Jolly, alert and openly affectionate at every opportunity, Tenzin Gyatso His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama enters rooms enveloped in a cocoon-like, perfectly coordinated security squad. But, despite his tightly knit entourage, breaking free is never a problem for this world spiritual leader called, by some, a god-king. His Holiness, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, is unfettered by restrictions of any kind. He is a man marching to the beat of his own drum, while fully aware of all that surrounds him. “I always consider myself as a simple Buddhist monk. I feel that is the real me,” says His Holiness when asked about his role in today’s world.
Life can – and should – be viewed simply, according to the 79-year-old world traveller. He has taken this message to more than 67 countries spanning six continents. The side effect of his simple attitude, when laced with happiness and a “loving-kindness” approach to daily life, is increased feelings of contentment and well-being.
Scientific records, gleaned from Harvard-based experiments on Buddhist monks, confirm what the Dalai Lama has been extolling for decades. “There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness,” he maintains. Two primary events marked the most recent visit of the Dalai Lama to the Vancouver area. Both were live-streamed via the Dalai Lama Center (DLC) website. The Heart-Mind Summit followed The Heart-Mind Youth Dialogue at John Oliver Secondary School. The focus for both events – educating the hearts of children and young people; and encouraging everyone to Be The Village that supports the development of healthy children and youth in our lives.
With increasing reports of school violence, could there be any goal more important for the wellness of our families and communities?
The goal of the DLC will turn BC into a globally recognized hub for educating socially and emotionally responsible students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. And the intention of building a Heart-Mind education model in BC, to be used in other jurisdictions, is becoming a reality.
Previous visits made by the Dalai Lama were not solely about children’s education, but focused on setting the stage for the DLC’s present work. Those official visits took place in 2004, 2006 and 2009. The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, co-founded in 2005, with friend and co-author Victor Chan, acted as host for the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit and, before that, the 2006 Vancouver Dialogues with the Dalai Lama.
During the 2004 visit, the Dalai Lama received honorary degrees from both UBC and SFU and engaged in roundtable dialogue with fellow Nobel Peace Laureates Desmond Tutu and Shirin Ebadi. Three other Nobel Peace Laureates – Betty Williams, Mairead Maguire and Jody Williams – participated with the Dalai Lama in the 2009 Peace Summit event.
Thupten Jinpa acts as principal English translator when His Holiness presides over public events. He has assisted with social and emotional learning featured in all aspects of program development at the DLC. The Hawn Foundation, founded by Academy Award winning actress, producer, director, best-selling author and children’s advocate Goldie Hawn, is one of many community partners. The vision of the DLC is compassionate children in a peaceful world.
“Just as we take for granted the need to acquire proficiency in the basic academic subjects, I am hopeful that a time will come when we can take it for granted that children will learn, as part of forgiveness,” says the Dalai Lama.
Fostering Heart-Mind awareness via social and emotional learning while providing children with the tools and knowledge to manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others and ultimately develop community responsibility will bring renewal to each family connected to the Heart-Mind education model.
What promotes individual harmony also benefits the community and ultimately global healing and renewal. Children, the Dalai Lama teaches, thrive when communities of adults create environments where young ones can feel secure and calm, approach situations with curiosity and confidence, solve problems peacefully and get along with others.
The Dalai Lama Center is a non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit organization that promotes balanced education through self-awareness. The message His Holiness shares is constant and does not apply to one religious group or select society. “Ultimately, the reason why love and compassion bring the greatest happiness is simply that our nature cherishes them above all else. The need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence. It results from the profound interdependence we all share with one another.”
Science, the Dalai Lama teaches, can support that daily doses of “loving kindness” will actually promote lower blood pressure and greater overall wellbeing. “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
With wellness-focused aging and vibrant longevity on the minds of Boomers, it is not easy to dismiss these wise words from a simple Buddhist monk.
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