B

must get, and went over to greet him. Mpho did, too. Then the
Archbishop did as well. They held hands and bowed to each other.
Now was the time for Communion. The Archbishop lifted up a small
piece of Tibetan white bread and placed it in the Dalai Lama’s mouth.
One could see the beaded U-B-U-N-T-U bracelet on the Archbishop’s
wrist affirming our connectedness and interdependence to one another. It
was the reminder that we can be in communion with everyone. Then
Mpho approached with the glass of red wine. The Dalai Lama dipped the
tip of his left ring finger into the glass and then placed the smallest drop
into his mouth.
After giving everyone Communion, the Archbishop used his finger to
collect all the crumbs, so not a smidgen of the symbolic body would be
discarded, then poured any remaining bits into the glass of watered-down
wine and drank it.
The Archbishop ended with a blessing in Xhosa, clicking repeatedly in
the beautiful sound poetry of his native language, crossed himself, and
then made the sign of the cross over the gathered fellowship. “I’m driving
you out, go out into the world. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah. In the name of Christ. Amen. Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.”

•           •           •

efore we left, the Dalai Lama stopped to take some pills, which he
explained were Tibetan medicines. He chewed them up, his face
puckering at their bitter taste.
“That’s why you are looking so handsome,” the Archbishop said.
“Because of God’s grace,” the Dalai Lama replied.
Rachel then added, “God’s grace sends the Tibetan doctor.”
“In terms of physical strength, God loves the nonbeliever more than
the believer!” the Dalai Lama said, laughing.
The Archbishop began to cackle, too, as he took his cane and started to
walk away but then turned around: “Don’t laugh at your own jokes, man.”
“You taught me to do that.” Then the Dalai Lama got up, wrapped his