Boca says ‘Hello, Dalai’ to gentle holy ruler of Tibet
February 26, 2010 · 0 Comments
By Diane Feen
BOCA RATON — By all measures, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a spiritual rock star. Not the Paul McCartney type, but an enlightened being (we assume) who has traveled the globe, suffered at the hands of his Chinese oppressors and experienced warm welcomes from dignitaries and celebrities of all stripes (most notably Richard Gere).
But none of that mattered Wednesday.
On that auspicious day, we trekked (not to the Himalayas) but to Florida Atlantic University to see a revered spiritual leader who offers others a glimpse into the collective psyche of a more perfect world. And, according to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, it takes more than good Karma to reach earthly utopia (both inner and outer).
“Without inner peace you cannot have world peace. We are born with the ability to bring about change with compassion… lasting happiness brings inner strength and confidence,” said the gentle spiritual leader.
As part of FAU’s Peace Studies Program, this hot ticket event was the pinnacle of higher learning from a higher power. The talk, entitled “Compassion as a Pillar of World Peace,” could not have been delivered as gently or powerfully by a mere mortal. Hearing that you should treat your enemies with love and compassion is something that even a therapist would have to tread water gently to get across.
But it definitely made an impression on Boca Raton resident Michael Kaufman. “I came to hear the Dalai Lama’s message. He told us that exterior stimuli specific to materialistic cultures (like ours) are temporary and fleeting.” It was good to hear this tidbit of enlightenment from a man dressed in a designer suit getting into a $70,000 BMW.
That is the beauty of having a spiritual leader who transcends gender, socio-economic status and age. And it was fully evident at FAU yesterday when ladies in spiked heels, Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses and coiffed hairdos sat side by side with college students in tie dyed T-shirts and low slung natty jeans.
But with an economy on the skids and happiness as elusive as a parking space at Mizner Park, the visit from this most learned of spiritual masters was just what most people wanted (and needed).
And for some guests it took more effort than just sitting in Glades Road rush hour traffic. “We drove from Clearwater, Florida to be here,” said Barbara Smith. It turns out that Barbara came to hear the Dalai Lama with Megan Smith, Dan Smith and Charlie Laird. Because Dan and Charlie work on conflict resolution issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs their pilgrimage was a lot weightier than those who came for mere spiritual voyeurism.
But there is nothing lightweight about listening to a man who has spent 50 years in exile from his beloved Tibetan homeland. What is remarkable (and a marvelous example for others) is that His Holiness harbors no hatred or anger for his lifelong ordeal and hardships.
“You need to have peaceful dialogue and show kindness,” he said. We were also instructed to smile often and genuinely to create compassion and inner peace. Smiling, said the red robed master, creates dignity and confidence, and not smiling is foolish.
His Holiness had a lot to say in his one-hour talk in front of 3,000 people at FAU Arena. But much was lost due to acoustics (the media was exiled to the back) and his thick accent. But most of us heard that the Dalai Lama believes that vegetarianism is good, that harmony in the world can be accomplished one person at a time and that you have to be willing to listen to other people (even if it is your mother I assume).
Listening to a holy man with infinite love and compassion is definitely a blessed occurrence in our Boca Raton backyard. Especially since all we hear about these days is the reality show “Jersey Shore” and Snookie’s bouffant hairdo. And, if you ask me, a visit from the 14th Dalai Lama will be far more outlasting and beneficial to us all – those who were there and those who will read about it secondhand.
