Lin Hwai-min

Transcription

1 00:00:17,118 --> 00:00:18,952 Hello everyone 2 00:00:18,952 --> 00:00:20,591 I am Lin, Hwai-Min 3 00:00:20,591 --> 00:00:24,702 I feel I am like a piece of restless rock 4 00:00:24,702 --> 00:00:27,452 always looking around 5 00:00:27,452 --> 00:00:33,119 hoping to see a brighter sun 6 00:00:33,119 --> 00:00:37,536 If tomorrow and today are totally the same 7 00:00:37,536 --> 00:00:41,535 then I'll definitely not want to wake up 8 00:00:41,535 --> 00:00:46,183 When I was a freshman in college, I majored in Law at NCCU (National ChengChi University) 9 00:00:46,183 --> 00:00:48,654 A year later I switched to Journalism 10 00:00:48,654 --> 00:00:52,536 When I moved to US, I continued to study journalism 11 00:00:52,536 --> 00:00:56,894 After one semester, I transferred to a creative writing class 12 00:00:56,894 --> 00:01:00,599 and started dancing 13 00:01:00,599 --> 00:01:03,620 At the age of 25, I returned to NCCU to teach 14 00:01:03,620 --> 00:01:06,004 I was perhaps the youngest lecturer at NCCU 15 00:01:06,004 --> 00:01:10,642 In my second year of teaching, I got myself into trouble 16 00:01:10,642 --> 00:01:14,702 That's when I started the “Cloud Gate Dance Theatre" 17 00:01:14,702 --> 00:01:15,702 (Laughter) 18 00:01:15,702 --> 00:01:19,368 (Applause) 19 00:01:19,368 --> 00:01:23,087 "Cloud Gate" is the first professional dance group in Taiwan 20 00:01:23,087 --> 00:01:25,869 Before us, no one chose contemporary dance 21 00:01:25,869 --> 00:01:29,260 as a source of making a living 22 00:01:29,260 --> 00:01:31,496 So, many thought of me as 23 00:01:31,496 --> 00:01:34,201 "He is a fine young man… but why this?" 24 00:01:34,201 --> 00:01:37,286 People were incredibly surprised by my decision 25 00:01:37,286 --> 00:01:39,951 My friends even asked, "Are you out of your mind?" 26 00:01:39,951 --> 00:01:42,673 My father simply said the following to me: 27 00:01:42,673 --> 00:01:46,178 "Among all artists, dancers are the most awe-inspiring 28 00:01:46,178 --> 00:01:50,748 since they have the toughest profession 29 00:01:50,748 --> 00:01:52,785 of creating art using the entire body 30 00:01:52,785 --> 00:01:57,786 However, this is probably a job for the beggars!" 31 00:01:57,786 --> 00:02:01,159 Ten years ago when my mother passed away 32 00:02:01,159 --> 00:02:04,202 my family sorted through her belongings 33 00:02:04,202 --> 00:02:06,952 and found a bankbook under my name 34 00:02:06,952 --> 00:02:09,667 There was over a million NT Dollars in that account 35 00:02:09,667 --> 00:02:12,337 That's when I realized 36 00:02:12,337 --> 00:02:15,907 that even after 30 years 37 00:02:15,907 --> 00:02:19,243 my mom was still concerned with 38 00:02:19,243 --> 00:02:22,369 this son of hers in the performance arts field 39 00:02:22,369 --> 00:02:26,650 So she pinched and scraped to save money for me 40 00:02:26,650 --> 00:02:29,869 None of my siblings caused her such worries 41 00:02:29,869 --> 00:02:31,822 Why did I pursue dancing? 42 00:02:31,822 --> 00:02:36,927 When growing up, my parents taught us to serve others 43 00:02:36,927 --> 00:02:39,230 I grew up in the 60's 44 00:02:39,230 --> 00:02:42,035 60's was an era of emerging youth subculture 45 00:02:42,035 --> 00:02:45,003 The Beatles, hippies, anti-war slogans, 46 00:02:45,003 --> 00:02:50,241 Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech 47 00:02:50,241 --> 00:02:56,680 It was an era of rising civil rights movement 48 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:59,483 Folks back