Meeting the ‘living Buddha’
Published on: Sunday, May 19, 2019
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After receiving a strong calling to meet His Holiness, I made a trip on February 19 to his monastery in Dharamsala in India, an opportunity which comes rarely.
The purposed of my journey was to be spiritually charged and to learn directly under the Dalai Lama the annotated commentary on the “Essence of the Middle Way”.
According to him, “It is extremely important that those of us who follow the Buddha should have faith based on knowledge of his teaching.”
I made my way alone and reached his abode on the eve of his three-day teaching which attracted over 7,000 monks, nuns and devotees from 52 countries.
Chances of meeting him face to face are much better at his public gatherings which are held few times at Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala.
For me, it was my second meeting with Dalai Lama, the first was in October 2007 where I was initiated into Buddhism by Dalai Lama.
Following the initiation and touched by Buddha’s teachings, I have made trips to Lumbini in Nepal where Buddha was born, Bodh Gaya where he got enlightened under the Bodhi Tree and to Kushinagar in India where he died.
All the serene places have been recognised as important pilgrimage sites for spiritual seekers and my visits to each place gave me a deep connection, understanding to spiritual consciousness and development.
However, I found my meeting with Dalai Lama as extraordinary because he is incarnation of Chenrezig (Guan Yin), Tibetan Buddhism’s deity of Universal Compassion.
After obtaining my security clearance, I went through metal detector screens and body searches similar to airport security checks before I was allowed into the hall two hours before he arrived.
Escorted by over a dozen bodyguards and policemen armed with submachine guns who formed a human shield, the Dalai Lama walked to the hall from an adjacent building where he stayed and devotees were barred from getting close to him.
Though average in physical size, his presence was overwhelming and chants filled the entire temple hall.
Bowing slightly over clasped hands, he looked into the faces of those gathered and beamed at everyone who sat on the floor cross-legged.
He touched several devotees particularly children on their head and 83-year-old Dalai Lama slowly walked with the help of two aides before he sat on his throne, a grand dais specially created for him on the stage.
His discourse promoted human values and carries a strong message on how to be happy in a material world.
The Dalai Lama said: “All of us desire to have happiness but to achieve that we need to overcome our problems and sufferings.
“Mental disturbance cannot be resolved by physical comfort and this is why we need to develop compassion to overcome mental stress.”
He said peace of mind is important for a normal mind to function.
“If your mind is filled with anger and hatred, you cannot function normally and think objectively and eventually anger will eat at your inner system.
“Compassion is vital in our lives because it brings togetherness. It is not a religious value.”
Emphasising the importance of non-violence and peace, he said people should be aware of the positive and negative consequences of their means to achieve happier lives.
His teaching was in Tibetan and was interpreted live on radio in English, Chinese and other languages.
Throughout his dialogue, he subtly interjected stories of sufferings in Tibet and one could see him visibly upset when talking about the state of affairs there.
At the same time, he laughed easily and his superb sense of humour, remarks, as well as his infectious laughter, raised the spirits of those present.
For many in the hall, it was like their father telling them bedtime stories over the three days.
Compared to my first meeting 12 years ago where I was allowed to talk and take photographs with him, such activities were disallowed now for security reasons.
The Dalai Lama left Tibet in 1959 and India permitted him and his followers to establish a “government-in-exile” in Dharamsala.
India regards him as the Head of State and the security he enjoys is similar to one accorded to a prime minister.
Beijing considers the Dalai Lama a political exile bent on establishing an independent Tibet, an accusation he has repeatedly denied. To me, there is wisdom in his thinking, which comes through clearly as he shares; his words are filled with common sense and realism.
The Dalai Lama means Ocean of Wisdom and as his teachings concluded, I felt I have taken a spiritual bath after soaking myself in meditation, silence, non-stop chanting of mantras and prayers with thousands of monks during the period.
I completed my journey by walking the kora (ritual circuit) around Dalai Lama’s residence and temple on a hill and chanting Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of the Deity of Universal Compassion. - Dr T. Selva
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