Dalai Lama Time
So, no doubt most of you were wondering what the Dalai Lama's visit to Seattle was like. Being that I was an audience member at his honorary degree ceremony at the University of Washington, I suppose I can give some idea. Anyway, the ceremony itself was held in the Hec Ed Pavilion (the Bball arena right next to Husky Stadium) on a rainy Monday afternoon. Upon arriving at the scene, there was a group of pro-China protesters at the entrance, though I, having arrived later than most, went through an unprotested entrance. Now, it certainly seemed odd to have people protesting an honorary degree, but then again, we do like our protests up here in Seattle. The ceremony itself was quite interesting, with all the pomp and circumstance of a regular graduation ceremony. All the faculty were there in their academic regalia, complete with various brightly colored robes and hats, representing their respective field or school. The band played in the rear of the stage, while the audience of students and community leaders found their seats. Various speaches were made, and the Dalai Lama and his enterage (consisting of just two others - a man who appeared to be a fellow monk, and a smartly dressed man who served as interpreter) were met with a standing ovation (the first of many) when they made their way to the stage. After further speachmaking, the Dalai Lama was awarded the degree by President Emmert and Stanley H. Barer, the Chairman of the board of regents. For those of you interested in the complete wording of the degree citation, here it is in its entirety, as read by Barer:
"TENZIN GYATSO, YOUR HOLINESSS THE FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET, YOU HAVE LIVED A LIFE WHERE THE WORLD AND THE SPIRIT INTERSECT, AND FROM THAT PLACE YOU HAVE BROUGHT BACK WISDOM FOR US ALL.
In early childhood, in your family's farming village, you were singled out as spiritual leader of Tibet, and then rigorously educated for that role. When only 15, you were called to assume the Dalai Lama's temporal authority as well. A few years later, you led thousands of your countrymen into exile in India.
For these Tibetans, you have created a community where education is prized and Tibetan culture flourishes. You have been a symbol of hope, an advocate on the world stage, a tireless diplomat, and always the strong voice of non-violence. Your books, your public teachings, and the force of your presence have inspired millions far beyond the Snowland of Tibet.
Yet you remain, in your own words, "a simple Buddhist monk." From a complex life-of leadership and study, of courgae and contemplation, of Buddhist teachings and Western travels, of exile and worldwide friendships and the Nobel Peace Prize-from all this you have distilled a radical simplicity.
Humanity, you tell us, is one. Suffering is our common lot, happiness our commonngoal, and love our most fundamental need. Compassion, therefore, is our universal duty-the bedrock of all the world's religions and indeed of secular ethics as well.
From this simplicity flow difficult demands. Compassion, you teach, is not just fellow-feeling but the will to ease pain wherever we see it. Science and humane values must seek each other out, for they speak different parts of the same unifying truth. We must all, together and interdependent, heal this globe, the only home we have. And all this begins in the love and teaching of our youngest children.
For the clarity, breadth, and humanity of your vision and your life, for giving yourself unstintingly to those in need of helpand wisdom, and fro showing us, always with the smile of an old friend, how profound simplicdity can be, the University of Washington is proud to confer upon you the degreee of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
After this speach, the Dalai Lama was presented with the framed degree, and also with a purple robe, leading to remarks from President Emmert on how well he looked in Husky colors. This was, naturally, greeted with a round of cheers from the gallery. Following that, the Dalai Lama proceeded to give his speach, one on compassion and civic responsibility."
Now, nothing he said was really unheard-of or revolutionary, but then again, what more can be said about such a subject which has long been discussed? He emphasized the importance of quality education for all, under the premise that greater understanding will necessarily lead to a decrease in violence. He commented that war and personal violence were outdated or obsolete in the age of intellect. Moreover, he asserted that by realizing that we are all part of each other, hurting others is simply hurting one's self, the urge toward violence would be lessened by an increase in global intelligence. Now, I will make a short digression here...in my chosen field of study, namely, literary criticism, most of the current thinking scoffs at the "humanist" approach (too outdated and dangerously Christian), that is, that we are all the same, and instead favors a more "individualistic" approaches, and theories that emphasized difference. I wonder how or if they reconcile those views with these "world peace"-type attitudes of togetherness. I wouldn't be surprised if they indeed laugh this off as the naive ramblings of another religious type. Anyway...
The Dalai Lama went on to point out that such changes in attitudes and actions are impossible at a large level; indeed, they must start at the individual level. Therefore (ha, this was his favorite transition; given his level of English fluency, it may very well be one of the few he knows, though not to denegrate his ability to speak the language, which was surprisingly good), his claim was that we allmust start by showing greater compassion on a personal level, and try to spread compassion based upon the exponential model of person to person contact. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Let me summarize the key points here:
1. Violence is never the appropriate personal response to any situation, and dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes.
