W

• • •

e followed the Dalai Lama and the Archbishop into the house as
the now-brightening light streamed in through the glass window
panels. The curtains were held back with ties, and the ceiling was painted
black and red. The hallway was hung with brightly colored thangkas, and
the hall was narrowed by bookshelves piled high with golden-spined
sacred texts.
“Now this is my—how do you say—living room, a prayer room,” the
Dalai Lama explained. It seemed fitting that his living room was his
prayer room, since so much of his life is spent in prayer and meditation.
As we entered the room we saw a large, glassed-in altar with a statue of a
somewhat emaciated Buddha. Along the sides of the case were traditional
Tibetan sacred texts, which looked like rectangular blocks. This altar was
similar to a breakfront in a Western home that might be filled with silver
or porcelain objects. On a ledge was a tablet displaying the face of a
clock, which chimed out the hours.
As we entered the room, we saw a much larger altar, which was also
encased in glass. “Now, this statue,” the Dalai Lama said, introducing the
Archbishop to the standing Buddha at the center, “is from the seventh
century. Am I right?” the Dalai Lama asked, turning to Jinpa.
“Right, seventh century,” Jinpa confirmed.
“He was a member of the monastery where this statue once stood,” the
Dalai Lama said, pointing to Jinpa. Known as “Kyirong Jowo,” literally
the brother from Kyirong, this statue of the Buddha is revered as one of
the most precious religious treasures of the Tibetan people. It was clothed
in a traditional Tibetan robe and crowned with a golden, jeweled coronet.
It was surrounded by dozens of smaller statues of the Buddha and other
sacred figures and was framed by white and purple orchids. The statue
was beautifully carved sandalwood, and its face was painted gold. The
eyes were wide-set, the eyebrows thin, the lips curving, the whole face
serene. The statue’s right hand was extended, palm up, in a gentle gesture
of welcome, acceptance, and generosity.
“Wonderful,” the Archbishop said.