Editorial – Union Tribune San Diago
Anyone who spends a significant amount of time with well-known public figures can offer up horror stories about the gap between the persona some of these folks present via the media and how they actually behave. So when a famous person comes to San Diego whose reputation seems too good to be true and he more than lives up to that reputation, that’s extremely refreshing.
We refer, of course, to the Dalai Lama, who spent three days in San Diego this week spreading his message of compassion, tolerance for those with differing religious views and the need for global cohesion in dealing with environmental problems affecting us all. The world’s most famous Buddhist monk seemingly charmed everyone he encountered, while showing just the empathetic virtues he touts – treating service people with respect and good cheer, going to comfort an ailing donor who helped make his trip possible, displaying a genuine interest in the work and lives of those he met.
The Dalai Lama, who is 76, is the spiritual leader ofTibet, a small nation occupied byChinasince 1951. Forced into exile inIndiain 1959, he has led an extraordinary life, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his advocacy of Tibetan independence, among many honors. San Diegoshould feel lucky and blessed to have had him as a guest.
