Occultism in the Heartland: Speaking the Message of Interfaithism

Throughout history mankind has dreamt about creating a utopian world of peace and harmony, a world where strife and war are no longer a part of man's vocabulary. This dream of remaking the Garden of Eden in man's image has been the focus of world unity organizations, peace activists, and interfaith leaders. And it came to the state of Indiana this past summer in the form of Tibetan Buddhism. For two weeks Indiana was the center of a vast Buddhist ritual to usher in world peace and universal healing. Between August 17 to the 27th, "His Holiness" the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, led the "Kalachakra Initiation for World Peace". Thousands from around the globe flocked to Bloomington, Indiana, to watch and celebrate this monumental event. But who is the "Dalai Lama" and what is the "Kalachakra Initiation"?

A Deity Among Us

 The Dalai Lama - also known as His Holiness the Dalai Lama (HHDL) - is the supposed reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, which is the reincarnation of the previous Lama, and so on and so on. Within Tibetan Buddhism is it believed that the Dalai Lama is the reincarnated manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion. According to Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is a deity transcending time and space.

On July 6, 1935, in a small village in northeast Tibet, Lhamo Dhondrub was born to a peasant family. That same year, the 13th Dalai Lama died. After the death of the 13th Dalai, the Regent of Tibet went to Lhamo Lhatso, a sacred lake ninety miles south of the capital of Tibet. Once at this lake the Regent received a vision of different colored monastery roofs and a house with turquoise tiles. Based on the Regent's mystical message and equipped with the secrets of the vision, high Lama's (Buddhist monks) went searching throughout Tibet looking for the incarnated Dalai.

Two years after the Dalai Lama's death, a high monk from the Sera Monastery led a search party to Lhamo's home. The monk, who went in disguised as a servant, was wearing a rosary that belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama. Lhamo, who was two years old at the time, "recognized" the rosary and "demanded that it be given to him." The disguised Sera monk promised the rosary to Lhamo if he could guess who he was. Lhamo replied that he was "Sera aga", a "lama of Sera". The young Tibetan boy also rightly guessed that the "servant" was the real leader of the group and gave the leader's correct name. Following this initial encounter, the young boy went through a series of tests including "choosing correct articles that had belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama." The searching monks had found their incarnated Dalai.

Once admitted as the 14th Dalai Lama, Lhamo's was renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso - Ocean of Wisdom, Gentle Glory, Holy Lord. In Tibet, "His Holiness" is usually referred to as Yeshe Norbu - "The Presence".

In 1967 the 14th Dalai Lama started on a worldwide journey, raising awareness of global unity, universal brotherhood, and the "truths" of all religions. Since that time, "His Holiness" has met with many political and religious world leaders, spreading his message of universality. Some world leaders he has spent time with include:


Tony Blair, Prime Minister, United Kingdom
Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President, Brazil
Jacques Chirac, President, France
Kofi Annan, Secretary General, United Nations
William J. Clinton, President, U.S.A.
Albert Gore, Vice-President, U.S.A
Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State, U.S.A.
Lee Teng-hui, President, Taiwan
Dr. Klaus Hansch, President, European Parliament
Jacques Santer, President, European Union
John Howard, Prime Minister, Australia
Jim Bolger, Prime Minister, New Zealand
Nelson Mandela, President, South Africa
"Her Majesty" Queen Elizabeth
"His Holiness" Pope John Paul II
Gro Harlem Brundtland, Prime Minister, Norway
George Bush, President, U.S.A.
Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury
"His Holiness" Pope Paul VI

The Dalai Lama has met with scores of other heads of state, world politicians, commissioners with the European Union, religious leaders of all types, diplomats, and parliamentary leaders. He has received honorary doctorates from universities around the world. Besides receiving the 1989 Noble Peace Prize, he has been given awards from the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, the New York Lawyer's Alliance, the New York Temple of Understanding, the U.N. Environmental Program, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, the World Management Council, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the Research Institute of America, among others. He has been made an "honorary citizen" of Houston, Texas and Wheaton, Illinois. In 1979 the mayors of San Francisco and Los Angeles presented him with the keys to both cities. And Jerusalem's Hebrew University made him an "Honorary Fellow" on March 20, 1994.

