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His Holiness drove to Macalester College, where he first met with a group of students from the Neuroscience Department who presented him with an appreciation of his interest and contribution to their discipline. In the hall, before an audience of 3500, Provost Kathleen Murray and college President Brian Rosenberg awarded His Holiness any honorary doctorate for his work for peace in the world and on behalf of his own people. He then addressed the audience. “Respected elder sisters and brothers and younger sisters and brothers, I’m extremely happy to meet with this group of young students. When I meet with young people, I really feel they are the shapers of a new world in a new century. Time is always moving on, no force can stop it. The past is past, we can only learn from our experiences, but we can’t change them. However, the future can be reshaped. “Some historians say that in the 20th century, despite its many positive developments, about 200 million people died of violence. There was too much bloodshed, violence and suffering. If it had given rise to a new order, it might have been justified, but it didn’t, it only brought suffering. Among the most negative aspects of violence are its unpredictable consequences. In this context, after the tragedy of 9/11, I wrote to my friend President Bush to express my sorrow and condolences, but also to express the hope that whatever response was contemplated it would be non-violent. “Unfortunately, the 20th century was not only violent then, but continues to have an impact now. In order to make this a more peaceful century, we need to make it a century of dialogue. Although we look forward to an era of peace, it doesn’t mean it will be without problems. The difference is that we need to deal with those problems through dialogue, relying not on weapons but truth. Looking for your opponent’s defeat you will not succeed; you need to show him respect.”His Holiness suggested that among the many problems we face are the huge gap between rich and poor that is morally wrong and practically a mistake. There have to be creative ways to deal with it. In many parts of the world too, there is rampant corruption, which is like a cancer on society. Natural disasters and climate change, the global economy, are all things that affect us all. Things will become more complicated, so those who are young today, the 21st century generation, will have to be even more determined. They are our source of hope. He said it’s important to recognise that everyone has a right to happiness. There is no room for divisions into ‘us’ and ‘them’. We need to think in terms of the oneness of humanity. Differences of nationality, race, religious faith, level of education are all secondary. We need to think that other people’s problems are our problems. “Physical pain can be reduced through mental exertion, but mental unease is not relieved by physical comfort. We need a concern for others’ well-being. Warm-heartedness reduces stress and brings calm. Young women pay attention to their physical appearance with the use of cosmetics, which is well and good. However, far more important than outward beauty is cultivating inner beauty. Warm-heartedness gives rise to trust and trust leads to friendship.”Among the questions Brian Rosenberg put to His Holiness, the first was whether he ever gets angry. He replied that he does and if details were needed he could ask his staff. But his anger doesn’t last. Sometimes, he said, he watches his anger develop. By observing our emotions like this he said, we can learn how they develop and function. Allowing our intelligence to flourish, we can reduce the gap between appearance and reality. To a question about the clash between science and religion he explained that faith deals with our inner values, whereas science deals largely with the material world, so really there is no clash. Regarding the way to take sound decisions, His Holiness referred to his own experience. In Tibet, once he had assumed political and spiritual responsibility for the country, he used to think things through for himself. Then he would consult others. He would include servants as well as concerned officials. On the basis of that he would make an informed decision. He said that under such circumstances, if your motivation is good, even if things go wrong, there is no ground for regret.A final question was about what is the greatest sport and His Holiness laughed and said he was the wrong person to ask because he has no interest in sport. When pressed he admitted to playing table-tennis in Peking in 1954 so he could beat Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai and later to playing a little badminton in India. But he said that when he was recently invited to attend a cricket match in Dharamsala he had to ask who was winning because he himself had no idea. President Rosenberg thanked him profusely for coming. His Holiness had a few final words for his listeners.“You young people, please think about what I have said. We can’t any longer take for granted that our way of life is sustainable. We need to assess and adjust it to the new reality. Thank you.”