Dear G8 World Leaders,

We write you collectively with a serious request for you to take a step that would have far reaching consequences for the world. I'm sure you agree that the integration of China into the community of nations as a responsible, peaceful, and cooperative actor on the world stage is one of the two most important challenges facing us all right now.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the most well-known, respected, and visionary spiritual leaders in the world, quite familiar to all of you and to the people of your countries. The leaders of China are the only ones who do not know him personally, and that is something you all in concert could do something about. He can be of invaluable help in moving this integration in the right direction. The Dalai Lama is a friend of China, its people, and its leadership. He wants their good just as much as he wants the good of the six million Tibetans he feels most responsible for. He is not unhappy for himself as things stand - as a realized Buddhist monk he is quite content in the state of "having gone from home to homelessness" (the description of a Buddhist renunciate), and India is considered the "Holy Land" by Buddhists.

Once the Chinese leadership takes the steps necessary to make his people happy by truly granting them the real autonomy they are promised in the Chinese constitution, then he will see to it that China's deep wish for acknowledged, legitimate sovereignty over Tibet is fulfilled. This is not at all that hard for China to do; it would gain the Chinese leadership enormous prestige, would be of great benefit to the Chinese and the Tibetan people, and crucial to preserve the Tibetan Buddhist culture and the fragile environment of the Tibetan high plateau.

The Chinese leaders' fear of the Dalai Lama and of the spirituality he represents has prevented them from getting to know him and enlisting his help in resolving their problems with the people of Tibet. By bringing him and them together at a world leaders' summit would defuse this obstacle and initiate a whole new level of resolve on all sides to resolve this tragic situation that has persisted for more than half a century. It would be an historic event.

Perhaps to defuse the Chinese leaders' reluctance to meet His Holiness, a half a dozen Nobel Laureates could be invited along with him; say Tutu, Wiesel, Gore, Yunus, Williams, Ibadi. There could be a special session for the G8 leaders with these Laureates, to have the Laureates' perspective on the world situation; and then a private meeting between Dalai Lama and Hu Jintao would not be so conspicuous.

If this meeting can be effected, there is no doubt an important follow-up process will be initiated by the Chinese leaders themselves, the steps of which will be obvious. In hopes that you will give this proposal your strongest and most careful consideration and will decide to take this critical step at this critical moment.

Sincerely Yours,
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