His Holiness the Dalai Lama

A Rare Meeting

Quite a rare opportunity to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama! So many people told me how lucky I was to have this chance. After the meeting, I reflected and thought to myself, "Am I any different now that I have met him? Have I changed in any respect?" I have not changed, but I am motivated to gain more discipline in my meditation (more on that in a later post!). I am also grateful for this opportunity because the Dalai Lama represents many things to me. He is a true spiritual and even political leader. He has done much for his Tibetan people, particularly in motivating them to succeed in the modern world through education while holding on to their identity as Tibetan Buddhists.

The Dalai Lama is believed to be the reincarnation of each of the previous thirteen Dalai Lamas of Tibet (the first having been born in 1351 AD), who are in turn considered to be manifestations of Chenrezig, Bodhisattva of Compassion. Since the Dalai Lama is also considered a manifestation of Chenrezig, he would be the seventy-fourth in a lineage that can be traced back to a Brahmin boy who lived in the time of Buddha Shakyamuni.


Grateful to meet you, Your Holiness!

When asked about his current goals, he replied that he had 2 main areas of focus:
1. The promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline.

2. The promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religions. He stressed that all major world religions have a similar message on the importance of being good human beings despite any philosophical difference.

What beautiful commitments to strive for and live by! If all religious leaders or religious groups thought in that respect and lived by such practical values, the world would not be in such a crisis.


The Dalai Lama has a strong presence. I recognized his strength of mind, character, and intelligence. He speaks several languages, has been all over the world successfully promoting the Tibetan cause, and is the spiritual leader of the Tibetans! Some of his many successes include:

* Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent struggle for the
liberation of Tibet.

* First Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental
problems.

* Has travelled to more than 62 countries!

* Has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates and prizes in recognition of his
message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal
responsibility and compassion.

* Has also authored more than 72 books.

He has held special meetings with presidents, prime ministers and royal families, and has also held dialogues with the heads of various religions.


Here is Tom, who arranged for us to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tom has been a champion for the Tibetan cause, and has donated much of his time, research and funding to aid projects in Dharamsala. Every year he sends law students to Dharamsala to teach Tibetan students human rights courses.