Happiness In Exile !

By Manuwant Choudhary

There is something about the Dalai Lama that endears him to the entire world, except China.

He said communist officials only believe in power of the gun and not the power of peace of mind.

In India he is popular and never fails to express his deep appreciation for India.

Ocasionally, he wants India to be greater.

But its his smile thats really infectious.

So he was in Kochi, Kerala, recently to talk on `The Art of Happiness', I thought this was a greater subject that Sr Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living.

And the Dalai Lama spoke on the rich Buddhist traditions and how Tibetans as a people were more compassionate and happier.

But are the Tibetans really happy? Why would there be so many self-immolations in Tibet?

Its clear Tibetans are not happy living under Chinese rule or even in exile. They want a home....their own home.

Back in Lhasa the Dalai Lama's source of happiness apart from Buddhism was this Zenith radio that kept him in touch with the outside world.

Still the Dalai Lama is an inspiration and his is what he said on Tibetan Medicine and how to be happy,

"It is symptomatic of Tibetan culture, which is a culture of peace, non-violence and compassion. He added that since the arrival in Tibet of the message of the Buddha, with its logically presented philosophical views, Tibetan society as a whole became more compassionate. He admitted that he too is someone who regularly takes Tibetan medicine and recalled that after an international medical conference convened in Tibet by King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century CE, Tibetan medicine had become much more effective, adding that there is still room for improvement.