Dalai Lama in the Netherlands

The Dalai Lama, spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people, travels the world giving Buddhist teachings, talking about the situation in Tibet and working to bring about world peace. In 1989 he received the Nobel Peace Prize. During his world travels he is received by both spiritual and political leaders and meets with people from all walks of life. He enjoys discussions with various religious leaders and well-known scientists.

The Dalai Lama visited the West, including the Netherlands, for the first time in 1973. Until now he has visited our country five times; the last time was in 1999.

The following is an overview of the most important events during these visits.

-    1973
On his first visit, at the invitation of, amongst others, Stg. Hulp aan Tibetanen (Help Tibetans Foundation), the Dalai Lama attended a large inter-religious gathering. He met with Prince Bernhard, Cardinal Alfrink and Mr. Frits Philips.

- 1986
The Dalai Lama was invited by Stg. Ontmoeting met Tibetaanse Cultuur (SOTC) to give Buddhist teachings and to give a lecture for the general public. He met with Princess Juliana, Prince Bernhard and Princess Irene.

-    1990
At the invitation of the SOTC and the Foundation Art Meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy, the Dalai Lama participated in this large event at which managers were invited to meet well-known artists, scientists, religious thinkers and economists. The main speakers besides the Dalai Lama were P. Fentener van Vlissingen and Professor D. Bohm. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. H. van den Broek. Also, members of the Lower House of Parliament received the Dalai Lama in the Hague.

-    1994
The Roosevelt Foundation invited the Dalai Lama to receive the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award. He received this prestigious award from Princess Juliana. During this visit he also met with the Foreign Affairs Minister P.H. Kooijmans Ph.D., vice-premier Kok and members of Parliament.

- 1999
Stg. Bezoek Dalai Lama invited the Dalai Lama to give Buddhist teachings and a public lecture. The teachings are documented in book ‘The Power of Kindness’ (Asoka 1999). The Dalai Lama was received by the prime minister W. Kok, minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. J.J. van Aartsen and, at the invitation of Member of Parliament Erica G. Terpstra, he addressed the Lower House. The Dalai Lama was guest of honour at a conference of Dutch entrepreneurs called ‘Compassion or Competition’. Attending this conference were, amongst others, crown prince Willem Alexander and former prime minister Mr. R.F.M. Lubbers.

The Netherlands and Tibet
In 1950 Tibet was occupied by the Republic of China. After a major uprising in the capital Lhasa in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India, followed by thousands of Tibetans. The first relations between the Netherlands and Tibet developed after this escape. In the early 1960’s the Netherlands supported the UN resolutions in which the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the oppression that followed were condemned. The Netherlands provided humanitarian aid to Tibetans in India. Despite the fact that the Dutch government recognises that Tibet is part of China, it consistently supports dialogue between the Dalai Lama and China, designed to reach a peaceful settlement in this conflict. Initially, Dutch government leaders were hesitant to meet with the Dalai Lama, concerned about possible reactions from China. Nevertheless, the Dalai Lama was received and Chinese criticism was countered by the argument that the Dalai Lama is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and an important religious leader.

The Dutch government gives foreign aid to Tibet to help preserve the Tibetan culture and religion. Tibet has many supporters among the Dutch public. Thousands are active in various fields: Buddhist, humanitarian and political.  Stg. Bezoek Dalai Lama has again invited the Dalai Lama to visit the Netherlands, this time from the 3rd – 6th of June 2009.