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Any Toronto 'liters interested in seeing the Dalai Lama?

sine

13:34 / 18.04.04

One of the greatest living spiritual leaders in the world is in Toronto from 25 April into May sometime (with prior stop in Vancouver and post in Ottawa). Not sure how much public exposure Toronto the Good will see, since I understand the ritual of the impermanent sand mandala (which name escapes me) is being performed. Sounds like it might be the last North American visit for a while. Anyone interested in seeing, discussing?

Abigail Blue

12:00 / 19.04.04

Kalachakra, the ritual's called.

Here's the official website: Clickety clickety.

Be warned: daily tickets, which can now only be purchased onsite at the National Trade Center, cost $90!!! For the whole 11 days, it's upwards of $500. Unless you're an ordained member of a sangha, that is. Which you're not.

If I come into town, maybe we can sneak in. 'Cause, really, would the Buddha have charged $90/day to watch him spread world peace? I think bloody not. But I'm sure the Dalai Lama has a good reason for it, although the FAQ doesn't have a "Why does this cost so much?" section...

Abigail Blue

12:11 / 19.04.04

For anyone who's interested, here is a selection of the teachings of Kalachakra, in pdf. It took forever to load.

Maybe this belongs in Magick, er, the Temple? That is, if anyone other than me is interested in discussing this...

mushanti

17:12 / 19.04.04

Regarding cost, here is my theory/idea behind why its so expensive:

The Dalai Lama wants to get his message out and heard. So there is a spot that is arranged for him that can house as many people as possible, this space ends up being expensive to host and prepare. And so there is an initial cost.

Then there is the idea of "You get what you pay for." The Dalai Lama is probably playing on this idea and would like others to value what he has to say.

People in general are very materialistic and if they pay less, they expect less, and value what they have... less. If something costs more, they are more likely to value it and hold it close. And so charging more money for important teachings is useful. Its an aid to outline its importance.

Abigail Blue

18:05 / 19.04.04

I see your point, mushanti, and didn't mean to imply that the Dalai Lama was out to make a huge profit from this event.

I think I'd have to disagree with you, though. It costs a lot of money to rent the Sky Dome, sure, but Tibetan Buddhism has many very wealthy supporters in North America who, I'm sure, contributed a lot of money to the cause of bringing the Dalai Lama to Toronto.

As a Buddhist myself, I just find it a bit objectionable to charge so much for participation in the ceremony. I can see charging something to defray costs, but charging over $500 to attend the whole thing? Shouldn't the dharma be available to everyone? Isn't that the point?

sine

20:34 / 19.04.04

I just emailed Richard Gere and told him to pay for me to get in. "C'mon Dick! C'mon..."

If I come into town, maybe we can sneak in.

You're thinking of coming up Blue? Cuz if you come, I can definitely arrange some tabi-socks-&-drop-kicks action to get us past the first line of samsara-in-saffron security, and from there we've just got a short stretch of ventilation to wriggle down...

Seriously, are you considering coming up, love? You know you have a place to crash with me if you do...if you can make it, I'll arrange you a day's entry with legitimate forms of payment (I missed your birthday). Then all you have to worry about is the "getting north" part.

angel

21:11 / 19.04.04

Wow! 90 units of anyone's money is alot, but it is the Dalai Lama. If I were there and if I could afford it, I would be so there! Everything I have ever seen/heard/read speaks abundantly about even the smallest amount of contact with this man being very special.

I hope you both get there and have a whale of a time.

If it's not too much trouble, it would be lovely to have your impressions of which ever days you are able to make it to the ceremonies, if not here then definately in the Temple.

Take it easy, be blessed.

mushanti

19:25 / 21.04.04

I understand where you're coming from Abigail Blue.

>> Shouldn't the dharma be available to everyone? Isn't
>> that the point?

And it is, there is more to dharma than being in the presence of someone who follows the dharma and the words they speak.

Being a buddhist you should also understand that the only importance/special quality this man has to offer is simply because you create it. Unconsciously mind you.

Though next time you participate in a ceremony bring to it the same importance you would have if you had participated in the ceremony with the Dalai Lama. And the next time you encounter someone hold them in the same space as the Dalai Lama.

As for why we're prone to holding the Dalai Lama in such a high place is because he himself is holding us all in such a high place.

And as the saying goes "For every action, there is an equal if not greater reaction."

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