The Dalai Lama is coming to Melbourne, Australia - and I am travelling there to see him speak!
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I am also excited to hang out with my friend M, who is so much fun. We laugh a lot and have excellent conversations about dharma and the world. That in itself is a blessing.
But I am keen to hear the Dalai Lama speak. I am also keen to untangle for myself how I feel about him. He inspires devotion, but is he a guru? He is a great teacher, but does that really mean I should buy the tour tshirt? (I struggle that I am going to a talk that includes merchandising, I guess, but at the same time understand that the tour has to be paid for somehow)
I don't often invest financially in my dharma studies. In fact, I rarely do. That might have something to do with the fact that my roof is, as we speak, leaking in several places at once, my stepson has fees due for his studies, and the bills pile is so high that it could form a small brick. But that could be almost all of us, I bet! So this really is the first time my family has decided, yes, this would be good for you to go. How lucky!!
My Mum has been hilarious about it. When I told her I was going to see the Dalai Lama she said, "I bet he has a list of questions to ask you. He's probably worried which robe to wear in order to impress!"
Here is the link to the Australian teachings: http://www.dalailamainaustralia.org/
He is speaking about A Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva.
I will take my little laptop along, and will try and write as I go. I won't fill up the twitter streams with quotes or anything, but I may occaisonally say something or other.
Overall I am excited. I hope I meet fun people, and hear interesting concepts I haven't thought about before. I hope it helps me see that the path I am on is good and can reduce suffering. For me and for others.
Yahoo! I hope you have a terrific time!!
ReplyDeleteSeeing His Holiness is an amazing experience. You needn't over think it. He meets you where you are and you learn exactly what you're supposed to learn. : )
ReplyDeleteAll for it! Enjoy, have a wonderful time, and just let it unfold as it does.
ReplyDeleteHi Bookbird,
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in the city! It's funny because I saw the Dalai Lama here in the US (at a football stadium, no less!) and I had the same thoughts when I saw all the merchandise--is this appropriate? It sometimes felt like I was at a rock concert. I also had trouble understanding the Dalai Lama at times, and though I was taking notes, I didn't always get a coherent sentence down! My husband, who is better with accents that I, had to keep repeating what the Dalai Lama said!
Still it was a great experience and you will be so glad you went. Just the fact that most everyone is there to learn how to be a better person--that's something special in itself.
By the way, thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. It made my day!
Be well,
Jennifer
I echo TMC's thoughts. His Holiness is a great teacher, but in the end, just a man who is trying to lift up our lives and the planet. I sometimes buy t-shirts and stuff (one from my favorite monastery comes to mind) because it brings good feelings when I wear it and see it. But I refrain from going over-board. But a t-shirt commemorating his visit? For sure.
ReplyDeleteTMC is definitely right. I know you will thoroughly enjoy it. His message of compassion will dispel all you issues with the merchandising. What a wonderful topic, Shantideva is incredible and His Holiness lives the Bodhisattva Way so there no better teacher on this than he. I'm going to see him in Washington, DC for the Kalachakra Empowerment in July. I can't wait. Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe the Dalai Lama profits personally from any of the merchandize. Often at the end of these teachings he will give an accounting of all the money raised and identify who it will go to. It's a bit boring, actually, but a responsible thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThe suggestions above about not overthinking and let the event unfold as it does are good. I have attended a number of Dalai Lama teachings and I have always approached the 3 or 4 days as I would a retreat - a time for increased meditation and study (of whatever text he is teaching on). I hope it will a valuable experience for you.
Hi
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