In our modern-day times the words “wisdom” and “compassion” aren’t necessarily used in the same sentence, but, perhaps, they should never be separated. Two local doctors set out last month to embrace the Dalai Lama’s teachings of “The Heart Sutra” and discovered that when it comes to global truths, the mind and the heart are one.
“To meet the challenges of our times, I believe that humanity must develop a greater sense of universal responsibility,” states His Holiness the Dalai Lama (HHDL). “Each of us must learn to work not just for the benefit of our own individual self, family of nation, but for the benefit of all mankind.”
Before we go any deeper into this story, let’s travel back a bit to the reign of the first Dalai Lama who served from 1391 through 1474, Gendun Drup. Drup was born and trained to be a shepherd, but took his full vows at age 20 to be a monk. During his reign, he founded two major monasteries and wrote four significant works. He died at age 84 meditating and 14 Dalai Lamas followed up to the present day HHDL, Tenzin Gyatso.
It is stated that the Dalai Lama is a Buddhist leader of religious officials of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word “Dalai” meaning “ocean” and the Tibetan word “Blama” (with a silent b) meaning “chief” or “high priest.” “Lama” is a general term referring to Tibetan Buddhist teachers. In religious terms, the Dalai Lama is believed by his devotees to be the rebirth of a long line of tulkus who descend from the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.
Traditionally, HHDL is thought of as the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn, in order to enlighten others.
So, for local doctors, David Zamikoff and Michael House, from the Natural Healing Arts Medical Center in Bradenton, to be invited to Bloomington, Indiana, to spend three days with the Dalai Lama during his United States tour was quite enlightening.
Zamikoff met HHDL in 1999 while lecturing in Cape Town, South Africa, and he said they have kept in touch over the years.
At the conference in Indiana, the Dalai Lama was teaching “The Heart Sutra,” which is considered by many to be the most popular of all Buddhist scriptures that also included a public talk on “Facing Challenges with Wisdom and Compassion.”
Money raised from the event that the doctors attended went to a cancer care hospital for Mongolian children in Mongolia. The funds will help to provide in one facility all of the services of diagnosis, chemotherapy and surgery.
Zamikoff and House said they had several one-on-one opportunities with HHDL, and they were able to discuss both local and global issues.
Below are questions and answers Zamikoff shared after his chat with the Dalai Lama.
1. Describe your relationship with the Dalai Lama since meeting him in 1999 ?
After my initial meeting with the Dalai Lama in South Africa, I was scheduled to spend 20 minutes with him, we connected and as it turned out, I spent the entire day with him and we had time together the following day. I have been able to sporadically keep in touch via email. I was invited to India and just never made the trip.
2. What was the most meaningful part of your trip to Indiana ?
The trip to Indiana was very experiential, it is not necessarily the words that were spoken and lessons learned, but the experience to be in the presence of a spiritual leader that had the most impact. It is an incredible feeling when you are in a room full of Buddhist monks, and he enters the room with such a different energy.
You can actually feel a shift in the room. Most of all, he is a very genuine compassionate but down to earth human being, and he conveys that with just about everything he says. He finishes every serious moment or discussion with a joke or lighthearted comment. You can’t help but just smile or laugh when he is around you.
3. What will you take from this experience regarding your own practice ?
In one word, compassion. At times, trials and tribulations of daily practice get in the way and as a doctor it is easy to forget that people are in my office because they are hurting and are not only in need of help but require the most basic fundamental desire for someone to understand what they are dealing with and to provide them with a solution.
4. If you could convey one important message that was taught, what would it be ?
I would quote HHDL, “In a negative situation, do not destroy the possibility of positive change.” That quote is easily understood but requires some work to really practice in your daily life. It is very difficult when faced with negative situations to see that something positive may result. It requires one to develop mutual respect for all others and that is not always an easy task. Again, it is extremely powerful sitting with a human being that not only practices what he preaches but is.
Zamikoff and House can be reached for further discussion at the Natural Healing Arts Medical Center, located at 2215 59th Street West, in Bradenton. They can also be reached via phone by calling (941) 761-4994.
Author : Erica Newport
Source : http://www.thebradentontimes.com/
