The Lama Comes to Hanover

by Bradford Stanley

The Dartmouth Review: So who are you?

Rinpoche Lama: I am a Tibetan.

TDR: Uh-huh...

Lama: Lama.

TDR: Why are you speaking in Hanover?

Lama: I was requested to come to Hanover, New Hampshire... to give teachings... ah... by a student there, so I am coming there to lead the seminar, in hoping that ah this will benefit people in Hanover, and around there....

TDR: Right, because meditation in Hanover benefits everyone around the world. Am I right? Am I reading this wrong?

Lama: Absolutely. How you carry yourself in your life, what kind of dignity you have, what kind of confidence you bring in your life... what kind of, you know, compassion... you generate from your being... is the key... for world peace... and happiness.

TDR: Right. I gotcha. So what I would do, in my meditation would affect someone in Burundi, for example...

Lama: mm hmm.

TDR: Right. The United States is not exactly a haven for Buddhism, why are your worldwide operations based in western Massachusetts? Is that right, the Berkshires? Why'd you pick western Massachusetts? Cuz I went to high school in western Massachusetts, and...

Lama: Where?

TDR: In Deerfield.

Lama: Oh, yeah. It's beautiful.

TDR: Yeah, and it sure is beautiful, but I don't know, I would think western Massachusetts would be kind of out of the way...

Lama: Oh. Uh, why?

TDR: Well, because, you know, there's not much there. Greenfield's not a pretty town.

Lama: Well, there's lots of people, you see.

TDR: Oh yeah, cuz you can help the people, with meditation. Yeah, I gotcha. I'm a little slow, sorry. So you're just kind of based out of there. Is there a lot of competition on the speaking circuit?

Lama: If there is I have not noticed, because....

TDR: Right, so there aren't a lot of other Lamas...

Lama: Oh there are lots of Lamas.

TDR: But are they trying to get the same speaking engagements as you?

Lama: I don't think so because everybody has their own students.

TDR: Oh, their own method. You're specializing. What's your specialty, in comparison to someone else?

Lama: I have no idea.

TDR: You don't have a specialty. OK, I'm sorry if I'm coming off as real dumb here, cuz... I don't know much about Buddhism. The only thing I know is the Dalai Lama, cuz he's like the most famous Buddhist in the world. Or the most famous Buddhist that I know. Do you have any association with the Dalai Lama?

Lama: The Dalai Lama is eh... our political leader.

TDR: He's your political leader. Of just one Tibetan Buddhism sect or all four?

Lama: He is mainly a leader of one Buddhist sect. But he, also, you know...

TDR: Is that one of the Buddhist sects you were trained in?

Lama: No. But he is respected... by all... you know, other...

TDR: So you've never met the Dalai Lama?

Lama: I met several times.

TDR: Oh, have you?

Lama: Yeah.

TDR: You ever go golfing with him?

Lama: I don't know he knows how to golf.

TDR: He's not a big golfer?

Lama: Do you think he knows how to golf?

TDR: Yeah, well I heard he was like a big hitter, but maybe not, I don't know, just some movie I saw... could be wrong.

Lama: You believe in movie, everything you see?

TDR: I believe almost anything I see in the movies.

Lama: Really?

TDR: Yeah.

Lama: Is that... why is that?

TDR: I'm not a smart guy. I don't know, it's just one of my favorite movies, “Caddyshack,” have you ever seen that?

Lama: Movie means illusion. If you believe in illusion, then what happens to you?

TDR: Then I'm basically an illusion. Maybe I should come... where's this conference, I think I need a lot of help. Now is this movement just in the United States or in the world?

Lama: All over the world. And for instance, even these days, like Hollywood y'know... is very aware of spiritual matters.

TDR: Right, they did that movie...”Kundun”

Lama: “Kundun,” and “Seven Years of Tibet,” and there are lots of documentaries and eh, Hollywood and the stars, they come to teaching....

TDR: Yeah, like Richard Gere and all the...

Lama: Ohh Sharon Stone and...

TDR: Yeah, Sharon Stone. She's a hottie.

Lama: You are really a college kid.

TDR: Yeah, I sure am.

Lama: You like Sharon Stone [spastic laughter]

TDR: Yeah, “Basic Instinct,” that's one of my favorites.

Lama: What you like about the “Basic Instinct” [more spastic laughter]

TDR: You bet. That's a fantastic movie.

Lama: So, I think it is an ahh, an awakening right now everywhere.

TDR: One last question. Do you think the United States government should do anything in Tibet, or should we just kind of... wait and pray and try and leave things alone?

Lama: The United States government is already doing...

TDR: Are they doing?

Lama: Yeah, many great things. Whatever they can, and I know the United States government will do... because, United States government is an intelligent government, not a stupid government.

TDR: Yeah, there are some stupid ones out there.

Lama: Therefore, every government in the world... will come together and help... and as the situation permits... and I think we should not give up, and we should keep trying to... you know, bring peace in the world, harmony in the world... and liberate everyone from suffering. So I think, you know that is our... ideal, so we cannot tell people what to do each and every situation, but generally if we have a great heart, a loving and caring heart, and we understand the situation in the world, how people are suffering, and I”m sure United States government will do, and the rest of the world will do... and everything will come together, when we achieve this peaceful heart.

TDR: Yeah. That's good. Nice. OK, great, thanks a lot for your time and I think this is coming out before the conference, so this should be good publicity, hopefully. Well good luck.

Lama: Well thank you and I hope this will benefit many people.

TDR: Yeah, so do I.

Lama: Thank you for your effort.

TDR: Great, thank you very much.

Lama: OK, sleep well.