By Tsering Tashi (Office of Tibet, London)
LONDON, July 15 – The two-week long photo exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama concluded here yesterday evening at Hoopers Gallery with a talk on Compassion by Geshe Lobsang Thinley and dismantling of the colourful sand mandala created by visiting Tashi Lhunpo monks from South India.
“Compassion is important for everyone. It helps to reduce negative emotions, such as anger, hatred, and jealousy”, said Geshe Thinley, who is the resident Tibetan Buddhist teacher at the Bristol-based Lamrim Buddhist Centre.
He also told the audience of about 100 people that it was essential to practice “loving kindness” toward all sentient beings and paying back the kindness and understanding shown by other people to oneself.
“We cannot claim to practice compassion if we are not friendly with our neighbours”, said Geshe Thinley with a laugh to emphasise the two contradictory situations.
Speaking briefly on meditation, Geshe Thinley said that the main purpose of practicing meditation is “to reduce delusion” and to familiarise with objects of compassion. Citing the example used by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the teachings in Glasgow last year in June, Geshe Thinley said that meditation does not mean simply closing eyes and sitting quietly, which, rabbits do very well.
“Therefore it is better to first learn about compassion and meditation and then put them into practice”, said Geshe Thinley, adding that “whether believer or a non-believer, we all must behave morally and ethically and share the responsibility to help our fellow human beings”.
The photo exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, organised by the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan Community in Britain, and which the noted British actor/writer and travel journalist, Michael Palin, opened on 1 July, attracted many Londoners and people from outside London. The comments in the visitors book ranged from remarks such as, “His Holiness is truly an inspiration in these difficult times” written by Liam Brannan from Bucks, to “I felt the radiance of peace” penned by London-based S. Baichoo.
Mrs. Lhakpa Pemba, who along with her husband Tsewang Pemba, had volunteered to take care of the book stall at the exhibition venue on behalf of the Office of Tibet, described how they felt encouraged by the public response to the photos as well as the sand mandala that the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery monks had begun creating a few days after the launch of the exhibition.
“Everyone who came said they felt a presence on seeing His Holiness’ photos. About the sand mandala, it is fascinating. Having seen it being constructed and now dismantled, I realise how everything in life is not permanent and has to go one day”, said Mrs. Pemba with a certain sense of emotion.
For Ms. Debi Christie, who works in the Education Department of the British government, said the creation of the beautiful sand mandala and its dismantling which she had observed, could not have come at a more appropriate time.
“I am very touched that it is happening at a time when London is faced with the consequences of the tragic bombings. It is time people realise that apart from material gains we must also try to focus on spirituality in order to lead a better quality of life”, said Ms. Christie, who had come to attend the concluding function from Croydon in South London.
Kachen Lobsang Tuskhor, the senior Tashi Lhunpo monk who with an assistant created the sand mandala, was a relieved man after having lead the prayers and dismantled his own wonderful work, against the backdrop of the photographic exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“With the successful conclusion of the exhibition, I now feel happy because this is the first time in Europe that we have created the Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion) sand mandala and this too during His Holiness’ 70th birthday. At first it was difficult because we were only two monks working on it. But I feel really honoured to do this”, said Ven. Tuskhor.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is believed to be a manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion or Chenrezig in Tibetan. While creating the sand mandala, Ven. Tuskhor also could not move his eyes from all the photos on display and admire how his spiritual and temporal leader has worked all these years for Tibet and humanity.
“The photo exhibition on His Holiness is very moving. It is amazing to see so many varied photos of His Holiness in one room. They show how much His Holiness has worked not only for Tibet but also to promote inter-religious harmony and world peace. It is really encouraging”, said Ven. Tuskhor, whose Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in South India is the exile headquarters of the young Panchen Lama, whose fate and whereabouts the Chinese authorities have yet to clearly spell out despite repeated show of concern by the international community.
Mr. Stephen Overy from Kent felt that the exhibition has been successful in presenting the life story of the Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate from his childhood to the present time.
“The exhibition is very well presented. It tells about His Holiness’ life and the important spiritual and political figures that have met him, and how widely he has travelled and what a part in history he has played. He has played a very significant part in spreading the message of compassion and non-violence in the world”, said Mr. Overy who works for the Temenos Academy, which last year invited His Holiness to London to give a public talk on “A Human Approach to World Peace”. Prince Charles, with the former Indian High Commissioner, Dr. L.M. Singhvi, introducing His Holiness to the audience of more than 2000 people, had also attended the talk held at the Westminster Central Hall located near the parliament.
For students like Ivishin Lkhasuren, the photo exhibition on His Holiness has been an eye-opener and a learning experience. Like other Mongolians, she too worshipped and considers His Holiness the Dalai Lama as her spiritual guru. However, apart from the religious side she admitted not knowing much about His Holiness until the last day of the exhibition to which she had managed to find her way.
“Today I feel very lucky. It is my lucky day to see the mandala and the photo exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. From the photos I now know much about the Dalai Lama and Tibet. Before I didn’t know all this”, said Ms. Lkhasuren, who is studying in London.
