A PRIVATE AUDIENCE
WITH
THE DALAI LAMA

On September 13, 1999, the earth, in our minds appeared to stand still for all of twenty minutes. It was an unforgettable moment in our lives that was very short in time, but years worth of meaning. We were blessed to have a private audience with His Holiness, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama in his own home, high atop the mountains of Dharamsala, India. He had just returned from a speaking tour in the United States and had many meetings to attend, but expressed a strong interest to visit with us and extend his support of our worldwide journey. Somebody pinch us, quickly! We ventured to the mountains of Dharamsala, via New Delhi and Amritsar. After an hour flight from New Delhi to Amritsar, we took a long, six-hour drive on some of the most rugged, rockiest roads India has to offer. Nothing stops this duo, especially our path to meeting one of the world's most enlightened human beings! Recollections of the movie, "Gorillas in the Mist" entered our minds as we began our journey up the mountains of Dharamsala. A foggy, cold, and damp atmosphere filled the air, creating a sense of mystery and stillness. An unusual silence surrounded us and grew louder the closer we came to our destination. Though we knew we were in India, it appeared as though we had crossed the border into Tibet, as we saw many Tibetans and monks along the way. In a moment, Pat will give more light to the history of the Dalai Lama and his long journey to Dharamsala after being exiled from Tibet in 1959. As we continued our climb up a very steep, windy, and narrow road, monkeys, cows, oxen, crows, donkeys, goats, dogs, cats, and many other wild animals could be seen which added to the mystique of this hidden village in northern India. Upon our arrival to the hotel where we stayed, the silence and stillness managed to increase even more and set the tone for the remainder of our spiritual quest to this small, yet very prestigious town.

The day had finally come to meet with The Dalai Lama. After two days of strolling around the streets of Tibet and managing to arrange an appointment with His Holiness' private physician (details of this meeting and Tibetan medicine can be found in the latest issue of our newsletter), our anticipation had reached its peak and we were ready for our once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just to let you know how we were able to arrange such an audience with this world-renowned individual, a letter was written, informing His Holiness of our journey and our desire to meet with him so he could enhance our mission with his wisdom. Much to our surprise, his office responded to our request immediately and informed us of our small window of time that we could spend with him. Obviously, we did not hesitate, and seized the opportunity by confirming our appointment, expressing our heartfelt gratitude. We often look for signs in life to guide us and assure us that we are moving forward in life parallel with our intentions, so to have this meeting fall into place so effortlessly and timely, we knew it was destiny!

Since we arrived for our visit an hour early (c'mon, you didn't think we would be late, did you??), we decided to stroll around the property where many of the Tibetan monks live and are educated. Pat chose to climb some stairs and pay a visit to the monastery. Since climbing stairs, over 40 if you are wondering, is not my strength, I opted to float around the grounds and take in its peaceful energy and prepare myself for our magical encounter. During the next 15 minutes, I noticed two Tibetan children playing who immediately stood still once they saw me. They stared, curious as to who I was and why was I sitting in a wheelchair. I have yet to not generate this type of reaction, especially kids, in any country we have visited, including the United States! Seeking to end their curiosity, I appeared to stun them by popping a wheelie with my wheelchair. The looks of concern turned into never ending smiles and instantly we were pals. I invited one of them, the lighter one, to climb on board and sit on my lap while the other child pushed us. No fear, no discrimination, no judgements! Nothing except three individuals enjoying a very simple, yet precious moment! No doubt that we were in close proximity to His Holiness' residence, given this clear message of "acceptance."

Finally, the time had come for us to enter the gates to the actual residency of The Dalai Lama. After a security check, which consisted of a quick hand search of the entire body and a review of our passports, we were escorted up a small hill to the entrance of this beautiful home that just resonated peacefulness. We waited in a room that was filled with awards, proclamations, and other prestigious acknowledgments, all bearing the name, "His Holiness, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama." We both scanned the room, thoroughly impressed and in awe of what this man has accomplished in his 64 years of life. While Pat continued to look on in amazement, I decided to close my eyes and go within. Why? I was seeking questions from my heart to ask His Holiness. That lasted all of about 30 seconds as the Dalai Lama's private secretary appeared and escorted us into another room. Is the suspense too much for you yet?? On the short stroll there, waves of intense emotions overcame me like never before. Tears of overwhelming joy began to flow from my eyes and we had not even seen him yet. It was an energy that I had never experienced before in my life.