then accomplished a number of milestones 49 00:02:59,483 --> 00:03:03,156 The 60s' taught young men and women the sense of responsibility 50 00:03:03,156 --> 00:03:07,090 Everyone had the ability to change the society and the world 51 00:03:07,090 --> 00:03:12,202 When I returned to Taiwan, I met some girls who loved dancing 52 00:03:12,202 --> 00:03:14,001 and I thought, Taiwanese enjoy seeing these dance performances 53 00:03:14,001 --> 00:03:15,900 but we don't have a local dance group 54 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:17,769 We need to form our own groups 55 00:03:17,769 --> 00:03:19,452 It's easier said than done 56 00:03:19,452 --> 00:03:21,739 But at that moment, what we had in mind 57 00:03:21,739 --> 00:03:24,976 was not found in New York, London, Paris, or Moscow 58 00:03:24,976 --> 00:03:28,285 Our concept was simply a small group around ten people or so 59 00:03:28,285 --> 00:03:31,286 who can perform for students at schools 60 00:03:31,286 --> 00:03:36,587 or even at the community level for the general public 61 00:03:36,587 --> 00:03:39,285 Because of my parents' impression of dance performers 62 00:03:39,285 --> 00:03:41,059 their warnings, actually 63 00:03:41,059 --> 00:03:43,619 when I started this journey I knew that 64 00:03:43,619 --> 00:03:48,166 I would not be able to afford a house in this lifetime 65 00:03:48,166 --> 00:03:52,369 However "insane" I seemed, I kept moving forward 66 00:03:52,369 --> 00:03:54,702 On September 29th, 1973 67 00:03:54,702 --> 00:03:59,910 'Cloud Gate' opened its first show in Chung-Hsing Hall, Taichung city 68 00:03:59,910 --> 00:04:02,202 I just realized this morning that 69 00:04:02,202 --> 00:04:07,369 today marks the 40th anniversary of this very first performance 70 00:04:07,369 --> 00:04:14,424 (Applause) 71 00:04:14,424 --> 00:04:17,562 Thank you 72 00:04:17,562 --> 00:04:19,729 So, after Taichung, our next stop was in Taipei's Zhongshan Hall 73 00:04:19,729 --> 00:04:24,904 We sold over 3000 tickets, and there were even scalpers outside 74 00:04:24,904 --> 00:04:30,702 Everyone was excited, but for about 3 months I was incredibly neurotic 75 00:04:30,702 --> 00:04:34,536 Gate Cloud was the first professional contemporary dance troupe 76 00:04:34,536 --> 00:04:38,582 There were no precedent or similar cases in Taiwan 77 00:04:38,582 --> 00:04:42,821 More importantly, even though I had some knowledge in dancing 78 00:04:42,821 --> 00:04:46,036 I had never choreographed 79 00:04:46,036 --> 00:04:47,993 I don't know where I got the courage to make it this far 80 00:04:47,993 --> 00:04:52,119 So from that point on, I focused on practicing the art of choreography 81 00:04:52,119 --> 00:04:56,953 Throughout these years, I learned from the dancers 82 00:04:56,953 --> 00:05:01,005 the elements of a 'human figure' 83 00:05:01,005 --> 00:05:02,907 and the fundamentals of 'movements' 84 00:05:02,907 --> 00:05:07,311 I learned from the audiences' reaction 85 00:05:07,311 --> 00:05:12,349 how to compose a dance which enable us to communicate 86 00:05:12,349 --> 00:05:17,854 But, my sole job at Cloud Gate was not just to choreograph dances 87 00:05:17,854 --> 00:05:21,952 In this kind of environment, the 70's the 80's 88 00:05:21,952 --> 00:05:28,500 Ugh, I had to take care of administrative tasks and raise funds 89 00:05:28,500 --> 00:05:30,951 To me, these responsibilities were somewhat difficult to handle 90 00:05:30,951 --> 00:05:33,437 The need to go out and ask people to sponsor, to give you money 91 