The Dali Lama is Magnificent

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 9/26/05 at 3:25pm

I usually don't start threads but I have been working with this project and really wanted to share.

His Holiness the Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dali Lama is speaking at a "Peace is Possible" discussion this evening at Riverside Church (on Riverside in NYC between 120th and 122nd)
at 5PM.

It is a total interfaith service with "peace councilors" from many religious traditions meeting to "raise the banner" for peace.

It is open to the public, and while there are religious undertones they are not for or against a particular religious veiw. The security is tight and its first come first serve, so if you want to come it would be best to try to get here by 4:30.

I'll be one of the people in black carrying fish around the sanctuary (if anyone makes it.)

There are some in the religious community who are commited to peace and justice for all people, regardless of race, class, sex, sexuality and religious preference. I hope we can all come together and continue the push for justice, including rallying within the confines of this forum.

Updated On: 9/26/05 at 03:25 PM

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 9/26/05 at 6:20pm

I wasn't really expecting lots of response, but 10 veiws makes me very sad.

The service was marvelous, very much in the spirit of interfaith relations and calls for us to take action to bring peace. The call for us to recognize and celebrate our outward differences and to respect the fundamental goal of Peace was very nicely presented.

[KelRel]

Posted: 9/26/05 at 6:23pm

I wish I could have been there SmartPenguin. It sounds like it was amazing.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/26/05 at 7:59pm

The Dali Lama whispered in Bloomberg's ear:

Can I get Spamalot tickets for tonight?
Who will be out tonight ?

[amasis]

Posted: 9/26/05 at 8:03pm

If I wasn't stuck on the other side of the world, I would have attended, penguin. :) What was the format of the event today? Was it just the Dalai Lama who spoke? What was your role in the project? I would love to hear more about it.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 9/26/05 at 10:46pm

This was at Riverside Church this evening?

I was there for a rehearsal tonight but didn't know anything about it!
Where was the service held?

I wish I had seen this thread earlier. I would have gone there earlier.

Updated On: 9/27/05 at 10:46 PM

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 9/26/05 at 10:53pm

Salvador Dali is magnificant as well.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:29am

Mr. Roxy: I would actually like that, his holiness has a great sense of humor.

There were 3 main speakers, then several readers, Peace Councilors from many religious traditions. It was basically an Interfaith worship service, we did some chanting in Hindi, some prayers in Hebrew, a recitation in Arabic. His holiness was the main speaker followed by a Thailander Zen Nun and a Preist who works in Mexico, then we did a neat recital of the "Golden Rule" with a leader fro that tradition reading it from its source. (This included Bahai and Zorastrianism.)

There was intense security most of the day on the Claremont side, I wasn't allowed to walk into my apartment building on Claremont even though I had an event pass (My building is immediatly adjacent to the church) The attendance was good, but not great due in large part to Union never advertizing things right. The main Sanctuary of Riverside (which holds a couple thousand) was nearly full though.

I wish you could have come Addy. I was too frantic to post before my original one at 3:30 which was after dress rehearsal.

I did an affirmation and waved a giant fish. We were the "artistic vision" along with some "sweepers" on stilts and a marvelous dancer. Someday soon maybe I can have a bigger role.

We sang a great gospel "Down by the Riverside" to close, which was funny to watch the Dali Lama react to.

I agree Zoneace, Dali is great.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:52am

Sounds wonderful.

I was in South Hall...

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 1:04am

I was shocked at the lack of advertizing (except that I wasn't, some of us had it together to have Kanye West and Bill Clinton speak/sing here in the spring but the school decided it would be "too much trouble.")

What do you come to rehearse? Have you been one of the people who winds up in McGiffert instead? (I've had to assist many people out and over to the church. )

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 2:31am

About 10 years ago I produced a benefit, and we requested items for a silent auction. And one of the items we received was an signed copy of a book by the Dalai Lama. I so wanted to keep it instead of putting it up for bid...

[TonyInATL]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 3:00am

People in black carrying fish around the sanctuary.

Um, so what does this represent? Sustenance during dark times? A Johnny Cash family picnic? Are the fish cooked? If so, fried or baked? What kind of fish? Cod? Haddock? Tilapia?

