Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is one of the greatest figures of South African history. The Arch, as he likes to be called, was a key figure and spiritual leader during the battle against apartheid, and then again during the first years of democracy in South Africa as he led the Peace and Reconciliation Commission. Tutu is recognised the world over for his commitment to peace and justice and for his warm wisdom and gracious faith. He stands alongside Nelson Mandela as one of the greatest moral figures produced by South Africa.
We would like to join in the well wishes and prayers issued by other South Africans as we say Happy Birthday to the Arch! South Africa has been blessed to have such a man working so hard in our midst, to make this country a better place for all.
To commemorate the Archbishop’s 80th birthday, we decided to carry portions of an interview with another great spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama was at the centre of the controversy over the last week as South Africa failed to grant him an entry visa into the country so he could attend Tutu’s birthday celebrations, leading the Archbishop to angrily accuse the ANC government of bowing to the wishes of the China. The following is sourced from iol.co.za and is an extract from the new book, Tutu: An Authorised Portrait:
“Emotionally and mentally, Bishop Tutu and I are very close. I call him my spiritual older brother. We are both fully committed to the value of spirituality. We both belong to the camp of people who believe in spirituality. He not only believes, he practises and has gained some experience. In age, I’m younger. So, naturally, he’s my elder brother!
In front of an audience, he praises me. He says long praises in many sentences. Then he states, “Unfortunately he is not Christian!” The audience always laughs at this. They understand that he’s saying that he respects different religious traditions. So here, also, we are similar. We each have faith in one form of religion, but respect all religions.
On one occasion in South Africa, I had some lengthy discussions about methods to promote harmony among the religions. It has been my practice, since 1975, to meet with scholars of different religious traditions and discuss the similarities and differences between our practices.
When we find differences, we ask, “What’s the purpose?” since religions have the same intent: the promotion of basic human values. We have different views, different philosophies, but the same purpose. When I have met with religious practitioners we find more or less the same qualities in them. They are using different methods or practices, they are of different religious traditions, but they exhibit more or less the same qualities. People like Mother Teresa and Bishop Tutu himself and many others, through their own Christian faith, really transformed their lives. Their lives were more meaningful. They were more compassionate, more sensible and more responsible. So meeting and speaking with religious practitioners, that’s a second method to promote closer understanding. Then the third way is pilgrimage. People of different races and different religious traditions can make pilgrimages to each other’s holy sites. People of different faiths can meet together. They can share a message of peace and spirituality.
Archbishop Tutu added another idea. When disasters happen, people from different organisations can come together and help. Since then, on many occasions when I speak of ways to enhance harmony, I add his suggestion. And actually, we experienced that in 1959 when large numbers of people from the Tibetan community arrived in India. Many Catholic organisations and Protestant organisations offered us lots of help. That also created positive feelings toward each other.
He is always playful, always jovial, always teasing. He is such a nice person. On one occasion, I think in America, a few Nobel laureates were moving from one place to another. In the hall we walked in a procession. I always push him ahead because he is the older spiritual leader. So I was behind him. I pretended to choke him. He turned back. “Dalai Lama, I will inform the police that I need protection!” We are always teasing each other. In any meeting of the Nobel laureates, he always brings a very jovial atmosphere. Of course he can be very serious. But generally, whenever he joins, the atmosphere completely changes. He is an easy-going, open, wonderful person.
He is a freedom fighter but the fight is carried on with compassion, forgiveness and a full commitment to non-violence. He is a wonderful person. His commitment to reconciliation in South Africa is wonderful. He did not just say nice words, but he actually carried out committed action. I really admire him, and, of course, Mr Mandela also, for that.
Besides his spiritual practice, his commitment has been a lesson to me. In South Africa he committed the practice and provided the teaching. He made an example to others of forgiveness. He showed the basis for the work of reconciliation and forgiveness. When I have spoken to audiences, I have sometimes said: “After democracy was achieved, Bishop Tutu and the black people became the leaders in reconciliation. They carried out this work very sincerely. For black South Africans, once they got the power it would have been easy to forget about reconciliation. But they did not. This was really wonderful.”
So I learnt. In the same sort of spirit that Bishop Tutu implemented reconciliation, we can learn from his experience. In the future we may have that kind of work when the time comes (for Tibet).
He is the elder spiritual brother. That means mentally he is the elder, the senior, the more experienced. I’m his junior, so logically the junior can learn more from the senior. The senior may learn from the junior. I never expect he should learn something from me.
He is my friend. Once a person is a very close friend and develops respect, then the other’s problem you feel as your own problem; the other’s happiness you feel is your own. That’s quite natural. In our case, it is not just a friendship but it is a friendship with deep admiration, deep respect and, I think, no barrier; we can be quite frank with each other. That’s very nice.
Politically, in the initial period he did not touch on the Tibetan problem. But then later, actually at one meeting in New York, he mentioned the Tibetan problem. He used his moral authority to bring attention to the issue. Then also in Delhi, when he was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize, he said that the government of India looks after the Dalai Lama and this makes him very happy. He added that the government of India should also support Tibetan freedom.
We appreciate his support. Last year, before the World Cup, the South African embassy in New Delhi declined a visa for me. Bishop Tutu publicly expressed his unhappiness and displeasure about this. He really showed solidarity. I’m very impressed.
Jointly Bishop Tutu and President Havel wrote an article about Liu Xiaobo. I think it appeared in the Guardian. It was a very strong statement. I heard about it through the BBC, although I didn’t see the article itself. It is very helpful to have someone like him, someone with moral authority, to make clear what is wrong and what is right. That’s very important.
I think spiritual leaders should do more. They should speak out. The politicians and leaders of government have to take into consideration various other factors: the economy and many, many things. But spiritual leaders are supposed to stand firm on moral principle. Even if there are some immediate consequences, it doesn’t matter. On this planet everybody says, “Peace, peace, peace.”
Even North Korea says, “Peace, peace, peace.” But reality is just the opposite. The United Nations is supposed to be the highest world body, but sometimes it looks like a trade centre: “If you do this, I will do that.” Someone must make clear that right is right and wrong is wrong fearlessly, truthfully, honestly. Although Bishop Tutu is retired, whenever there is an issue of humanity, I think he must speak. His voice is important. He should stand firm as he has done.
He must continue, please, ’till his last breath. He should stand firm. It’s very important. And also (the fact that he is) a black person from the African continent is very helpful.
Maybe it’s a little selfish of me. If some Europeans make a statement then the Chinese communists say, “Oh, it’s Western imperialist anti-Chinese forces speaking!” They can easily dismiss it.
South Africans suffered a lot under white colonials, under apartheid. When he speaks strongly, it is difficult to say that he’s the instrument of Western anti-Chinese forces. I guess the Chinese may try to say that Archbishop Tutu is the instrument of Western anti-Chinese forces. After all, they described me as an instrument of Western anti-Chinese forces.”
* Tutu: An Authorised Portrait by Allister Sparks and Mpho A Tutu can be found in all good bookstores.