Please excuse the sketchy coverage. Was typed on the fly as I watched on the International Campaign for Tibet's webcast "America Celebrates the Dalai Lama" and CNN:



No coverage by CNN. Seen on ICT: The wonderful Tibetan performers are relegated outside, while classical music is played indoors, where the ceremony will take place. What a shame! It was colorful and inspiring, and quite beautiful under the clear sunny sky, with the gleaming Capitol Dome as a backdrop. I hope it was broadcast inside to the massed crowd.

Presentation of the colors: Does anyone see an irony in the flags being held by soldiers, while someone sings "The Star Spangled Banner", which came out of war?

Invocation: delivered by a Christian pastor. Nice invocation for peace.

(In the meantime, CNN is airing momentary clips, while the main stories are a monetary scandal at Orel Roberts University, the hunt for a wounded burglar in Florida, pedophile Chester Stiles, the weather, etc.)

Good speech by Nancy Pelosi, who pulls no punches as to China's repression.

Senator Lantos (first to invite HH to meet with members of Congress, over two decades ago.) Calls for China to meet with HH, and to grant religious and cultural autonomy for Tibet, not independence. "Let this man of peace visit Beijing".

Diane Feinstein: long time friend, first to invite him to the US.

Musical interlude by US Air Force Strings, playing more western classical music. *shakes head*

Nobel Laureat and Holocaust survivor, peace activist, Eli Weizel: Long time friend of HH. "Speak truth to power." Today President and Congress gives power to truth. "One day, if God gives me years, you and I will go to Tibet together." Receives standing ovation.


Speaker of the Senate: Nod to Bush, first President (sitting) to appear at a public event with HH. "The US Congress stands with Tibet." "The truth is persistent, and in his Holiness' case, so is the messenger. . . You are always welcome here."

Senate Majority leader Harry Reed: "I can think of noone living on this Earth today as being more deserving of this award. . . He is a voice is reason in crisis, and wisdom in chaos."

Nancy Pelosi: President Franklin Roosevelt, hearing that the young Dalai Lama loved science and technology, sent him a gold watch that showed the phases of the moon and days of the week, which HH still carries. . . . Honored to give him a gold medal today. . . . Inspiration of people all over the world. Points out that HH has long advocated a "middle way" approach, asking for autonomy rather than independence. The people of Tibet risk imprisonment to even own a picture of HH.

(Meanwhile, CNN is ignoring what is being said, and commenting on the oddness of HH's robes.)

Ah, now the President is speaking, so they'll show that.

"(religious diversity in the US) is not a source of instability; it's a source of strength." Urges China to sit down with HH. "Today we honor him is a universal symbol of peace and tolerance."

Presents medal. HH takes it from box, examines it closely, shows it around, laughing. Shakes hands with all presenters.

Dalai Lama: Presses palms to crowd. Laughs over formality as he tries to get his robe to lay right over his shoulder. "A bit difficult." "I start my English training in 1947. My English is still very, very poor." So will read statement in English. Laughs that it feels like an English examination, in front of so many dignitaries and scholars.

Refers to self as "spokesman" then changes it to "spokes person" "My first mistake!"

Speaks of his mother's deep compassion, and the love and good teaching he grew up with when he came to the temple in Lhasa at age 4. His conviction in these values gives him the strength to continue his work and commitment to a nonviolent path. Honors US friends in audience, friendship based not on money or politcs, but human compassion.

Thanks President for strong support, and long personal friendship with him and Laura. Thanks for sympathy and strong support of religious freedom.

Thanks Nancy Pelosi, offers special thanks for her work.

The consistent support for Tibet has not gone unnoticed in China. He regrets tension this has caused between US and China. Hopes a recognition of common interests will heal division.

Points out growing power and wealth of India and China. Urges China to have transparency, freedom of law. Calls for China to allow diverse population to be treated with respect.

Addressed alarm rate of Chinese influx to Tibet. Danger that native Tibetans will be reduced to minority in their own land. Many rivers originate there, which will impact ecology of other countries.

Future of Tibet: restates catagorically that he does not call for independence, but a real autonomy for region. In best interest for Tibetan people. No intention to use any agreement of autonomy as stepping stone for independence. Despite all this, China still insists that he has a hidden agenda. Unfounded and untrue.

Began in the 50s working for democratization of Tibet, efforts interrupted by invasion. Continues his work in exile in India, thanks to support of Indian gov't. No intention of seeking any political office, or to undermine China's welfare. Have always encouraged world leaders to engage with China. Hope that China will become a more open and responsible country. Hopes Beijing Olympics can be an opportunity for more dialogue.

(CNN interrupts with recap, though speech is not over, and ends coverage. I return to ICT's webcast)

HH prays that dialogue will move forward.

