AMAZING AFTERNOON WITH HIS HOLINESS, THE 14TH DALAI LAMA
A True Story
10.22.05
While I was meditating today, I remembered back to May 19, 2001. On that day my husband and I went to hear His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama speak at Shoreline Amphitheater, in Mountain View, CA . His Holiness was speaking on "Peace Through Inner Peace". My husband David works in an office building right across the street from Shoreline Amphitheater, at Alza/Johnson & Johnson. We excitedly drove to his work parking garage, which was empty, and then walked down the road to the event. So parking was free.
At that time, neither my husband nor I really knew much about Buddhism, and in particular, almost nothing about Tibetan Buddhism.
When my 14 year old niece, mother, and father all passed away within a year and a half of each other, I had started playing the Bardo teachings on cassette tapes for them. Shortly after their passings, more family members and dear close friends passed over to the other shore. Within 3 years, my husband and I lost 9 loved ones, including his mother, uncle, and our pet parakeet, named DJ. That was when we both became interested in Tibet. Tibet had the Bardo teachings.
One day, for some unknown reason, I ordered some colorful silk Katags from Tibetan Treasures. We both knew these Tibetan skarves had some special meaning. They were usually offered to lamas after receiving teachings. Woven into each silk katag were the 8 auspiscious symbols. For some reason I offered all of my family members a katag after our parents were cremated. I also placed a white silk katag on top of my father's coffin before he was cremated. When little DJ passed over, I placed a white katag around his tiny body before we buried him under the Medicine Buddha Statue next to the hot tub. Later he was cremated, wrappin in the katag.
I hasten to add, however, that I never knew the "proper protocol" associated with the Tibetan katag. I just wanted to give something sacred to all of my family members.
That day in May, walking to the Shoreline Amphitheater, I decided to wear a white silk katag around my neck, with the ends tucked inside, to honor His Holiness.
Now anyone who knows the proper protocol concerning a Tibetan katag, will probably, reading, this say, "Oh NO!!!" For these skarves are not to be worn like that! That is not appropriate. They are considered ritual objects with a very special and specific significance and usage.
I, however, Did Not Know That Yet!!!!
I thought it was funny as the two of us walked along the path up the hill to Shoreline that so many people were staring at me, as if there was something "special" about me. I even commented to my husband, David. "So many people are staring at us," I said.
"I hadn't noticed," he replied. Later on he said, "You know, you are right. There are alot of people looking at us. Kind of strange," he said. "It must be your mala." I was also wearing my mala around my neck, given by my master Osho. It has his picture hanging on a locket.
I remember we bought some bumper stickers made by Land of Medicine Buddha, sponsors of the entire event. I especially liked the one which read, " 'My religion is kindness,' His Holiness the Dalai Lama." I still have that on my car, by the way.
A tall young man at the booth turned and looked at me. "Who's that?" he asked, pointing to my mala, completely ignoring the snow white Tibetan katag.
"Oh, this is Osho," I answered.
"Very Tantric. But this is what is IN, now!" he said, referring to His Holiness, as he gestured towards the whole affair.
We wandered up to find our seats, and still there were alot of people looking curiously in my direction.
We found our seats right in the middle, and sat down in the hot sunshine. "I hope His Holiness will be able to see us," I thought excitedly.
After about a 20 minute wait, former James Bond, Pierce Brosnan came up to the microphone. He greeted everyone and spoke on the terrible situation of The Panchen Lama and Tibet in general.
Next, was introduced His Holiness!
His Holiness began speaking in English. However, he decided instead to speak in his native tongue, Tibetan, so he could communicate more carefully.
He was so happy! He seemed Overjoyed to be with us all. He laughed, smiled, and truly was enjoying everything. There was a large umbrella for him to sit under, yet he stated that he preferred to sit in the direct sunshine. He may have intimated he wanted to sit in the direct sunshine because we all were sitting in the hot sun. Or maybe I just imagined it. I cannot remember for sure. At any rate, I found him enchanting.
As David and I remained sitting in the hot sun, I realized that the top of my head felt as if it was getting sunburnt. I had forgotten to bring along a hat. My hair is quite thin and blonde.
"Man," I said. "All I have to cover my head is the silk katag. Oh well."
So I completely covered my head with the Tibetan katag.
Well, now as I am writing this story, I am chuckling at myself for being about as big an idiot as I have ever been in my entire life!
As I now realize, not only is a katag never to be worn casually, but in the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism, unlike many other religions, one never wears any covering on their head! This is a sign of disrespect.
So now you can see the scene.
I am seeing His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for the very first time. And he is giving his amazing speech on non-violence to thousands of people. Meanwhile, I am sitting there like a Complete Idiot. I can hear some faint conversation behind me. A man is explaining to his girlfriend how Tibetan Buddhism is filed with intricate rituals and strict rules of conduct.
That was when it hit me.
"This probably is not OK," I said to my husband. "It must be the katag! It isn't the mala. It's the katag!"
I quickly removed the katag from my head, with a huge sigh.
"What an Idiot!!!" I thought to myself as I shook my head. "I wonder why no one said anything?"
"Maybe people think His Holiness just gave you a special blessing or audience, and placed the katag around your neck, " my husband said, smiling to help me feel better.
There had been no appointment with His Holiness, of course.
However, his talk on Peace Through Inner Peace was Magnificent!
copyright Anupama Deanne Kallman
Katas or Offering scarves
No Tibetan custom is as well known as the offering of a kata or white scarf in greeting. The kata is an auspicious symbol. It lends a positive note to the start of any enterprise or relationship and indicates the good intentions of the person offering it. Katas are offered to religious images, such as statues of the Buddha, and to lamas and government. Officials prior to requesting their help in the form of prayers or other services. The offering of the kata indicates that the request is not marred by corrupt thoughts or ulterior motives.
There are eight types of katas. Three sizes of elaborate dzod tak, which is a silk kata with auspicious designs woven into it, the Mongolian kata, which is bright blue, the ashi kata, which is plain silk, the subshi, which is loosely woven cotton, the sothar and the khachi.
There are also instances of using katas on inauspicious occasions. One of these the tying of a kata around the neck of a corpse. It is said that once, when a wealthy man suddenly died, his servant, not knowing what else to do tied his cow's woolen halter around the corpse's neck and that this later became a tradition. It is also customary to tie a kata around the neck of a deceased lama, as a sign of petitioning his quick return and the unmistaken recognition of his reincarnation.
