Journey to Hiroshima to see the Dalai Lama (video)

I just returned from seeing the Dalai Lama in Hiroshima and as promised I bring you pictures and videos of my journey! Seeing the Dalai Lama at a spiritual and beautiful site as the Daishoin Temple on Miyajima Island was unlike any other time I have seen him. In total, I have seen the Dalai Lama six times in my life – the first being in 1984 when I was a young child living near Seaside, Oregon. At that time, I was among two children randomly selected among a small Tibetan-Oregon community to be the first in Oregon to greet his Holiness as he exited a car to attend a speaking event at the Shilo Inn Hotel. This most recent event was as memorable I believe. Seeing the Dalai Lama speak in a small religious setting is no comparison to seeing him in an auditorium, this experience was truly unforgettable. An additional highlight of the day was listening to a Tibetan woman living in Japan sing. Speaking in both Japanese and Tibetan, Pema Yangchin charmed the crowd with her incredible voice and her passion to bridge the two countries. “I am a Tibetan first. Tibet is in my heart and I speak to you as a Tibetan daughter-in-law in Japan,” she said in fluent Japanese. According to Phayul.com, “Pema Yangchin sings and sells her self-composed albums in Japan to raise money for the schools she helped to build in Tibet, her homeland.” At the end of my video, listen to her voice yourself as she sings for the Dalai Lama! Regarding the Dalai Lama Buddhist teachings and message, he said: “Buddhism is more than a religion. It is a science of the mind” He added, thorough understanding along with proper investigation of Buddhist teachings help in training the mind. In addition, he said lasting happiness cannot be attained without inner peace. “And inner peace is possible through mind training, without which happiness, howsoever great, is fleeting and superficial.” “Spirituality is more than just observing rituals and chanting of mantras routinely. It also requires understanding the teachings in-depth, discipline and practice.” When asked a question about depression, he responded in English that young Japanese should travel the world and help developing countries and the less fortunate. And by doing so, you will see the positives of your life and feel a sense of fulfillment.