The Dalai Lama speaks in an engaging sing-song
English. He is within his temple, we are outside in
The gentle Himalayan sun, but he’s visible on a live
Feed, direct to plasma screen. Several hundred monks,
Tourists, devotees and merely curious are seated on
Paving stones. It seems likely that many of the Tibetans
Not sporting the simultaneous translation headsets
Cannot understand the teacher’s words, but still they sit,
Attentive, intrigued, clutching beads, shoeless, gleaning
Meaning from the sound of his voice alone as he talks of
Motherhood, young cats, and the value of emotional balance.
Monks carry giant pewter tea pots. Old hands take mugs
From backpacks, hold them out to be filled.
+++
No comments:
Post a Comment