THE SPIRITUAL LEADER of Tibet is kicking off his first visit to Ireland in 20 years by delivering a speech at a conference in Dublin this morning.
The exiled Tibetan leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate will address a crowd of about 2,000 people in Saggart, Co Dublin this morning on the issue of universal responsibility – a philosophy which he has explained as the development of “an attitude of mind whereby, when we see an opportunity to benefit others, we will take it in preference to merely looking after our own narrow interests”.
He has commented before that an important benefit of developing such a sense of universal responsibility is that “it helps us become sensitive to all others – not just those closest to us. We come to see the need to care especially for those members of the human family who suffer most”.
A dedicated follower of non-violence and tireless worker for inter-religious understanding, the Dalai Lama has also endeavored to promote environmental responsibility for many years.
Former President Mary Robinson will also attend the conference, which was organised by three NGOs: human rights group Afri, children’s charity Children in Crossfire, and youth group SpunOut.ie.
The Dalai Lama is due to visit Kildare town at 1.30pm, where he will say a prayer at St Brigid’s Church of Ireland Cathedraland address the crowd at St Brigid’s Catholic Church, RTÉ reports. He will also speak at Limerick University in the coming days.
It is the Dali Lama’s third visit to Ireland.
In case you have the good fortune to bump into His Holiness while he is on Irish soil, we’ve put together a list of questions you might like to ask – or not to ask:
Five things to ask the Dalai Lama:
1. What advice do you have for those who are stigmatised and ridiculed for their beliefs?
2. I believe in karma, does this mean that I have no free will?
3. If somebody has hurt me, how do I show them kindness back?
4. Why does such unfairness exist in the world?
5. In an increasingly interdependent world, how can different cultures and religions exist in harmony?
Five things NOT to ask the Dalai Lama:
1. Does being a theocrat give you bad karma?
2. Are you going wear that to the club?
3. What’s the best way to score chicks?
4. What’s your favourite cocktail?
5. Why can’t the Dalai Lama vacuum under the couch?
(Wait for it… )
Because he has no attachments! *cymbal crash*
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