Sir, - Ireland has been voted on to the Security Council of the United Nations, and our diplomats have proved their ability, though a small group, to be heard and to exert influence. Let us hope that we can have the courage to use that influence now for the greater good.
As the Mayor of Belfast anticipating the visit of the Dalai Lama to his city (to address a conference on Christian meditation), Sammy Wilson's posture and words may tell a lot about the political problems of Northern Ireland. Though he admits he knows nothing about the Dalai Lama or his teachings he is happy to be, in his word, "cynical" about them (The Irish Times, October 14th). He suggests that such a message of "peace and love" has little to do with politics. One might hope that peace and love should form the very basis of politics; then we might find the "reality" of which Sammy Wilson speaks changing for the better.
The Dalai Lama claims no monopoly of wisdom for himself or for his culture. All authentic religions, he says, point to the same truth. It is in recognition of this that Christians invite this Buddhist leader to speak with them. We can learn from each other. The teachings of Buddha are, above all, practical and begin in compassion, with the recognition of the equality of all beings, our shared experience of suffering, and our common aspiration for lasting happiness.
In the light of this he has always sought to identify common ground with successive Chinese governments, yet sadly those governments have been constant in their will to obliterate a unique society, to destroy and steal its artistic riches, and to exploit and pollute its natural resources.
All right-thinking people must celebrate the Nobel Peace Prizewinning Dalai Lama's visit to our island and hope that his message of listening, understanding and reconciliation might inspire those already working so hard to make peace a lasting reality in Northern Ireland.
Tibet remains grateful to Ireland for sponsoring resolutions in the 1960s condemning the Chinese invasion of and continuing interference in Tibet. We must pray that we may resurrect our commitment to this cause and that the fate of Tibet will be a high priority on the list of matters which our diplomats will seek to have addressed by the Security Council. - Yours, etc.,
Malcolm MacClancy, Belgrave Square, Rathmines, Dublin 6.