Career Talk JDR

I’m always looking for fun things to do for my parents, so I bought them tickets & went yesterday to see the Dalai Lama!  His Holiness the14th Dalai Lama, visited Memphis yesterday to accept the 2009 Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum.  I took my parents to his public talk at The Cannon Center on developing peace and harmony.  He was very entertaining and interesting; here are some of the media quotes from his speech:

The Dalai Lama smiled mischievously and said, “I call myself a feminist. Isn’t that what you call someone who fights for women’s rights?” The comment was made during his International Freedom Award acceptance speech, which was presented to him by the National Civil Rights Museum. The Dalai Lama went on to add with his infamous sense of humor that “some feminists have too much emotion that I don’t like.” Again, there are some feminist groups that would certainly agree with him on that point as well.

Many see the Dalai Lama as youngsters may see the Wizard of Oz before lifting the curtain – a fact the Dalai Lama himself addressed.  He said some people come to hear him speak out of curiosity, some think he has some kind of miracle power or ability to heal the sick, some think he will bestow a wise and important message. “I have nothing to say that is that special,” he said with a laugh.  As far as healing power, he said, it’s “nonsense.” In fact he had complicated surgery last year to remove his gallbladder, which he proclaimed, “Is proof I have no healing power!”

The Dalai Lama’s powerful message is common sense. He does not preach religion. “Whether you believe this religion or that religion, we are all the same human beings.” He preaches self-awareness and compassion. In broken English he said, “We need to work together. We need to protect the planet. With fear, harmony is impossible. We need trust. Trust is the basis of compassion. Distrust brings fear. Fear brings violence. Fear brings loneliness and depression. We all come from the same place. We are all brothers and sisters.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet under China’s takeover and form a government in exile in India. When asked if China and the exiled Tibetan government will ever reach a peaceful understanding, the Dalai Lama became quiet for a moment. “The Chinese and the Tibetans, we are the same human beings…our faith in the Chinese people was never shaken…We need more patience, determination. The Tibetan spirit (in Tibet) among the young is strong. The problem is (Chinese) government censorship and misinformation.” “We all come from the same mother,” the Dalai Lama said. “That creates the basis for compassion.”

Earlier in the day the exiled head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people said a prayer after placing a white scarf over the wreath at the Lorraine Motel. The wreath is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed by an assassin’s bullet on April 4, 1968. The Rev. Samuel ‘Billy’ Kyles described to his Holiness the moment Dr. King was shot. Kyles was just a few feet from Dr. King on that night. The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hooks, a noted civil rights leader, also bows his head during a moment of silence. His Holiness and Dr. King are both recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Dalai Lama said his visit to the National Civil Rights Museum and Lorraine Motel was sad, but gives a conviction to fight for human rights. He also spoke on the importance of inner beauty and religious harmony.

He went on to say Gandhi and King may not be living, but their spirit will continue for many years like Buddha, Jesus Christ and Muhammad. His Holiness also added that totalitarian regimes are outdated and the free world has the moral obligation to remind them they are not practical. He said freedom of information was essential and told of an example where Tibetans did not even know of the Cultural Revolution taking place inside their own country.  To assist in the exchange of information the Dalai Lama said the media need to help in spreading the truth to the people. “The media people should have long nose like elephant nose,” said His Holiness. “You should be very honest, objective, unbiased, truthful. Investigate what is going on. Good, bad, everything. Then inform people.”

He said one human right was to know the truth; and that censorship and distorted information were outdated. At one point, he said he and former President George W. Bush were good friends, but he had some reservations about some of his policies.  He pointed out his main commitment consisted of two things, one being the promotion of human value and the other the harmony between religions. “Your individual future depends on the rest of the community,” said His Holiness.  He went on to say trust was the antidote for frustration and internal beauty was more important than external beauty. “Internal beauty really brings inner peace and good health,” said His Holiness. He closed by saying King’s inner strength came from his faith. He may have had a different philosophy than Mother Teresa or Gandhi, but it didn’t matter because it brought inner strength. “It is not only just some people’s social responsibility, but six billion people’s responsibility,” said His Holiness. “Big, happier, human society and more religious harmony.”

His Holiness’ message is always one of compassion, harmony, warm-heartedness, inner peace and civil rights. During the awards ceremony, which took place in the Peabody Hotel ballroom, he said women are by nature more compassionate because of their biology and ability to nurture and birth children. He therefore called on all women to lead and create a more compassionate world, citing the good works of nurses and mothers. Interestingly enough, there are feminist groups who would claim this kind of biological stance has led to discrimination against women in the workplace.

I don’t necessarily feel any more enlightened than I did yesterday, but this sure was a once in a lifetime experience!