A Holy & Wholesome Encounter With The Dalai Lama | Sunday Special

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 08:30 IST

Never had I imagined that one day, he would bless my own daughter, pressing his forehead gently against hers, as if transferring a lifetime of serenity in a single, silent moment

He pressed his forehead gently against hers. That moment was spiritual, electric. Pic/News18

We’ve grown up seeing his smiling face in textbooks, reading about his unshakable faith in compassion, and hearing tales of his spiritual wisdom passed down through generations. For most of us, the Dalai Lama has always been a figure larger than life—yet remarkably familiar. With his twinkling eyes, infectious laugh, and gentle presence, he often resembles the grandfather we all wish we had. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day, His Holiness would bless my own daughter, pressing his forehead gently against hers, as if transferring a lifetime of serenity in a single, silent moment.

That moment—so pure, so unexpected—will stay etched in my heart forever.

A Chance Encounter in the Hills

It all began with a family vacation to McLeod Ganj on May 29. A break from routine, some time in the hills, and temple visits were all that we had in mind. But destiny had other plans. While strolling through the market, I ran into an old friend, an active member of Namgyal Monastery, also referred to as the Dalai Lama’s Temple in McLeod Ganj.

Over tea, he casually asked, “Would you like to meet Guruji?" Without a second thought, I said, “Yes."

Entering the Heart of Tibetan Spirituality

My friend managed to get us an early morning slot—something I later realised was a rare and privileged opportunity. We were instructed to report at 7 am sharp at the Tsuglagkhang Complex, the spiritual heart of the Tibetan community in India. It houses the Namgyal Monastery and is also the official residence of His Holiness. The place is serene yet fortified, humming with both prayer and precision.

As a journalist, I’ve met countless dignitaries—ministers, governors, even heads of state. So initially, the thought of meeting the Dalai Lama felt no different—just another high-profile interaction, albeit with tighter protocol and a more spiritual air. That changed quickly.

More Than Just a Meeting

As we entered the heavily secured premises, a monk handed us a delicate imprint shaped like a leaf. It felt symbolic, like a quiet acknowledgement that we had been chosen. Security was understandably intense. All our belongings—phones, watches, even handkerchiefs—were collected and sealed into labelled pouches. We were scanned thoroughly, body and bag alike. The Dalai Lama’s security detail, discreet but formidable, ensured that nothing was left to chance. Armed guards stood silently at strategic points while Tibetan staff managed the entire flow with calm efficiency.

We carried with us a traditional khata, a white silk scarf offered as a symbol of respect. The plan was to present it and request blessings. After passing through multiple layers of checks, we were guided to a quiet wooden cottage tucked into a corner of the complex. It was there that we waited—my wife, our daughter, and I—in complete silence, absorbing the stillness.

Flashbacks from Childhood Classrooms

As we sat there, I couldn’t help but reflect. My mind drifted to childhood classrooms—those moral science and general knowledge textbooks that first introduced us to His Holiness. We read about his escape from Tibet, his tireless advocacy for nonviolence, and how he came to be known as a harbinger of peace across the world.

For many of us, he was our first understanding of what spiritual leadership looked like. That gentle smile printed beside his life story had stayed with me over the years, quietly becoming a symbol of compassion. And now, I was here—on the cusp of meeting the very man I had only known through pages and posters.

The Moment of Blessing

Soon, an officer in full tactical gear appeared and said softly, “Sir, this way, please." We were led to another space where a single chair awaited us. And then came the moment.

A small battery-operated cart approached, and in it, clad in his signature maroon robes, was His Holiness. Frail with age, but glowing. Radiating a peace that I can’t quite explain. Due to health concerns, we were informed that his advisors had limited his physical interactions for the day. We were to receive a silent blessing.

But something changed when he saw my daughter.

He looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes and asked in a soft voice, “Which class are you in?" She replied with what we had taught her to say, “I am in Class Prep. Kindly bless us." At that, he smiled widely, and with a quick gesture, he instructed one of his disciples to lift her up. He pressed his forehead gently against hers. That moment was spiritual, electric. I could feel something stir in the air—something ancient, something powerful.

A Token of Protection

He then turned to my wife and me, gave us his blessings, and handed over an envelope. Inside was his photograph and a note titled “Holy blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama".

It contained two kinds of sacred pills—Mani Rilbu and Vajrakilaya—used in Tibetan Buddhism. They are believed to carry the blessings of Buddhist masters and are made with various ingredients, including medicinal herbs, minerals, and others, and are said to have healing properties.

The red Mani Rilbu had been blessed with over 100 million recitations of “Om Mani Padme Hum" during Buddha Purnima by monks and devotees. These were not just spiritual relics—they were believed to prevent illness and bring protection. The Vajrakilaya pills, darker in colour, were blessed through ancient tantric rituals invoking the wrathful deity Vajrakilaya, known for removing spiritual obstacles and shielding the soul from misfortune.

The reverence with which they were handed over made it clear—this was more than tradition. It was trust, transferred from one soul to another.

Carrying Peace Forward

As we stepped out of the Tsuglagkhang Complex, the air felt different. Lighter. I looked at my daughter, unaware yet glowing. I looked at my wife, equally overwhelmed. And I looked back once more, knowing I had just been part of something far greater than a meeting. It was a blessing. Just a few weeks after our visit, His Holiness quietly celebrated his 90th birthday and reiterated his intention to step back gradually, entrusting the next generation to carry forward his message of compassion.

Realising that our encounter came at this cusp in his remarkable life only deepens its glow. Some meetings change your perspective; this one changed something deeper, something within. As we walked away from that sacred space, I carried not just a memory but a quiet sense of peace I never knew I was searching for.

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