newly built cardiac ICU at the hospital where I worked back in India:)
Hi Sweta!
Welcome to Happy Lotus! You must have good karma to have met the Dalai Lama! Good for you! BTW, where in India did you live? I lived in India for six months and my husband lived there for a total of three years. It is a beautiful country and yes, the story is similar to that of Gandhi.
Very insightful, Nadia. The Chinese government has long feared the nonviolent stance of the Tibetan Buddhists, because it represents a threat to their power. It certainly says something about the power behind the Dalai Lama’s message.
It is unfortunate, but South Africa was indeed honest: politically it is not in their best interest, because of their dependency on China. We can judge them for it, but who knows the far-reaching negative effects that South Africa could suffer if they turned their back on China.
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Hi David,
You are absolutely right about how South Africa was honest in its approach. They were truly in a tough situation. My major focus of the piece was to show how being non-violent can really make a difference and that it truly is powerful.
Hi Nadia
I wish more people to be more Dalai Lama liked. Love and peace, that would be the perfect world.
Thank you for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
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Hi Giovanna,
I am wishing for that too!
Hi, Nadia! This post reminds me of something I saw a long time ago. It was a photo of a woman kneeling in sheer terror as a man held a gun to the back of her head, and the caption read, “Who would YOU rather be?” I remember thinking that I would MUCH rather be the woman who was about to die than the one pulling the trigger. I suppose that makes me non-violent.
Thank you for this beautiful post. I agree with David, that South Africa has to do what it needs to do to survive (politically), but it’s also sad that things are that way. One day, maybe…
PS: Great job on Urban Monk!!
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Hi Lisis,
Thank you for all that you wrote. And yes, I think you are non-violent too!
As I replied to David, South Africa really was in a tough situation. It did what it had to do but it shows you the power of one man who calls himself “just a simple Buddhist monk”.
When Mother Theresa was asked whether she would march against the war in Vietnam, she said no, but I will march for peace.
I like that your message is about peace and non-violence, and not anger.
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Hi Kaushik!
Welcome to Happy Lotus! I have heard that story about Mother Theresa too and it has a great message. Thank you for reminding me of it. I am also happy that you liked the post and yes, I am all about peace and non-violence. Anger never accomplishes anything.
I read something on a blog recently – I’ll try to find it. If I remember correctly, it was about how in the past the Tibetan people had always been treated as serfs by the ruling class of monks and how they had endured certain human rights abuses over centuries because of this. The writer asked the question if the Dalai Lama is a reincarnated being should he be held responsible for these abuses carried out by his ruling class of monks over centuries. I have never heard anything like this before.
All I know about the Dalai Lama is that he is in exile, Tibet is under Chinese rule and he spreads the message of peace.
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Hi Freelance Writing Queen,
As for the article you mentioned, like you, I have never heard anything like that before. If you do find it, let me know because I would like to see the writer’s point of view.
To me, the Dalai Lama is a walking example of non-violence. The reaction that he invokes in nations, shows all of us how powerful non-violence can be.
I would love for you to see the movie Dalai Lama Renaissance and post what you think. I loved the movie. I love your posts.
Hi Caren,
Welcome to Happy Lotus! Thank you for the movie suggestion. I will add it to my list. Please know that I am so happy that you enjoy my blog. It mean a lot to me.
This is a great question to ask yourself every morning after you wake up, and indeed every moment — whether your buttons are being pushed or not. “Who do you want to be?”
Each day you are a blank slate, and you can be anybody you want to be. You can be someone whose actions are fueled by anger (even righteous anger), or whose actions are fueled by peace. You can be a person who sleep-walks through the day on autopilot, or a person who keeps awareness and lives life on purpose.
Who do you want to be? This is the meditation that should be on everyone’s lips, every moment. If more people gave that question serious thought before they spoke and acted, so much needless suffering would be avoided.
Wonderful post, Nadia!
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Hi Thomas!
I am so happy that you liked the post. Yes, each day is a new beginning. Actually, each second is, too. You raised a great point about thinking before speaking, that is so true.
Wonderful article.. Thanks for sharing
I enjoy the content and Msg of your blog
Jonathan
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Hi Jonathan,
Welcome to Happy Lotus! Thank you so much for all the kind words. I really appreciate it.
i had seen an online news headline about him being denied a visa and did not click the link to read the story. i did not realize he was denied entrance to south africa, and reading it in your post kind of made my jaw drop.
like others have commented, it’s fantastic that you have shed a positive light on the story. it could be so easy for us to have negative feelings about his denial, but your take has spared me that view and guided me directly to the positive perspective.
as usual, thanks for your post, nadia.
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Hi Adam!
You are welcome and thank you for the kind words. I really believe that it is possible to find something positive in any situation, it just requires sometimes looking at the situation from a different perspective!
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