Shares a few religious thoughts. Urges US to give more support to people's freedom, peaceful efforts to safeguard human dignity. Also urges to pay more attention to global warming. "each one of us, in whatever way, use our resources and talents to make a difference, so that we can pass on to our children a planet that is safe to live on."

To allieve suffering of poverty, denial of basic human rights, should never perceive these in total isolation, as they will eventually affect everyone. US urged to address these global issues, from the perspective of the oneness of humanity, and profound understanding of the interconnectedness of today's world.

On behalf of 5 million Tibetan people, to recognize the support of the US government and people, which is critical.

Applause. He shakes many hands, bows to crowd.


Benediction by a reverend. Prays for his safety. Veiled reference to danger to HH life. "Each of us is responsible for the safety of all humanity. Love and compassion are crucial for the self and for humanity."


Tibetan music plays as the crowd leaves.

Returns to outside events. Speaker announces that this broadcast as been tranmitted throughout Tibet, Nepal, and India,( The coverage there was probably better and more respectful than CNN's. ) except where governments have cut electricity or jammed the signal.

Moment of silence for the people of Tibet.

Announcement of lost child. Parents found.

More Tibetan performers, calling for peace and compassion for all people, including a Grammy winning flute player, and other contemporary muscians. Very modern and upbeat. Wish I knew what they were saying.

Tibetan film maker, director of "Richard Gere is My Hero." is announced, but Richard Gere comes out after some delay to address crowd. Announces arrival of DL.

Long delay.

Then loud chant, with horns, cymbals and drums annouces dance troupe.
Procession of people representing Tibetan people in Tibet and around the world. Dalai Lama and Speaker Pelosi will come down the stairs between dancers of oldest opera company in Tibet, founded by DL in 1600's, which was suggested to him in a dream. Funds raised funded safe bridges for pilgrims.

More horns as Dalai Lama and Nancy Pelosi come out, with what appear to be a crowd of security, in suits. DL greets TIbetans and monks waiting on the sidelines. Wonderfully exotic sound. Someone is trying to hold a red and white golf umbrella over DL but he's too fast for them as he approaches crowd, then makes his way to the stage with Nancy P. Raised joined palms to crowd and waves, always smiling. Tibetan singing and drums (sounding very Native American) in background as colorful dancers perform. (I hope someone produces a DVD of all this, with subtitles. It's really something, even on poor quality webcast.)

Richard Gere: Gives welcome and thanks to all those who made it possible. Quotes Rumi: "Our caravan is not a caravan of despair. Our caravan is one of love and joy and compassion." Speaks highly of Nancy Pelosi. Introduces singers.

Presentation of a Tibetan song written for the occassion, TIbetan Majesty, with dancers. A kata (white silk scarf) is offered to the DL on behalf of all the Tibetan associations in N. America at the end of the song. Pelosi and Congress are presented with a small golden stupa to commemoratet the event.

Pelosi: Thanks Richard Gere. Speaks on honor and medal, which bears quote "World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not the cessation of violence, but a manifestation of human compassion." Sums up previous speechs.

Presents HH.

Dalai Lama: Presents Nancy with katas. Takes stage then goes back for his sun visor. Speaks first in Tibetan. Then interpreter repeats his words in English. Recognizes the parts of the world his fellow Buddhists have traveled from. Explains that gift to stupa represents gift of wisdom, compassion, understanding.

Sees medal as affirmation of Tibet's nonviolent struggle for dignity and freedom. Key value of Tibetan culture is warm heartedness and compassion, not because it's what the Buddha taught, but because they recognize the value of it. Committed to following a path of nonviolence. Stand firm on nonviolent approach. Hope it will provide a model to other oppressed people. Sees US support of Tibet as wider support for the world, and for other people trying to regain their freedom and rights.

One of the most important factors in a nonviolent struggle is education. Especially those in the US have opportunity for education, for a better understanding of the world, and combined with commitment to our own culture and tradition, especially compassion and kind heartedness. To fellow Buddhists around the world, to value these things.Urges people to live by these principles. No lasting results can be achieved through violence. True resolution of problesm comes from mutual understanding by the sides involved.

Closing performances.














CNN's coverage, and that of other channels, was paltry to the point of being insulting to all parties. If you, like me, would like to point that out to them, and perhaps suggest they air the event in its entirety, the email address is: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/cnntv/ >;-)

I always enjoy my time in Maine, and had more of it this time than ever before. There's no internet connection, no email, and very limited snowy tv reception. Through some act of cosmic luck, the only channel that comes in clear is public television, and Maine Public Television is some of the best around for interesting programming.

So we read, walk, journal, write, play cards endlessly, take time over simple food preparation, enjoy friends and family. And then, detoxified, we come home and fall into the same bad habits all over again.

