By The Spiritual Explorer | Published 29 June, 2016
Dear Spiritual Explorer: I feel so drawn to the picture of the Dalai Lama in the Dalai Lama Necklace at Ma’s India. Do you feel that this means that I am somehow connected to him? Lane P., Dearborn, MI
Dalai Lama Pendant
Dear Lane: Without attempting to trample unkindly on your wish to be somehow connected to the Dalai Lama, I can only say that many people feel the same way. This might have something to do with his desire to relieve the suffering of humanity as expressed in three commitments.
The First Commitment of the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama has stated that he has three commitments in life. On the level of a human being, his first commitment is the promotion of values such a compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. The Dalai Lama considers all human beings are the same. Even he refers to himself as but a simple monk even though the world views him as an extraordinary being. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values to make their lives happier. The Dalai Lama has stated that he is committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.
The Second Commitment of the Dalai Lama
Secondly on the level of a religious practitioner, the Dalai Lama’s second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding amongst different religious traditions. He feels that all world religions have the same potential to create better human beings, and it is important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other’s respective traditions.
The Third Commitment of the Dalai Lama
Thirdly, the Dalai Lama is Tibetan and carries the name of the Dalai Lama. Thus Tibetans place their trust in him and his commitment is to the Tibetan issue. He has often spoken of his responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice. The Dalai Lama has also said that as far as this third commitment, it would cease to exist once a mutually beneficial solution was reached between the Tibetans and the Chinese.
You are lucky to feel this strong connection to him; it says something about you and your own spiritual aspirations to be attracted to such an extraordinary spiritual person. What gives us all great hope in our own travels to become less worldly and more spiritual, is that even the Dalai Lama himself claims to be but a simple monk and still “progressing within himself.” Even though he has no outward spiritual pretensions, he talks about how he does have an understanding of “emptiness” and some of altruism, which he says, helped contribute to who he is.
And finally, most interesting to me, and the lesson to all of us, is that he speaks of how he is but playing out his karmic role to alleviate suffering. He feels his that his ability to do so also depends on the force of his wish to do so. To me this made me think of Christ whom some claimed had a choice as to whether to assume the mantle of “Son of God” before his crucifixion. It is interesting that even those who soar beyond our experience in terms of enlightenment might, as a human would, also experience doubt and choice.
Most moving is his prayer that he may remain removing humanity’s suffering, recognizing that wish not only in this lifetime, but acknowledging he also had that wish in past lifetimes.
We are fortunate indeed to have such a man in this incarnation with us and you are indeed fortunate to feel that connection. Trust it!
If you have a question about the “Dalai Lama,” or anything else, you can write me at Ask The Spiritual Explorer
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