2. Emotions leading to violence, such as anger, hatred, and fear, can not be eliminated, but must not be allowed to be dominant.
3. The moral tenants of most religions emphasize compassion, and so in theory, religious folk should have a bit of a head start over their secular brethren.
4. Education is key, as understanding should go hand in hand with compassion.
5. Peaceful change must start at the individual level.
So, that was basically it, aside from some repetitive questions and an akward and out of place musical performance by a childrens' group. Given that it was an award ceremony of sorts, it wasn't surprising that none of the recent controversial issues were discussed, though it would have been nice to have some discussion on that. I will likely comment later on the actual content.
"TENZIN GYATSO, YOUR HOLINESSS THE FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET, YOU HAVE LIVED A LIFE WHERE THE WORLD AND THE SPIRIT INTERSECT, AND FROM THAT PLACE YOU HAVE BROUGHT BACK WISDOM FOR US ALL.
In early childhood, in your family's farming village, you were singled out as spiritual leader of Tibet, and then rigorously educated for that role. When only 15, you were called to assume the Dalai Lama's temporal authority as well. A few years later, you led thousands of your countrymen into exile in India.
For these Tibetans, you have created a community where education is prized and Tibetan culture flourishes. You have been a symbol of hope, an advocate on the world stage, a tireless diplomat, and always the strong voice of non-violence. Your books, your public teachings, and the force of your presence have inspired millions far beyond the Snowland of Tibet.
Yet you remain, in your own words, "a simple Buddhist monk." From a complex life-of leadership and study, of courgae and contemplation, of Buddhist teachings and Western travels, of exile and worldwide friendships and the Nobel Peace Prize-from all this you have distilled a radical simplicity.
Humanity, you tell us, is one. Suffering is our common lot, happiness our commonngoal, and love our most fundamental need. Compassion, therefore, is our universal duty-the bedrock of all the world's religions and indeed of secular ethics as well.
From this simplicity flow difficult demands. Compassion, you teach, is not just fellow-feeling but the will to ease pain wherever we see it. Science and humane values must seek each other out, for they speak different parts of the same unifying truth. We must all, together and interdependent, heal this globe, the only home we have. And all this begins in the love and teaching of our youngest children.
For the clarity, breadth, and humanity of your vision and your life, for giving yourself unstintingly to those in need of helpand wisdom, and fro showing us, always with the smile of an old friend, how profound simplicdity can be, the University of Washington is proud to confer upon you the degreee of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
After this speach, the Dalai Lama was presented with the framed degree, and also with a purple robe, leading to remarks from President Emmert on how well he looked in Husky colors. This was, naturally, greeted with a round of cheers from the gallery. Following that, the Dalai Lama proceeded to give his speach, one on compassion and civic responsibility."
Now, nothing he said was really unheard-of or revolutionary, but then again, what more can be said about such a subject which has long been discussed? He emphasized the importance of quality education for all, under the premise that greater understanding will necessarily lead to a decrease in violence. He commented that war and personal violence were outdated or obsolete in the age of intellect. Moreover, he asserted that by realizing that we are all part of each other, hurting others is simply hurting one's self, the urge toward violence would be lessened by an increase in global intelligence. Now, I will make a short digression here...in my chosen field of study, namely, literary criticism, most of the current thinking scoffs at the "humanist" approach (too outdated and dangerously Christian), that is, that we are all the same, and instead favors a more "individualistic" approaches, and theories that emphasized difference. I wonder how or if they reconcile those views with these "world peace"-type attitudes of togetherness. I wouldn't be surprised if they indeed laugh this off as the naive ramblings of another religious type. Anyway...
The Dalai Lama went on to point out that such changes in attitudes and actions are impossible at a large level; indeed, they must start at the individual level. Therefore (ha, this was his favorite transition; given his level of English fluency, it may very well be one of the few he knows, though not to denegrate his ability to speak the language, which was surprisingly good), his claim was that we allmust start by showing greater compassion on a personal level, and try to spread compassion based upon the exponential model of person to person contact. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Let me summarize the key points here:
1. Violence is never the appropriate personal response to any situation, and dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes.
2. Emotions leading to violence, such as anger, hatred, and fear, can not be eliminated, but must not be allowed to be dominant.
3. The moral tenants of most religions emphasize compassion, and so in theory, religious folk should have a bit of a head start over their secular brethren.
4. Education is key, as understanding should go hand in hand with compassion.
5. Peaceful change must start at the individual level.
So, that was basically it, aside from some repetitive questions and an akward and out of place musical performance by a childrens' group. Given that it was an award ceremony of sorts, it wasn't surprising that none of the recent controversial issues were discussed, though it would have been nice to have some discussion on that. I will likely comment later on the actual content.
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