The Dalai Lama to Appear on CBS SUNDAY MORNING, 12/25

Some of the world's problems stem from too much focus on what separates people rather than what makes them alike, the Dalai Lama tells Seth Doane in an interview for CBS SUNDAY MORNING to be broadcast Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (9:00 AM ET) on the CBS Television Network.

The Dalai Lama's philosophy is that something as simple as a smile can change the world. "Too much - sort of - nationalism - we, we, we, we, we," he tells Doane. "And then? The problem - including violence."

The answer, he says, is to think beyond what divides people. "Beyond religion - beyond national boundary," the Dalai Lama tells Doane. "Yes - I feel!"

Since 1959, the Dalai Lama, the Nobel Peace Prize winning spiritual leader, has been viewed by China as an enemy of the state. The Beijing government has attempted to block him from visiting certain countries or meeting heads of state. He says China's efforts to stop him do not bother him.

"No," he says, "my main purpose is promotion of human value - or promotion of religious harmony."

As a monk, the Dalai Lama doesn't smoke, doesn't drink alcohol and has taken a vow of celibacy, something he doesn't suggest for all people. "Every human being cannot be a monk," he tells Doane. "If human being becomes celibate - than humanity will cease, so better to have more reproduction."

CBS SUNDAY MORNING is broadcast Sundays (9:00-10:30 AM ET) on the CBS Television Network. Rand Morrison is the executive producer.

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