— Radhanath Swami's Journey

Radhanath Swami Meeting Dalai Lama

Radhanath Swami was particularly struck by the love and honor the people held for their Dalai Lama. For the Tibetans, Dalai Lama had the spiritual power of a pope and the political authority of a king. His photograph was prominently displayed in every shop and home. One early morning while Radhanath Swami was meditating in the temple, a tall elderly lama with a shaved head, maroon robes, and a strand of wooden beads draped around his neck sat beside Radhanath Swami. He said that he had been observing Radhanath Swami for several days and asked if Radhanath Swami would like to ask any questions. They spent a couple of hours each day together. On one very special afternoon he invited Radhanath Swami to join him for a personal audience with the Dalai Lama.

The home of the Dalai Lama rested on a wooded hill surrounded by armed Indian military guards who, because he was under constant threat of death, were stationed for his protection. Passing through the security, Radhanath Swami was ushered into a room where brightly colored paintings of Buddha and the great Boddhisatvas decorated the walls. A beautiful metal deity of Buddha sat on an altar decorated with flowers, brass lamps, bells, and other items of worship. Cedar scented incense perfumed the air.

Minutes later a door opened and the Dalai Lama glanced toward Radhanath Swami, eyes sparkling with joy behind his brown-rimmed glasses. His large head was shaven and he had a square face, low rounded nose, and draped a maroon robe over a bright golden monk’s shirt. Beaming a contagious smile, Dalai Lama sprinted across the room to greet Radhanath Swami. Laughing aloud, he tightly gripped both of Radhanath Swami’s hands and shook them again and again. His eyes twinkled with glee, as he spoke in a hearty voice. “You have come from far away. I welcome you.”

They sat on two chairs across from one another. With a childlike curiosity he asked him about his life in America and why he had chosen the life of a sadhu. As Radhanath Swami told his story, he listened to every word with rapt attention and concern. Whenever there was a trace of humor in Radhanath Swami’s tale, his whole body shook with laughter and he clapped his hands together. They spoke for perhaps a half hour when Radhanath Swami asked him about the condition of his people in Tibet. A wave of introspection then swept across his face and tears welled in Dalai Lama’s eyes. In the silence that now surrounded them, he whispered, “When I was a boy, my nation enjoyed freedom. We were a happy and united people, and our spirituality was flourishing.” He paused for a long moment. In sober silence, he lifted a teapot to offer Radhanath Swami a cup of Tibetan tea. Radhanath Swami watched as the steaming tea poured from the spout into his cup. The Dalai Lama then returned the teapot to its place and Dalai Lama lowered his head in deep thought, as if looking with his mind’s eye, and feeling in his heart the strife of his people across the Himalayan peaks in Tibet. Dalai Lama added tenderly, “We owe a great debt to India for providing shelter to thousands of our people.”

“The universal quality of religion,” he went on, “is compassion to other living beings. To sacrifice for the good of others is true dharma.” Seeing the immense sacrifice he extended for his people, his words struck Radhanath Swami’s heart. “Meditation, study, and worship,” he said, “give us the inner strength to live as kind and enlightened beings.” His message invoked introspection and his personality inspired reverence, but his affection had made Radhanath Swami feel to be his intimate friend.

Smiling, the Dalai Lama graciously placed around his neck a white silken shawl embroidered with Tibetan mantras. “It is a tradition to offer this gift to all my special guests,” Dalai Lama said. Radhanath Swami felt undeserving of Dalai Lama’s time and kindness and bowed his head with gratitude. In Dalai Lama’s company, the virtue of selfless service was becoming more prominent in Radhanath Swami’s mind. Dalai Lama was a person dedicated not only to his spiritual principles, but also to taking on the massive burden of serving the needs of his people who were either in exile or under subjugation. He had endured incomprehensible challenges and obstacles in his apparently hopeless struggle. Tolerating exile and threats, he served his people. This is what the shawl represented, Radhanath Swami reflected. It was a special gift.

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