H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

Here is a recap of my personal experience with going to the teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, in McLeod Ganj, India, October 2009:

After a long travel from Munich, via Dubai, to Delhi and continued with a national flight in India, we finally we arrived in McLeod Ganj, the place of residence of Dalai Lama in exile. Unfortunately we were just too late to register for the teachings, but we would be able to follow it anyway, only outside, instead of in the temple. No problem, since we would still see the Dalai Lama, via the tv screen and also in person when he walks past between the residence and the temple before and after the teachings.

When the teachings started we woke up every morning early to be at the temple in time. Luckily it was not too busy and we went through the security gates quickly. Everybody was being searched, they did not allow photo- and videocamera’s, and of course also no weapons of any kind. Outside the temple we found a nice place to sit in the shade and from the temple we heard that people were already singing the Mantra of Compassion: Om manipadmé hum. This means: Praise to the jewel in the lotus, and is a metaphor for the compassion that exists in every sentient being.

Around nine thirty the crowd (it was luckily not too crowded) started moving around in a wave-like movement, all heads turned in the same direction and then we saw the Dalai Lama walking past. What a wonderful moment. He is such an impressive, wonderful man, and we have seen him in real life! The teachings (in poor English of His Holiness, as he joked about that himself) were a great experience, but not all parts were easy to understand for us. For those things you really have to be a Buddhist. It was nevertheless a very interesting experience. Besides the Four Noble Truths (the base of Buddhism), he also talked about science and Buddhism, and how he thinks that everyone must find their own belief, whether it is Christianity, Islam or Buddhism.

During the teachings we received tea offered by monks and nuns. Finally we tasted the real Tibetan buttertea! Well: it is really tea with butter. Probably very useful in minus 30 degrees Celcius and high up in the mountains, but not if you sitting in the sun with trees around you. The taste? Very interesting…

On the second day there was a Q and A section. After a couple of very serious and difficult questions about the Four Noble Truths, we heard the following: “What should you do when you start to feel sleepy during the teachings?” First there was an awkward silence: did that person seriously ask that? Then His Holiness the Dalai Lama started laughing, his old men’s belly laugh, and soon everybody erupts in laughter. Then the Dalai Lama answered: “That’s fine! If you feel yourself getting sleepy, please take a nap. Just as long as you don’t snore!” That made for a lot more laughter of course! Really magnificent of the Dalai Lama to just give an honest and funny answer to this very honest question and that he was not annoyed by it or ignored the question. All in all it was a very successful experience to attend the teachings and especially to see His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in person.

Just for some extra inspiration: 18 rules of living by H.H. the Dalai Lama:
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: 1. Respect for self 2. Respect for others 3. Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.