Well, I’m off to day one of the teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is extremely exciting for me.
I’ve had the good fortune of seeing him speak once before, but never a big teaching like this. Actually, it was May 26th 2001 that I saw him; really, that was the day I knew I was to be a Buddhist. There really are no words for that day. The best way to describe it is that you literally feel him walk in the room. No other words for it that I can think of.
I’ll try to write later this evening about the day…
Om Mani Padme Hum
— added —
Day 1. Part 1.
9:30AM to 11:30AM
First, I arrived a few minutes late. Let me say, this was in no way intentional. I left the house this morning at 7:00 AM, therefore giving myself 2 1/2 hours to get there. My thinking was that this was even on the ridiculous side, but better safe than sorry.
Wrong! Wow, traffic is quite horrid at that time. I mean, I always knew it was bad, but that bad???
Anyhoo. On to the important part of the day. The stage setup was amazing. I wish I could show you, but picture taking was prohibited. I do have a picture of the outside of the building with a Tibetan flag, which I will have to share. His Holiness was on a platform with many Monastics of different traditions sharing the stage in front of him. The way he started out the teachings was ideal; perfect. After his introduction, he stated that since the Buddha taught in Pali, it would be beneficial to begin with a chant in Pali. One of the monastics was given a mic and blessed us with a very wonderful chant. Then, in His Holiness’ wisdom, he requested the Chinese give a chant, followed by a Vietnamese chant, followed by a Korean chant, (then requested a Japanese chant, but unfortunately no one could oblige), then finally a Tibetan chant who he himself lead. Truly a miraculous way to begin the set of teachings.
These teachings are to begin with a re-taking of the refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha to be in the correct mind-state to learn.
to be continued…