About a dozen years ago, I was allowed to sit in the corner of a room in the home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, a room where day after day he opens his home to receive guests from all over the world. On this particular day, I observed His Holiness welcome a wealthy Indian gentleman and his family from Bombay. After forty five minutes had passed and all had talked and laughed about, both the little and big questions of life, the patriarch of this well-dressed family asked the Dalai Lama if he would be so kind as to bless him and his family before they went on their way. To my surprise, His Holiness put off the request. He said, “Who am I to bless you? I am the same as you, no better, no worse. And you are the same as I, a human being with many of the same wants and needs, just two simple friends who seek happiness and some answers to the mysteries of life. If, however, you wish to feel blessed, please return to Bombay and when you arrive, work with all those around you who have so little and suffer so much. In doing so, you will feel blessed in return.”
Menu