Alyson Oüten
KETCHUM – The Dalai Lama’s stay in Idaho is nearly over, but a lasting memento from this historic visit will soon be open to the public.
It is a hand-painted prayer wheel designed to spread compassion.
NewsChannel 7’s Alyson Oüten was there today as prayer wheel was blessed.
Unlike the other events we’ve covered over the past several days, this was a small, invitation-only event, and for many of us a chance to get up close and personal with the Dalai Lama.
As the Dalai Lama entered this newly constructed zen garden in Ketchum, he first passed by family members, his brother, niece and nephew who flew in from Seattle to see His Holiness.
And then a surprise, a hand extended to me as the Dalai Lama walked toward the centerpiece in this garden of infinite compassion.
This prayer wheel was crafted by Tibetan artisans and brought to the Wood River Valley as a gift from Kiril Sokoloff, a local businessman who organized and funded the Dalai Lama’s visit.
“This will be left here in the valley to commemorate His Holiness’ visit and will send prayers over and over and over again,” said Sokoloff.
Inside this brightly colored drum are more than a million prayers. As a flowing stream spins it around, Buddhists believe those prayers are released into the universe.
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In his native tongue, the Dalai Lama blessed this wheel by chanting a Tibetan mantra.
His family and other Buddhists in the crowd knelt in ritual prayer. The Dalai Lama’s nephew said it is their belief this ceremony paves the way for more kindness to be spread around the globe.
“When this particular one is blessed by His Holiness it gives more meaning for us to go around it and try and pray for more compassion in the world,” said Tenzin l. Choeguial, Dalai Lama’s nephew.
Even though Tenzin is related to the Dalai Lama, he says his family does not treat His Holiness as you or I would treat a relative. His childhood designation as the 14th Dalai Lama elevated this monk beyond family ties.
“I don’t really think of him as an uncle that much, but more of as what other Tibetans do as a leader and as a spiritual head,” said Tenzin.
Whenever the Dalai Lama is in the U.S. his family travels to see him and to expose the next generation to the spiritual and cultural ways of Buddhism.
One of the final events is being staged in Ketchum tonight. It is a charity event to benefit teachers in the Wood River Valley who cannot afford housing here.
The band “Hootie and the Blowfish” took time off their U.S. tour to perform at the event.
Tickets were $550 per person or $1,000 per couple. Some celebrities like Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong were expected to attend.
