“Suffering is in the mind.
How we perceive happiness determines our suffering or not.”

His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Guest Post by Barbara Sinor, PhD

I was honored to attend a teaching seminar by His Holiness The Dalai Lama in 2004. It was presented in a small auditorium, so I was able to really feel his energy and see the expressions on his peaceful face. Upon entering, my eyes fell instantly to the stage with its decorations in honor of the Buddhist tradition. There was a row of hundreds of white candles glowing along the back, evenly spread from one end of the stage to the other. Hanging directly over the row of candles were three huge tapestries with images of Tara (the Tibetan Kuan Yin), The Buddha, and one other figure I did not recognize, perhaps Bodhisattva Nagarjuna since his lessons were to be studied in this seminar. 

On the center stage was a magnificent golden statute of The Buddha sitting high on a platform, it must have been seven feet tall. In front of The Buddha was a structure for The Dalai Lama, six or seven stairs leading to a comfortable sitting-pillow capturing a dark red carpet. There was a small table or shelf on the left for the sacred tablets of teaching instruction from which His Holiness would so gently handle as if they were his precious children. The tablets looked as if they were made of cherished light wood or heavy parchment paper. Each one fit together in a golden yellow cloth with a tie that wrapped around them tightly to secure their sacred contents. Each time the Dalai Lama came into the room he was given the cloth to unfold exposing the tablets for their instruction. Then before he left the stage, he carefully tucked them in again personally wrapping and tying them lovingly together. Just in front of the seating structure for the Dalai Lama were two great bouquets of Calla Lilies, my favorite flowers. 

On both sides of the platform where the Dalai Lama reigned sitting for hours crossed-legged, sat his disciples and monks. There must have been two dozen or more. They were donned in their finest of cloths and robes wrapped respectfully in the Buddhist's tradition of respect. The robes were colorful in bright oranges and reds, just a few had chosen white; it was unknown to me as to the meaning of these colors. Later, I was told by a student that these colors represented the planting and harvest seasons in Buddhism. Most of the monks had shaven heads, wore sandals, and a few carried prayer beads or prayer wheels. They sat in silence the entire time except for the very beginning of each morning’s teaching. At this time they performed a most magnificent chanting mantra that made my spirit soar to the very heights of the domed ceiling! 

The outstanding interpreter sat close to the edge of the center stage with a small table which held a microphone and a few pieces of paper on which to write his notes as the Dalai Lama spoke. Not knowing whether Tibetan or Chinese language was being translated, it seemed to me this translator did an unbelievable job of getting each and every word spoken just as directed. Only a few times did the Dalai Lama interrupt him to either correct or add to what he was saying. At these times, it was as if to make sure we, the audience and students, totally understood what was being taught.   

What was said? What words of wisdom did His Holiness share with us? I have my notes; I have the thirty page booklet printed by the Buddhist Association that brought him here for this one time visit to the United States for the year. The teaching, for me, came from inside like a blossoming of ripe fruit spreading within me as he spoke in a translucent tone. He spoke of suffering, “We create causes that give rise to suffering." He spoke of transformation, "Walk with the Nature of Reality when creating transformation." And, he spoke of intention, "The intention of what you do and say is what matters not the act itself." 

I watched and felt the love in the large auditorium illuminate and fill each person with understanding that needed no words. I witnessed many in the audience sitting cross-legged with eyes closed for hours. The foreign words came to my ears as His Holiness spoke and brought a sense of aliveness that I had not experienced. The words in translation entered my mind but did not find a permanence that would endure my repeating detailed meaning, and my mind wandered as my soul left my body to places unnamed. 

I don’t know what I expected to witness when I decided to attend this seminar, however, every minute in the presence of this truly Holy Soul was such a gift I will treasure the experience my entire life. The philosophical teachings were on a level far above my understanding but I know the few words of wisdom I did retain feel like jewels within my heart. Being in the company of The Dalai Lama and seeing his smile with slight embarrassment and a quick apology as he picked-up an orange sun-visor cap to shield his eyes from the glaring stage lights, will always be the memory of this day that make my own lips part from ear to ear.

Barbara Sinor, PhD, is the author of Gifts from the Child Within, An Inspirational Guide for the Recovering Soul, and Addiction: What's Really Going on? In a Heroin Treatment Program. She is semi-retired and living in northern California with her husband and dog, Goldie.  Dr. Sinor is experienced in the media giving seminars and speaking engagements; writing articles for journals, magazines, and online web sites. Web site: www.DrSinor.com