I happened to be one of the fortunate people who heard the Dalai Lama speak in San Diego a couple of weeks ago. He spoke at UCSD, USD and SDSU.
My brother-in-law, sister and mother and I went to see him at SDSU Dalai Lama Transcript of Speech. It was amazing to watch the throngs of people quietly moving along in an endless line outside the amphitheater. I felt like I was at a rock concert or sporting event except that there were people of all ages — mothers clutching newborn babies along with the elderly. Perhaps we all felt that to be in the same space as the living Avatar of our time, might give us blessings, hope or peace. Or maybe it was just curiosity and openness to see what might occur out of the experience.
Peter Rowe, journalist for the San Diego Union, wrote a great article. A shout out to Pete, a childhood friend of mine. Seeking Traces of the Dalai Lama.
We were first entertained by Viejas Casino Native American dancers in all their regalia. There were even little children dancing. The Native American dancing was spectacular and put one in the mood for what was to come.
When the Dalai Lama emerged I was moved to tears and I venture to say that others might have been also. You could have heard a pin drop.
Despite the fact that I felt like a little ant at the top of the amphitheater 12,000 people that day! It was amazing and such a spiritual experience to be in his presence.
The Dalai Lama spoke for an hour and a half. His advice was simple. In a nut shell the Dalai Lama spoke of the importance of raising children with affection and love. That in turn gives one inner strength and confidence to carry on into adulthood with productive happy lives. People who have been raised with affection and love have open hearts and sound intelligent minds. If a person was raised with abuse or in a loveless environment, a person still has the ability to open his heart to let love in and have a sound, intelligent mind.
Everyone has a special gift, one special gift to share with the world. The Dalai Lama pointed out that he is a Buddhist but that it is also important to be tolerant and accepting of other cultures and ways that people worship God. He also spoke that it is not even necessary to believe in God or a higher being as long as one is living a life of honesty, confidence from the heart, love and intelligent mind to help further the human race. The Dalai Lama loves scientists and talked about the gifts they give our world.
Two questions and his holiness’ answers from students posed at the conclusion of his talk were as follows:
As a culture with all the wars and horrors of our world are we improving as a human race?
Yes we are improving as a human race and the scientists are doing their part.
And then he referred back to the importance of human beings having open hearts filled with love to give and receive and sound intelligent minds.
What do you believe to be most important to achieve in life?
Happiness is most important — having a peaceful mind and heart leads to happiness.
In conclusion the Dalai Lama spoke of the importance to live life honestly.
Determination is important. Honesty is a social step. We should live our daily lives with no cheating and live honest truthful lives. To live in a more compassionate world, through knowledge comes advancement.
You have the opportunity to make a new world. May you have a happy life, happy families, better world and make a contribution.
Bye for now,
Rippin’ Lips
Francesca