I recently took a small class to Seattle Center to see Tibetan leader in exile, the 14th Dalai Lama. A wizened, humble man with a constant smile, the Dalai Lama's impressiveness was less about his speech and more about his presence. While the Dalai Lama wasn't always easy to understand, there was no mistaking the love that he feels for all humanity. I hope my students are inspired by the idea of using terms like peace, understanding, forgiveness, and, yes, love when talking about world issues. The Dalai Lama says that compassion is a SECULAR concept and should not e relegated to religion. Amen.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Growing Compassion
I recently took a small class to Seattle Center to see Tibetan leader in exile, the 14th Dalai Lama. A wizened, humble man with a constant smile, the Dalai Lama's impressiveness was less about his speech and more about his presence. While the Dalai Lama wasn't always easy to understand, there was no mistaking the love that he feels for all humanity. I hope my students are inspired by the idea of using terms like peace, understanding, forgiveness, and, yes, love when talking about world issues. The Dalai Lama says that compassion is a SECULAR concept and should not e relegated to religion. Amen.
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7 comments:
What an amazing experience! I'm totally jealous, and I hope your students really understood the significance of hearing him speak. P.S. Curse you for cursing me with the "hope" of an ultrasound!
I too am jealously cursing you for seeing the Dalai Lama and hoping an ultrasound on me.
He seems like such a peaceful man. So, I think I told you that I was totally going to boycott the Olympics this year. I heard some human rights/free Tibet activists speak here in NYC and it made me so upset. China does some incredibly messed up things to its people. But then I heard the Dalai Lama speak about what's happening over there and immediately my desire to 'act' was replaced with a desire to understand.
So, that's what I'm trying to do now. I'm not necessarily committing to watch the Olympics (let's be honest here, sometimes it's a little boring - trampolinists) but I am going to be a lot more thoughtful whenever I consider things of this nature.
Make that three jealous people! He a beautiful person and an inspiration. What a wonderful experience for you and your students.
Natalie and Renae, I think the Dalai Lama would be sad by your curses on me for cursing, I mean wishing, ultra sounds for both of you. I think he would talk about Mother's milk and China and you both would feel so bad you would volunteer to rub my feet.
P.S. Renae, I thought about boycotting the Olympics but after my visit with the DL, I have decided to boycott boycotting....
I envy you getting to see him. It is so true how great people such as Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa, Ghandi, etc. seem to transcend religion and stand above it. No exclusion in their minds! If you are human, join them. I love what they stand for.
Or "stood' for. Considering that Morther Theresa and Ghandi have both passed on.
Aunt Linne, I love the Dalai Lama but I think even he would appreciate a new post from you now. Pretty please? I've been thinking about reading your blog for a really long time (pun intended) and now I just want to read it. Also - what is up with Rick removing his blog?!! He was just getting started and Chris and I loved it! Why did he stop????
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