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On September 12th, 2005, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to nearly 7,000 children in Hailey, Idaho, in an address entitled "Laying The Foundation For The Future".
Before the Dalai Lama spoke, a film was shown to the audience about a number of Idaho's compassionate children. His Holiness blessed these children for their compassionate natures and there was not a dry eye in the audience. The best way to spread compassion is to look into the eyes of our own children and let them speak to us on this important subject.
Dalai Lama Appears For Idaho Kids
By Gary Stivers
Monday, September 12, 2005
CLICK HERE TO READ CHILDREN MESSAGES OF COMPASSION
The leader of the Buddhist world spoke briefly with 6,000 to 7,000 Idaho children Monday, urging them to guide the 21st Century world into a century of peace and compassion.
A four-part motivational group took the stage half an hour before the Dalai Lama arrived, exhorting the group to take the idea of compassion into their hearts and tell the crowd how they have or would manifest compassion via microphone-equipped assistants patrolling the crowd.
As a five-minute sprinkling of rain led participants to pull their new white satin peace scarves over their heads, the Opera Idaho Children’s Chorus presented two songs before an audio-video montage portrayed children saying how they’ve reflected compassion and kindness in the real world. After just a couple minutes, the Dalai Lama and his entourage took the stage.
Heatherlands resident Julia Bowman approaches the Dalai Lama
In a ceremony sure to remain with the 18 kids, the Dalai Lama blessed the white scarf each child presented him, raised it to wrap it around their head and smiled as he embraced their hands.
Governor Dirk Kempthorne and First Lady Patricia Kempthorne formally welcomed the Dalai Lama, thanking him for agreeing to speak with Idaho Children.
The Governor and First Lady welcome the Dalai Lama
“Sitting in this setting in the beautiful Idaho mountains, to see the beautiful Idaho sky, to His Holiness I say the greatest joy for me personally is to show you our most precious resource,” Kempthorne said. “Those are our children. It was very important to me… (the governor waits for applause to subside) that this opportunity could take place.”
“It occurred to me this should be a call to arms,” Kempthorne said, “a call to mothers’ arms and fathers’ arms, to reach out and embrace your children, to let them know each and every day how much you love them. And that all of us as adults, to make sure that as we pass them walking in our neighborhoods, seeing them in a shopping mall, look into the eyes of a child, affirm to them they are important. That’s why it is important in bringing one of the most recognized figures in the world today that this opportunity was granted, that the children would have their time with the Dalai Lama.”
After thanking the governor for his gracious reception, the 14th Dalai Lama turned to the audience:
“In the past, on some occasions in meeting with children, generally of course children when I was young would say “I love these among the toys, some [figurines] fighting, I liked that! And also, of course, those in military uniforms, very smart.
“But when we actually express our deep feeling, peace, love, this often comes from young children. That, I think, shows basic human nature; love, peace, friendship, trust, honesty. I think deceiving, cheating or aggressiveness and fighting, these of course occasionally when our emotions becomes something heated, these things happen. But in normal conditions, I think basic human nature is more gentleness, more compassionate. I think that’s clearly shown by those young [children] [who were honored].
“So, I [am] often telling people, according to my beliefs, the 20th Century has become something like a century of bloodshed, a century of destruction. Now, the present century, the 21st Century, because of our past experience, now I think we should work hard and this century should be century of peace, century of dialogue. (Applause begins, Dalai Lama goes on.)
“In the previous century, you see, people tried to solve problems through war. That, I think, more or less failed. So now we, perhaps because of the past experiences, all the differences, conflict, should [be] solved through different ways, more human ways, of better dialogue. In order to develop dialogue, I think the key thing [is] to respect others’ rights, respect others’ views and try to sort of, gain a mutual benefit. I often tell people, according to this view of reality, a one-sided victory is impossible. Accordingly, the reality [is] we have to respect others’ views, we have to share others’ interests.
“So, who creates the new century, the Century of Dialogue? Not my generation. I belong, now over 70 years old, I belong to that Century of Bloodshed, ha, ha, ha, ha. So now the real shaper of this planet in the new century is you, these young people, young children.”
(Applause sustains for several seconds.)
“Now, including the governor and myself and I think also [Kiril] Sokoloff I think we now are ready to hand it over, all our responsibility to you, the you, the younger generation. So, even the stiffened older generation wants to keep their control, to carry the responsibility, the will. Some older people want to carry the full responsibility. (Gesturing at his body) This physique will not carry that, ha ha ha ha. There are the limitations and therefore the older people have to go. So the real responsibility now is lieing on the young people.
“Now I want a few words. As I mentioned before, those young people, very honest, may tell a small lie, but never tell a big lie. Ha ha ha. And they don’t care what is their background, whether rich or poor, this race or that race, this believer or that believer. So long [as] children play together and smile, all easily mix. Children consider the other as a human brother. So, therefore these here are of good quality of human beings. This you must keep.