There he stood, very tall, very dignified, but most of all extremely joyous. Pat and I both agree that the Dalai Lama is the most genuinely happy, most unconditionally loving, most accepting individual whom we have ever met. Tidal waves of emotions were running through me now. I was like a broken faucet! We exchanged greetings and presented him with white scarfs, a customary and respectful Tibetan offering to His Holiness. He invited us to sit down with him for a while and then proceeded to commend us for our worldwide mission. "Twenty-five countries in fourteen months, very impressive," he said. "Your work is very much needed and will touch many lives," he continued. I almost forgot to share with you that from the moment we met him, he grabbed my hand, clinched it tightly, and then stroked it gently for the entire twenty minute visit. A newfound feeling of love and safety flooded my body. When he spoke, he looked straight into my eyes which generated even more tears of happiness. His words of praise for our work eliminated any doubts we may have had regarding any aspect of our journey and re-ignited a fire within us that we are sure will burn forever. He did the majority of the talking while Pat and I simply listened intensely and absorbed every word of his message. Pat finally spoke. "Your Holiness, we would like to give you toys for you to give to children who are in need of some joy," she said. His Holiness smiled with great happiness and replied, "I am most thankful for your kindness and would like to give them to sick and needy Tibetan children." Pat and I returned the smile and nodded in agreement to his decision.

Shortly thereafter, I asked His Holiness one question, "What can we do for you, Your Holiness?" Once again, a never ending smile overcame his face as he responded, "You can help us spread the message of a 'Free Tibet.' We need to make changes and you can help us with the work you are doing." We smiled and assured him that we were committed to doing our part. As the meeting drew to a close, Pat asked him if he would be so kind to autograph his autobiography entitled, "My Land and My People." He nodded affirmatively and then asked his secretary to go and get a copy of his new book called, "Ethics for the New Millennium," so we could have that as well. Afterwards, we took several pictures with him and he blessed and returned the white scarfs to us as we exited the door. He followed us and began to assist me by pushing my wheelchair to the flight of stairs leading down the hill. A group of his assistants looked on quite bewildered, as we thought that maybe His Holiness does not usually come so far with his guests. His assistants then lowered me down the stairs to a landing before the hill. We looked back at him still looking, still smiling, and still showering us with happy thoughts. Both Pat and I felt as if we had just awakened from a dream.

So now that you have read Scott's account our experience, many of you may not know much about this venerable man known as His Holiness The Dalai Lama. I will give you a bit of background information about Tibet, Buddhism, and The Dalai Lama. He is the spiritual and temporal (political) leader of Tibet. At the age of two he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, at age four he was formally chosen, at 16 he was placed in charge of the Tibetan nation, and called upon to lead his country against the invasion of Communist China. He was chosen by a series of clues given to the elder lamas (spiritual leaders) by his deceased predecessor.

According to the book "My Land and My People," his original autobiography, the Dalai Lama states that the Chinese claim Tibet as part of the Chinese nation, and the Chinese not only want territorial control, but have also placed religious sanctions on the Tibetans. You see, the people of Tibet are primarily Buddhists (a religion brought to Tibet from India), and hold their faith in high regard. The Chinese leadership and citizens were primarily atheists, who wanted to control the Tibetans by taking away what is most dear to their hearts. During the years that followed the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the people were robbed of their homes, goods, murdered, women raped, burned alive, and beheaded. Many of these crimes were performed in public, to increase humiliation and fear. I will put one quote from his book which is most compelling: "Men and women were slowly killed while their own families were forced to watch, and small children were even forced to shoot their parents." All these are findings are by an independent International Commission of Jurists from 50 countries, who investigated all Chinese and Tibetan claims of injustice.

Because of the increasing turmoil in Tibet, His Holiness felt that his leadership was compromised, and his people may be safer if he was not in Tibet. Therefore, to make a long story short, he fled his homeland on March 10, 1959 and traveled for weeks to finally reach India. About 80,000 Tibetans followed him into India and received political asylum. It is in India that he resides today, still trying to influence the powers that be, especially the United Nations to take action against China for "violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms...including the (Tibetan) right to self determination." As Scott mentioned earlier, The Dalai Lama has been bestowed with numerous awards including the Nobel Peace in 1989.

You may think that this was so many years ago, why not just let it be, well dear friends, while I was visiting his monastery, there was a small notice on the wall, next to a picture of His Holiness and a young Tibetan boy. The notice states that His Holiness has appointed his successor, the Panchen Lama (the religious leader of Tibet, not the political). This is a young boy who lived in Tibet with his parents. Ever since the boy was chosen by His Holiness, the boy and his parents have disappeared from their home. When questioned of the whereabouts, the Chinese government's response was that the parents "requested" political protection and have "requested" to go into hiding. Is this the truth, or just a clever way of preventing the Tibetans from practicing their faith in their own land, you judge for yourselves. All His Holiness wants for his people is the right to rule themselves and practice Buddhism. This is the meaning when you see signs and demonstrations for "A Free Tibet."
We wanted to share our experience with you and fulfill our promise to His Holiness to spread his message for a "Free Tibet." Our recommendations to you, our readers, are to read his autobiography or rent the movie "Kundan," which His Holiness has endorsed, so that you can educate yourselves about the Dalai Lama's mission. Then you can decide, if you choose, on how you can personally help his cause. As always, thanks for listening.

Scott & Pratiksha

VISION

ITINERARY

DIARY

NEWSLETTER

SPONSORS

ARCHIVES