My most memorable meeting with His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama

His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama was in residence at the Tibetan Monastery at Bylakkuppe from 18th Dec 2015 to Jan 2016 for discourses and along with Him, Richard Gere was accompanying Him. It was all over the news. Both my sisters encouraged me to try to see His Holiness and my friends tried to motivate me to see Richard Gere. Being a mere commoner in India, I knew both is kind of impossible nearly. Anyways I started contacting all possible people to try to meet His Holiness. Evidently nobody could help or didn’t want to including a known local travel agent. He claimed tall stories. I did get info as to what documents needs to be taken to get ID card to meet Him. On 24th Dec 2015 Christmas eve, I decided at least it would make an outing for me, I hired a cab for next day early morning departure from Mysore. My mom who observed everything said she come along with me – she is considered very lucky by family and friends alike. So, on early morning 25th Dec 2015, we set out on our journey. Drove straight to the monastery where the discourses were held. Roads were with people walking, monks in their robes, all nationalities, all ages…. I was like in this crowd, what are the chances???? We finally reached and when people saw my mom with her walking stick, gave her way first to walk ahead. People there knew kindness and compassion – they offered her a chair too to sit. People were sitting on the ground with translators and there were huge TV screens and mikes for people who were not sitting directly in front of Him, to hear and see The Dalai Lama.

I made my way to the office, where I sought the correct person to speak to, before which I got the permits to meet His Holiness – long queue for that too. The main person said its not possible, there is a list and many people before me, wanting to meet His Holiness. Upon pleading and showing my mom’s passport – he relented and directed me to a higher official. He asked me whom I am – guess I needed to be some one important enough to meet His Holiness – I am just a commoner. I just told him, Am a ordinary citizen and sincerely requested him and virtually pleaded with him to see Him and again showed my mom passport. He then said we may come again on 28th or 29th Dec 2015 and he asked how we both came and from where we are – I told cab and we drove from Mysore and are willing to come again on 28th or 29th Dec. He then realized that I was keen and told there’s a Indo China group of people and if they don’t mind, then my mom and me could join the group. The group arrived as we were speaking and he introduced me to the main person and by God’s Grace, the president of that group agreed. I was so happy and then went and got my mom slowly to that area. They insisted that we both too ate with them. We did and after that we all were directed to a room wherein, we were told no photos to be taken., a official person shall take photos and it will be shared. So shared my mobile no with them. They arranged a chair for my mom to sit and were very kind to her.

Finally, the moment we all were waiting for, His Holiness The Dalai Lama came. Pin drop silence. Then He started talking – he was then 80 years, feeble – but very radiant aura. I was privileged to hold HIS Hand – which was baby soft, petal like hands, HE was talking but for the life of me, it all went in a trance – I had no idea what HE talked and told. Believe this happens in the omnipresence of highly evolved souls and in temples too. I forgot to ask anything; I think mind just went blank. Then after 10 or maybe 15 minutes, we were arranged around His Holiness after HE Blessed us, photos were taken and then we dispersed. My main question which I meant to ask HIM…..what’s the purpose of life? That was answered through a FB article shared my sister – guess what? He answered the very same question posed to HIM ….to be happy. That’s the purpose of life. The way it happened – all God’s Grace. What I learnt from this journey is this – Intention, Sincerity, efforts and anything is possible for even a ordinary person.