Meeting HH The Dalai Lama and the unexpected gift he gave me

On October 10, 2022, I had the privilege of meeting with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamshala, India. The meeting was 17 years in the making. This is the story of how it happened and the message he shared with me.

During my early 20s I was a student of Buddhism at Tibet House in Mexico City. I spent years learning about this ancient spiritual tradition, about the history of Tibet and its spiritual and political leader, the Dalai Lama.

My first opportunity to visit Tibet was during August of 2004 when I climbed Cho Oyu, the 6th highest mountain in the world. Its summit marks a section of the border between China and Nepal. When that successful expedition wrapped up I travelled home. Back in Mexico, I was delighted to hear that His Holiness would be offering a series of teachings in Mexico City in October. The teachings would stretch over three consecutive days inside a large theater. I was lucky (or perhaps it was my karma) to get one of the last available tickets. My memories of the Dalai Lama during those days are of an exceptionally bright and charismatic person, with an uncommon mix of wisdom and sense of humor. I found that combination to be especially effective when it came to teaching complex spiritual and philosophical themes. I was part of a crowd of about 3,000 people and I was sitting near the back row of that huge theater. Still, I had the feeling that His Holiness was speaking directly to me. The Dalai Lama never gave the impression of being unapproachable. He never struck me as one of those "holier-than-thou" religious leaders.

Visiting Lhasa in 2004 during the Cho Oyu expedition

On the last day of teachings I took part of a ceremony lead by His Holiness to take refuge in the Triple Jewel. During the ceremony, I remember thinking: "one day, I would like to really meet the Dalai Lama and have a conversation with this great man". I wrote that in my bucket list.

2005, at the summit of Everest with the Tibetan flag.

In previous blog posts I've shared how, for my first ascent of Mount Everest in 2005, I took the spur-of-the-moment decision to carry a photo of the Dalai Lama and a flag of Tibet all the way to the summit. There are photos of me at the top displaying that flag and holding a photo of His Holiness. Before climbing down to our camp, I grabbed a fistful of rocks from a pile right next to the summit.

After the Everest expedition I flew back home and I printed a copy of those summit photographs. I put the photos in an envelope along with a rock from the summit. Finally, I included a very heartfelt and candid letter that I wrote to His Holiness. I sent the package to his office in India without any expectations. The Dalai Lama's office and home are in the Indian Himalaya, on the town of McLeod Ganj (sometimes referred to as Dharamshala, a bigger town right next to it). But I held on to the Tibetan flag. It was a reminder of that unplanned but special moment at the summit of Everest. A few weeks after sending the envelope I received this is the email from Mr. Tenzin Thakla, His Holiness' secretary:

I continued climbing all over the world reaching the summit of the highest peaks. I always climbed with the photo of the Dalai Lama. That special photo parted ways with me at the summit of K2 in 2018. But I kept the Tibetan flag at home. I didn't reach out again to the Dalai Lama's office. I was happy with the reply I got from his secretary.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized that two things troubled me. First, I didn't feel like the Tibetan flag belonged to me. I felt like I was only holding it for someone else. Second, I felt it was finally time to try to meet His Holiness before it was too late. That's why in the summer of 2022 I wrote once again to the office of HH the Dalai Lama. I made an official request to meet him and present to him the Tibetan flag that made it to the summit of Everest. To my surprise, I received a very warm reply from Mr. Tenzin Thakla. After 17 years he continued to be the Dalai Lama's secretary. Since I was planning to be in India in October of 2022, he invited me to visit McLeod Ganj and meet with His Holiness. The meeting would be on the morning of October 10th, 2022.

The day before the meeting, I took a flight from New Delhi to Dharamshala. During the afternoon, I wandered around the narrow streets of McLeod Ganj. They were full of Buddhist monks and nuns dressed in maroon and ochre robes. As I walked, I reminded myself of the personal significance of next day's meeting and of how fortunate I was for that opportunity. That night, I stayed at a very pleasant hotel overlooking the Tsuglakhang Temple, home of the Dalai Lama. My room had two small beds. I slept on one and I unfolded the Tibetan flag over the other.

At 7am on October 10th, I checked-in at the reception of His Holiness' office and I took the required COVID-19 test. Next, I went through a very thorough security check. When my few personal belongings were examined, the security guard saw the Tibetan flag and he said that I was not allowed to bring it in. He took it away. I pleaded with the head of security, insisting that the flag was the whole point of my visit. He also told me that Tibetan flags were not allowed inside the complex. Seeing no point in insisting, I gave up on the flag and I focused on feeling gratitude that I still had the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama. The head of security escorted me to a small building in the forest, near the residence, that serves as a waiting area. I had only been waiting for a few minutes when a well dressed man walked in. He introduced himself as Tenzin Thakla, His Holiness' personal secretary, and he handed me back the Tibetan flag! I was ready to meet the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness' residence is in the middle of a forest. From the waiting area I walked uphill about 100 meters on a paved road to reach the entrance. Even before I saw the Dalai Lama, I heard his very recognizable voice from a distance. As I got closer, I saw a group of monks dressed in traditional robes, standing under a veranda. And right in the middle of the group the Dalai Lama was sitting on an ordinary office chair. When I saw him right in front of me, I felt grateful for the opportunity and humbled by the personal significance of this meeting. My mind went back 17 years when I thought "one day, I would like to really meet the Dalai Lama and have a conversation with this great man". The day had come.

I bowed in front of the Dalai Lama. Mr. Thakla approached His Holiness and, speaking in Tibetan, introduced me. He told him who I am, what I have achieved, and my reason for being there: to present the Tibetan flag from Everest to him. From the corner of my eye, I could see one photographer and one videographer capturing the moment. I was asked to approach His Holiness and offer the flag to him. The monks behind His Holiness spread the flag over his lap and I was asked to stand to his left for a photograph. Then came the moment I had wished for.

The Dalai Lama held my right hand as I told him of my experiences in Tibet, what he means to the Tibetan people and why I had climbed Everest with the flag. He kept my hand close to his cheek and listened to me in a kind and patient way. He finally replied and we talked a little longer. Mr. Thakla handed His Holiness the photographs I had sent him 17 years ago and a monk gave him a permanent marker. The Dalai Lama took one of the photos, wrote on it, and handed it to me. The photo was his parting gift to me. I was surprised as I didn’t expect to receive anything that day. With that, the meeting was over. I bowed and slowly made my way back down to the office area.

While I walked down, I tried to process the magical moment I had just experienced. My head was full of thoughts and my mind was enveloped by a warm feeling. I was so absorbed by my thoughts that I realized I hadn't even looked at the photo and the inscription! The Dalai Lama had written in an unfamiliar language. Back at the office I saw a monk and I asked him if he could translate it for me. He said no but he took the photo and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with the translation in English written on a small card. The Dalai Lama had written to me:

Happiness forever. (his signature)

Best wishes,

"Happiness forever". I understood it as His Holiness' wish for me but also as the most condensed life advice he could give me. In just two words the Dalai Lama had summarized the essence of all Buddhist teachings. What I consider the essence of the meaning of life. "Happiness forever". Seeking genuine, long-lasting happiness not only for ourselves but for all sentient beings. Two simple words. "Happiness forever".

It may take a lifetime (or even many lifetimes) to understand what real happiness is (and what it's not) and to achieve a state of continuous happiness. But the message is clear and simple. It's my new mantra. "Happiness forever".

Ultreia Et Suseia