Respect to Dalai Lama

Over the last two days I have been making the most of my last Dalai Lama teachings in McLeod Ganj.

Sponsored by Buddhist societies of Russia and Confederation of Independent States, the first day´s teaching are delivered by HHDL predominantly in English. He is very adept in its usage, and chooses his words with precision.

Now in his 75th year, Dalai Lama remains both erudite and wise. His knowledge through the major academic disciplines is enormous, moving between technology, science, neurosurgery, history, religion and philosophy with complete versatility. Like all good teachers, he provides concrete examples to support his perspective, and asks for his disciples and students to question everything he offers.


His opening address is delivered with clarity. We are all global citizens – the concept of “Us and Them” is based on fear and/or hatred and is an out-moded concept in the 21st century. We must throw the shackles off from superstition and blind faith and show respect, compassion and love to all living things. Basically, it is time for a new renaissance. It all sounds like good stuff to me.

He remains jolly, positive and in up-beat mood. HHDL appears to be enjoying better health than he has for the last few years. He also remains openly confident that he will be alive to over-see a Tibetan Autonomous Region within China, although admits this is still several years away.

Although much-respected globally, (he was recently voted the most trusted global leader in the World), he is not without his detractors. The Chinese government continue to claim he is a divisive cancer to the People´s Republic, whilst others point to his lack of condemnation for the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and the continued ass-licking of consecutive American administrations.


None of his 13 predecessors has ever had to face the challenges now facing the current Dalai Lama or the Tibetan people. As Dalai Lama states, he is a simple monk from the remote regions of Tibet and would have preferred a very different existence from the role and burden that have been placed on his shoulders. The position of Dalai Lama itself is the reincarnate of the Buddha of Compassion. Historically therefore, it has always been a spiritual, not a political position.

Those who accuse him of seeking power delude themselves from very obvious facts. HHDL preaches democracy, and single-handed established the Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharamsala. He continuously encourages them to take the lead in all areas of Tibetan politics whilst trying to distance himself from its proceedings. He has urged Parliament to decide for themselves whether to continue with “the Middle Path” or adopt a different tact with the Chinese authorities.

Nonetheless, HHDL has become a ubiquitous global symbol of Tibet and its people, and is rightly respected by many World leaders. Moreover, Dalai Lama is also a global symbol of compassion, truth, love and peace. How many people can boast that?

Dalai Lama stresses that the Tibetan people will decide if it necessary for a 15th Dalai Lama to be appointed after his death. As a practising Buddhist, of course he believes he will be reincarnated and wants to assist and offer service to others in his next life, but not necessarily with the title of Dalai Lama.


Walking the streets of Mcleod Ganj, i am reminded daily of the plight of exiled Tibetans. I have been fortunate enough to choose to live my life in exile from my Homeland, most Tibetans have not.

Teachings – Dalai Lama Style

I really enjoyed the lessons today. The sponsors of these three day teachings on the Four Noble Truths are the South East Asian Buddhist Society. They mainly consist of Singaporeans, so much of the teachings have been delivered in English rather than relying on the usual translator. Whilst very adept, the translator´s speed of delivery is too fast, and is sometimes difficult to follow.

HHDL has excellent English and can communicate skilfully with his audience. His humour permeates almost all his teachings, with fantastic anecdotes to exemplify his points in real terms. He delivers 2 hours per session and often completes two a day.

I have always particularly enjoyed his Q & A sessions. Questions from the audience vary considerably, from political, religious and social / personal issues. For example, today´s questions included the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, the neutering of cats and dogs, and dealing with an undisciplined son.

Dalai Lama gives some great answers, intelligent, relevant, humorous, and dare i say enlightened. His flexibility of mind is phenomenal.

A number of the speakers today are Han Chinese, and it is heart-breaking hearing their shame of their government´s decimation of unique Tibet – the country, its people and culture.

I´ve been playing about a bit with some new photographic software from Picasa, and have been re-cropping and tinting of my first photo-shoot with HH Dalai Lama. I hope you like the result.

Shooting the Dalai Lama (Again)

With Diwali crackers and fireworks being set off sporadically throughout the night, I don´t think i managed more than 2 hours sleep last night.

I´m out the door by 7am in clear weather and make my way over to the Main Temple. Security is nuts, and it takes me 20 minutes to clear the body-checks. Every camera lens is individually inspected and a complete pat-down of my person - and i mean COMPLETE!

Trying to find a strategic position for the arrival of His Holiness Dalai Lama, I park up right in front of a security barrier. Lobsang, my editor, is close by and he tells me I´d be better off on the other side of the central aisle, so i quickly scramble across. I´m not there more than five minutes when one of the Tibetan security guards comes over and moves me right into the centre. Sorted, i´m thinking - i have a completely clear view of the central arrival aisle.

Three minutes before the entourage arrives, a second Tibetan guard hustles me back from where i originally started, by which time there are huge throngs and it´s a battle to find a shooting position.


