An Audience With the Successor to The Dalai Lama

I have been home for a few days and the more I reflect on my short time in India, the more I realize how fortunate I was that my travels were not with a tour group but with Doug and Kristen. Doug's knowledge of the country and his ability to arrange and organize our itinerary and travel plans seemed effortless on his part (and I assure you what seemed capricious and effortless took a lot of hard work and planning) and provided us with "out of the box" travel experience's.

Doug was aware of the fact THE KARMAPA was giving an audience/blessing at The Gyuto Monastic University in Dharmasala. The Karmapa, is a 24 year old monk, a refugee, a political hot potato, a ray of hope for all Tibetans and the Dalai Lama's hand-picked successor. The Dalai Lama has chosen this young lama to succeed his as a political leader and the face of Tibet after his death.

The three of us went to Dharmasala and after registering passports (D and K did not have their's with them, but Doug's Hindi impressed the Indian Police Security Head and he allowed them to get in line with the assembled group, mostly Asians who were waiting to present the ceremonial white scarf (Khata)as well as gifts ranging from cookies to envelopes containing money to the Karmapa. We had to check our cameras, go through metal detectors and oh yes.....got patted down again! The security of the Karmapa is provided by his own security people but also by the Indian government.

We individually presented our khata's; he in return gave them back to us, blessed us and also gave each of us a red string (my simple explanation - I am uncertain of the correct name) which is given as a symbol of strength and blessing, Tibetans believe once tied on to your wrist or neck it should not be removed until it wears itself thin and falls off your body. If you ever see photographs of Tibetans or even The Dalai Lama look at the wrist.....you will most likely see one or two of these strings.

If you are interested: The May 2010 Indian edition of GEO magazine has an excellent article about the New Face of Buddhism and the Karmapa.