Torero Life Abroad: Meeting the Dalai Lama in India

Torero Life Abroad: Meeting the Dalai Lama in India

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

INSIDE USD — During the summer, 60 students and faculty from the University of San Diego embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they travelled to India to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The impetus for this study abroad trip was an invitation from His Holiness to students from San Diego State University, University of California, San Diego, and USD to visit his home in Dharmashala, India where the Tibetan people have lived in exile for the past 50 years. USD’s Elizabeth Creech, a fourth-year student and Sociology major, was one of the participants. Follow along as she shares a firsthand account of her experience.

Adventures in India

When we arrived in Dharmashala I was struck by the beauty of the city. Nestled in the foothills of the Dhauladhar Mountains, the city is filled with crisp, cool air and lots of trees — a sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of India’s megacities.

On our first night in Dharmashala, we received a last-minute invitation from the Dalai Lama’s personal emissary of peace, Lama Tenzin, to attend the 80th birthday celebration of His Holiness, a truly once-in-a-lifetime invitation.

The Dalai Lama’s Birthday

When we arrived at the private residence of His Holiness early the next morning, we went through a series of security checkpoints, and found ourselves surrounded by a sea of Buddhist monks, press members, school children, and local villagers. I thought our group would merely be members of a large crowd. Instead, the Venerable Lama Tenzin Dhonden, the personal emissary of peace for His Holiness, had reserved front row seats for us. We sat on the floor cross-legged while we waited for the ceremony to begin.

After what felt like ages, a motorcade drove up and produced His Holiness without announcement or fanfare. As he was walking down the procession, a security guard entered from the shadows and quietly asked me if we were the students from San Diego. “Yes,” I replied. He nodded in response and walked straight to the Dalai Lama, whispering something in his ear.

Singing in the Streets

Suddenly, His Holiness changed course, walking directly over to me and giving me his hand, cheerfully proclaiming, “Welcome!”

I was dumbfounded. The Dalai Lama was grinning from ear to ear, laughing his signature laugh, and holding my hand!

In my overwhelmed state, I managed to squeeze out, “Happy Birthday, Holiness!” He laughed even harder, looked around at all of us, and exclaimed, “You should sing to me!” There was no way we could say no to His Holiness, especially on his birthday, so we all burst into song and were quickly joined by the entire crowd. The air was filled with singing and I couldn’t help but smile. It was an incredible moment that I will not soon forget.

Inspiration and Changing the World

We had a perfect view of the entire birthday celebration, which included everything from speeches by political dignitaries to traditional cultural performances.

The following day all of the students from San Diego had a private audience with His Holiness where we had the opportunity to ask him questions, covering topics that ranged from the implications of technology to the implementation of secular ethics in education.

He shared a message of compassion, kindness, and simplicity as he charged our generation with the responsibility to bring positive change to the 21st century. I feel so privileged to have met the world’s leading advocate for peace. Since leaving India, I have felt empowered to make a difference in our world.

— Elizabeth Creech ‘16

Photos provided by Elizabeth Creech

Contact:

International Center
international@sandiego.edu
(619) 260-4598