His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I thought with my $40 ticket and all, that I would be closer to the floor. When I purchased my ticket, there were four prices and the ticket I purchased was the second most expensive. I leaned over to the lady sitting next to me and said, "I wonder where the $20 ticketers sit?"

She said, "When I told my girlfriend where my seat was, she told me I was sitting in the Himalayas."

That was pretty funny, we were very high up. "I guess I can't complain though, it is the Dalai Lama," I chuckle.

I was able to finish the article in Esquire that I started about Bill Clinton and his third term as president of the world before Mary Beth so and so came out to give a brief introduction for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She spoke briefly and then introduced Democratic Leader of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who would be giving the official introduction for the Dalai Lama. He is a big fan of hers and she him.

Ms. Pelosi spoke a few moments of his achievements, his tribulations and his continual dedication to Buddhism and a free Tibet. What I didn't know and Nancy was kind enough to tell us, was that it was the Dalai Lama's 70th birthday today. And with that, the Dalai Lama strode onto the platform, showing a bit of his 70 years, and took center stage.

There was a very brief ceremony where followers of the Dalai Lama, from regions close to Tibet, came up on stage with (I don't really know what they are called) scarves, and he took these scarves and placed them around the necks of these individuals. These followers came from places like Mongolia, China, Nepal and parts of the former Soviet Union. It was very touching.

The podium with which the introductions were given was quickly removed and two seats and a small table were brought out so that the Dalai Lama and his interpreter could sit. The Dalai Lama quickly begain speaking, thanking everyone for coming, thank Nancy Pelosi and Mary Beth so and so for their introductions and thanking the organizers for all their work. The interpreter had to listen and allow for all these gratitude’s to sink in before he could translate. He was a very sharp and very quick interpreter. I liked him. The funny thing was that the Dalai Lama spoke English rather well but would intersperse...um...Tibetan? in with his English. The interpreter had to be on his toes or he would miss, but he never did.

The Dalai Lama is a rather jovial fellow. As he was making himself comfortable in his chair, he began to fiddle with his shoes. I thought he was pulling up his socks, but then I though maybe he didn't wear socks, he was actually removing his shoes. He then sat cross legged in his chair and the crowd was quick with a giggle.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama touched on many things but two caught my attention, I'll paraphrase:

...being asked which religion is best is really a meaningless when out of context. I'll give you an example. If someone asked you which medicine was best, that really doesn't mean anything. It really depends upon the ailment, then you can decide...

I thought that was great. Religion, unlike many in the Christian right in this country believe, is different for different people. It's appropriate for whom it's appropriate for. The other let gem:

...I read a scientific study that linked the part of the brain the deals with empathy and compassion with the same part that controls motor function. This makes sense, you see suffering and feel compassion and feel you need to take action...

This is so true, which made Peace Corps a natural extension of the way I feel about suffering. You see suffering, you act to change it.

Being within the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was an honor and quite humbling...but...unfortunately the audio and the acoustics of the MCI did nothing to augment the experience. I struggled for over an hour to hear and understand the Dalai Lama, even closing my eyes as to not be distracted. It was a chore to discern his messages and I eventually decided to head home, I think I had gotten what I had came there for. What that is I don't know, but it was worth it.

Tag: Dalai Lama | Tibet | Free Tibet