The Book of Joy

“Kalachakra,” the Dalai Lama explained, “is a big Buddhist
ceremony.”
“After that, we came to Dharamsala,” she continued. “My
grandmother started to cry when she saw His Holiness, and he blessed
both of us, and my grandmother then told me who he was. I joined TCV,
and my grandmother went back to Tibet. I have not been back to Tibet
and it . . . it has been thirteen years since I last saw my family.” Tenzin
was crying again, but still trying to speak. As she cried, I noticed that
Jinpa was crying, no doubt moved by her tears, but also perhaps
remembering his own early days at a Tibetan boarding school away from
his family. The Dalai Lama had the palms of his hands pressed together
at his heart.
“I was sad to leave my family, but I have found many things that have
brought me joy. I have many friends and I have wonderful teachers and I
have Master Lobsang—who is just like my dad.” Tenzin was still
speaking between tears, her pain spilling over, and I noticed that Ngodup
Wangdu, the director of the school, was wiping his eyes with the edge of
his gray robe.
“And during my last year of school, I remember and thank all those
who have worked together and made me what I am today. Without the
support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, there would be no TCV. So I
thank you, Your Holiness, from the depth of my heart. Thank you.”
Tenzin was speaking valiantly through her tears. She stepped back as the
next student stepped forward, a younger girl.
“Tashi delek, Your Holiness. Tashi delek, Desmond Tutu,” she began,
offering the traditional Tibetan greeting. “First of all, I’d like to say my
name is Yongzin Lhamo, and I am in class eight. I came to India in 2007.
Today, I’m here to share my journey. My journey to India started from
Tawo in the Kham province of Tibet. I was only five, and I had to leave
my family behind. The pain I went through leaving my family . . .”
Yongzin Lhamo stopped and broke down in tears, unable to even start her
story; the fact that she had to leave her family was all that really
mattered. Mpho came back out and put her arm around the young girl to
comfort her.