Khaldon Azhari 

TOKYO: The Dalai Lama held a virtual press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday and revealed that he would like to make a pilgrimage to Makkah.

“I am keen to make a pilgrimage to Makkah as part of my efforts towards religious harmony, so in the future when some opportunity comes, I am really eager to go to Makkah as a pilgrim.”

The Dalai Lama recounted visiting a mosque – he referred to it as a Muslim temple – in India, a place, he pointed out, with a multitude of religions.

“When I visit that Muslim temple, I wore a white head dress and offered some prayers with Muslim friends. Since then, I am sincerely committed to religious harmony and if I have the opportunity, I would like to have a pilgrimage to Makkah.”

The Dalai Lama said he was praying for a peaceful unification of Taiwan and China, noting that both the people of Taiwan and China have Han Chinese culture. He recalled meeting Chinese Communists:

“When I was in China, I met leaders and was impressed by communism to the point I said I wanted to join the Chinese Communist Party. They said ‘no’ and one official said to me, ‘Religion is poison.’ Narrow-minded Chinese Communist leaders don’t understand the variety of different cultures like Tibet and other groups. There is too much control by the Han people.”

But, as usual, he sought peace in conflict, offering this advice: “Show a smile, not an angry face, and be warm-hearted by reducing your anger. A good heart is the key factor for a happy individual.”