The 71 year old Tibetan spiritual leader has announced his 2007 Australian tour dates and this time he’s going bush.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, a man selected at a young age for greatness and power could never have known he was set to lead a life in exile, unable to live with the people he had been entrusted to lead.
But separation from his homeland has only encouraged the Dalai Lama’s willingness to travel. And, at age 71, he’s still maintaining fast paced tours in an attempt to spread his message of peace, love and serenity to the world.
Dr Alan Molloy is a lucky man, entrusted as the tour manager of the nicest global star one could wish for. There will be no rock star antics to manage on this tour, no televisions thrown out of hotel rooms and definitely no tantrums. This is a dream job for Alan.
“I think it’s extraordinary, you would have to regard the Dalai Lama of Tibet as one of histories most fascinating people.” Dr Molloy says. “He captures people imagination, also to have him come to Australia is rare, but to then to think, ‘wow’ he’s going to take to effort to go to regional Victoria. It’s incredible and it’s a credit to the people in Bendigo that they’ve created the cause for this to happen.”
The Dalai Lama has confirmed he will present a talk at the site of the world’s biggest stupa in the western world, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo. Unfortunately the stupa is only part built and due for completion in 2010. Organisers hope the Dalai Lama will be able to return and bless the stupa on its completion.
“A 71 year old Tibetan is probably not going to be as good in health as a 71 year old Australia.” Molloy says. “But he’s in great health, he wants to travel, he wants to meet people and our goal is to get him to meet as many Australians as possible.”
So what is it like to meet the Dalai Lama, a man who must have the strongest facial muscles in the world to maintain that famous smile.
“Everyone has a different experience with the Dalai Lama. I suppose what it’s like is, it’s a bit of a shock for people to come across somebody who is totally sincere, totally honest and totally trustworthy.”
“It’s a shock because normally when we engage with people there’s a distance, there’s some concern or shyness or barrier. But with the Dalai Lama there’s no barrier and it can be very emotional. I’ve been in rooms with him with chancellor of universities and people just shake hands with him with tears welling up in their eyes. He contacts people at a very deep level.”
