Text of America Online's live interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

August 13, 1999 OnlineHost: In 1935, a boy was born to a poor family in Tibet.He was two years old, Buddhist monks came to his village, hoping to find the reincarnation of the recently deceased 13th Dalai Lama. The boy recognized artifacts belonging to the Dalai Lama and passed other tests. He became the 14th Dalai Lama.

OnlineHost: In the 1950s, the Chinese threatened Tibet, and the young spiritual leader was forced to assume political power. He tried to find a peaceful solution. In 1959, the Chinese Army defeated the Tibetan resistance movement, and the Dalai Lama fled to India with thousands of his followers.

OnlineHost: Since 1959, the Dalai Lama has been the symbol of a free Tibet, of the vitality of Tibetan Buddhism and of the power of nonviolence. In 1989, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He has written many books, most recently "The Art of Happiness" and "Ethics for the New Millennium."

OnlineHost: The Dalai Lama lives in India. He is in New York City this weekend to complete a cycle of teaching. He will be giving a free talk in New York's Central Park this Sunday morning at 11AM ET. For more information, please go to Keyword: Dalai Lama.

Jesse Kornbluth: Your Holiness, it is a great honor to welcome you to America Online.

The Dalai Lama: Thank you. Me too. This is the first time for me to communicate through this kind of machine.

Jesse Kornbluth: We have 5,000 questions from our members. I have read most of them. They can be summed up, many of them, in one question. It is: So much envy, hate and rage in the world. So much violence, real and psychological. So many broken-hearted people. Is there one simple thing each of us can do to quiet the noise and start the way to peace?

The Dalai Lama: I always feel every human being has potential, good and bad. So there is no reason to feel hopelessness. Each one has the potential to create a peaceful life. And with that conviction, the actual beginning must start from within --- from within one individual. First, you create some calm mind within yourself. Spread that to the family and then to the society at large.I think that if we look at the overall picture, we often hear only the violence. But in Kosovo and some other places, where force has been used, people are becoming skeptical about the usage of force. That's a sign that people are losing hope in the use of force. That is a hopeful sign. Thinking this way, you will get some kind of hope. With hope, you can get determination. That's my belief.

Jesse Kornbluth: In your new book, Ethics for the New Millennium,ä you write that religious belief does not matter much. You say it is more important to be a good person.ä Coming from a religious leader, that seems radical.

Please explain.

The Dalai Lama: Obviously there are many people who do not believe in religion. In fact, the majority [of] people are not very serious about religious faith. So firstly, these people are also human beings, and secondly, they are the majority. So in the past, there are habits, and once you have no interest in religion, they also see no interest in compassion and forgiveness. Whether they accept religion or not, people want happiness and harmony. And the foundation of harmony is compassion. That's the basis of our happiness and our future. So whether they believe in religion or not, they need a sense of human compassion. That is my approach.

Jesse Kornbluth: How do we find compassion in ourselves -- and then teach it to our children?

The Dalai Lama: Compassion means not only just close feelings but also a sense of responsibility and respect, and much of that is based on the realization that others are just like myself -- they want happiness, they do not want suffering. They have the same right to be a happy person as I do. On that basis, develop a sense of concern and compassion. I use the logic and reason that my interest is dependent on othersâ interests. If I care about othersâ interests, then my interests will be benefited. If you don't take care of othersâ interests, then others will discard you. In order to get more inner peace, compassion is the most important factor, because compassion brings us inner strength and gives us self-confidence, less fear. If analyzed that way, through practice, you will get an appreciation and enthusiasm for compassion. Through action, other people really get the meaning and the value of compassion.

Jesse Kornbluth: So many Americans are worried about the millennium. Should we be?

The Dalai Lama: I think the millennium is just another year and another century. Nothing special. So the important thing is, if you are looking forward to the new millennium then you must prepare for it. With good things. Just like we prepare for New Year, bring us good food. If we try to become good human beings, happy human beings, then when that person enters the new millennium they will have the meaning of a good human being.

Jesse Kornbluth: Is there anything Americans can do to help you and your cause?

The Dalai Lama: Firstly, explain to more people about the real situation in Tibet and the nature of this just cause. Then you can join some of the Tibetan support groups. If you are a student, in many cities and institutions Students for a Free Tibet is active, so you can join. You can lobby your Congressman and Senator for your constituents. Many Congressmen and Senators are actively supporting Tibetan issues. So try and support them. Then if there are Chinese people living in your area, communicate with them and tell them your feelings about Tibet. That's important. After all, the solution must come between Tibet and the Chinese. And so this interaction and Tibet and the Chinese is essential.

Jesse Kornbluth: Your Holiness, we are so pleased you've joined us here. Is there a message you'd like our members to take away?

The Dalai Lama: I also very much enjoyed the interview through this very modern medium. I am just wondering what you all are feeling! I think on the basis of my own experience, in our daily life, that some unhappy news or events always happens. Considering those circumstances, it is helpful to look at life in a more holistic way. Then you can reduce your anxiety. If you look only at that problem, then your anxiety will increase; if you look from a wider perspective, the same problem looks smaller. That's what I always do. My friends and brothers and sisters should try this kind of experiment. You will see that it is very successful. But if you feel this experiment does not work, then forget it, no problem.

Jesse Kornbluth: Thank you. We'll see you in Central Park in New York on Sunday morning. Safe travel, long life, and peace.

The Dalai Lama: Thank you. Thank you.