DALAI LAMA: Encouraging a Compassionate World

LARRY KING: You have said the world will be more peaceful with women in leadership roles, right?

THE DALAI LAMA: Right, right. That I believe.

LARRY KING: All right. Does that mean you’re going to support people like Hillary Clinton? Are you going to get involved in the American election?

THE DALAI LAMA: No. I absolute sort of neutral. Then one sort of politician asked me a blessing. And certainly I have to say, “Yes.” Then another sort of opposition sort of party side also come blessing. Then I say, “Yes.” But actually

LARRY KING: Not supporting. You’re blessing.

THE DALAI LAMA: One have to win. That means one have to fail, lose. So, you see, that person may say, “Oh, Dalai Lama’s blessing is nothing’.” (LAUGH)

LARRY KING: The blessing didn’t work. But India had a great woman leader, did they not?

THE DALAI LAMA: Oh yes.

LARRY KING: Indira Gandhi

THE DALAI LAMA: That’s right.

LARRY KING: Why do you think more women will help us in leadership? Without endorsing…

THE DALAI LAMA: According scientists, female are biologically more sensitivity about others’ pain than men. So sometimes I really feel the leadership of our planet, more female takes responsibility, maybe less violence.

LARRY KING: Speaking of compassion, in all the times we’ve talked, were you close with your mother?

THE DALAI LAMA: Oh yes. Very much. My mother was uneducated. Just a farmer. Illiterate. But very, very kind mother. Very, very kind to me. So as the villagers’ child, there’s nothing to play these things. So my mother usually carried me on her shoulder. Then I enjoy that.

LARRY KING: Did she live a long life, your mother?

THE DALAI LAMA: Oh yes. Over 80 years. Very, very kind. I think her children I think almost never saw angry face. My mother was really wonderful.

LARRY KING: All right. So you’re 80. We don’t get younger. What about your successor? Who is the next Dalai Lama?