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.

[adam_az]

Richard Gere is sobbing like a baby right now.

No, he's just hoping the Dalai Lama doesn't start hamster-hunting.

[adam_az]

There is a long, distinguished history of Buddhist warrior-monks.

[adam_az]

Dalai Lama is also not a vegetarian.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Exactly.

[ko_kyi]

We have a pool, and a pond. The pond would be good for you.

[rockfish59]

Typical!

Shoots at the 'hawks'.....instead of the commies!

[George Smiley]

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." - The Dalai Lama

[bedolido]

[adam_az]

The Buddhist/Vegetarian connection is largely a myth. While many Buddhists are vegetarians, Buddhist scripture does not mention vegetarianism:

http://www.emahofoundation.org/teachings/zr_q&a.htm

Q: I am new to Buddhism and would like to know if it is necessary to be a vegetarian to be a Buddhist?

Rinpoche: It is not a must to be a vegetarian to be a Buddhist. It is a matter of personal choice. Buddhist scripture is unclear regarding the matter, and it has been a topic of debate for many. For monks and nuns, it has always been customary to accept and eat anything that people offer. In addition, in many parts of Tibet, it is difficult or impossible to grow crops, so people's survival depends on protein from yaks and sheep. It is not appropriate to order that an animal be killed just for food. Rather, it is important to use all of the animal so as not waste it. If you eat meat, it is good to take a moment to recognize that you are eating a sentient being, remember that animal with kindness, and pray that the sentient being gets a good rebirth.


(from the about page: Ven. ZaChoeje Rinpoche is Emaho's spiritual advisor. In 1984 His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama recognized him as the sixth reincarnation of ZaChoeje Rinpoche, one of the highest Buddhist Lamas of Eastern Tibet. At the age of 16, Rinpoche entered Drepung Loseling Monastery and after 10 years of studies, graduated with the esteemed Geshe Lharampa degree, equal to a Ph.D suma cum laude in Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche then entered the Gyumed Tantric Monastery for further study.)

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Go back and read my post number 76. I never said the Dalai Lama is a vegetarian. And the only Buddhist that I do know, eats meat. What is your point, exactly?

[adam_az]

I wasn't criticizing you or anything like that - just accidentally replied to you instead of post #1.

Nothing to see here - please move along :)

[Pan_Yans Wife]

My uncle is a personal friend of the Dalai Lama, and I don't think he would characterize the man the same way that you do. Have you met him? Have you read any of his writings?

Why are you so angry? Do you believe that every human being can have human flaws? Or, are religious leaders to be placed on a pedestal? Religious leaders are not allowed to express human emotions?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Movin' along then... :)

[Quick1]

This is my rifle, this is my gun...

[tet68]

It has been my great good fortune to be in the presence of the Dali Lama on three occasions, I can assure you no one in the world is more aware of their personal failings and limitations than he is.

Perhaps you should meditate on compassion and understanding
a bit longer.

As far as sex goes, the Dali Lama says to think of these vehicles as skeletons and then the drive for possession of mere flesh will disappear.

Works for me, some of the time, I too am aware of my failings.

[The_Media_never_lie]

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."

This is the most hilarious line! i do NOT want to think about the Pope saying something like that, however!!!

Oh my gosh, is he a eunach? Is it really missing? The price to pay for being Dali?