WASHINGTON — The Dalai Lama, wearing a baseball cap and laughing at the occasional joke, spoke at the Washington National Cathedral Friday, giving his views on ethical issues going beyond organized religion.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is the spiritual leader of more than six million Tibetan Buddhists people. He talked about unity that goes beyond the conventions of religious backgrounds.
After a discussion with the Rev. Mariann Budde and the Rev. Gary Hall, he welcomed questions from students, answering in front of the congregation. He even threw a question back to a high school senior.
But outside, more than 800 members of the International Shudgen Community of Buddhists called for the Dalai Lama to “stop telling lies.” The protesters disagree with his view on Dorje Shugden, a controversial and ancient Buddhist practice. People traveled from all over the country and world, as far as California and Australia, to gather in front of the National Cathedral.
The Dalai Lama has said that allowing the practice of Dorje Shugden would cause division within Tibetan Buddhism. Furthermore, Dorje Shugden is the worship of a spirit, which contradicts the fundamental Buddhist belief of not worshiping deities.
Despite loud protests outside the cathedral, when the Dalai Lama laughed in the sanctuary the large audience inside laughed with him. When he spoke about hope for “peace and harmony,” the crowd was silent and reverent.
