What I did this weekend? I met the Dalai Lama

(My husband, Rev. Arthur Price with the Dalai Lama) photo credit: Liesa Cole)

The 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the people of Tibet, toured16th Street Baptist Church Saturday while on his weekend visit to Birmingham. Pastor Arthur Price took the Dalai Lama through the churches’ memorial nook to show the images of the 1963 bombing of the church. As they approached the upstairs, the plan was to share with him the church’s rich history that led up to that fateful day on September 15th and how Birmingham has moved forward in reconciliation and forgiveness. BUT the Dalai Lama had other plans! Coming through the back of the church he paused at a bench, sat down and began a very informal discussion with reporters who were all but eager for the opportunity to hear him speak of peace, religion, and non-violence. I had the PERFECT spot in front and want to share with you the video and some photos from this very casual look into the heart and soul of the Nobel Peace Prize winner who is revered by many. (P.S. Please forgive the lighting, he actually chose to sit in one of the darkest parts of the sanctuary and I didn’t have a fancy camera and lights like the pros did…. guess we know what’s on my Christmas list! lol)

The Dalai Lama’s visit also brought hundreds of protestors to Birmingham who will travel thousands of miles no matter where he speaks. The contention arises from the 1996 ban by the Dalai Lama for worship of the Buddhist deity Dorje Shugden and prayers to the deity that are said by millions of people worldwide. As a result of this, Tibetan Buddhists in their exile communities now enforce a strict ban on Shugden Buddhism and persecute its practitioners. There were also a few hundred supporters for the Dalai Lama outside the church as well.

The Dalai Lama presented us with this Tibetan scarf as a gift:

I've uploaded video of the Dalai Lama’s informal discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZXCgVhDxb0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIZIDZVoBzAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvUdRVCAYZ8