Public Talk: Universal Responsibility

On Sunday afternoon, April 18, 2004 His Holiness gave a Public Talk, entitled "Universal Responsibility," at the Pacific Coliseum, to a capacity audience of 12,500. The event, organized by the Tibetan Cultural Society of British Columbia, was emceed by Tsewang C. Tethong. It opened with a spirited welcome by His Holiness’ long-time friend, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

"Universal Responsibility" has been one of His Holiness’ most popular topics in recent years. The concept, placed in secular context, flows directly from his spiritual messages of peace, compassion and non-violence. His Holiness emphasized that every individual needs to bear spiritual, political and social responsibility for making this world a better place. A peaceful and harmonious world cannot be achieved without the recognition that all human beings, and the earth that sustains them, are interdependent. In the modern world, interdependence is everywhere evident. Nations and continents are connected by technology. Borders have decreasing significance. Under these circumstances, His Holiness urged, we need a sense of global responsibility and wider, more holistic thinking.