Many times I am asked if I am angry at the Chinese for what has happened. Sometimes I loose some temper, but afterwords I get more concern, more compassion towards them. In my daily prayer, I take in their suffering, their anger, and ignorance...and give back compassion. This kind of practice I continue. -Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso 59
Born to a peasant family, he was discovered to be the reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion at the age of two. At four he was installed as the fourteenth Dalai Lama and then as a teenager he faced the invasion of his country. Eight years later he was forced to flee to neighboring India, where he still lives. Our appointment for this portrait was set for the afternoon on the rooftop of his residence. As he approached, I nervously held out my hand to greet him. He avoided it, stuck his fingers in my ribs, let out his famous laugh, and tickled me.

Photo by Phil Borges
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