“Usually, we human beings, as I mentioned before, our basic nature is more compassionate, more gentleness. And yet, when we grow up, our intuition, our brain [is] becoming much more sophisticated. Then sometimes we neglect our basic good quality of human beings. This should not happen. While you’re gaining more education, more knowledge and more experience, [to do so] without the expense of basic human quality, this I think is very important. Irrespective of whether you accept religion or not, these basic, human, good qualities is the foundation of humanity and the foundation of the individual’s happy future and happy family.
“So, therefore, remember these till you’re dead, these basic qualities of [the] human being, as you very clearly express in your essays. I think these [essays] are really very, very precious.
“So you already know that. Now [what’s] important is to get in your mind, no matter what circumstances, what’s important. Then, I think, the future of humanity then could be bright.
“In any case, the future of humanity entirely depends upon humanity ourselves. Of course, through prayer, I’m a believer. I’m [a] Buddhist monk. I do pray and also meditation, but at the same time, I do not believe everything, all we want, can materialize through sheer prayer and meditation. I think we have to work these two hands. So therefore, I think the proper motivation and education and self-confidence and [the] vision to think more important [the] long-term interest and common interest and to work hard.
“That much I want to tell you.
“So, I think [I’m] finished. Thank you.”
Nine minutes, 32 seconds elapsed as the Dalai Lama spoke.
Youth encouraged to lead peaceful, compassionate lives
By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer
His Holiness the Dalai Lama accepts a framed copy
for “Heart of Every Child,” a song written for his historic address.
Photo by Willy Cook
The children of Idaho grasped compassion this week with guidance from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Thousands of Idaho children gathered Monday, Sept. 12, for the spiritual leader's address, "Laying the Foundation of the Future," at the Wood River High School football stadium in Hailey. The special address encouraged youths to lead peaceful and compassionate lives into the next century.
Emphasizing that one person can change the world, the program began with four young hosts prompting the audience to share their ideas for random acts of compassion.
A host of the youngsters embraced the opportunity for sharing their ideas of compassion: "Smile at an older adult." "Give someone food when they forget their lunch." "Be quiet when a friend needs to talk." "Love your enemies as you would love your friends."
Following the children's thoughts on compassionate acts, further examples arrived with songs from the Opera Idaho Children's Choir and a video entitled "Universal Compassion."
A light rain momentarily sprinkled the crowd, until His Holiness arrived to the stage and the sun began to warm the audience.
The Dalai Lama first offered a special blessing to 18 young Idahoans. The children were selected for writing essays describing compassion or by receiving a nomination for an act of compassion.
Among those selected for their essays were John D., 16, of Ketchum; Julia B., 13, of Hailey, and Jackson L., 11, of Hailey.
In her essay, Julia wrote, "A soul that welcomes all people with open arms, new ideas with an open mind, and holds everything in the world close to their heart is compassionate and beautiful."
After an introduction from Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, His Holiness the Dalai Lama approached the microphone with his message.
With a warm grin, he began, "I think basic human nature is more gentleness, more compassion."
His Holiness continued that he viewed the 20th century as a century of bloodshed and destruction, and that he believed the 21st century would be one of peace.
He encouraged children to develop dialogue. "We have to respect others view," he said.
That responsibility fell to the young audience as he pointed to his muscles in jest and said, "We are ready to hand over all this possibility to you."
"Play together, smile together," he said.
He stated compassion takes work, not purely prayer and mediation.
After finishing his speech, His Holiness returned to the microphone to explain the symbolism of the white scarves given to all in attendance.
"I give you a symbol of respect," he said.
"I see a symbol of unity. Tradition from India. Material from China. Practice by Tibetans."
He explained that the symbolism of the scarf—white for pureness and the smooth texture for a purity of heart—encourages gentle compassionate actions.
Demonstrating acts of compassion as he left the venue, the Dalai Lama offered a special blessing to a Native American girl in a wheelchair. He then paused with the crowd extending his hands to those seeking individual blessings in a final gesture of compassion.
Special blessing...
Eighteen Idaho students were selected by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to receive a special blessing from His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his address to children on Monday.
Idaho students selected for their essays on compassion were:
John D., 16, Ketchum
Candice R., 16, Boise
Justine D., 17, Boise
Amelia J., 12, Boise
Hayden F., 12, Boise
Tsering T., 14, Meridian
Teresa B., 11, Hidden Springs
Kate C., 12, Boise
Kevin R., 13, Eagle
Julia B., 13, Hailey
Jackson L., 11, Hailey
Idaho students nominated by an adult for acts of compassion were:
Jackie S., 15, Boise
Erin C., 16, McCall
Cody W., 18, Boise
Alex S., 15, Boise
Zachary Z., 12, Boise
Clay L., 12, Boise
Katrina S., 6, Marsing
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