Out LOOK Tibet

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama Today has addressed more than 1000 people at Auckland's Vector Arena on the subject of A Peaceful Mind. New Zealand's Labour leader, Mr Phil Goff held a talk with His Holiness despite the climate pressures from China.

His Holiness spoke of world peace and harmony society, he said the real peace must come from each individual's mind "Inner peace is from our mind, that is something very crucial, for the family, community, and also for individuals."

Labour leader Phil Goff held talks with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sataurday after he arrived in the country. Prime Minister John Key chose not to meet him this time, noting they had met before and there was no need for another meeting. But many people in the country have criticized the Prime Minister that he is taking the Chinese communist regime's strong pressure to do otherwise, and strongly criticized the efficiency of New Zealand's democracy values that Key is measuring between Chinese economy and Human Rights' record.

During the meeting with His Holiness, Mr Goff said that, if he was prime minister, he would still meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "I met with him when I was foreign minister, I don't see any difference whether I'm a member of the executive or a leader of the Opposition. I'm meeting with him in his capacity as a spiritual and cultural leader and as a very nice person."

In New Zealand at the invitation of the Tibetan Buddhist community, he will hold a teaching session at the same venue on Sunday.

John Key has denied being pressured by China not to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but said in November "We would understand the way the Chinese would deal with these things, but on the other side of the coin that wasn't the over-riding factor."

China, which has occupied Tibet since 1959, objects to senior political leaders meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as he represents opposition to China's occupation of Tibet.

The Tibetan Nobel Peace Prize winner His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will address the closing plenary of the Parliament of the World's Religions in Melbourne. His Holiness will join representatives from diverse religious traditions to discuss over-riding issues such as conflict resolution, earth charter as a global ethics, food and water-justice for all, religion, HIV/AIDS and healthcare, caring practices for the earth and inter-faith action for peace in Africa.