TPBS interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

This is the first clip of an exclusive interview by the ThaiPBS with His Holiness Dalai Lama the 14th.

I had this interview on the 14th March, in Dharamsala, India, where His Holiness lives-in-exile since 1961. In the morning of the same day, a group of 105 Thai people, arranged by "Semsikkha", have a special occassion to host this annual lesson by His Holiness.

During the greetings to the Thai group, His Holiness began by saying that Thai Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism are very similar in many ways, so I began the very first question by asking him to explain in more details how to introduce Buddhism to solve political conflicts especially in Thailand.

My first encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

What a great moment which I have for an exclusive interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for the ThaiPBS. It was a precious moment to be kept in my memories forever !!!

I cannot exaggerate the feelings, but up until this moment, I am still thrilled just thinking of "the" moment. To be sitting in front of His Holiness and ask him questions about the future of Tibet, his decision to devolve from politics, and his "professional laughter", his reincarnation and so on and so forth...is so memorable for me, as a journalist and an admirer of his work and his missions.

Forty minutes were not quite enough, but considered myself lucky, I tried to make it to the full, in my first encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. (Keeping fingers crossed, I secretly hope that there will be a second or third)

His Holiness just announced his decision to step down from politics on 10th March, I met him on 14th March and I asked him again his decision. He is so determined and not having any second thoughts in answering the question. He modestly admits that "for selfish reasons, I want to step down and to concentrate only on spiritual role for Tibetans".

For me, it is very compassionate of him to be very honest in saying that his decision is "selfish". He adds that after working for Tibetans for more than 60 years, it is now time to release his responsibility in politics to laypeople of Tibetans. Of course, some Tibetans I met in Dharamsala were disheartened with his announcement, but they also are determined to build the future in their hands too.

Given that he has been the centre of Tibetans for 6 decades, who can blame them for feeling disheartened?

What else do I ask him and what his answers are...please follow the exclusive interview on "This is TVThai" programme and from my blog both in Thai and English and Facebook.