DALAI LAMA – A UNIQUE PERSONALITY
During my last visit to Haridwar and Rishkesh one person who left a deep impact on me was His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
This was not the first time that I had met the Dalai Lama. I have interacted with him many times earlier. Ever since he, along with thousands of his Tibetan countrymen, have been forced to flee Tibet and adopt India as their own country there have been many functions where we have been together. Between us there has always been bonds of affection and mutual esteem.
But the closer interaction with him that I had with him in the two days at the Kumbh enhanced my respect for him manifold. His humility, his nobility, his positivity – all are very transparent traits. At the function where the Encyclopedia of Hinduism was being released, we were on the dais together where suddenly there was a stir among the huge crowd of a kind that suggested that some celebrity had newly arrived.
And as the new arrival, Swami Ramdev ji, appeared on the podium, he was lustily cheered by the audience. Swami Chidanandji of Parmarth Niketan and the person who had initiated this stupendous task of having such an Encyclopedia prepared accosted Ramdevji and made him sit beside the Dalai Lama. And I was amazed to see the Dalai Lama first greet him as one does normally but without much ado, actually pull his beard quite vigorously.
Swami Ramdevji laughed out aloud and said to me: “That is his way, he always does it when he meets me. He is like a child. Indeed, it is Dalai Lama’s childlike simplicity that makes him so likeable.”
At the Rishkesh Ashram where I was staying there were many followers and admirers of the Tibetan Monk. One of them, a Chinese gentleman by name Victor Chan, presented to me an excellent book about the Dalai Lama titled “The Wisdom of Forgiveness: Intimate Conversations and journeys.”
Ramdevji’s reaction to the Dalai Lama’s mode of greeting him reminded me of an interesting paragraph I had read in that book. The paragraph was part of a chapter dealing with his visit to Belfast in Ireland. At this Belfast meeting attended by both Protestants and Catholics, the Dalai Lama found himself flanked by a Protestant Minister and a Catholic priest. The paragraph I was reminded about reads as follows:
“He pulled the two men close together and hugged them. Then with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he reached up and tugged their beards. The crowd was delighted. The Dalai Lama always has this thing about beards: he cannot resist playing with them.”
***
Victor Chan, originally from Hong Kong, now resides in Vancouver and works at the Institute of Asian Research at the University of British Columbia. In the introduction to his book he sums up his evaluation of the Dalai Lama’s popularity thus:
I was curious if the Dalai Lama ever wondered why he is such a people magnet. In one of my interviews with him, I said, “I’d like to ask you a silly question.” The Tibetan leader was sitting cross-legged, as usual, in his corner arm-chair in the audience room inside his residential compound in Dharamsala, India. “Why are you so popular? What makes you irresistible to so many people?”
The Dalai Lama sat very still, mulling the question over. He didn’t brush my question aside with a joke, as I thought he might.
He was thoughtful as he replied. “I don’t think myself have especially good qualities. Oh, maybe some small things. I have positive mind. Sometimes, of course, I get a little irritated. But in my heart, I never blame, never think bad things against anyone. I also try to consider others more. I believe others more important than me. Maybe people like me for my good heart.
“Now, I think at the beginning, they have curiosity. Then perhaps… usually when I meet someone for the first time, that someone not stranger to me. I always have impression: he another human being. Nothing special. Me too, same.”
He rubbed his cheeks with his fingers and continued, “Under this skin, same nature, same kinds of desires and emotions. I usually try to give happy feeling to the other person. Eventually many people talking something positive about me. Then more people came, just follow reputation – that also possible.”
Still pondering my question about his larger-than-life personality, the Dalai Lama continued, “Also, many people like my laugh. But what kind of laugh, what kind of smile, I don’t know.”
“Many people have commented on this laughter,” I said, “this sense of play that you have. You’re close to seventy, but you still love horseplay and you don’t take yourself seriously.”
“In my own case, my mental state, comparatively more peaceful. In spite of difficult situation or even sometimes very tragic sort of news, my mind not much disturbed. For a short moment, some sad feelings, but never remains long. Within a few minutes or a few hours, and then it goes. So I usually describe something like the ocean. On the surface, waves come and go, but underneath always remain calm.”
“I have little doubt that the Dalai Lama’s vigorous presence has something to do with his deep well of spirituality. His legendary warmth is simply a manifestation of his spiritual attainment.”
***
In the above passage from Victor Chan’s book, humility, laced with disarming candour, plus a lot of earnest introspection, emerge very clearly in the Dalai Lama’s responses to the author.
L.K. Advani
New Delhi
April 18, 2010
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April 18th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Sir ! Need to suggest on Tharoor issue. Congress is going to raise the issue of BJP leader caught on camera in the past to counter tharoor case…I heard Ravi shankar prasad was making some valid points today on the same issue.. it will be better if Mr. Prasad briefs all the spokesperson of BJP on the same to counter this. Before the debates on tv channels tomorrow..also, BJP should not hesitate to raise the role of PM Narsimha Rao in Jharkhand bribery scam..and may be the role of Rajiv gandhi is bofors scam if congress insists to dwell on past..BJP needs to be aggresive on this and should not let congress to take high moral ground on this..also, almost everyone thinks A. Raja is involvd in telecom scandal who is still a minster-same can also be raised.
