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Going to see HHDL today...
Jeroen
Luminous beings are we, not this crude matterNetherlands Veteran
He is in the area and giving a teaching, so I thought I would go. It’s a pretty huge event, in a pop concert venue, the tickets were 50 euro’s so I suppose they have to cover rental of the building and travel costs and so on.
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Arhh great. Can you get him to text me. I want my Metallica CD's back. Thanks.
It was really good actually... the introduction to the teaching was kind of an overview of the highlights of the buddha’s teaching, everything from anatta to interdependence to dependent origination came past. It was pretty dense and compact, not at all a beginner’s teaching. The main focus of the teaching was compassion though, it was on the Eight Verses on Training the Mind by Kadam Geshe Langri Thangpa Dorje Senge.
I had a great time, there was good company and it was lovely to see HHDL again. At the end there was a small indication that he might not come back again, he is no longer the youngest of men so this makes sense. But he did say he would be with us in essence as long as he remained on this blue globe.
I got to see him during his environmental summit a few years ago. I really enjoyed it.
The Eight Verses on Training the Mind
With a determination to achieve the highest aim
For the benefit of all sentient beings
Which surpasses even the wish-fulfilling gem,
May I hold them dear at all times.
Whenever I interact with someone,
May I view myself as the lowest amongst all,
And, from the very depths of my heart,
Respectfully hold others as superior.
In all my deeds may I probe into my mind,
And as soon as mental and emotional afflictions arise —
As they endanger myself and others —
May I strongly confront them and avert them.
When I see beings of unpleasant character,
Oppressed by strong negativity and suffering,
May I hold them dear-for they are rare to find-
As if I have discovered a jewel treasure!
When others, out of jealousy
Treat me wrongly with abuse, slander, and scorn,
May I take upon myself the defeat
And offer to others the victory.
When someone whom I have helped,
Or in whom I have placed great hopes,
Mistreats me in extremely hurtful ways,
May I still regard him as my precious teacher.
In brief, may I offer benefit and joy
To all my mothers, both directly and indirectly,
May I quietly take upon myself
All hurts en pains of my mothers.
May all this remain undefiled
By the stains of the eight mundane concerns;
And may I, recognising all things as illusion,
Devoid of clinging, be released from bondage.
Great to read that HHDL is Marxist as far as social-economic theory is concerned, I have a lot of respect for Karl Marx although I wonder if we will ever see another nation state implement Marxist reforms.
It was said that HHDL would not be visiting the United States anymore, that the journey from Dharamsala was too arduous. Which was one reason why Richard Gere made the trek to Rotterdam to be there instead.
I consider this a profound, pivotal and difficult appreciation.
On the whole we move towards spiritual friends who are not exhibiting difficult, wrathful or negative traits. In other words initially resonate with the easy/helpful/kind ... 
However remember that even the naughty can be learned from ...
Various parts of the visit are now up as video’s on HHDL’s website. It’s mostly in English.
https://www.dalailama.com/videos