The Dalai Lama does not go "Baaaaaaaaa"!

Stop! Before you read any further, I rather insist that you go here and watch this segment from Caddyshack…

So, who is this Dalai Lama character anyway? Well, the current Dalai Lama is a 72 year old man named Tenzin Gyatso. He is the 14^th reincarnation of the Lama. What does that mean? So glad you asked. Well, a good place to start is by mentioning that the Dalai Lama is Buddhist (which has several different sects) and hails from Tibet (it’s that place that China continues to bully for no particularly good reason). The Dalai Lama is believed by his followers to be one of the incarnations of an enlightened being that embodies compassion. It is thought that the Dalai Lama reincarnates continually. So, once the current Dalai Lama dies, a child will be born who will (once located) be recognized as the 15^th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

The reason I’m mentioning this today is that the Dalai Lama is visiting the US, and it’s caused a bit of a hoo-ha in international politics. He’s been in the US a lot since going into exile in 1959 and has given many speeches and written many books. But this time is a bit different because he has received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Bush for his tireless effort in the cause of religious freedom and human rights. China has taken offense at this open expression of support.

I’ll sign off with a couple of good quotes from the Dalai Lama.

-“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”

-“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

-“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”

Be well my friends,

Kevin