00:05:33,437 --> 00:05:37,642 Oh right, my father did say it's a beggar's job 92 00:05:37,642 --> 00:05:41,036 However, in my transition from a young novelist 93 00:05:41,036 --> 00:05:43,201 who was suddenly forced to leave the house 94 00:05:43,201 --> 00:05:46,617 and proactively rally volunteers and sponsors for support 95 00:05:46,617 --> 00:05:49,036 I feel I have gained so much in this process 96 00:05:49,036 --> 00:05:50,869 The feeling is like walking out from this red circle 97 00:05:50,869 --> 00:05:54,369 It's an amazing adventure because as I started to approach people 98 00:05:54,369 --> 00:05:56,285 I got to know so many of them 99 00:05:56,285 --> 00:05:58,663 When people turned me down, 100 00:05:58,663 --> 00:06:00,954 I would still keep my composure and my spirits up 101 00:06:00,954 --> 00:06:05,036 When I was 14, my novels got rejected quite often 102 00:06:05,036 --> 00:06:11,342 Rejection was part of the process 103 00:06:11,342 --> 00:06:14,745 But when there's one person willing to help, cherish the kindness shown 104 00:06:14,745 --> 00:06:19,619 One should be forever grateful 105 00:06:19,619 --> 00:06:23,656 Because even if people come to me, I might not say yes 106 00:06:23,656 --> 00:06:26,190 I'm also aware of the expectations 107 00:06:26,190 --> 00:06:32,119 that come with each and every donation or gift 108 00:06:32,119 --> 00:06:36,401 So with this in mind, I kept our team moving forward 109 00:06:36,401 --> 00:06:41,786 Sometimes I worked over 18 to 20 hours a day 110 00:06:41,786 --> 00:06:46,744 Even today I'm putting in about 16 hours of work 111 00:06:46,744 --> 00:06:48,951 My work consists of not only choreography 112 00:06:48,951 --> 00:06:52,649 it also includes learning how to lead my own lifestyle 113 00:06:52,649 --> 00:06:57,036 and adding more dimensions of creativity 114 00:06:57,036 --> 00:06:59,756 Why? 115 00:06:59,756 --> 00:07:01,726 Because I am ultimately responsible for 116 00:07:01,726 --> 00:07:04,536 my dancers' future 117 00:07:04,536 --> 00:07:08,037 When their schoolmates started their own dance studio, 118 00:07:08,037 --> 00:07:11,201 these folks can afford cars and mortgage payments 119 00:07:11,201 --> 00:07:13,702 on luxury apartments 120 00:07:13,702 --> 00:07:15,953 My dancers, on contrary, didn't choose the conventional path 121 00:07:15,953 --> 00:07:21,011 they dance 8 hours a day and are severely underpaid 122 00:07:21,011 --> 00:07:24,582 To me, I couldn't disappoint them 123 00:07:24,582 --> 00:07:28,869 In addition, those people who kindly helped Cloud Gate 124 00:07:28,869 --> 00:07:32,589 I couldn't fail them as well 125 00:07:32,589 --> 00:07:35,160 Perhaps what's most important is that 126 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:40,229 I should not subject myself to the "insane" label 127 00:07:40,229 --> 00:07:42,117 that people gave me when they heard of my ambitions 128 00:07:42,117 --> 00:07:44,401 I need to go out and prove that I am not "out of my mind" 129 00:07:44,401 --> 00:07:46,702 I have to show that it's YOU who are insane! 