The Dalai Lama visited the National Institute of Health (NIH) on March 7 to crowds of people from the NIH. Rich McManus writes that “…it was the Dalai Lama’s laughter—a sudden, prolonged, heartfelt and guttural chortle—that disarmed the room.” I am sure you are familiar with the Dalai Lama’s disarming laughter 🙂 !
McManus went on to say,
The laugh came frequently, too—a sort of instructive laughter-in-italics that implied permission to laugh along. It was the laughter of the barbershop, the kitchen, the loading dock—worksite laughter that bonds colleagues and widens the plank all sentient creatures walk. [Read More…]
Photo: Ernie Branson
One of the topics the Dalai Lama spoke on ws the role of science in human flourishing. He has always been interested in science since he was a child. He loved to take things apart and put them back together again. You can read about this in his book, The Universe in a Single Atom, which I have listened to many times, each with new insights.
He enjoys how scientists seem to ignore faith, race, color, or international boundaries to cooperate on the advancement of science.
Not all science is good, however. The Dalai Lama said, “Nuclear weapons create a lot of fear…Genuine peace must come from love, not fear.”
He also stated, ““You might be a wonderful scientist, but not necessarily a very happy person,” implying that stress, competitiveness and jealousy can poison scientific pursuit. “Scientific knowledge alone will not bring inner peace.”
Inner peace must be discovered in oneself and this happens when we rely on our innate goodness, wisdom, and compassion.
He answered questions on the basis of consciousness, altruism, and generosity. He made it clear that he rejects the division between Buddhism and science. Buddhism focuses on mind and emotion, not good versus evil.
Do you think the Dalai Lama’s disarming laughter is the most charming thing about him? If not, what is? Please share.
This book has so much good information about the meeting of Buddhism with science that everyone should read it. The audio recording, which I listen to often, is narrated by Richard Gere.
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