An Interview With The Dalai Lama

As the sun was inching across a beautiful mid-July sky, those hoping to catch a glimpse of a man whose very essence echoes compassion,  gathered in the courtyard of the Kalmyk Temple of Saint Zokava at the Kalmyk Brotherhood Society  in a working class neighborhood in Philadelphia.

A veritable Benetton commercial sampling of humanity, Easterners and Westerners alike sat on blankets, and stood in the shade, fanning themselves, drinking water from bottles that were passed out among the peacefully anticipatory crowd.

Kalmyks, a preternaturally beautiful people,  are ethnic Mongolians who are in alignment with Tibetan Buddhism. Members of the temple the structure of which bears the Buddhist symbol of the wheel of dharma surrounded by two deer,  issued the invitation for His Holiness to come to Philadelphia for the first time in 18 years or so years.

The 73 year old “simple Buddhist Monk” , as he refers to himself, now resides in Dharamsala, India, since the 1959 takeover of Tibet by the Chinese government. He seems to view himself a planetary citizen as he travels, as much a visiting scholar as a political and spiritual leader .

There was eager anticipation, mellowed with a deep sense of reverence and when His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama stepped out of the limousine, a ‘Kodak moment’ was likely formed in the minds of all who greeted him, mirroring his own bows and smiles. During his presentation to those gathered, he spoke of the importance of maintaining the lineage and heritage of their forbears since the elder Kalmyks were dying out.

That afternoon, in the beautiful Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center, the audience, many of whom had waited a lifetime to hear His Holiness speak, was treated to entertainment in the form of costumed and choreographed Kalmyk and Tibetan folk music and dances, as well as mono-tonal Tibetan chanting offered by the Drepung Gomang monks who travel the world to create exquisite sand mandalas, which when complete, are disassembled to represent the Buddhist concept of impermanence.

To the sound of thundering applause,  His Holiness walked on stage, bowed three times and then prostrated himself before the image of the Buddha emblazoned on a 50 foot tall tapestry, known as a thangka. Taking off his sandals, he nestled cross legged in a radiantly orange chair to begin his teachings on “Buddhism in the 21st Century”   His first words indicated that he was “Very happy to be here once more in this famous city,” and then made reference to the Liberty Bell and encouraged people to “fill up the crack with our own efforts.”

After the presentation, a large sheet cake was wheeled out onto the stage  in celebration of his 73rd birthday on July 6th.  A look of child-like wonder spread across his face, as he seemed not to be aware of the ritual of blowing out the candle. He then cut a large piece from the middle of the cake and indulged with gusto. There was plenty left to share with his guests in the lobby as they exited the building, enjoying what seemed like manna from heaven.

For this journalist, a seed that was planted 20 years ago, came to fruition as the opportunity arose to interview His Holiness. Feeling a sense of serenity wash over me, I entered his hotel room that was guarded by Philadelphia police officers and Secret Service agents.  A mischievous twinkle appeared in his eyes as he glanced in my direction. I approached him, my own eyes filling with tears,  katah ( a traditional white silk scarf) in hand, to complete a ritual which involved holding it, in yogic terms ‘anjali mudra’ (prayer pose). He bowed, took it from me, blessed it, draped it around my neck and then drew me into a gentle embrace. He then motioned for me to sit nearby to begin our conversation. Periodically, His Holiness would reach over to touch my arm, to emphasize  a point. His dress is a blend of  Eastern and Western with the traditional saffron and burgundy robes, juxtaposed against rich wine-colored socks with embroidery on them over which he wore simple brown shoes. His left wrist  bore both a metallic banded watch that registered time as the world knows it, and a purple mala (a 109 beaded ‘rosary’ used to count out prayers) that reflected a more esoteric version of the passing moments.

He finds that he is, as a human being, able to embody the spiritual and as a spiritual being, able to embody the human by viewing himself as quite ordinary. Although he is perceived by many as ‘living Buddha and God-king’, he pooh-poohs that notion as “nonsense” and claims to be “nobody special.”  Neither is he “a wolf in Buddhist robes” as those who oppose his political stands might attest. He does take on “certain responsibility to look after well-being of society and Buddhism and culture.”  This, he considers, “part of the practice of spirituality.”

The Dalai Lama related that “My position is semi-retired. I am looking forward to complete retirement”, which would manifest itself in the form of more meditation and “preparation for the next life. My daily program is not later than 4:30. Usually 8 or 9 hours, very sound sleep.”  He eats no dinner and then awakens pre-dawn, to meditate for 4-5  hours. He playfully inquired how much sleep I average and I answered that I sleep far less than he does, but acknowledging that he certainly earned his rest. He admitted that in 1959 when he was forced to leave his country,  he had “Lot of anxiety and a feeling of helplessness”, and found that meditation at that time and now assisted in diminishing the anxiety .  “At the basic level of mind, it seems quite ok. That’s why I never disturb my sleep.”

A joy-filled being, despite the hardships he and his people have experienced, His Holiness expressed that being with people puts a smile on his face and that whether he addresses a crowd of many thousands or one person at a time, “I just feel like I am talking to an old friend.” That was what it felt like to me as well, as if I had known this man forever, such was the ease and comfort of communication. He experiences no separation between himself and others.

Compassion is his watchword and he finds it imperative to see that “there are not much differences”, on a primary level, between people. On a more surface level, there are, “faith differences, culture differences, racial differences.”  At our core, “we are the same human being and we are sharing the same planet. Six billion human beings’ future is my future and my future is never separate from the future of six billion human beings.”

The Dalai Lama indicated that Buddhism reflects three components “Science, philosophy and religion, but the top priority is unity, to minimize fear and hatred and increase love, compassion and forgiveness.”  His “fundamental belief is that different people have different tradition, therefore it is much safer to retain your own tradition, rather than change. Meanwhile,  some of the Buddhist concepts can be used according to your own faith. Already there are some Christian monks and Christian ministers who are practicing some Buddhist techniques and not changing their religion. That, I feel is sound...good.”  Some Westerners who are currently  Buddhist practitioners, are  involved in “a new way of thinking.”  He finds that people can achieve Buddha-hood and still maintain individual identity.

When asked about the future, he expressed that he feels “hopeful and optimistic, provided we should need more effort to promote inner value and for that, look more inward.”

With regard to the importance of nurturing in our lives, His Holiness observed, “Those people, whose early life, due to lack of affection, always have suspicion and distrust and always remain distant. They never open their heart to other people.”

“Real affection”, he explained, “comes from the face. Deep  sincerity comes from face and eye. When you entered, you showed that face.”

A moment captured forever in film and also in my heart, came near the end, when,  posing playfully for the camera,  His Holiness leaned back in his chair that was framed by a window and graceful flowers and burst forth in joyous laughter as somehow, he had understood a cosmic joke.

To learn more, visit www.dalailama.com

Edie Weinstein-Moser is a journalist, speaker, interfaith minister, therapist and firm believer in dreams come true.  Her website is www.liveinjoy.org