After my pilgrimage in Mongolia, I headed to McLeodganj, a suburb of Dharamsala, India where I spent around three weeks in late June to early July. Notably, this is the home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and the most well-known community of Tibetans in exile.
Arriving in McLeodganj and Meeting with Tenzin Tsepag
I was quite excited as this is where His Holiness lives and I wanted to make offerings and dedicate my practice for his long life and fulfillment of his holy wishes. Further, I had been in contact with Tenzin Tsepag who is the translator for His Holiness, and set up a meeting with him. I actually met Tsepag back in Bodh Gaya, India in December 2022 as he is a close friend of one of my spiritual teachers. He is a very kind person and most Western people may not recognize his name at first, but if you are an English speaker, like me, you certainly have heard him speak when watching His Holiness’ teachings. He is an excellent translator and this helps people, like myself, have a full understanding of His Holiness' profound teachings. Tsepag was happy to hear from me and graciously allotted some time for us to meet while in Dharamsala.
I was so happy to see Tsepag again as he is a joy to be around and talk with. I also felt honored to visit with him inside the office building of His Holiness at the Main Temple in Dharamsala. It felt almost like going “backstage”. Our meeting was informal but he gave a bit over an hour so I am quite grateful as his position is very demanding. The first component of our visit was mainly my sharing about my pilgrimage in Mongolia and showing some photos. I also showed him a portfolio I received while in Mongolia that is filled with parts of thangkas, tsaklis (mini thangkas), tantric amulets, and pages from prayer books that survived the communist revolution and takeover in Mongolia. He found them interesting and was very helpful in even doing some short translations of words on the various papers to help me understand more about them.
After this, I explained and discussed this project to honor and preserve memories of the Khalkha Jetsun Dampa. I explained the premise and purpose of the project and asked for his guidance on anyone I should try to meet while in Dharamsala. He noted that the Jetsun Dampa was quite a humble teacher and it may be difficult to find much information on him, but encouraged the effort. I also noted how I was hoping His Holiness could contribute at some point as I feel his memories and perspectives on the 9th Jetsun Dampa are absolutely crucial. While there are a few tidbits here and there His Holiness has discussed I know there is more to be said and would hope to be able to capture it more as a story than isolated anecdotes. I noted any chance of me getting an interview would be unlikely and that I was hoping His Holiness could do something more to the effect of writing a foreword to a book (which he has done for numerous works).
Tsepag guided me on sending an email requesting a jelkha (Tibetan for a public audience with His Holiness). He noted that if I could get on the list to attend the daily audience His Holiness gives I could explain this project to him and Tsepag would help translate for me as he’d already be there. I really didn’t think I’d have the fortune to get a spot for jelkha— but I am not exaggerating the moment I sent the email and walked out of the office I was given information on when and where. I would be attending a public audience with His Holiness the next day… I was ecstatic. I have probably wanted to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama since I was about seven years old. I went out later that night in McLeod and got a nice traditional Tibetan shirt to wear for the audience.
Going to Meet His Holiness
On June 29th, I arose early and got to the temple at about 6:15 am to wait in line for the next couple hours along with around 250 other people- mainly Tibetans, but a few foreigners as well. I was given number 19 as my place in line. We all were brought into the temple courtyard and placed in groups. I was towards the front and placed in a group of only foreigners.
His Holiness was driven in with some monks and security on a golf cart. We were all standing with hands folded with our khatas. I tried to bow so deeply- I wanted to show as much respect and devotion to him as possible. I started tearing up and was in a dreamlike state, almost in disbelief seeing him so close in person.
I was then brought to His Holiness as part of my section. When it was my turn to approach him I got down on my knees, moved my mask off, and told him how I have wanted to see him my entire life and that he’s everything to me. I think the monks were a bit nervous because usually devotees just move through quickly and receive a kind pat on the head from His Holiness. I started to mention my initiative to commemorate the life of the 9th Khalkha Jetsun Dampa, but I think he was a bit confused at first and needed translation. I looked back and luckily Tsepag was there and quickly came to help translate for me. I don’t know a lot of Tibetan, but I understood enough. Tsepag explained I was a student of Thubten Chodron (an American nun and author of numerous books with His Holiness) and the recently passed Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche. I went on to say how I hoped His Holiness could someday contribute his memories as well and that I hoped this project pleased him. Tsepag then translated further. This all was so fast. His Holiness grabbed my hand and brought it to his cheek- I was so enamored with his holy face that’s all I focused on. Looking at him I felt almost the way one might look staring into the deep ocean. Seeing His Holiness I almost felt like it was a glimpse into infinity. I can definitely say his title, the Dalai Lama, is quite accurate as ‘dalai’ is Mongolian for ocean and His Holiness is most definitely an ocean of good qualities.
He just stared at me in my eyes in what felt like forever in a moment. I was grateful to be able to look upon him. I was a bit nervous and thought maybe he was seeing every bad thing that I’ve ever done and that I may have displeased him. A suiting Tibetan phrase is ‘ zi ji kyi zil gyi non pa’, meaning “frightened by his splendor”, which I later learned many others have experienced the same overwhelming yet blissful phenomenon.
His Holiness then pulled me in and hugged me and just held me there for a while. Maybe almost a minute it was a long hug and he held my hand. I was essentially crying but my eyes were so dry, no tears were leaving. He then brought me out of the hug, looked at me, and gave a sort of calm grandfatherly smile. Not his playful one, but something much deeper in meaning. I smiled back and walked back with hands folded to allow the next devotee to meet His Holiness.
We were then all rushed to take the group photo the office graciously provides. One attendant monk grabbed me and said “stand there stand by him and hold his hand”. I almost felt a bit selfish with how many blessings I was receiving. I grabbed His Holiness’ hand and held it firmly with deep love and devotion. His Holiness squeezed it even tighter before we left. We were then done with the photo and the moment was over and the next people to be blessed came. We were all quickly walking away and given a beautiful photo of His Holiness and blessed substances. I thanked Tenzin Tsepag as I was walking away and said how much I appreciated his help. He handed me a tissue and of course said it was no trouble- he is extremely humble. I just walked away feeling bliss. My eyes were somewhat tense from holding tears. But I love His Holiness the Dalai Lama more than anything and I’m glad I could finally see him and that he appeared pleased to hear about this project to commemorate the 9th Khalkha Jetsun Dampa.
I can honestly say this was a dream come true. It really has always been my foremost dream to meet His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama. I feel extremely blessed and fortunate for the experience. I am still also so shocked His Holiness gave me a hug. Many of my Tibetan friends later told me that was quite uncommon and they were a bit jealous. I think after the audience I feel a strong sense of fulfillment and great encouragement to continue this project and practice the Dharma.
-Cameron
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