By Olivia WareNew Thought News Service
Words are inadequate to describe experiencing His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak at the Parliament of the World's Religions. At age 16, I was in the front row for the closing ceremony, in the midst of dozens of flashing cameras!
TheDalai Lama
charmed his audience from the moment he stepped on stage.
"Oh, living! Quite warm!" he said as Joy Wandin Murphy, a senior Aboriginal woman of the Wurundjeri people, presented him with an animal skin and a eucalyptus branch. His Holiness laughed and smiled broadly during the performances that followed, and went out of his way to thank the Aboriginal musicians and other artists that took part in the Wednesday afternoon culmination of the weeklong Parliament.
The Dalai Lama commended the work that was done at the Parliament, but reminded us that action is necessary as participants return home. He smiled while saying that sometimes big gatherings can simply be social events, and it is what takes place afterward that truly makes a difference.
If nothing is done in the next five years, the Dalai Lama said, the 2009 Parliament may be regarded as a "sleepy" group by the world.
Parliament organizers took the occasion of the closing ceremony to publicize a new way for attendees to stay connected until the 2014 gathering. A new social network called PeaceNext.org will let people keep in contact, share ideas and expand Parliament-related activities.
Photos, at top, Parliament delegates sign a banner meant for the Copenhagen climate change summit, and above, attendees share an embrace as the last day comes to a close. Photos by Ariane Davis and Wes Yarborough. Wes Yarborough contributed to this report.
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