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HHDL's many faces
Simonthepilgrim
Veteran
Old friends here will know of my great respect and love for Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama of Tibet, who called me 'friend'. They will not be surprised that I am not accusing him of hypocrisy. What I am suggesting that he skillfully adapts himself and tailors aspects of his message in order to meet his audience where they are.
It seems to me that he is like the apostle Paul, who was "all things to all people". To Westerners he is slightly quaint, giggly, wise and inclusive. He speaks good English but is wise enough to travel with interpreters. He publishes a lot and supports generally liberal agendas. He is quite prepared to speak about 'God' and to engage in the multicultural dialogue. His sincerity is entirely apparent and emphasised but his holding some less 'P.C.' views.
To Tibetans, he remains a somewhat severe and remote figure. Teaching from a throne.
To many non-Tibetan Buddhists, he is the acceptable face of the Tibetan lineages.
Of course, there are those who object. And it should be so. Some want a more liberal political government-in-exile; some may want rapprochment with China. Some want more Buddhist 'orthodoxy'; some may object that there is already too much.
I would suggest that HHDL is offering us an interesting model of one who genuinely walks a middle way, where the context and condition of those we encounter or address (here, for example) is of more importance to us than our own.
It seems to me that he is like the apostle Paul, who was "all things to all people". To Westerners he is slightly quaint, giggly, wise and inclusive. He speaks good English but is wise enough to travel with interpreters. He publishes a lot and supports generally liberal agendas. He is quite prepared to speak about 'God' and to engage in the multicultural dialogue. His sincerity is entirely apparent and emphasised but his holding some less 'P.C.' views.
To Tibetans, he remains a somewhat severe and remote figure. Teaching from a throne.
To many non-Tibetan Buddhists, he is the acceptable face of the Tibetan lineages.
Of course, there are those who object. And it should be so. Some want a more liberal political government-in-exile; some may want rapprochment with China. Some want more Buddhist 'orthodoxy'; some may object that there is already too much.
I would suggest that HHDL is offering us an interesting model of one who genuinely walks a middle way, where the context and condition of those we encounter or address (here, for example) is of more importance to us than our own.
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Comments
See?
His laugh is infectious.
Let's not forget he's a simple monk, and has to be many things to many people. He's only doing his best.....
Khensur Rinpoche did the same thing to me. :nyah:
That is precisely my point: HHDL does not conform to any stereotype of "simple monk" or, even, "Buddhist". He is mentally and emotionally flexible and spontaneous, acting appropriately from moment to moment. He seems more interested in people than in ideas or doctrines, unless that is the focus of the people with whom he engages. Above all, he is gentle.
For me and for my son, who was just 11 at the time we spent time with him, he appeared to us to be a real embodiment of the old saying that "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth."
... a simple and easy to understand book.
When he is in Tibet (or Nepal? Dharamsala? I forgot) he adopts a princely pose receiving the reverence of Tibetan natives. When in the west, he's almost a regular guy.
No big deal. Gotta get that message of love, kindness and compassion across. Whatever works!