"This chronic disease of cherishing myself is the cause giving rise to my unsought suffering. Perceiving this, I seek your blessings to blame, begrudge, and destroy the monstrous demon of selfishness." So says the Dalai Lama.

On September 13, 2006, my son and I went to the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles to see and hear the Dalai Lama speak on the subject of Compassion: The Source of Happiness. The place was packed and the lines long and slow getting into the arena. So much so that the event started a half hour late. People of all ages and religions and ethnicities were there. Many monks attended, as well.

On the stage were the Dalai Lama's chair/throne, and a chair for his translator/interpreter, a huge bouquet of colorful and fragrant flowers. On the curtains was the symbol of the lotus, and the theater smelled of flowers and incense, and humidity.

Here are the highlights of his talk today:

The Dalai Lama started off his speech by saying that if anybody came to see him because he is someone special or has special powers, they will be disappointed. He's also skeptical of anybody supposedly possessing special powers. He mentioned how somebody recently was asking him silly questions about religion, and he answered them with, "I am a scientist." He said some scriptures say that the moon has its own light, but science has proven that the light on the moon is reflected off of the sun. So, basically, he gives religion so much importance, but science much more. He likes to be realistic and thinks we all should be, too.

He then got right into his three main commitments to his life on this planet in this messages. Human beings have some moral responsibility and should contribute to make the world better. One's attitude is most important.

Extreme self-centeredness is one of the world's biggest problems. We need to have a global awareness, see with a wider perspective. People who are self-centered are hindered in seeing long term consequences. People need compassion, concern for others.

By birth alone, humanity has the capacity to bring people together. We are social animals. At birth a baby reaches out to suck milk, to grab on to others in order to survive and grow. There is also the bonding, love and compassion that is created during this time with the mother. This bond is so strong that even now, being over 70 years of age, the Dalai Lama can still feel the bond with his mother.

By nature, hatred and jealousy push people away. In order for human beings to have a happy life, they need warm-heartedness, love.

Religious harmony is very essential in today's world. The Dalai Lama believes human beings still get some benefit from religion. In spite of different philosophies, all religions have the same message: love, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, self-discipline, contentment. The more variety of different philosophies can serve people. For instance, between Buddhism and Christianity much is being shared to teach one another about their customs and beliefs. We need harmony.

Lastly, the Dalai Lama is semi-retired for the past five years, and yet he knows people want to hear him talk and he enjoys speaking with people. All the political power is now in the hands of the next Lama.

On the subject of compassion, the Dalai Lama said there are different levels of compassion, from the lowest in which one feels a closeness and caring between a good friend, but still contains attachments and conditions. It is restricted. From here we move into other level where one feels pity, has some discrimination, no respect and is still biased. On the next level one moves closer to people, not self-centered, more unbiased compassion and believes that everyone deserves the reduction of suffering. Here one’s enemy is human and one develops concern for them even though they are their enemy. Your mental state becomes more calm because everyone appears like friends. There is much less fear, worry, and jealousy. It creates an open atmosphere where one can reach out. Even disagreements can be resolved without losing compassion.

At this point the Dalai Lama put on an orange sun visor given to him by a friend. He had his translator/interpreter read the words on the visor – it was about golf. Everybody laughed. He said he didn't care what was written on it, it helped his eyes deal with the strong lights.

He continued speaking about how on a global scale there is a wide gap between the rich and poor. There are many more billionaires all of the time, and yet the poor remain poor. There is a lack of funds and global responsibility and compassion, which leaves people suffering and dying from starvation and disease. Governments also don’t much care, unless something touches them directly.

Fish and animals also suffer, and if we treat them poorly, we treat people poorly. People treat others like a vegetable. Those people who play with life have no feeling at all. Cruel people, such as Hitler or Stalin, must have had some empathy as babies, but society made them cruel people. Society has a responsibility and not to see the destruction of one's neighbors as a win for one's self. It’s different now. Many people still use the terms "we" and "they" and we need to say just "we." All of our futures is in OUR hands, everybody working together because we’re all interrelated and interconnected. We need each other.

Peace is not the absence of violence. Compassion is the key factor. Then there is less violence. We must have a realistic approach. We need to respect one another.

Terrorism is due to serious mistakes that were planted as a seed for hatred. Modern technology and human intelligence guided by hatred – no good. If you mishandle Bin Laden today, you can have many Bin Ladens in the future.

The Dalai Lama said that this century should be the century for dialogue. Face-to-face, listen, with respect, patience, compassion.

A more compassionate mind also makes for a healthier mind. Scientific tests and findings prove it. People who say, "me, I, mine" and are self-centered have the greatest risk of heart attack. That attitude also narrows one's view and mind. When we look at humanity as a whole, we expand. We also realize that even a serious personal problem is easier to handle.

How to increase compassion? Through education on the basis of sharing personal common experiences and promote religious harmony. He said that he was working with a school in Vancouver to raise young children with more compassion and respect and hopes it will be a catalyst for others.

I know that the schools my own children went to have always done this through community service and promoting understanding and education of other religions and cultures, having events with people from other faiths and cultures, sharing homes, and so forth. It is happening, but I do not see this in the public school system.

That was the end of his main talk, and the next half hour was spent with him answering some questions from the audience, and thanks.

My son and I did not learn anything new by attending this event. If anything it just reinforced what we already know and live. He does focus on compassion wherever he goes. This was the second time I've seen the Dalai Lama live, the first time was in a more intimate setting. Today, though, he did not talk about China as he did the first time I saw him. I do question one thing he says, however. I don't agree that none of us wishes suffering: perhaps not for one's self, but there sure are those who do, evident by the many daily terrorist acts on this planet.

I was a little disappointed at how short the event was, and felt that the Dalai Lama could have gotten into more detail about some of the topics he raised. Anyway, it is always fun to see the Dalai Lama, though, as he’s quite funny. He never lets anyone forget that he is just like us, human, with emotions and faults.

As we left the theatre the Lamas group went out with us, and they went into a Starbucks for some refreshments. lol

For more info about the Dalai Lama, go to his site.