In Dalai Lama’s Compassionate Presence

I had no idea that Dalai Lama would be conducting a public teaching few days after my meditation retreat. Once I heard about it, I changed my plans and extended my stay to see His Holiness Dalai Lama in person and hear his discourse.

I woke up early morning and headed to Dalai Lama’s security office to get my teaching entry badge. They were few people ahead of me waiting for the security office to open. After an hour, I got my security badge. Woo Hoo!

On the way back to my hotel, I stopped at Yak Cafe for breakfast. Over there I met a lovely lady who owned this café. I mentioned about going to the temple tomorrow to listen to Dalai Lama’s teaching. She recommended that I better have a radio because the discourse would be in Tibetan. She told me to come tomorrow early morning and pick up the radio from her café because it made no sense for me to buy the radio for a day. I’m so blessed to keep on meeting people like her with big hearts and, in the process teaching me the gift of helping each other.

The lines to enter the temple were so long and by the time I got to the temple entrance, I was asked to wait behind the security barricade because Dalai Lama was on his way to the temple. After few minutes, he walked in front of me, giving blessings to devotees. It was such a beautiful and spiritual experience. Since mobile phones and cameras are not allowed in the temple, I couldn’t capture it on digital format but this memory is etched on my mind forever.

Thanks to the café owner who gave me her spare radio, I was able to understand his teachings.

Dalai Lama’s message was simple that we all are “one warm heart.” He shared about how all religions whether they believe in God or not as the creator, promote compassion, love and happiness for all sentient beings. We as humans want happiness and not suffering. Following Bodhicitta will help us be selfless and rejoice in each other’s wellbeing. He thanked India for giving them refuge when China occupied Tibet and they had to leave their home country. He mentioned that other countries should take example of India where all religions have existed in harmony for thousand of years. He also joked that reciting “Om Mani Padme” mantra faster sounds like “O Money!” Understanding the meaning of this mantra and putting it into action in our daily lives will provide better results than chanting without wisdom. After 90 mins of discourse, he joked again that this 84 year old monk is tired and needs to rest. On his way back from the temple to his residence, I got the see him again up close. His calm presence and big happy smile can uplift anyone’s spirit.

After the teaching, I stopped at a small hidden cáfe, “Hope Cafe Gallery,” a non-profit cáfe which supports – “Stories of Tibetans.” A platform for all Tibetans to share their stories and strengthen their bond with other fellow Tibetans. You can follow their social media to view the stories through photography and videography.

Apart from yummy food and decor, they also see postcards which are mostly taken by the staff.

These two pictures spoke volumes to me, so I ended up buying them –

Innocence – Refuge kids on their bunk bed reading a book and having a happy face inspite of being through a lot and separated from their families.

Walk to Freedom – A Tibetan woman walking with a bag and has made McLeod Ganj – the Little Tibet her home, after having to leave Tibet.

All these experiences have made me realize that, “A little bit of compassion goes along way.”

Even saying “thank you” to someone who has made your day or touched your life in some way, can bring so much joy in the life of both the giver and receiver. We just have to remember to keep on spreading simple words of compassion every day – from family and loved ones, to the people we work with, and even to a stranger serves us a cup of latte. The more compassion we spread, the more our lives are filled with happiness.