How to Gain an Audience With the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India

Dharamsala in northern India is the residence-in-exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people's spiritual and temporal leader. Although His Holiness maintains a rigorous worldwide touring schedule, he returns to Dharamsala often. When he is there, as is true wherever he is, the Dalai Lama spends most of his waking time contemplating his way toward Enlightenment. When home, it is rare to gain an audience with His Holiness. Whether you go to attend his teachings or to hope for an audience, you must plan well in advance.

Instructions

1. 

   Journey to Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. Plan ahead. Obviously, determine that the Dalai Lama will be in Dharamsala when you get there. Find His Holiness' schedule in the "Resources" below.

2. 

   Follow advice offered at Dalailama.com. You are advised to register in person at the Tibetan Branch Security Office in McLeod Ganj (near Hotel Tibet). Seating is not reserved and entrance to teachings is free. Bring a cup and money to offer the nuns and monks afterward.

3. 

   Contact the Dalai Lama's office via the Web to gather information to gain an audience with His Holiness. You can write the office at The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thekchen Choeling P.O. McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala H.P. 176219, India.

4. 

   Make the most of any opportunity to be in the Dalai Lama's presence. His Office advises that His Holiness is often away and that private audiences are rarely granted. It may be possible to be granted a media interview. These, too, are in great demand. That said, you should try anyway. Do your homework and give plenty of time to coordinate travel, lodging and attendance at teachings. Planning a year in advance is a good idea.

5. 

   Exercise Buddhist principles. Be patient and release any suffering that arises from clinging to expected outcomes. This means that if you expect the unexpected (it is India, after all), you will not be disappointed. If all does not go as planned, enjoy the experience anyway. Dharamsala will not disappoint you, and there is much to gain from the journey.

Resources

• Experience Dharamsala, Home of Dalai Lama in Exile
• Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh)
• The Dalai Lama's schedule