Message ‘an affirmation…to respect others’
Friday, 27 April 2007, 2:20 p.m
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to people at War Memorial Stadium, Tuesday, 24 April 2007, in Maui, Hawaii. |
Wailuku, Hawaii: People of all ages, ethnicities and religions flowed into Maui’s War Memorial Stadium on Tuesday to hear His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama share his views on “The Human Approach to World Peace.”
“I think the Dalai Lama brings together good people–people who care. He spans generations and all walks of life,” said Canadian visitor Blaise MacSween.
Tuesday’s free event was the first of two public appearances on Maui during his visit. A second talk today will cover “Eight Verses for Training the Mind: A Buddhist Philosophical Discourse” about the human values of kindness and compassion that are embraced by all religions.
Honolulu resident Caroline Odo said that despite His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s position as a Buddhist leader, his message spans all religions.
“I have my own faith, and he’s still affirming the things that I believe in,” said Odo. “It’s all about having respect for one another and showing love to one another “you don’t have to bring religion into it.”
More than 10,000 people packed the War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku, Maui, to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak on peace, compassion and preserving the culture of indigenous peoples |
Odo, who recently resigned from her job, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message gave her strength during a difficult time in her life and filled her with a renewed sense of healing and forgiveness.
“It was an affirmation for me to respect others. Even if they do something wrong to me, I need to accept them for who they are. We’re all human and not perfect,” she said.
“It’s really an honor to be here and I am more blessed because of it,” she said.
Haiku resident Daniel Ferguson described His Holiness as a “humble soul,” who is filled with “so much love and compassion” and even a sense of humor.
“He was pretty quick with the humor.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama watches a dancer from Halau Hula Wehiwehi O Leilehua perform before his address. |
Ferguson added that he was surprised by the amount of security surrounding His Holiness. He said it seemed ironic that a man who preaches peace and compassion would need to be guarded so heavily.
“I really loved his thoughts on compassion. If the world could live with love and compassion, it would be so much better,” Ferguson said.
Julie Stanton, a former Maui resident who now lives in New Mexico, said she planned her trip in conjunction with His Holiness’s visit to the island. She was joined by her mother and Haiku resident Cindy Stanton. Both women agreed the event was “perfect in every way.”
Julie Stanton said that as a practicing Buddhist she believes strongly in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings and was honored to be in the audience.
“I love his teachings,” said Julie Stanton. “If he can overcome something like being exiled in his own country, then we can learn a lot from him.”
The best part of the day was experiencing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s positive energy, Julie Stanton said.
“What touched me more than what he said was his energy. He laughed a lot, and made us laugh and put a smile on our face,” she said.
“I feel that God lives in laughter, and I could really sense that in his humor,” Cindy Stanton added.
Both women said they were impressed by the number of young students in the audience.
“I loved to see the children, and I’m so stoked they were here,” Cindy Stanton said as she held back tears. “I’m so proud of Maui that they allowed the children to participate, and it really gives me hope for the future.”
About 1,000 students from schools throughout the state attended Tuesday’s talk. The students had participated in various peace projects that focused on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of peace.
Some expressed their visions by creating block prints on prayer flags, which was added to an Aloha Peace Wall displayed at the stadium.
Others wrote essays or poems. King Kekaulike High School senior Roland Lewis Zaleski read his essay “Laughing Together” to the audience, and Clearview Christian Girls School 8th-grader Jessica Solomon recited her poem “The Steps in the Meadow.”
“It was great how they let school kids come here and be a part of this. I think it’s so important because they are our future,” Julie Stanton said.
Maui Waena Intermediate School 8th-grader Jesie Rocetes said he was honored to represent his school at the event.
Only a handful of his peers were able to attend Tuesday’s talk, but he said he will share his experience with his classmates when he returns to school.
“I think it’s important for everyone to see someone like this, not just students,” Rocetes said.
Visitor Jocelyn Parris was joined by three friends who came from California to Maui on vacation. The group said they heard about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit through “word of mouth” and made it a priority to hear him speak.
“We would kick ourselves if we weren’t here–it’s a once in a lifetime event,” Parris said as her friends nodded in agreement.
—By Lehia Apana, The Maui News