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April 18th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Revelatory portrayal, characterized by astonishing simplicity and sagacity. The Lama’s penchant for kidding with beards appears to be his spontaneous reflections on his philosophy of life. The meaningful narration brings out the personal traits of a Tibetan mystic, who is being remembered by the humanity not for any esoteric doctrine or cult, but for his disarming simplicity and sweet smile, in spite of the fact that he is the religio-political leader of a failing (?) chunk of humanity, struggling in its quest for identity and freedom.
Datta, Dayadhwam, Damyata; Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
April 19th, 2010 at 12:39 am
SIR I’M NEW TO YOUR BLOG. I’M A HARDCORE BJP FOLLOWER .
April 19th, 2010 at 1:14 am
Dear sir,
Dont you think BJP has done a big blunder by asking for Shashi Tharoor’s resignation rather than asking for an enquiry into the whole IPL scam. People like me who supported the nationalistic view of the BJP are disapointed and like to disagree with the BJP from now onwards. Frankly speaking I would guess next elections would be very bad for BJP. I hoped people like you and Narendra modi would become Prime minister. But no more support for you guys as I understand you all support money power.
April 19th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Respected Sir;
It was pleasing to know some inspiring,very motivating and soul touching traits of the Dalai Lama through your latest blog, which was narrated with astonishing simplicity. After reading the blog I can say that the person of his stature can’t be categorized to be coming from or representing a particular religious sect or community. His ultimate goal is the promotion of love,compassion and amity across the humanity through the wisdom acquired from the religion.
One of the most appealing fact about his personality is that he has never hesitated from being the part of any social,religious or political functions,and have used the podium effectively for promoting humanity. Whether it is his meeting with IPL members or his participation in the recently concluded Haridwar Conclave, everywhere he has left indelible imprint on the psyche of others.
April 19th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Sir,
In the autobiography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama -”Freedom in Exile”, one could clearly make out how as a person he forgave his enemies but at the same time how as a leader he ensured safety and security to his fellow Tibetans. In a book written by Shri R.M.Lala - “A touch of greatness”, the writer recalls an incident in which Dalai Lama prepared and served tea to a police inspector who was posted as security officer to him. That is why Dalai lama is a Unique Personality and is so popular. He is endowed with noble qualities.
April 20th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Respected Sir,
I’m really inspired by this blog. You gave useful information about a great person who is unwanted in one country [China occupied Tibet] but present in every true heart.
Thank you, sir.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Sir,
I’m from Tamilnadu. I know this is not correct place to ask this but I do not know where to proceed in forum about this topic. Also, I want to know the informations from the speech of Nitin Gadkari sir’s visit to Tamilnadu. Besides, I wish to know the development steps taken by him in Tamilnadu. Sir, as I don’t know the way, I posted this comment here.
For forum, you need to visit http://www.lkadvani.in/forum. For topic search, there is a search utility there which is also google enabled. For speeches/ press releases regarding Sri Gadkari, please visit party site http://www.bjp.org and check the media centre there. Additionally, you can also visit Sri Gadkari’s personal web-site http://www.nitingadkari.org to know more about him and his vision. - Blog admin
April 21st, 2010 at 6:59 am
Dear Sir,
Description of His Holiness the Dalai Lama given by you (one of the tallest political leaders of independent India) itself speaks His greatness. Narration of incident happened during Kumbhamela on the dais which involved Baba Ramdevji and His Holiness shows how simple our spiritual leaders are.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:43 am
Sir,
While googling Dalai Lama, I found your blog on His Holiness the Dalai Lama extremely well written and inspiring. As a Tibetan, I admire, cherish and treasure age old Indian tradition which finds too many affinities with that of Tibetan culture which the Dalai Lama has been mentioning time & again.
We Tibetans regard the Dalai Lama as a reincarnation of Avalokiteshawara and one might be surprised to know that the section of Tibetan Buddhist tradition still worships Lord Haya Griva, a legendary Hindu deity and so forth.
From his five hour daily meditation coupled with the profound spiritual understanding, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has won the hearts of millions worldwide excluding hard core communist leaders in Beijing, who regards the religion as poison.
We Tibetans salute and thank India for everything that has been bestowed on us. Jai Hind, Jai Tibet.
Respectfully.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:24 am
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for bringing this inspiring narration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama pulling the beards of Swami Ramdev Ji. I am very touched by the respect person of your stature has given to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is indeed a matter of great pride for the Tibetan people that they have adopted the Indian Buddhist culture in Tibet and have continued to propagate Indian philosophy in the west as well as among the Chinese. Today, there is great hunger for Indian philosophy in the World and His Holiness the Dalai lama simply carries Indian message to the World. It is people like you and the Government of India who supported His Holiness and the people of Tibet that he was able to spread the message of Ahimsa to the World. I thank you and all the Indians through this response that the Tibetans are grateful to India and will never ever forget it.
Jai Jaggat
April 24th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Is BJP serious about black money in real estate ?
April 25th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Dear Sir,
Its very nice to read such an inspiring story on my birthday. Its true we should be like ocean.
Nitesh Kumar
Tata Motors Ltd.
April 27th, 2010 at 1:08 am
Namaste Advaniji,
I have read your blog first time. It is very nice.