Liveblogging the Dalai Lama

I am current sitting in Centennial Olympic Park waiting to see and hear the words of his Holiness, the Dalai Lama. I have decided to live blog this event so I will update this post as the day goes on. Blogging via my Blackberry is a bit challenging, so excuse any typos.

The weather is very gloomy. Weather.com said that there was 80% chance of rain all afternoon. So I brought mt "Neat Sheet" and a poncho. So far' no rain.

I got here about one o'clock and the gates had just opened. I got a good spot about 50 feet away from the stage. They had Tibetan chanting playing over the loudspeakers. I took the opportunity for a nap.

They showed a short video before starting that outlined the developing connection between Emory University and a Tibetan exile community. I am horrible about remember details, so bear with me.

The first speaker introduced the first musical group, two Tibetan refugees, and three local artists. They played three songs. The first and last was sung their native tongue.

When the second musical ensemble was introduced, I decided to start live blogging this event. The second group was a local jazz trio. Again, sorry for not getting the details... I'll add them later.
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Okay the jazz band just finished and there is now a group from the aforementioned Tibetan community. They are two dancers in traditional garb and two horn players. And these are some big ol' horns.

The dancers have now exited and eight monks fill the stage. The middle monk is chanting in such a low pitch, it's surreal. Now all eight are chanting. The whole city seems focused on the powerful sounds coming from these eight monks. You can feel the crowd's energy slowly becoming in tune. Most people are sitting cross-legged and many have their eyes closed.

Very surreal indeed.
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The chanting has ended and the "filing in of important people" just began. The Dalai Lama has just walked on stage. The crowd rises and claps and cheers. The Dalai Lama laughingly asks us to sits down.

The Dean of Emory is speaking now about the great work that Emory and Tibet has done. They are bringing together science and religion to forward our understanding of the world and ourselves.
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There is a small parade of other "important people", including congressman John Lewis, to speak next. They speak of Atlanta's racial harmony, the Olympic bombing, the award that Dalai Lama got in Washington, and other things.

John Lewis got a standing ovation. I think it's because everyone wanted to stretch their legs. The Dean is now giving the introduction for the Dalai Lama, counting his many, many accomplishments. He will be talking next.
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The Dalai Lama starts his speech in English and comments on the weather. Since one o'clock it has not rained a drop. He moves into his native tongue to finish his welcome (with the aid of an interpreter).

He starts to speak of love and happiness being key to humanity's growth. He laughs about his honorary professorship and says he is too lazy to send home homework. But he he is dedicated to teaching until the day he dies.

"We are the same, you and I. Same breath, same blood, same thoughts. One big community"
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The Dalai Lama goes on to talk about how we should identify our destructive emotions from the constructive. We then can nurture our positive emotions. They can then gain strength and overcome the destructive emotions.

"The seed of compassion comes from our birth, our mother. Just like some other animals, we depend on other's care."

He describes some animals that leave their children to fend for themselves. They do not have the capacity for compassion. But humans are entirely dependent on other's care. We have the capacity for compassion because we come from our mothers or someone else who acted as the mother.

"A peaceful world comes from inner peace, not from the governments."
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His message forms into the importance for us to teach compassion and love to our children. We can not show too much love to our children and our fellow man.

He makes a good UU statement about religion - that all religions teach love and compassion, just in different ways. But even those that don't have religious faith can be taught love, compassion, and forgiveness.

Inner-confidence is needed to spread compassion and love. Be sure that your love is the right thing.

Inner-peace, world peace can be achieved. First we must do inner disarmament. War its self is very outdated. To destroy your enemy is ancient thinking. We must accept the world community and achieve world peace.
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He says that America is the leader of democracy, rule of law, freedom. We should spread this to the world. We should stop sending troops to do this, but more peach cores.

This got a lot of applause. He ends his speech and then answers questions that was submitted via a web site.

"I am a 13 year old boy and a methodists. My friend claim I am killing my relationship to god by studying your teaching. What should I do"

I teach love, compassion, and forgiveness... That sounds very Christian to me. Buddhism and Christianity has many of the same teachings. Including Islam - a friend said that no Islam should not spill blood, else he not true Islam. He we have many of the same teachings' but different philosophies. But we all have the same goal... To create a good humanity. The different philosophies are for different audiences, but have the same goals.
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He talks about several moments were he was moved in Christian places. "Jesus Christ, this master has brought love and compassion to so many over many centuries. He moves me".

He then preaches about pluralism with some examples from India. But then loses his train of thought. "Sorry, I forgot!"

The next question is about this opinion about the Olympics going to China. He thinks that this is a good thing. We should not isolate this big nation, but invite them into the world.

The next question is about breaking down barriers between east of west. He says that the inner world - thought, emotion - there is still a big gap. He has opened dialog with modern scientists to exchange ideas and accelerate learning.

One final round of applause. I did not reach enlightenment yet, but it was wonderful seeing and hearing such a wise man speak.