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Meeting the Dalai Lama: Everything You Need to Know

Meena Nair

Last updated: Sep 24, 2019

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People who have had had the good fortune of meeting the Dalai Lama describe the experience as profound and insightful, something they have been blessed to have encountered. If you desire to have a meeting with the Dalai Lama, here is how to go about it.

Where to Meet the Dalai Lama?

Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is where the Dalai Lama resides. He has been living here since 1959, when he was forced to escape into exile after the brutal suppression of Tibetan national uprising by the Chinese troops. Now 82 years of age, Dalai Lama still makes it a point to meet his followers, and impart Buddhist philosophies and teachings.

Read More: A weekend in Dharamshala

How to Meet the Dalai Lama?

There are different ways you can meet the Dalai Lama:

Private Audience with Dalai Lama

Private audiences with the Dalai Lama are usually scheduled thrice a week – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. To have a private audience, you have to send an application consisting detailed information of yourself and the specific reasons as to why you wish to meet His Holiness. Applications are called for well in advance, and each application are minutely screened. Last minute applications may not be entertained.

Meet the Dalai Lama at a public event

Throughout the year, the Dalai Lama speaks at different public events in India and abroad, where you can meet him. The official website (www.dalalilama.com) puts up his schedule so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Most events in India come free of cost, but it is usually chargeable abroad. His Holiness never charges for his lectures or discourses. However, when the event is organised by third parties, they charge a minimum entrance fee so that the travel costs are covered. People can directly get in touch with the organizers for the tickets. So, do check out the event dates and plan your trip accordingly.

Request an exclusive appointment

You can write to the office of Dalai Lama seeking a direct and exclusive audience with his Holiness. It can be via:

An e-mail: ohhdl@dalailama.com or
Through snail-mail: @ His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thekchen Choeling, P.O. McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) 176219, India

The Dalai Lama loves meeting people from across the world and if you are lucky, you will actually be called for a meeting with him.

Book Your Flight to Dharamshala

Read More: Dharamshala with friends

What to Expect When You Meet the Dalai Lama?

Most people who have met the Dalai Lama were humbled by his simplicity and warmth. If you are meeting His Holiness at an event, he will make it a point to greet you, look into your eyes and acknowledge your presence. People who have had a private audience have raved about his radiance, his humour and his immensely simplified solutions to life’s problems. One message that each one is bound to carry back is that all human beings are equal and have to be treated with love and compassion at all times.

Featured Image Courtesy: Dalai Lama Official Website

Meena Nair

A simpleton - who loves to dream, who tries to be true to self in this mystical world of un-realities, who tries to find humor in every wake of life, one for whom words mean everything. Nothing can be more beautiful than words! Oh! And currently the passion is high on simplifying life 

Comments

Abhishek | on 06 April 2018

Hello Meena Thanks for the blog. Could you help me with the process of sending an application for a private audience? I couldn't find much details on the website. Thanks a lot