130 00:07:46,702 --> 00:07:52,701 (Applause) 131 00:07:52,701 --> 00:07:57,816 However, Cloud Gate was placed on hiatus in 1988 132 00:07:57,816 --> 00:08:00,819 Ever since I graduated and started working 133 00:08:00,819 --> 00:08:05,702 working in a brand new line of business like Cloud Gate 134 00:08:05,702 --> 00:08:07,119 I always felt like falling into a washing machine 135 00:08:07,119 --> 00:08:12,563 and was placed on a perpetual spinning cycle 136 00:08:12,563 --> 00:08:16,451 Was I happy? I'd never thought about it 137 00:08:16,451 --> 00:08:18,535 But I was getting by 138 00:08:18,535 --> 00:08:19,619 that's what I thought 139 00:08:19,619 --> 00:08:21,451 I always saw myself as a chess piece 140 00:08:21,451 --> 00:08:26,451 a cog in the wheel of Cloud Gate 141 00:08:26,451 --> 00:08:29,869 The "Lin Hwai-Min" that one sees in the newspaper or media 142 00:08:29,869 --> 00:08:32,451 is not part of me at the end of the day 143 00:08:32,451 --> 00:08:34,036 My days are still the same 144 00:08:34,036 --> 00:08:37,254 I still work on my own job 145 00:08:37,254 --> 00:08:40,491 Because if I become too arrogant from the publicity, the awards 146 00:08:40,491 --> 00:08:43,201 Taiwan might not be big enough for my ego 147 00:08:43,201 --> 00:08:46,286 Then I might have to leave Taiwan 148 00:08:46,286 --> 00:08:48,452 I can't imagine how artists from other countries think 149 00:08:48,452 --> 00:08:51,119 since their lifestyles and work ethics are unlike Taiwanese 150 00:08:51,119 --> 00:08:52,701 In Taiwan's work environment 151 00:08:52,701 --> 00:08:54,870 I am just a small cog 152 00:08:54,870 --> 00:08:56,286 And this is the way I produce work 153 00:08:56,286 --> 00:08:58,909 But even a cog may be worn out 154 00:08:58,909 --> 00:09:03,869 In 1983, I initiated the Dance department at TNUA (Taipei National University of the Arts) 155 00:09:03,869 --> 00:09:07,651 Between Cloud Gate and teaching 156 00:09:07,651 --> 00:09:09,869 I'd been burning the candle at both ends 157 00:09:09,869 --> 00:09:12,535 By 1988 I was completely exhausted 158 00:09:12,535 --> 00:09:15,424 Meanwhile I needed to face the reality that my founding team members 159 00:09:15,424 --> 00:09:21,999 those dancers who committed years of their hard work 160 00:09:21,999 --> 00:09:25,736 are also starting their own families 161 00:09:25,736 --> 00:09:31,241 and I wasn't sure how to provide the means to repay them 162 00:09:31,241 --> 00:09:33,036 When I was already this busy 163 00:09:33,036 --> 00:09:38,202 could I still have the energy to design better choreographies for them? 164 00:09:38,202 --> 00:09:45,589 Hence, in 1986, I made the decision to suspend Cloud Gate performances 165 00:09:45,589 --> 00:09:50,426 When the news broke out in 1988, it was a sad day for our fans 166 00:09:50,426 --> 00:09:51,895 The general public also felt our sadness 167 00:09:51,895 --> 00:09:53,998 Looking back, my decision to suspend Cloud Gate 168 00:09:53,998 --> 00:09:58,502 is one of my best works so far 169 00:09:58,502 --> 00:10:00,619 This painful decision was carefully planned 170 00:10:00,619 --> 00:10:02,619 after some soul-searching and self-realization on my part 171 00:10:02,619 --> 00:10:07,702 It took two years for us to finish executing this suspension project 172 00:10:07,702 --> 00:10:10,202 We made sure that all team members have an exit path 173 00:10:10,202 --> 00:10:11,701 We arranged new jobs for the founding members 174 00:10:11,701 --> 00:10:17,535 As for the junior members, we sent them to US to continue their studies 175 00:10:17,535 --> 00:10:19,869 When Cloud Gate was officially on hiatus 176 00:10:19,869 --> 00:10:22,260 We still had performance invitations from eight other countries 177 00:10:22,260 --> 00:10:23,894 It was a record for Cloud Gate 178 00:10:23,894 --> 00:10:25,285 However, still no regrets 179 00:10:25,285 --> 00:10:28,535 as more invitations merely mean more trips abroad 180 00:10:28,535 --> 00:10:33,738 After these trips we're still left with exhausted souls and little money 181 00:10:33,738 --> 00:10:36,740 In 1990, on the second day after I returned to Taipei from US 182 00:10:36,740 --> 00:10:38,175 A taxi driver asked me: 183 00:10:38,175 --> 00:10:39,644 "Why are the Cloud Gate performances suspended?" 