Dalai Lama: Feminist!

President Obama recently met with the Dalai Lama much to the distress of China, who accused Obama of “seriously damaging” their diplomatic relations. To downplay the event, the two leaders met not in the Oval Office, but in the Map Room, and the White House did not allow reporters or photographers to document the meeting, releasing only one official photo from their talk. The Dalai Lama and President Obama spoke about human rights, democracy and autonomy for Tibet — you know, the kind of stuff that really pisses China off.

Oh, but in between those topics, the Dalai Lama also spoke about women leaders and their potential importance! He said this to reporters outside the White House:

“The female (is) biologically more sensitive about…other suffering. The president agreed (with) that. So I just express I wish the amount of leadership more female, should be because of that. Should take leadership role.”

At first glance, this comment makes it sound like our biological circumstances (uh, estrogen and a womb?) are the only things making us more empathetic, but as Jamie Doak understands his gist, over at the excellent Bust Magazine blog:

“Women are socialized to be more caring and loving than men are and many act accordingly.”

Besides. This isn’t the first time the Dalai Lama has put in his two cents for femalekind. Here’s another wonderful quote:

“I call myself a feminist. Isn’t that what you call someone who fights for women’s rights? We all come from the same mother. That creates the basis for compassion.”

Thank you, Dalai Lama (full name, Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, translated as: Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Eloquent, Compassionate, Learned Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom)! Your understanding words help create a planet where maybe more little girls will dream of being leaders.

Photo via Source