Coming in the name of "peace", the Dalai preaches a message of hope through unity - world unity, political unity, and most importantly, spiritual unity. Consider his September 4, 1997 comments while attending the Forum 2000 Conference in Prague. At this event, the Dalai spoke about "the acceptance of universally binding standards of human rights" and the development of the "global political structure." He spoke of demilitarizing the entire planet, going so far as to suggest "the abolition of all national defensive forces…creat[ing] an international force to which all member states would contribute." His dream is of "an interdependent yet peaceful and cooperative global society" complete with a "plurality of faiths and religions". Interfaithism, the idea that all religions can unite around a universal understanding of spiritual truth, is central to the Dalai's work.

Turning The Wheel Of Time

Drawing thousands from around the world, the "Kalachakra" was a multi-day Buddhist event. It contained "Earth Rituals" and an "Earth Ritual Dance," prayer presentations, Buddhist lectures and teachings, ritual offering dances, ceremonies, student initiations, and times of meditation for healing and harmony. The Kalachakra is not just one ritual, but a series of initiations, ceremonies, and Buddhist religious functions.

The Kalachakra, also known as the "Turning of the Wheel of Time", has been performed in the United States on three other occasions. As this Kalachakra was the last one before the turning of the new millennium, it was especially significant. To aid in the Bloomington, Indiana event, a new three-story shrine was constructed, as well as numerous outbuildings and facilities for housing the many visiting lama's. The Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, which is presided over by the Dalai Lama's brother, shipped in a 1,000 pound three-dimensional "Kalachakra mandala" from India which replicated the palace of Kalachakra.

While the main thrust of the event focused on the teachings of the Dalai and the actual initiation, many sideline attractions were held to compliment the Kalachakra. Tibetan films, musicians, and performers gave visiting followers ample venues to continue their Buddhist experiences. One of the "benefit" shows was the Mystical Arts of Tibet which featured monks performing the Dur-dak Gar-cham, also known as the Dance of the Skeleton Lords, a presentation to remind oneself of the fleeting nature of the world.

The Kalachakra was a time to add to the "universal" life energy of "peace" and world love. It was a "sacred" assembly, an event to help usher in the new millennium. It was, in essence, a time of ushering in occult forces to aid in the dawning of the New Age.

Through all the ceremony and pomp, the teachings and lectures, the rituals and regalia, a "transcending" spiritual theme was interwoven. All religions and faiths are pathways, blending together in search for "God" and universal "truth". It is the occult road to "spiritual" evolution.

Blending Of The Gods

 Officially subtitled "An Interfaith Teaching for World Peace", the Kalachakra was specifically aimed at drawing in representatives from other religions. At the opening ceremony held in Indianapolis' Market Square Arena, four representatives from world faiths publicly displayed their support of the Dalai and his message. Greeting "His Holiness" were Dr. Clark Williamson from the Christian Theological Seminary of Indianapolis; Iman Michael Saahir of the Nur-Allah Islamic Center; Sister Margaret Funk, a Catholic Nun and Executive Director of the Monastic Interfaith Dialogue; and Rabbi Dennis Sasso from the Beth-el Zedeck congregation. Consider these leader's "greetings" at the welcoming ceremony for "His Holiness", in which over 4,400 hungry soul's gathered to hear "truth".

Dr. Clark Williamson (representing Protestantism) -

Everything and anything can and must be questioned. Nothing is above question. That's kind of an anti-dogmatic principle, isn't it? But it is a striking one for this day in which we're trying to talk about religious pluralism and inter-faith and inter-religious conversation and cooperation. To be reminded - it is quite salient to be reminded - that we do not have, any of us, a corner on the absolute truth.

Iman Michael Saahir (representing Islam) -

Standing here in Market Square Arena, before this beautiful gathering of believers of various faiths and backgrounds, it is indeed an honor to extend greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of the Islam communities here in Indianapolis. And also we sincerely give thanks to the Tibetan Cultural Center for their gracious outreach to our people. Iman W. Muhammad who is the Muslim-American spokesman, he also sends special greetings and encourage the works and support to His Holiness…May God bless us with peace in abundance for what we learn during this Kalachakra, led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Sister Margaret Funk, OSB, (representing Roman Catholicism) -

We are privileged Hoosiers today to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Indiana. He is more than a peace filled man because he also teaches us how to embody peace in our everyday lives. I intend to follow His Holiness down to Bloomington this next ten days and be an observer for the Kalachakra Initiation rite. Since I've already taken vows as a Roman Catholic nun, I won't be a participant, but I expect to enter into it as if it's my own retreat…The Kalachakra ritual is an empowerment…it has the unique energy of bringing wisdom…Yes, Indiana is the first beneficiary of this sacred gathering of like minded people that are following His Holiness to Bloomington.

