Dalai Lama misses sex, shoots guns (Cool!)

News.com.au ^ | 7.29.03 | Ruth Gledhill

[mhking]

THE Dalai Lama has admitted that, in a lifetime dedicated to celibacy and non-violence, he has missed out on sex and that he shoots at hawks in anger.

Asked in an interview what experiences he had missed that ordinary people had not, he pointed towards his groin and laughed, saying: "I obviously missed this."

He was not sorry, however: "For monks and nuns, the practice of celibacy is not just a rule. Our target is to try and reduce negative emotions. Sexual desire and attachment are enjoyable, but act as a basis to anger, hatred and jealousy."

He was not convinced that he would have made a good father, admitting to having a bad temper. That temper led him to aim his air rifle at hawks, he told Conrad Kiechel, international editorial director of Reader's Digest.

"I feed birds, peaceful birds. I'm non-violent, but if a hawk comes when I'm feeding birds, I lose my temper and get my air rifle." He did not shoot to kill, "only to scare the hawks".

Speaking in Dharamsala, India, where he has lived since China put down a Tibetan uprising against communist rule, he admitted to having enjoyed spending time with Mao Zedong.

"At official dinners he made me sit beside him and treated me like his son, sometimes feeding me with his chopsticks.

"I was afraid that since he coughed so much I would catch something. He was no doubt a great revolutionary, but at the same time, his behaviour was often that of a peasant."

He said there was a softening towards Tibet by the current Chinese regime.

[bedolido]

Maybe he was "slapping the salami". No offense.

That would probably be "Slapping the Egg-Roll"

[Dr. Marten]

Intresting.

I am aware of the ancient Buddhist warriors during the dynastical periods but as a rule of thumb, Buddhism does not teach violence.

There is however a difference in taking a role of defense rather than offense. Buddhists are not a dominating sect of people.

[George Smiley]

THE Dalai Lama has admitted that, in a lifetime dedicated to celibacy and non-violence, he has missed out on sex and that he shoots at hawks in anger.

Shooting at hawks?

I can see the headline now:

Dalai Lama To Appear Before International Criminal Court:
Violations Of Migratory Bird Treaty Alleged

[TigersEye]

...some Tibetan contras continued to fight until the mid 1970s.

I am informed by some who know that the Khampas in Eastern Tibet are still resisting. Outside help is close to nonexistent but people and things still manage to cross the borders.

[RogueIsland]

You may see his behavior as normal, or excuse it because he's human. That's your choice. I have higher standards for religious leaders.

Is there any religious leader who measures up to your pure standards of conduct? I think the other poster is right. You've got some issues. The Dalai Lama seems to me to be far better adjusted than you.

[TigersEye]

I have found more people touched by grace living their day-to-day lives than religious leaders telling them what to do.

The Dalai Lama does not tell anyone what to do.

[jjm2111]

Right.

[TigersEye]

Do we see Christians fighting wars today in the name of Christianity? No. On the other hand, read this: ...

That was interesting information and I thank you for posting it. I would like to note that nowhere in it did it suggest that Buddhists were fighting in the name of Buddhism. From what is says it seems to me that they are fighting for the security of their homes. Never, to my knowledge, have Buddhists of any stripe fought to promote, expand or establish Buddhism on non-Buddhists inside or outside of their own territories. Self defense is another story.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

The Dalai Lama seems to me to be far better adjusted than you.

Well, if to be "better adjusted" is to shoot at birds, then I'm glad I'm the way I am. I don't shoot at birds, but then again, I'm not a religious leader, nor do I have plans to be one.

And I have met many, many people touched by grace who are not religious leaders and I have met many who are. The religious leaders that I've met who truly love and live their faith, have an aura about them that is both a mixture of strength and calm. Not one of these people would express their anger this way. Within them, there is too much respect for life.

[NittanyLion]

Well, if to be "better adjusted" is to shoot at birds, then I'm glad I'm the way I am. I don't shoot at birds, but then again, I'm not a religious leader, nor do I have plans to be one.

From the article: "I feed birds, peaceful birds. I'm non-violent, but if a hawk comes when I'm feeding birds, I lose my temper and get my air rifle." He did not shoot to kill, "only to scare the hawks".

You should read the article before filling up the thread with untruths and misquotes.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Sorry, but its the I lose my temper and get my air rifle that really, really bothers me.

[NittanyLion]

Sorry, but its the I lose my temper and get my air rifle that really, really bothers me.

Then perhaps you should've said that instead of misrepresenting the facts by claiming he was killing birds.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Then perhaps you should've said that instead of misrepresenting the facts by claiming he was killing birds.

You're right. That was my error. My anger had me overstate the facts. Apologies.

[honeygrl]

"For the Dalai Lama, I was tending towards (b). I'm sorry. I DO NOT FORGIVE a religious leader, who has had a life time living his religion taking to the dark side. He HAS NO BUSINESS being a religious leader. What is he more likely to teach me? "Killing birds are good if you're angry?" "

You should've read the article more closely. He shoots with an air rifle NOT to kill, but to scare them away. From the article:

"I feed birds, peaceful birds. I'm non-violent, but if a hawk comes when I'm feeding birds, I lose my temper and get my air rifle." He did not shoot to kill, "only to scare the hawks".

[honeygrl]

"Well, if to be "better adjusted" is to shoot at birds, then I'm glad I'm the way I am. I don't shoot at birds, but then again, I'm not a religious leader, nor do I have plans to be one. "

I think it needs to be clarified to you ONE more time. The article says he does NOT shoot to kill. He shoots just to SCARE them off. BIG difference. Are you a member of PETA?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I have always been under the impression that the Dalai Lama acknowledges his human foibles and trials, as much as the rest of us do. He seems to be a charming individual.

[George Smiley]

My wife and I had the privilege of hearing him speak at Emory University some years ago (Heard about it on National Proletarian Radio- I drove clear across town to pick up free tickets at the student center.)

He *is* a charming individual who practices his religion without trying to cram it down the throat of everyone he meets.

He will tell you about his journey without making suggestions about how you should conduct yours.

He's also got a remarkable sense of humor with a self-deprecating streak to boot.

His books are pretty good reads, too.

[NeoCaveman]

Just damn.

Just damn is right. Now I am picturing the Dali Lama's head on Charlton Heston's body saying "from my cold dead hands"

[strela]

The classic "Caddyshack."

[TigersEye]

I'm picturing the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama proving he is the one by picking the right BB-gun from a table with several guns on it. ; )