Also, isn't it "Dalai Lama"?
Updated On: 9/27/05 at 03:00 AM

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:04pm

TonyinAtl: Yes I know it is Dalai.

The fish are supposed to represent different things depending on your interpretation of them, they were painted fish on poles, that were representing fish from across the world.
We were in black because we were "crew" carrying the fish, the fish were supposed to be the actors.
I didn't come up with the concept, I just carried a fish.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:19pm

RE: spelling, I thought that when I first saw your post, but when I checked, there are almost as many references to him as the Dali Lama as there are Dalai Lama.

I had no idea.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:23pm

I think that Dalai is probably "more correct" but that Dali has a level of acceptance commonly that makes it acceptable. I'm certain that his Holiness himself would not be concerned one way or the other.

Posted: 9/27/05 at 1:16pm

His books are what I keep by my bedside, and his sayings appear throughout the house.

Basically, I wish he was the leader of the world.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 1:21pm

So THAT must've been what was going on at Columbia yesterday. I was walking along the opposite side of Broadway, and saw tons of people, cops, limos, cameras, etc. There was too much to see WHO all the fuss was over -- but this must've been it!

Posted: 9/27/05 at 1:23pm

I saw the Dalai Lama speak here in Chicago at the old Medinah Temple-- it was wonderful, but frankly, I found it hard to understand him at times. The program featured a solo piano performance by Phillip Glass and was hosted by Richard Gere. I was invited to attend by a friend who worked for Glass' record label, so after the presentation we went back stage to say hello. As we were standing there, the Dalai Lama came out in a big crowd. Across the backstage area, he caught my eye and started to come purposefully toward me. He came right up to me, smiling and nodding. He grabbed my hands and leaned in close to say something to me. Everyone around murmured with amazement that the Lama would come to speak directly to me and I was more than a little flustered. He leaned in close and said quietly to me (Or so I thought-- again, I had a hard time understanding):

"You must have passion for the happy chickens."

I looked at him and nodded. "Thank you sir, thank you." The Lama looked very pleased with himself and walked back to where he had been standing. The people around me were all very impressed and many said "What did he say? What did he say to you??"

I thought for a moment and said "It was personal."

On the way home with my friend I tried to figure out what he'd said: "You must have compassion for the unhappy children." "I'd take a pass on the BBQ Chicken." Finally we decided that the Lama might just perk up these appearances by greeting a stranger as if he had something profound to say, only to puzzle him to with a complete nonsequitar just to see what he does.

All I know is I had a miraculous moment with one of the worlds great spiritual leaders, and often, when I am confused, I meditate on his words of wisdom. As I get older I find myself thinking "Yes, yes, I MUST have passion for the Happy Chickens!"

[Patronus]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 1:57pm

That's awesome, sp78! I'd have been there if I were on the right side of the country.

That must have been an amazing experience.

[Tired_O_Lurking]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 2:09pm

He is the bomb!



Meanwhile, where is the Panchen Lama?

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 2:25pm

Oh, Joe that story is priceless. I can't stop laughing - happy chickens!

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 3:41pm

Now smartpenguin, don't get sad about the number of views.

The Dalai Lama is great; he has been to NYC several times before. I saw him at a big Central Park event that was too crowded to be enjoyable. I saw him many years ago back in Hawaii when he and some lamas performed the Black Crown ceremony in an open air amphitheatre at the University of Hawaii.

And one time I saw him in Blaisdell Concert Hall which seats 2500 in Honolulu. At that lecture, after the main part was over and the lamas and monks were just sitting onstage, he stared at me, out of the 2500 in the audience, for a long time. And I wondered, well what does he see? Is he looking at my aura? Was I a lama he knew in a past life or something? But he wasn't close enough to say anything to me about happy chickens, which I would have only interpreted to mean chickens are happy if you are eating a vegetarian feast and not them.

He's not a vegetarian under doctor's orders I understand, so who knows.

I liked his autobiography. And if you ever want to get your mind blown, try discussing him with people from Mainland China (I mean not the Falun Gong kind) and you will hear a vehement party line about how Tibit is and always was part of China and they have proof, etc., etc.

[amasis]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 6:11pm

Basically, I wish he was the leader of the world.

As do I, DG. :) Either him or Thich Nhat Hanh.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 6:44pm

carrying around fish???