Dear Friends,

Greetings from Ladakh. I feel fortunate to have made the journey and am thrilled to share with you all that occurred on the morning of August 9th when His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Siddhartha School.

It was a beautiful morning. Most of the villagers and many of the parents were busy on the road leading up to the Big Buddha Statue; they were all preparing for His Holiness’s  imminent arrival to bless the new monument. In that way, it was so intimate, so special, for the students at our school, who were able to have their visit without the large crowds that usually accompany His Holiness wherever he goes. The grounds were pristine. The faces of the children shone with anticipation as they clutched flowers and kataks (white offering scarves) in their small hands.

At 9 am, His Holiness arrived. He entered the grounds smiling as he walked along the deep maroon carpet, greeted by His Eminence Ganden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche, and Geshe Tsewang, Siddhartha School’s Director.
On behalf of all the staff, students and supporters, Director Geshe Tsewang Dorje welcomed His Holiness to the school, remarking that this was the third time they had been able to receive him. Geshe-la  thanked His Holiness for his continued interest and guidance. In his turn, His Holiness expressed deep appreciation for all those who for years have worked tirelessly at the school, as well as those who have given the school financial support.

His Holiness paused to admire our students engaged in the lively, traditional Buddhist debate taught in Tibetan and Ladakhi monasteries. Remarking that our students were doing a “very fine job,” he told everyone present that the debate tradition is quite useful for developing the rationality of the mind and critical thinking so crucial to real scholarship.

His Holiness was then escorted by Khen Rinpoche Before His Holiness was seated on the throne created in his honor, Khen Rinpoche showed him an exhibition of drawings and paintings from the Heroes Elevate Empathy Project, an international exhibition of hero portraits drawn by children (including Siddhartha students) of those who have inspired them and why.

After taking in the walls of heroes, many of whom are great advocates for world peace, His Holiness sat down and stressed that we must put forth great effort to create a compassionate society. He said, “The violence we see and hear about in many parts of the world today is rooted in our seeing people in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’. If we don’t overcome this way of thinking, it’s possible the 21st century will be an era of violence like the century before it. It is time for us to change this. The realistic way to create more peaceful human beings is not through prayer and religious teaching, but through education. We must use common sense to understand the destructive consequences of anger and stress. A sense of concern for others is what compassion means. It’s not something sacred; it’s a simple sense of concern for the well-being of others, including animals and insects.”

His Holiness then spoke directly to the students. He told them that to make the world a more compassionate place, effort must be applied in realistic ways. They must all develop their minds—through education and common sense—AND develop their hearts by being emotionally intelligent, sensitive to the needs of others, and our common desire to be happy. He pointed at the students and smiled, saying:

“Education is the key to sharpening the mind. With effort, we can make the 21st century more peaceful, and together create a happier world,” His Holiness told them.

It was most meaningful for our students to receive His Holiness’s wisdom, and this blessing was furthered when Khen Rinpoche gave him the very first copy of the premier issue of Siddhartha Speaks, the new alumni newspaper created last month by Siddhartha graduates and volunteers. To have His Holiness inaugurate the new publication by the Alumni Association was an auspicious beginning to the society’s first project together, and we are very encouraged by the great effort they have made. You can download Siddhartha Speaks, here to print or read on your device. 

Then, just as we thought His Holiness was ready to leave, he sat with all of us to read the newspaper! He said something like “Good, good,” as he perused the articles on social activism at Siddhartha School, Social-Emotional Learning Training at the school, and alumni interviews with such esteemed graduates as Tashi Laskit, who summited Everest earlier this year.

At the very end, before His Holiness left the stage, he mingled with a few of our guests. He spoke to me about the importance of sustaining and supporting the Tibetan Buddhist culture—for the sake of the children and the world, and how Ladakh and the Siddhartha School play a crucial role in his personal mission to promote peace and share Tibetan Buddhist culture with the wider world. His Holiness looked at the students and thanked our supporters for all that we do to help Khen Rinpoche's school. He said:

Khen Rinpoche was positively beaming throughout the event, and we all are still feeling the great blessing of His Holiness' presence.

Thank you for your continued support for Siddhartha School. It is only through your generous philanthropy that we can be witness to His Holiness the Dalai Lama praising our students. What a blessing to be assured by His Holiness that Siddhartha School is meeting his vision and objectives for Ladakh's Buddhist children as they step into the 21st century and help to create a more peaceful world.

With deep appreciation,

Sara Crisp
President
Siddhartha School Project