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Dalai Lama donates cash to 921 earthquake victims

At the end of his busy schedule of teachings, the visiting Dalai Lama yesterday donated US$150,000 to victims of the 921 earthquake, bringing his trip to Taiwan to a compassionate conclusion.

"I know the situation is still quite difficult for the earthquake victims," he told an estimated 20,000 people who attended his final day of teachings yesterday morning.

The Tibetan leader said he had asked some high-ranking monks to perform religious rites to prevent future earthquakes in Nantou County's Puli township, the epicenter of the earthquake.

Later yesterday, the Dalai Lama also met with President Chen-Shui-bian (陳水扁) for the second time, during which the two leaders discussed education and employment opportunities for Tibetan refugees in a closed-door meeting.

The Dalai Lama also met with Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) at the Presidential Office and Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) at the Executive Yuan. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate said he admired the nation's leaders for the way they have tackled the problems Taiwan is facing.

But asked about his favorite politician in Taiwan, the Dalai Lama told nearly 100 journalists that "perhaps my admiration for Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) is strongest, because he is the first person who established democracy in Taiwan."

The Dalai Lama also said that the commitment to democratize the Tibetan government-in-exile remains unchanged. Since "the future of the world is democracy," the Tibetan leader said, he will seek for the separation of religion from politics.

Yesterday morning, an estimated 20,000 followers turned up to listen to his teachings -- some showing up as early 6am. Outside the Linkou stadium, many others watched the initiation of the Buddha of Compassion, or Kuanyin, through television monitors installed within the domed venue, situated in the outskirts of Taipei.

Asked at the press conference about current Sino-US tensions, the Dalai Lama said that the two sides "may have to cool down."

But he said he lacked details of the news regarding the collision of a US spy plane and a Chinese jet over the South China Sea earlier this week, as he has not "had time to listen to daily BBC news broadcasts."

The Dalai Lama's donation to earthquake victims helped to an extent dispel speculation in some corners that the Tibetan leader was interested mainly in raising money.
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