"Even great religious leaders like the Dalai Lama believe in the fundamental human right of self defense: At an afternoon talk by the Dalai Lama on May 14, 2001 to 7,600 Oregon and southwest Washington high-school students, one girl wanted to know how to react to a shooter who takes aim at a classmate. The Dalai Lama said acts of violence should be remembered, and then forgiveness should be extended to the perpetrators. But if someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, he said, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun... "[0] That is, defensive actions are justified if the ultimate aim is peace.
I seemed to remember him supporting some Asian rebels at one time also. He's just talking fluff, like most religious leaders with no balls. There's sad few exceptions.
"Could it be the guy tailors his message to the audience at any given moment? To wit:"
I think it could be argued that defensive action is not the same as making war.
Sounds good to me. He is pointing out the difference he sees between countries at war and a person defending themselves as an individual. Peace on Earth is a nice, gentle dream that should be embraced but -
Universal Peace on Earth will only happen when every life form is extinct and nothing remains alive. War is the natural state of life – every life form fights for resources. Weeds are at war with flowers and grasses, kudzu vine is at war with trees, wild life – from ants to squirrels to man go to war.