The 14th Daila Lama, Buddhist, a farmer’s son,
Won for resisting the use of violence in Tibet’s struggle
To regain its liberty from China after their defeat: his humble,
Non-militant stance in attempted negotiations proved
Unsuccessful, leading to, well, both disapproval
And derision, awards and questions: Can a strategy
Of non-violence succeed when purposeful moral courage
Underpins the plan, with compromise a possibility?
Yes, he said: use of force must always be discouraged.*
“We are all human beings” who struggle to find happiness and dignity,
He said. Our brotherhood means caring for each other seriously.
Our mutual interdependence means bridging the chasms –
Of all political, economic and ecological problems, **
His long life spent teaching compassion – with enthusiasm.
June Edvenson 