Students Share Experiences of Meeting With His Holiness the Dalai Lama

New York, 29 October: On 18 September, His Holiness the Dalai Lama had a private meeting with five students of Nova Southeastern University, Florida.

Commenting on that meeting in The Knight, NSU newsletter, Dean Brad A. William, who was with the students, wrote, "One by one the students made me proud to be their Dean by asking rich, meaningful, and poignant questions."

"I will never forget the Dalai Lama's closing remarks. For a moment, his normal warm smile became an intense and purposeful look as he slowly began to gesture to each student. I am 69 years old,' he shared. I belong to the 20th century. But you [pointing to the students], you are of the 21st century and this century belongs to you. Do what you can to make a difference. You could have heard a pin drop," the Dean wrote.

"One student appeared somewhat overwhelmed emotionally. Another confided in me that this had been the single most important moment in his life. For me, I just had this overwhelming sense of pride; pride in my students, pride in my school, pride in the fact that education beyond the classroom was authentic and not just a marketing slogan," the Dean concluded.

We reproduce here the personal accounts of the students' experience:

Shruti Salghur: This experience has helped me look forward to a bigger and greater life filled with hope. It is amazing how simplicity can be powerful and complex and perceptive. The Dalai Lama exuded this simplicity in an overwhelming and humbling experience for me. Being part of the privileged few on the VIP student list that had the unique opportunity to personally engage the Dalai Lama himself was incredible. I remember the sudden gasp of breath that resonated in the stadium when the Dalai Lama made his initial entrance on the stage. It all seemed surreal, and as my eyes fill with tears I felt a surge of happiness and peace within me.

With the conclusion of his serious yet entertaining address to the crowd, the student VIPs, including myself, made our way past the secret services and the security guards into a quiet room. We introduced ourselves and shook His Holiness' hands. We each were given the opportunity to ask a question. As a student with a great passion and interest for the environment, I chose to inquire about his views on environmental issues in the developing countries and the various methods that would help enhance environment awareness.

He first stated that environmental education is a key ingredient toward raising environmental awareness. Second, he affirmed the need for understanding and taking into consideration the context in which environment degradation occurred. Therefore, in order to help sustain the natural resources, the government should play a prominent role facilitating proper training and education.

While many gathered for his blessings, I sat there thinking of "what have I done in my short life to have deserved such an unforgettable and enduring experience."

Since then, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's presence has continued to influence me in every decision that I make. This experience has helped me look forward to a bigger and greater life filled with hope. I want to genuinely thank Brad Williams and April Eldermire for making everything possible. Also, I would like to thank His Holiness for rejuvenating my life.

Meena Mahkijani: Before leaving I touched His Holiness' feet, a Buddhist and Hindu sign of deference, and that was an incredible honor for me to have done.

The single greatest experience of my life occurred on 18 September when I was one of five Nova Southeastern University students selected to have an audience with His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet.

He personally greeted each of us with great warmth and sincerity. He even remarked on "Tibetan dress," chuba, that I wore in his honour. The Dalai Lama sat in a circle with us, and wanted to know each of our names. He then posed to us a question that he received during the session in the main lecture. "What is your purpose here?"

As a first year medical student, I asked him about how medicine, especially Western Medicine, can provide the elevation of others. He indicated here, as well as in the public speech, that it takes more than just medicine to treat patients. His response included the idea that as physicians, we must be well first, and have strong and happy spirits in order to be able to treat others.

During the questions, His Holiness was extremely engaging and spirited. He laughed heartily and spoke directly to each of us. After the question, I showed him a red thread from an initiation by him that I had attended in Los Angeles in 1997. He blessed the thread for me. I also showed him an early autographed autobiography of my grandfather's, who was a diplomat of the Government of India in the 1960s. He was quite amazed that I had this item, and called over the members of his entourage to see it. They were happy to see it, and read the inscription that was in Tibetan, indicating the book was signed in 1969. His Holiness kindly signed the book for me as well.