184 00:10:39,644 --> 00:10:42,580 I replied: "Running a performance art company in Taiwan is difficult" 185 00:10:42,580 --> 00:10:45,702 And I told him my story and the difficulties I'd faced 186 00:10:45,702 --> 00:10:49,987 The driver expressed his understanding and sympathy 187 00:10:49,987 --> 00:10:53,491 But before I got off his car 188 00:10:53,491 --> 00:10:55,619 He said to me : "Mr. Lin," 189 00:10:55,619 --> 00:11:03,118 "It's also hard to make a living driving around Taipei as a taxi driver 190 00:11:03,118 --> 00:11:06,905 All jobs have their hardships 191 00:11:06,905 --> 00:11:09,452 But Taiwan needs Cloud Gate" 192 00:11:09,452 --> 00:11:13,144 And when he left, he yelled: Mr. Lin, You can do it! 193 00:11:13,144 --> 00:11:16,580 I stood by the curb 194 00:11:16,580 --> 00:11:22,351 incredibly ashamed 195 00:11:22,351 --> 00:11:29,702 What I had abandoned were not only 196 00:11:29,702 --> 00:11:34,031 my initial dreams and aspirations 197 00:11:34,031 --> 00:11:39,452 I'd forgotten the Cloud Gate supporters 198 00:11:39,452 --> 00:11:42,906 and the promise I made during my younger years 199 00:11:42,906 --> 00:11:44,841 of serving the general public 200 00:11:44,841 --> 00:11:51,915 So in 1991, we brought Cloud Gate back 201 00:11:51,915 --> 00:11:53,651 At this moment, we found 202 00:11:53,651 --> 00:11:54,869 undoubtedly that 203 00:11:54,869 --> 00:11:56,920 this is our best work 204 00:11:56,920 --> 00:12:04,160 The hiatus turned out to be Cloud Gate's biggest blessing 205 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,452 During the three year break 206 00:12:07,452 --> 00:12:08,952 I traveled around East South Asia 207 00:12:08,952 --> 00:12:12,838 to expand my creative path and to enrich my personal life 208 00:12:12,838 --> 00:12:16,674 Our technical director Lin Keh-Hua went to study at Yale 209 00:12:16,674 --> 00:12:21,244 Operations director Wen Hui-Wen got a Master in Fine Arts degree in US 210 00:12:21,244 --> 00:12:25,704 When we returned, we were not crazy and compulsive young adults anymore 211 00:12:25,704 --> 00:12:27,702 We seemed to have matured a bit 212 00:12:27,702 --> 00:12:30,487 We seemed to have more trainings in our line of expertise 213 00:12:30,487 --> 00:12:33,590 And, the greatest thing is 214 00:12:33,590 --> 00:12:34,451 since we had disbanded before 215 00:12:34,451 --> 00:12:38,729 the worse we can do now is to disband again! 216 00:12:38,729 --> 00:12:47,369 So the future of Cloud Gate is to continue on a sustainable path 217 00:12:47,369 --> 00:12:50,975 Around the time, Taiwan's economic situation was favorable to the arts 218 00:12:50,975 --> 00:12:53,510 more corporations were pitching in to support Cloud Gate 219 00:12:53,510 --> 00:12:58,849 So today, after 40 years since we first opened our show 220 00:12:58,849 --> 00:13:02,619 Cloud Gate 2 regularly performs in rural areas 221 00:13:02,619 --> 00:13:05,656 We have classes in universities 222 00:13:05,656 --> 00:13:09,025 Under the support of Cathy Financial Holdings 223 00:13:09,025 --> 00:13:11,895 Cloud Gate has been hosting outdoor performances for the past 18 years 224 00:13:11,895 --> 00:13:16,666 Each show we receive at least 30,000 attendees 225 00:13:16,666 --> 