The day before the Dalai Lama was due to leave China and return to Tibet in the spring of 1955, he was attending a meeting of the Steering Committee. While Lu Rau-chi, the presiding official, was in the middle of his oration, the Dalai Lama’s security officer suddenly burst into the room, rushing over to him. “Chairman Mao wants to see you at once. He is waiting for you,” the officer said. The Dalai Lama was caught off guard. He couldn’t just leave the meeting abruptly, especially since Lu Rau-chi showed no sign of pausing. “In that case,” the Dalai Lama replied, “you will have to go and have me excused.” The officer immediately complied and excused him.
They went directly to Mao Zedong’s office, where Mao was indeed waiting. Mao informed the Dalai Lama that he wanted to give him some advice on government before he left for Tibet. He began to explain how to organise meetings, how to draw out people’s opinions, and how to decide on the key issues. The Dalai Lama listened closely, taking notes, as he always did during their meetings. Mao then emphasised the importance of communication for any form of material progress and stressed…
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