Vegetarian Star

The Dalai Lama has criticized the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for using what he thinks are violent, harassing activities as an attempt to stop whalers.

According to the AFP, His Holiness said, “One time I wrote a letter…(saying) their activities should be stopping,” and added that while he supported their goals, he thinks their manners for accomplishing them should be less aggressive.

Sea Shepherd tactics may annoy, harass and hinder the whalers’ progress, but is their form of activism really considered violent?

The worst “weapons” that have been used on missions are rancid butter bombs. And the organization has recently disassociated itself from activist Pete Bethune because he brought bow and arrows on board.

According to Planet Green, Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson carried a statue of Buddha on the Steve Irwin ship that was given to him by a representative of the Dalai Lama and he said in an interview he feels His Holiness supports their missions.

“[The Dalai Lama] understood our approach: We intimidate but we don’t hurt,” Watson said.

Has the Dalai Lama received mixed messages about the Sea Shepherd’s tactics? Or changed his mind as to what constitutes violence?

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