Dalai Lama Troubled by Israel's Treatment
(PR Newswire | San Francisco | December 10, 2002)
The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader and one of the world's most recognized moral authorities, is "particularly troubled" by the suffering of the Palestinians at the hands of the Israelis, Scott A Hunt notes in his new book 'The Future of Peace: On the Front Lines with the World's Great Peacemakers'.
At the advice of one of the highest officials in the Dalai Lama's government, Hunt went to the Holy Land to "figure out what can be done" to end the violence in that land. In the course of his investigation, Hunt traveled throughout Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. He interviewed Hanan Ashrawi, and two Israeli political leaders, Uri Avnery and Shulamit Aloni. He also met hundreds of civilians and soldiers on both sides. His book shows the clear blueprint to peace in that region.
The Dalai Lama abhors violence from all quarters. He has been extremely supportive of Judaism and Jewish people throughout the world. He holds that the Wailing Wall is one of the most sacred spots on earth. After visiting the Holy Land, though, he could not help but notice the dire poverty and social instability facing the Palestinian people, as opposed to the relative comfort and wealth in Israel proper. He notes that this inequality does not contribute to a culture of peace.
Defying military intelligence officers in Burma, secret police in Vietnam, riots in Northern Ireland, and combatants in the Occupied Territories of Palestine, Hunt spent three years traveling the globe — often under arduous conditions — to seek out the wisdom of the world's leading peacemakers. In intimate conversations with these remarkable peacemakers, recounting histories that are not taught in school, and uncovering lessons that are often brushed aside, Hunt skillfully coaxes out staggering stories of personal challenges and triumphs. Hunt's extraordinary investigation offers far-ranging insights and invaluable lessons, changing the way we think about the world and our responsibility toward one another.
The peacemakers in the book (including Aung San Suu Kyi, the Dalai Lama, Thich Quand Do, Maha Ghosananda, Oscar Arias, Jane Goodall, and John Hume) have earned the right to say that peace is possible, for they are battling daily on the front lines of the world's most entrenched conflicts. Their messages are inspiring and uplifting.
"Scott Hunt is a remarkable man who has written a remarkable book," says Jane Goodall, famed expert on chimpanzees and recently appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace. The San Jose Mercury News calls The Future of Peace "a mind-expanding and soul-stirring book." Ela Gandhi says, "I know Mahatma Gandhi would have welcomed this book," and the Dalai Lama declares, "I really appreciate this work. It is a very important book."
Friends of Tibet (INDIA),
PO Box 16674, Bombay 400050
www.friendsoftibet.org