Local students made the trek to Bloomington last week to hear The Dalai Lama speak about compassion. Unfortunately, some were lost in translation.
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and the country’s exiled president, gave a series of lectures at the IU auditorium on Wednesday and Thursday.
The 74-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate often speaks in Bloomington where his brother, Thubten Norbu, a former IU professor, founded the Bloomington Tibetan Cultural Center.
Laelonni Williams, a 32-year-old nursing student at Indiana Wesleyn University said she enjoyed the event but couldn’t get past the language barrier.
“When he got down to the teaching, I didn’t know what he was saying,” she said.
For the majority of his teaching the Lama spoke his native Tibetan language. He would pause periodically so his translator could address the crowd.
Williams’ younger brother Kevin, a 26-year old accounting freshman at Ivy Tech Community College echoed his sister’s frustration, but said he enjoyed the experience.
“For me, it was well worth the trip,” he said, “You’re not going to get that many opportunities to see someone that influential in your lifetime.”
Williams also said he enjoyed the chance to step outside of his own culture.
See more images from the event here.
“Before he came out, the monks were doing a lot of chanting. It was impressive,” he said.
When asked what he took away from the event Williams said, “life is a blessing, and we should treat it that way.”
Kelli Miles, a 23-yea-old education senior at Spalding University made the two-hour drive to see the Lama speak on both days.
“I’m happy I was able to see him,” she said. “I’ve had quite a lot of respect and admiration for him for a long time now.”
Miles said she said had never seen a more dignified person than the Lama.
“He is probably the happiest person you’ve ever seen,” she said.
She said she understood the language barrier, but didn’t see it as a problem.
“I didn’t mind the translation,” she said. “I think everyone deserved to hear and understand what he was saying.”
The teachings were translated in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Mongolian.
Like others at the event, Miles visited the many booths and shops outside the auditorium. Vendors were selling everything from elaborate hand-made rugs to Buddhist prayer beads.
With the influx of tourists, the teachings brought a much-desired economic boost to
Bloomington businesses.
Miles said she enjoyed dining at a local Tibetan restaurant and talking with vendors. “It wasn’t a complete cultural emersion, it was only a scrape but it was definitely different from Jeffersonville.”
Miles said his teaching had a large emphasis on common respect.
“I don’t even know how to put it into words,” she said. “But to me, his message translated into having a larger respect for your fellows.”
After his teachings, the Lama headed north on Friday for another teaching at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Proceeds from the Indianapolis event were donated to the Interfaith Hunger Initiative to help feed children in Indiana and Kenya.