Rabbi Dennis Sasso (representative of Judaism) -

It was once assumed that east is east and west is west, and never the twain shall meet - not today. In our global village east and west do indeed meet…the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama affords us an opportunity to further grow in a deeper knowledge and appreciation of each other's cultural and spiritual traditions. As a teacher of Judaism and as a student of world religions I find in Buddhism's noble truths a tradition rich in reverence…Judaism and Tibetan Buddhism, in particular, share several intellectual and spiritual strands…a system of ritual discipline and a higher goal of metaphysical enlightenment. Of course, even as we share similarities, we also recognize differences. These differences reflect our spiritual uniqueness and enrich our varied landscapes of the sacred. But where our paths diverge is not as important as the point at which they intercept.
And it wasn't just religious leaders who welcomed this Buddhist "deity" to Indiana. At the opening ceremony Governor Frank O'Bannon, Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, and actor Steven Seagal each acknowledged the Dalai Lama as either "His Holiness" or "Your Holiness". Yet God makes it clear in Isaiah 8:13 that He, Yahweh, is the only one to be regarded as Holy.

According to Sister Margaret Funk, this high priest of Buddhism has had an especially profound interfaith connection to Catholicism within the Hoosier state. Sister Funk explained at the opening ceremony, "In 1996 he was here in Indiana at the invitation of our board to come to the Abby of Gethsemane where 200 of us monks and nuns gathered together to dialogue about meditation practices." This inter-religious connection would only be strengthened during the time of the Kalachakra. On Monday, August 23, an invitation-only interfaith service hosted by the Tibetan Cultural Center and led by the Dalai Lama, convened at St. Charles Catholic Church. According to Margaret Funk all faiths were welcome.

Endnotes:
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The Government of Tibet in Exile, Discovery of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama,
http://www.tibet.com/DL/dicovery.html [Accessed 10/7/1999].
The Government of Tibet in Exile, The Dalai Lama's biography,
http://www.tibet.com/DL/biography.html [Accessed 10/7/99].
The Government of Tibet in Exile, World Leaders His Holiness the Dalai Lama has met, http://www.tibet.com/DL/leaders.html [Accessed 10/7/99].
The Government of Tibet in Exile, The Dalai Lama's biography,
http://www.tibet.com/DL/biography.html [Accessed 10/7/99].
The Government of Tibet in Exile, Major Awards conferred on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, http://www.tibet.com/DL/awards.html [Accessed 10/7/99].
See his new book Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for a New Millennium. It can be found in most major libraries and bookstores.
The Government of Tibet in Exile, Speech of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the "Forum 2000" Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 3-7 September 1997,
http://www.tibet.com/DL/forum-2000.html [Accessed 10/7/99].
Dr. Clark Williamson at the Welcoming Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, August 16, 1999. Audio recorded by in attendance at the ceremony [Welcoming of Dalai Lama, Tape 1, Side A, August 16, 1999]. Iman Michael Saahir at the Welcoming Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, August 16, 1999. Audio recorded in attendance at the ceremony [Welcoming of Dalai Lama, Tape 1, Side A, August 16, 1999]. OSB, Order of St. Benedict.
Sister Margaret Funk, OSB, at the Welcoming Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, August 16, 1999. Audio recorded in attendance at the ceremony [Welcoming of Dalai Lama, Tape 1, Side A, August 16, 1999].
Rabbi Dennis Sasso at the Welcoming Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, August 16, 1999. Audio recorded by in attendance at the ceremony [Welcoming of Dalai Lama, Tape 1, Side A, August 16, 1999]. Sister Margaret Funk, OSB, at the Welcoming Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, August 16, 1999. Audio recorded by attendance at the ceremony [Welcoming of Dalai Lama, Tape 1, Side A, August 16, 1999].
Tibetan Cultural Center,
http://www.tibetancc.com [Accessed 12/10/99]. Ruth Holladay, "Dalai Lama's followers aren't troubled by tab for tranquility,"
The Indianapolis Star, August 17, 1999, p.B1. The security check for the Dalai Lama's first presentation included a walk-through metal detector and handbag search. For the second public assembly, only a handbag search was required. On both occasions my fanny pack was thoroughly checked. Cameras, video recorders, and all audiotaping devices were prohibited.
Judith Cebula, "A peaceful century," The Indianapolis Star, August 17, 1999, p.A2. Ibid., p.A2.