I was sitting at school working on an accounting assignment when Joey and Liza called. They had an extra ticket to see the Dalai Lama at the Bell Center and if I left IMMEDIATELY I could make it.
"I have to leave" I said to my team. "I'm going to see the Lalai Lama."
Thanks to Montreal's excellent subway system and my new-found familiarity with it I arrived at the Bell center in under 30 minutes. The anticipation and excitement in the crowd was no less than if we were queuing up for a rock concert.
When he finally came out it was quite emotional. Around me there were all states: some were shouting with joy, some were crying, some were simply staring.
He's a little man with a huge presence. He walks and talks humbly and keeps his expressions simple and to the point. He does sort of talk around a point at first but he makes his point...his point on this day was one of compassion.
Who should we have compassion for? Everyone. When should we be compassionate? Always.
When talking about the 200 million people that were killed in the 1900's through genocide, war, social unrest and state-sanctioned murder he said that although it was the bloodiest century yet it ended with a message of hope. At the begining of the 20th Century when a nation declared war the people mobilized in the war effort with a national fervor. The last part of the century so people organizing in peaceful protest and large movements organizing against armed resistance. Thanks to the efforts of many the voice of peace and non-violence is growing.
When he asked Japanese about their feelings towards America for the bombing of Hiroshima an Nagasaki he said they have an attitude of forgiveness and peace. When he asks Germans, who had to build a new nation from ashes about their feeling towards the victors of the Second World War he said they had a attitude of forgiveness and compassion. These are two large examples of a movement of compassion and peace that give great home to the new century.
When asked about religious conversion he said it is more important to practice compassion like a Buddhist than to convert to Buddhism. He said that religion is a part of your culture and one should not loose their culture. Conversion should only be done when one sends a life in contemplation and practice and has reached the conclusion that another religion is a good fit for their person and the culture that suits them.
I'm not always the most compassionate person but I try..it's a process learning to be compassionate...and I was inspired to be a more kind and forgiving person having seen the Dalai Lama. Even after reading all his books hearing him was startlingly fresh. He is as laid-back-cool as he is rumored to be...not so much charismatic as simply likable.
The Dalai Lama speaks to journalists in Montreal October 3, 2009.
OK. Back to studying. My first finals at HEC are this coming week: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. If I don't crack under the pressure you can find me Sunday night at B-side on Rue Sainte-Laurent dancing like a crazy crazy crazy manic.
