I'd like to finish off my month long marathon of Dalai Lama quotes and stories (in honor of his July 6th birthday) with two of my favorite stories about His Holiness.
I saw both of these on film years ago, years before I thought about becoming a Buddhist. The film was in black and white, which may give you some indication of how long ago this was. The images have stayed with me. I hope my descriptions are good enough for you to understand why.
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In one scene, the Dalai Lama is being interviewed. The discussion has moved to the issue of non-violence. I think His Holiness has been asked if it's ever right to kill. He pantomimes a mosquito landing on his arm and he kindly blows it off. Next, he mimes the mosquito landing again. This time he flicks it off gently. Third time. The mosquito lands again and SMACK! His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ocean of Wisdom, reincarnation of Avalokitshvara Buddha of Compassion crushes the little bugger with his free hand! He just chuckles.
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Another scene (same film?) His Holiness is standing in a receiving line in India, meeting the Tibetan refugees, locals and pilgrims who come to see him. The line is endless. Two young nuns come before him. They have arrived in India only a few hours ago, surviving a long and dangerous trek from Tibet. They are clearly traumatized, but their devotion in seeing the Dalai Lama is palpable. His Holiness takes a few moments to greet them then starts to move on to the next person in line. Suddenly he turns his attention back to them and asks "Where are you staying?" Now all their exhaustion, all their barely contained trauma springs forward, "We don't know, we just arrived, we have no place to stay." They are sobbing uncontrollably. In the space of 3 seconds, The Dalai Lama calms them, motions to someone off screen, gives some commands, and tells the young women to follow this person. Not to worry now. They will be fed, sheltered and cared for.