The entire experience was an absolute dream-come-true. I moved to Fort Lauderdale from Los Angeles less than two months ago to begin my medical education at NSU, and to be so lucky to have such an experience so early is unbelievable.

Farheen F. Parvez: My name, Farheen, means "happiness" in Arabic. I will always remember to smile, and if people don't smile back, I will smile again. As I walked through campus, I noticed flyers and posters about the visitation of his Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama. I had heard of him before, but I was not exactly sure who he was or why he was famous. I was debating as to whether I should attend the event on 18 September. Luckily, I was one of the very few students from NSU who was selected to meet His Holiness.

Although I was pretty much melting for an hour due to heat, I can honestly say that the Dalai Lama's talk was worth it. He reinforced the universal message of peace, contentment, anger management, and happiness. It did not seem to me as if he was just lecturing for the sake of saying something. It felt as if he was talking to me directly. When I heard His Holiness speak, I could relate to him personally. From my own experiences, I have learned that happiness does not come from anything else but true satisfaction.

Although I have encountered disappointments and failures in life, I have learned to let things go. My mistakes and the mistakes of others have only made me a stronger and wiser individual.

After His Holiness finished his talk, I had the opportunity to see him personally. He rose from his seat to greet each of the five students and Dean Brad Williams. The Dalai Lama made himself comfortable and created a friendly atmosphere for us. We asked him various questions, and I asked His Holiness who the most influential people in his life were. He thought about it for a few moments and told me that his mother is someone he will never forget because she was always there for him.

He has deep respect for his teachers as well, and for the president of India that gave him refuge after he was exiled. His Holiness was humble and extremely kind. He had a great sense of humor, and his smile was definitely contagious!

Pya Chayanuwat: I was totally calmed and touched by his compassion and love. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for giving me the opportunity to meet His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama. I was nervous when I found out that we were going to have a private interview. However, during the whole interview, I was totally calmed and touched by his compassion and love.

His Holiness expressed the basic human inner values that promote a happy successful life, which is very dependent on our own inner strength and self-confidence. He mentioned that human affection is an example that no matter how powerful one individual is, his or her survival and successful life depend on others. Especially with today's modern economy, the environmental issues, and the technology, our world continues to become much smaller. In reality, we are heavily interdependent. He also discussed a sense of compassion, a sense of caring, and a sense of concern for others. These attributes would actually widen our mind. he also added that happiness comes from deep down inside, and not external facilities or external conditions.

Finally, if we try to increase these basic good human inner values and try to be a nice person, ultimately it will bring more happier days to our life.

April Eldemire: I left with a promise for the future. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a person that you read about in newspapers and books. A person who, when talked about, is said to be one of the most revered men in the world. Through all of this, I have always asked questions like, "What would it be like to meet His Holiness?" and ""What would I say to him if I had the chance?" Never in a million years would I expect to get the opportunity, and through the efforts of President Ray Ferrero, Jr. and Dean of Students Brad Williams, I had the opportunity of doing just that.

Most of the morning was a blur. I met with four other students in front of Goodwin Residence Hall, and drove to the VIP section of campus. Traffic was a challenge, and so we arrived a little later than expected. We were quickly ushered to our seats, filled with the anticipation of what was to come. His Holiness the Dalai Lama appeared and everyone in the crowd applauded with joy. His talk was captivating, and when it was over we were rushed to the Dalai Lama's private reception area. It was completely evident that His Holiness requested to speak to us specifically. To be able to bow in front of him in welcome and thanks was amazing. I was able to sit right next to him, ask him a question, and he addressed me personally. I was able to capture all of his features in detail and listen to him more intently. The most rewarding moment was when I laughed with him.

At the end of our time, he addressed us, the students, personally. I had the feeling that His Holiness the Dalai Lama felt he had a duty, or a calling, to meet with us.

His last few words were memorable. He told us that it is now our time. It is our duty to live life with concern and regard for all humankind. We have a responsibility to love ourselves, and in turn, love others. How profound! I left with a promise for the future. I will remember that day forever. It was the greatest experience of my life.

Report Courtesy - OoT, New York

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