In the run up to the Dalai Lama's visit to Auckland in December questions are being asked about whether Prime Minister John Key will meet the Dalai Lama or hear him speak. Mr Key had said before last year's election that he would meet the Dalai Lama as Prime Minister.

John Key's meeting with the Dalai Lama is particularly relevant now, as in the US President Barack Obama has decided not the meet the Dalai Lama. It has been a tradition since 1991 that the Tibetan spiritual leader meets the US President, whenever he visits Washington.

Unfortunately this seems to have paved the way for other global leaders to shy away from meeting the Dalai Lama. It is the nations of these global leaders that stand on the same foundation of basic human rights and democratic freedoms for which the Dalai Lama stands and speaks about. Last week the office of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced he would not meet the Dalai Lama during the December visit. Will Prime Minister John Key follow suit and renege on his election promise?

On 9/October the NZ Herald launched the poll Should John Key meet with the Dalai Lama?. Log in to the NZ Herald to post your views.

The Dalai Lama will visit Auckland's Vector Arena to give a public talk on A Peaceful Mind on Saturday 5/December, and will give a Buddhist Teaching on Nagarjuna's Commentary on Bodhicitta on Sunday 6/December. Tickets are available through Ticket Master. Teachings will also be given in Australia.

We hope that you're keeping warm in the fresh spring months,
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