My Path to Enlightenment, Day One

I just spent the day with the Dalai Lama. (Chalk that up to "things I never thought I'd be able to say" but will actually be able to say for the next 3 days, as well.) He's in Bloomington giving 3 days of lectures followed by a public talk on compassion as the way to world peace, and Mom, Dad and I are taking it all in.

I walked into today's lectures not really knowing much about Buddhism. Sure, I was a religion major, but I focused more on the ancient Mediterranean religions and cultures. Sadly, I'm really deficient when it comes to knowing modern world religions. And, well, life has just been busy lately and I never fulfilled my intentions to do any reading up before this trip. So, this is really a crash course for me.

His Holiness started this morning's lecture with a long, inspiring, and entertaining welcome. He greeted people of all faiths and backgrounds and told wonderful stories that made his point about the importance for tolerance and acceptance of religious differences and commonalities. He's a wonderful storyteller, and he really does giggle just as much as it seems when you see him on tv.

My favorite part of this introduction was that he gave a very clear and impassioned explanation of why he does not allow his Buddhist centers to pursue active conversion or missionary work, which I really appreciated. He believes that the role of Tibetan centers, or of monks, or even himself, is to be there when people come seeking answers, and to be ready to help those who come looking to learn more - but not to go out and seek to change other people's beliefs. This view seems very closely tied to his overall promotion of tolerance and togetherness, and of the concept of enabling people to pick and choose from different faiths or philosophies what works for them. I was thrilled to hear someone so esteemed speak so succinctly, echoing my own views on the role religion should play.

At another point in the morning session, he also discussed the differences between what he calls sensorial needs and mental needs (sorta close to Maslow's hierarchy of needs for those of you who also had to sit through Sociology 101) and the interplay between them. Sensorial needs are the basics that we all require for living - health, a home, the ability to provide for ourselves. Mental needs equate more to how we really feel inside, whether we're stressed or unhappy or anxious or depressed or if we've found ways to create joy and happiness in our lives. He made the point that at first seems pretty obvious, but at this stage in my life really struck me as profound.

Someone who is fulfilling their mental needs, who has found contentment and peace in their lives, can overcome challenges at the sensory level. (As in, if you've found inner peace, it doesn't matter how nice your house is, you can work through problems, etc.) BUT, on the flip side, having all of your sensory needs met can not help you address your mental needs -- money and status can't buy you happiness. He used a great story as an example, of people he met who lived in a gorgeous mansion but were numbing themselves with antidepressants because they just couldn't find satisfaction in their lives. Man, it felt like he was speaking right to me....

After 2 hours of pretty heady stuff like this, he turned to the audience of thousands, clasped his hands together, and said "Now it's time for lunch!" with a big giggle. :-)

The afternoon session was more challenging intellectually -- not just because everyone was hitting that afternoon low where I and many others around me were fighting to keep eyes open -- and it focused a lot more on the Buddhist view of the self, and the origin of the mind, and the goals of selflessness and emptiness. It was harder to follow, cuz my brain hasn't had to do those kinds of backflips in a while, but I am glad I bought an introductory book at lunchtime and was able to skim over some of that harder stuff to try and follow along. I need to speed-read a bit tonight and hope I'll know enough tomorrow to be able to take more of it in.

Side note - When I get home, I promise to upload photos of the way the stage is set up during these lectures. It is truly a gorgeous sight to behold, with roughly 30 monks and nuns in their robes kneeling on the stage, surrounded by about 2 dozen visiting clerics of different religions in their own traditional dress, a tremendous golden tapestry of the Buddha, and His Holiness himself at the middle of it all sitting lotus-style on what can only be described as a brightly-colored throne. I spent a long time staring at all of the details, just drinking it all in.

So....while I'm not quite ready to don the saffron robes just yet, I am very intrigued and looking forward to learning a lot more about Buddhist philosophy. I think I have to go add some more books to my Amazon cart!

PS - With all of the above being said about proselytizing, I do have to do some after all.... If you are ever in the vicinity of Bloomington, Indiana, you MUST eat at Samira, the Afghan restaurant on the main square. Tonight was the third time I've eaten there in the last 5 years, and it's every bit as delicious as I remember. I don't know if it's possible that a meal can help you attain enlightenment, but their lamb with basmati rice comes darn close!