So I'm experimenting with a few gentle changes.

1. No CNN, especially first thing in the morning. Doug claims it's toxic to sit there in front of all that misery at the start of the day, and having been away from it, I realize he was right.

Instead, I keep the TV monster's cabinet shut and tune in to NPR or WERU. Our radio reception isn't great, but I can tap into stations all over the country (and all over the world) via iTunes radio, and wirelessly broadcast it through better speakers. Like really good chocolate, a little radio goes a long way, instead of watching endless repetitions of the same bad news on TV.

2. More walking and hiking. Get in better shape for orienteering. We discovered a great little place up in the mountains called Jenks Lake on Memorial Day. Picnic with the dogs. Saw a deer. Lots more places to explore.

3. No more strict (and defeating) diets for a while. We'll eat a little starch, a little meat, less caffeine (heh, misspelled that and the spell checker suggested "coffin" A sign? ;-), and LOTS of fresh fruits and vegetable, as many from local sources as possible (We've been gorging on fresh fruit and berries and I've lost 5 lbs so far since we got back) And I will drink what alcohol I want, when I want, because it turns out that's not very much or very often, so I'm not going to fret over it.

4. Working more on adopting the Five Basic Precepts for Laypeople: Don't lie. Don't Steal. Don't engage in damaging sexual practices. Don't kill. Don't take in mind altering substances.

The nice thing about Buddhism is that you're not expected to be perfect all at once, or perhaps ever (there is that whole karmic do over). #3 is a no brainer for me. #2 takes some reflection, as there are lots of ways of stealing, including being late on deadlines, which robs the family of income and my publisher of time. #1 makes me realize how easy it is to bend the truth in the course of daily life over little things, or out of convenience, or fear of judgment. But it's a form of Wrong Speech. It takes a lot of guts to be honest all the time.

Don't kill, of course, leads one to veganism in the strictest sense, and I doubt I'll ever make it. But small steps are possible, and if nothing else, mindfulness of the sacrifices of other creatures. (I'm sorry, but if ants invade my house again, which they will soon, they've made their own karmic choice and will have to deal with it. I will most certainly speed them on to their next incarnation which, who knows, could be an upgrade?)

As for the not taking in of mind altering substances, I can only say that I don't get drunk. Never enjoyed it much. Thich Nhat Hahn, whose interpretation is much stricter than mine, poses the idea that even if one does not hurt themselves by drinking, they may influence someone else to destructive behavior. That gives me pause, I guess. I do make a point of not drinking around recovering alcoholics. That's just polite, and showing loving kindness. I taught my kids to drink responsibly, but then again, I taught them to drink. Too late now, but they seem to be doing OK, having quickly learned at college that being drunk and its aftermath are not much fun.

On the contemplative front, I'm working my way through Julia Cameron's "Finding Water". It's the follow up to "The Artist's Way". I don't like it as much as the first on some levels--parts of it read like her own Morning Pages-- but it is a good help for persevering on a path already started. I'm working on the "Finding Balance" chapter this week, and was particularly struck by a passage in which she speaks of being at a high society New York dinner party and feeling terribly out of place and "not as good" as her dining companions, not urbane, not as smart, just plain not good enough, and that her books aren't the sort that get reviewed in the NYT, that her Midwestern upbringing doesn't give her much to talk about among name dropping authors ("My editor was Jackie O") and socialites. I've had the same conversations with aspiring writers at conventions, and they've had the same surprise that someone who's accomplished what I have (a big deal in their eyes) could have such moments of insecurity. I guess it goes all the way up. I'd feel a bit intimidated by Cameron, who's influenced my life, sold millions, and was once married to Martin Scorsese!



Anyway, I don't mean to sound preachy or holier than thou today. These are just the little changes I'm working for and I'm putting them out in the open to see if they survive. ;-)

I just watched CNN spend over 20 minutes televising, live, the arraignment of some a**hole who shot up the office where he was fired. He wounded two and killed the receptionist. One of her relatives was shown repeatedly, sobbing inconsolably.

It is tragic and awful, but does it merit that kind of coverage? Where's Walter Cronkite when you need him? A few lines, a shot of the culprit, move on. I thought I'd accidentally wandered onto Court TV.

The same goes for the endless, drooling coverage of Anna Nichole Smith's demise, decomp and disposal. And now we're left with the continuing drama of a custody suit for her little girl. How is this of national or international importance? And why are the major players always white? The only way people of color get this kind of coverage is if they are the culprit.

What's happening in Darfur? Bosnia? How about that Afghanistan war? Guess they're not "sexy" enough. *Flipping through the channels for BBC America.*


Grrrrrr.