Although impressions may suggest otherwise, the Dalai Lama has a comedic side, as Phillips Academy students recently learned. Around 150 Andover students traveled to Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium to see the Dalai Lama, when he visited the city last Saturday, May 2. During his speech, the Dalai Lama put on a New England Patriots cap and told everyone to bundle up from the wind. The Dalai Lama “surprisingly had a lot of comedic prowess,” said Brandon Wright ’11. Terrence Arjoon ’12 enjoyed hearing the Dalai Lama’s laughter. “He actually did make some funny jokes, but when he laughed I just wanted to give him a hug. He is such a happy man, and I really enjoyed his speech,” said Arjoon. In Foxboro, the Dalai Lama delivered two speeches, “Introduction to Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths” and “The Path to Peace and Happiness.” Emily Scoble ’11 said, “The Dalai Lama suggested various ways of attaining happiness through different religions and for non-believers. All of his suggestions were centered around a key theme of compassion.” Scoble said that it was memorable to see the Dalai Lama put on a Patriots cap and just watch him laugh. Anne Hunter ’10 said, “Being a Buddhist myself, I am always interested to hear what leaders of my religion have to say about what is going on in the world. To hear a Buddhist’s opinion on current events was really interesting and thought-provoking.” Hunter said that the Dalai Lama’s speech reminded her to keep an open and compassionate mind when dealing with people whom she dislikes or misunderstands.?? Hunter added, “His Holiness, despite his religious beliefs, is actually extremely interested in modern science.” Arjoon attended the Dalai Lama’s speeches to learn more about Buddhism and the application of its principles to his everyday life. “I learned a lot of about Buddhism and its basic beliefs. But I loved the second speech, which was about the path to happiness. The Dalai Lama basically said that the path to happiness is not to worry so much about material things and small troubles. I really agree with him,” said Arjoon. Cerella Gonzalez ’10 said, “I thought that hearing the Dalai Lama talk about the religion he leads would be the best way to really learn about Buddhism.” She continued, “I learned that no matter what, we have to feel compassion for all beings on different levels.” Gonzalez was most surprised when an audience member asked the Dalai Lama what Americans should do to alleviate the situation in Tibet with the Chinese government. `She added, “I thought that he would say we should help Tibet and that he would tell us about what the Chinese were doing in Tibet exactly and how the Tibetans felt about it. But, he actually did the exact opposite.” Andy Housiaux, Instructor in Relgion and Philosophy, organized the trip for the Andover students. The opportunity for Andover students to listen to the Dalai Lama speak was “truly a once in a lifetime chance,” said Housiaux. “[The Dalai Lama] is a Nobel Peace Laureate, a political leader and heir to the nonviolent tradition of Gandhi and King.” “I believe that we can learn a tremendous amount by simply being in the presence of remarkable people, and I thought to try and make this opportunity available to others who might be interested,” he continued. Housiaux became aware of the event from various Tibetan Buddhist centers in the greater Boston area and said that he received enthusiastic support from many administrators and faculty members, who made it possible to offer the Dalai Lama visit free of charge to students. “We had over 20 parent and faculty and staff chaperones. It was truly a team effort,” he said. Housiaux said he was particularly moved when the Dalai Lama emphasized common humanity. “He stressed that he and everyone else in the audience were the same; we all wish to be happy and free from suffering,” Housiaux said. “The people I spoke with seemed most touched by the humanity of the Dalai Lama himself: his bearing, his sense of humor, his down-to-earth nature,” Housiaux said. He continued, “I also spoke to other students who had studied Buddhism before and they were delighted to hear about compassion, universal responsibility, and the four noble truths from the Dalai Lama himself.” “I think the event exposed people to another way of viewing and understanding the world and also showed us that a lot of people—approximately 10,000 in the Boston area alone—have similar concerns as well,” he added. Housiaux said that the speech made him think more carefully about his responsibility to himself and to the people around him and question how he could make the world a better place. “The Dalai Lama’s emphasis on self-transformation and inner development is very powerful to me and is a strong reminder that changing the way I think and act can have a very real effect on myself and the world around me,” he said.