00:13:18,619 Some shows even peaked at 80,000 attendees 226 00:13:18,619 --> 00:13:22,952 This is perhaps the largest dancing performance in the world 227 00:13:22,952 --> 00:13:26,703 After each of these performances 228 00:13:26,703 --> 00:13:29,479 our attendees left orderly and with no garbage behind 229 00:13:29,479 --> 00:13:31,815 Taiwanese people are amazing 230 00:13:31,815 --> 00:13:36,753 From this it shows how our attendees 231 00:13:36,753 --> 00:13:38,869 have a desire and the discipline for quality lifestyle 232 00:13:38,869 --> 00:13:41,658 I feel the need to do better 233 00:13:41,658 --> 00:13:43,327 When I was staying overseas, people asked: 234 00:13:43,327 --> 00:13:47,230 "You take your shows to rural villages down south or east of Taiwan 235 00:13:47,230 --> 00:13:49,701 For these areas, do you perform an abridged version of the show?" 236 00:13:49,701 --> 00:13:51,902 No 237 00:13:51,902 --> 00:13:55,952 It's the same show one sees in New York, Moscow, and Paris 238 00:13:55,952 --> 00:13:58,075 Because Taiwan is limited in size 239 00:13:58,075 --> 00:14:01,452 I must say, after 90's 240 00:14:01,452 --> 00:14:06,083 More and more folks around the world think of me as a good choreographer 241 00:14:06,083 --> 00:14:10,036 My training comes from the hundreds of thousands of attendees to my show 242 00:14:10,036 --> 00:14:11,254 Why from them? 243 00:14:11,254 --> 00:14:14,202 Because there is no bad audience 244 00:14:14,202 --> 00:14:16,619 There's only bad performance 245 00:14:16,619 --> 00:14:19,895 Especially in an outdoor production 246 00:14:19,895 --> 00:14:25,620 if you don't offer a spectacular show 247 00:14:25,620 --> 00:14:28,072 kids will start to whine 248 00:14:28,072 --> 00:14:30,006 and adults will walk away 249 00:14:30,006 --> 00:14:31,776 I need to keep my audience members in their seats 250 00:14:31,776 --> 00:14:33,844 So they became my biggest challenge 251 00:14:33,844 --> 00:14:38,683 If tens of thousands of outdoor attendees like to stay and watch my show 252 00:14:38,683 --> 00:14:41,486 then I think even New York Times would love my productions too 253 00:14:41,486 --> 00:14:44,522 Yes 254 00:14:44,522 --> 00:14:49,860 My training is from the general public 255 00:14:49,860 --> 00:14:51,729 This April 256 00:14:51,729 --> 00:14:55,119 I joined the Da Jia Matsu Incense-Carrying Pilgrimage 257 00:14:55,119 --> 00:15:00,338 near Shi-Chou, at 3AM in the wee hours of the morning 258 00:15:00,338 --> 00:15:03,453 a farm lady arrived and held my hand 259 00:15:03,453 --> 00:15:07,177 She said: "Thanks for your beautiful art" 260 00:15:07,177 --> 00:15:10,536 Thanks for your beautiful art 261 00:15:10,536 --> 00:15:17,951 A simple heartfelt sentence from a blue collar lady 262 00:15:17,951 --> 00:15:19,452 I thought 263 00:15:19,452 --> 00:15:21,726 Ah… 40 years of hard work 264 00:15:21,726 --> 00:15:24,368 If we can get what we ask for 265 00:15:24,368 --> 00:15:27,331 and to age in this way 266 00:15:27,331 --> 00:15:31,235 this is what I would call happiness 267 00:15:31,235 --> 00:15:33,903 Couples years ago, I went to India 268 00:15:33,903 --> 00:15:39,811 made pilgrimage to Buddha-gayā, where Buddha became an immortal figure 269 00:15:39,811 --> 00:15:45,483 The branches and leafs of the local scared fig trees spanned this big 270 00:15:45,483 --> 00:15:47,350 When I left a temple after its closing 271 00:15:47,350 --> 00:15:49,652 a man behind me suddenly asked 272 00:15:49,652 --> 00:15:51,321 "Are you from Taiwan?" 