Taiwanese Delegation in Prayer

Dalai Lama normally meets and greets the class on his arrival into the complex, and takes time to stop and talk briefly. I guess, due to tightened security, he strides purposefully into the temple with just a brief wave to the huge Taiwanese delegation. He is up and past me within seconds, so i quickly make a dash upstairs to try and catch him again. On the second level he is surrounded by both Tibetan and Indian security guards (the latter waving enormous semi-automatic rifles). There is a huge surge and mass bundling, and HHDL has gone again.


The inner temple on the 2nd floor where the class is to be delivered is restricted for monks only, so myself and the three other press photographers head to the central doorway, zoom lenses at the ready. It takes almost an hour for HHDL to take his seat in the throne. Shutters run wild for about 20 seconds before he begins talking into the microphone. As soon as he addresses the audience, security come out and tells us that no more photos are allowed until the end of class.

With not much else to do, I take a few pictures of some of the pilgrims and then head downstairs and back outside on the temple courtyard to warm up in the sun and listen to the translation on my MP3. It´s much more relaxed outside, with Tibetan families enjoying a Sunday together. There must be more than 3000 people at the temple from across the World. As well as the Taiwanese organisers and delegations, there is are special sections for Spaniards, Romanians and Koreans.

Rather than teachings, HHDL delivers a religious ceremony - the Avalokiteshvera Initiation which is aimed at Tantric (high order) practitioners. I can´t follow much of the translations with 5 jewelled paths on different states of consciousness. I do find his suggestions on breathing; inhale others´ suffering and exhale love, pretty cool though and i´ll incorporate into my meditation sessions.

The toddlers and kids run around, and the Western devotees (with a large propensity of what we call in London “crusties”- all dreadlocks, facial hair, tattoos and facial piercings) sit in devoted contemplation. The session runs late, and i´m starving, but i´m desperate to try and grab a few more Dalal Lama shots. A Mitsubishi is led right up to the foot of the temple steps and HHDL is whisked away faster than an Ann Summers catalogue.

Whilst classes carry on in the afternoon, they are not led by HHDL, and i´m too tired and disinterested to return. No disrespect to Dalai Lama, who is an extraordinary human being, but it has all been somewhat underwhelming really.

HHDL continues his teaching in McLeod Ganj on the 20th for another 3 day teaching. He then flies out to Japan at the end of the month. It has just been confirmed that there will be yet another two day teachings on the 24th and 25th November in McLeod Ganj on Atisha's Lamp of the Path To Enlightenment (jangchup lamdron) at the request of Russian devotees. An additional bonus for Buddhist boffins.


my new FB profile photo and flckr upload - my fave of the day

I´m pleased to report HHDL appears to be in excellent health and his vitality, bonhomie and strong sense of humour remain undiminished.

A few additional photos can be found by clicking here.

The Day Before The Teachings, Disciples and Additional Security

It has been a strange day today. The electricity disappeared about 8am. Daily blackouts are pretty regular, but rarely last for more than an hour. My laptop battery lasted till 11.30am and put an end to dissertation writing.

Heading into the village the streets are totally packed. Lots of travellists, including several familiar faces join the huge throng from the Taiwanese Buddhist society. These Taiwanese delegations are almost all over 60 years old, wearing very formal clothes and large laminated name-badges. They are clearly in love with the village, babbling and twittering enthusiastically like our local roosting mynah birds.

Security has reached new levels here, The Indian army stalk the fence around Dalai Lama´s residence and the Main Temple site. I guess this is the last set of teachings in Dharamsala for the season and a final chance for studies with The Main Man. Press are now only allowed to attend on Saturday´s session, and Lobsang now has to submit two photocopies of my passport and provide an additional two photos. He tells me that the regulations surrounding the press have been further tightened.

Photos can only be taken when classes are not in session. If I´m lucky I´ll have about 15 – 20 minutes to try and capture the essence of him. Making it more trick still is that Dalai Lama will be inside the temple itself and it can be quite dark. ISO ratings will need to be pushed and the final results become grainy. The class on Saturday are for advanced Buddhist practitioners and i know i´m not going to be able to follow very much.

Fortunately the electricity returned at about 7pm.

Ed. Adds: In classic Indian/Tibetan style the photo-shoot is now at Sunday´s Teachings.

Shooting the Dalai Lama

Yesterday I had a meeting with Lobsang, the Editor in Chief of Contact Magazine. He is applying for my press pass for the next Dalai Lama teachings. Security continues to tighten around HH Dalai Lama, with cameras only permitted on the first day of the first set of teachings.

Between October 15th – 18th, HHDL will give teachings on The Diamond Sutra, Geshe Chekewa's Seven Point-Mind Training and Tsongkhapa's The Three Principal Paths at the request of Taiwanese devotees. On the last day, he will confer the Avalokiteshvera. Heavy duty teachings indeed!

Between 20th – 22nd His Holiness will give teachings on The Four Noble Truths at the request of a group of Southeast Asian Buddhists.

Both sets of teachings will be held at the main temple.

This will probably be my last chance to photograph his Holiness, so i´m pretty excited. Unlike my last shoot with him, I should be able to get up close and personal.

I was pretty happy with the results from my last photo-shoot with HHDL in April for the observation of the 50th Anniversary in Exile, but I can´t resist a final session.

Don´t forget you can follow his broadcasts through translation here.