Dalai Lama draws 50,000 to Seattle stadium (skyrocketing popularity)

Reuters ^ | 04/12/08 | Laura Myers

[TigerLikesRooster]

Dalai Lama draws 50,000 to Seattle stadium

By Laura Myers

Sat Apr 12, 7:27 PM ET

Tens of thousands of people packed a Seattle sports stadium on Saturday to hear the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, call for nonviolence and to make the 21st century a "century of dialogue."

Drums played, American Indian chiefs wearing feathered head-dresses danced and organizers said about 51,000 people -- many of them families -- listened under sunny skies to the Dalai Lama speak about compassion.

Sitting in a red chair under a canopied stage on the stadium field, the robed leader made no reference to recent turmoil in Tibet nor to suggestions that world leaders should boycott the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The Dalai Lama said on Friday he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympics. He has rejected Chinese claims that he orchestrated deadly rioting across Tibet last month over a campaign for independence.

On Saturday, the official Xinhua Chinese news agency reported the arrests of nine Buddhist monks suspected of bombing a government building in Tibet.

Saturday's mass gathering in Seattle was the largest of a five-day community event to promote compassion in every day life organized by the group Seeds of Compassion.

"I don't expect to hear any political message. I am not viewing this as a religious event, but it seems like a unique opportunity," said small business owner Patrick Burningham, 42, who was in the crowd.

A 1,000-person cultural procession of people wearing Chinese, Japanese, African-American, Native American and other national dress kicked off the festivities to an accompaniment of more than 100 drummers.

In his wide-ranging, 45-minute address, the Dalai Lama called for the elimination of nuclear weapons and spoke of the role of women in nurturing compassion. He also discussed the need for nonviolence and said the 21st century should be a "century of dialogue."

Student Derek Albietz, 21, said he had always been interested in the Dalai Lama's views.

"It is my first opportunity to see him in person. I want to hear his thoughts on compassion and science and how to help the world," Albietz said.

[Junior_G]

He is beloved by Seattle liberals that aren't religious, but want to be "spiritual".

Idiots, all of them

[terycarl]

he is a pathetic no=one...he is the spiritual “leader” of a handful of mountain people in Tibet....he gathered a croud of 50’00 or so.....the Cubs do that on a medium day...and they are at least entertaining!!!

[terycarl]

I sympathize with you....the Tibetans may be great people, and they probably are, but your immortal soul shouldn’t depend on a religion that really doesn’t have a diety...Christ is your only way to salvation....you may love your husband dearly....but he is leading you astray.....I’ve never hated anyone enough to do that to them....Pathetic

[TigersEye]

You’re an idiot. ; )

[TigersEye]

I know what you mean. Don’t sweat it too much. For starters you are blessed with not having to live with a tiny cranium. Others are not so fortunate and life seems to press in on them from all directions. lol

[PhilDragoo]

There is a continuous defamation campaign emanating from the Communist Party of China.

The same source which claims Tibetan monks plot bombings also sent agents provacateur into Tiananmen Square June 4, 1989 along with tracked vehicles and hordes of drugged PLA troops from remote regions firing wildly on full auto.

The same source justifies its beatings of Falun Gong women, its jailing of Christians, its execution of labor leaders.

No one who opposes China's Communist expansion can be other than raving, debauched psychopaths.

While China and its allies are founts of wisdom, virtue and peace.

[tet68]

their stunning ignorance of a man who has devoted his life to compassion and understanding.

Mired in illusion, they know no other reality.
Meditate on compassion and be at peace.
t.

[TigersEye]

Good points. Anyone who believes in or supports the Hu Jintao ChiCom clique is not very informed at all. They are also a far larger threat to us than the muzzies could ever hope to be. In fact a lot of the Islamo-fascists are receiving support and encouragement from the ChiComs making them simply proxy attackers.

[Bob J]

Was he wearing a white turban or a blue turban?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Tibetans do not wear turbans.

[steel_resolve]

First off, it is my wife to be. Secondly, she has never tried to push anything on me. She even is planning on a Catholic wedding with me. What do you say now? Pathetic indeed.

[steel_resolve]

He is the head of state if you will for millions of Tibetans. Also, China wants him dead. How do you expect him to get around, and where do you expect him to stay? A cab and a flipping Ho Jos? WOuld you ask the same of George Bush? Of course you wouldn’t.

[Psycho_Bunny]

lol....Color me unimpressed.

Deeds, not words: Mother Teresa, he isn't.

[Psycho_Bunny]

WOuld you ask the same of George Bush? Of course you wouldn’t.

No, I wouldn't. President Bush doesn't claim to be a Buddhist.

[Larry Lucido]

He is this era’s Ghandi. Popular, somewhat likeable, non-threatening, but philosophically vaccuous.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Why? Because I hold people who expect my money, support and admiration, to the standards they set for themselves?

[steel_resolve]

I feel sorry for your ignorance. Fortunately your opinion means less than nothing.

[Alex Murphy]

Hey - Nepal is right next door to Tibet! And can you guess who’s a missionary to Nepal?

[rickomatic]

He is beloved by Seattle liberals that aren't religious, but want to be "spiritual". Idiots, all of them

And this morning, the local news anchors were incredulous that anyone (very few sadly, I must say), would question the fact that 15,000+ Seattle PUBLIC school students along with their teachers are being bused to an event to hear the Dhali Lama speak. These people simply don't have a clue.
Were it Billy Graham, or the Pope in town, the locals would have Queen Gregoire call out the National Guard if even one student wanted some time off to go hear either of them.
Hello.....ACLU......why aren't you answering your phone?