273 00:15:51,321 --> 00:15:53,369 I turned to see, oh, he's a spiritual master (Lama) 274 00:15:53,369 --> 00:15:55,725 He spoke perfect Mandarin 275 00:15:55,725 --> 00:15:58,868 I asked him to join me for some tea nearby 276 00:15:58,868 --> 00:16:00,952 He told me he's from Shandong, China 277 00:16:00,952 --> 00:16:04,168 To become a Lama teacher, 278 00:16:04,168 --> 00:16:07,238 he spent couple years taking on various jobs 279 00:16:07,238 --> 00:16:09,786 Once he arrived in Lhasa, he began helping out at temples 280 00:16:09,786 --> 00:16:12,842 Later on, he wanted to meet His Holiness Dalai Lama 281 00:16:12,842 --> 00:16:18,118 so he walked from Lhasa in the direction of Nepal 282 00:16:18,118 --> 00:16:20,619 At the border, he was thrown in prison by the People's Liberation Army 283 00:16:20,619 --> 00:16:22,920 After one year, when he was released, he started walking again 284 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,536 But he got caught again and was put into prison for another year 285 00:16:25,536 --> 00:16:28,191 His third attempt to cross the border was successful 286 00:16:28,191 --> 00:16:30,060 He arrived at Dharmsāla and saw Dalai Lama 287 00:16:30,060 --> 00:16:34,064 Then I asked him, "What are you going to do now?" 288 00:16:34,064 --> 00:16:37,168 He said: " I want to go back to Tibet" 289 00:16:37,168 --> 00:16:41,119 I asked, "Didn't you get caught by the Liberation Army last time?" 290 00:16:41,119 --> 00:16:43,037 Why take the risk of getting caught and be thrown back in prison? 291 00:16:43,037 --> 00:16:47,811 He replied: "It's all the same wherever we are" 292 00:16:47,811 --> 00:16:51,951 When I left, I turned around to see him 293 00:16:51,951 --> 00:16:56,921 He was helping to clear the table 294 00:16:56,921 --> 00:17:00,925 And in the freezing January weather in India 295 00:17:00,925 --> 00:17:04,260 this Lama teacher laid down under a tree 296 00:17:04,260 --> 00:17:05,369 wrapped his Kasaya garment around, and slept 297 00:17:05,369 --> 00:17:08,786 It's all the same wherever we are 298 00:17:08,786 --> 00:17:15,619 When his own personal desires have been lowered to an absolute minimum 299 00:17:15,619 --> 00:17:17,473 nothing is impossible 300 00:17:17,473 --> 00:17:22,119 In life, there's no limit 301 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:24,202 When we are young 302 00:17:24,202 --> 00:17:26,448 there's a need to rebel, to challenge 303 00:17:26,448 --> 00:17:28,920 to go through these lessons to understand who we are 304 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,619 Yes, don't set a limit in life 305 00:17:31,619 --> 00:17:36,869 Unless you are constructing obstacles for yourself 306 00:17:36,869 --> 00:17:40,563 It's my pleasure to meet so many young friends here today 307 00:17:40,563 --> 00:17:42,232 As we say from this experienced fellow 308 00:17:42,232 --> 00:17:43,785 We need to believe that 309 00:17:43,785 --> 00:17:46,270 Throughout history, there are different challenges for each generation 310 00:17:46,270 --> 00:17:48,618 but that challenge depends on how you perceive the problem 311 00:17:48,618 --> 00:17:52,275 It should not be what others have define for you 312 00:17:52,275 --> 00:17:54,369 I have some last words to say to the young folks here: 313 00:17:54,369 --> 00:17:59,249 Youth is synonymous with 'bravery' 314 00:17:59,249 --> 00:18:00,951 Be bold. Never be afraid 315 00:18:00,951 --> 00:18:10,786 (Applause) 316 00:18:10,786 --> 00:18:13,063 Thank you. 317 00:18:13,063 --> 00:18:17,063 .