his Holiness, Desmond Tutu, a panel discussion review(that rhymes!)

People review books, movies, albums, and other stuff we entertain ourselves with. So I thought I would review a recent panel discussion I attended.

Seeds of Compassion has managed to host one of the largest public free gatherings of world religious(all faiths) leaders probably anywhere. Over five days 2-300.000 people had the opportunity to engage questions of faith, violence, war, ignorance, media, etc. To what extent each individual considered and reflected on their own personal vestment, point of view, concern for these issues will only be evident in the coming years. But no 1 event can cause true repentance.

I only found out about this huge event a week or so before it actually occurred when I received a phone call from a friend who had tickets and had carefully (l would like to think) chosen who she thought would invest in the content being presented and discussed. I jumped on the chance to attend the final day of the conference/event where there would be a panel discussion with these people:

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Rob Bell, Sister Joan Chittister, Jasmit Singh Kochar, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Rabbi David Rosen, Pravrajika Vrajaprana, Roshi Joan Halifax, Sheikh Ahmed Tijani Ben Omar, Bishop Stephen Charleston, Linda Kavelin-Popov, Reverend Samuel B. McKinney, Doug Pagitt, Father William Treacy, Shelia Evans-Tranumn, Steven Shankman

and 2 kids, Ben and Uriah.

A couple days later I was also given a ticket to a much larger address by the Dalai Lama at Qwest Field the Saturday previous to the panel discussion. Tickets to all of these events were totally free accept for those people who think nothing is ever free and bought tickets from con-people on Craigslist. There were around 30,000 in attendance for the highly ceremonious and cheesy event which stood in painfully stark contrast to the brief unadorned speech and brutally honest responses of the Dalai Lama. Oh how we can miss the point so gloriously! I was excited for a more honest exchange between him and other world leaders who deserve as much attention and equally (i can imagine) despise it.

The panel discussion took place at UW’s basketball arena next to its football stadium. I grumbled on the way in as they announced their strict security measure of no bags or food. “Oh, so they can charge me $20 for a hot dog and bottled water?” We entered and there were box lunches on tables dispersed evenly throughout the building with attendants handing them out happily. “They are free!” They had to constantly remind everyone since nothing is free, ever! And if it is there are strings attached.

Anyway, my grumbling was humbled and I was well fed.

The 1st of 2 panel discussions began without too much ceremony. The long line of panelists sat in differing chairs depending on their importance. Kids on the outside in black metal framed chairs with little padding. The Dalai Lama in the center lounged in his bright red thickly padded reading chair. Everyone else sat in cream colored, well upholstered corner chairs…even Desmond Tutu. Between Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama(can I just call him Buddha its easier?) there was a table with water and tea. This meant that many of the other panelists who spoke had to be brought water when their throats became dry. The hierarchy of importance was obvious. Each member received a brief introduction accept for the kids on the edges of the panel who were merely introduced by their first name and also their age. Ben was 18 and Uriah was 12.

The questions placed before the panel were all extremely general and abstract which meant each member took the opportunity to give their impassioned speeches about peace, equality, and justice from their unique religious and political perspectives–each earning a hearty and well deserved applause. Ben and Uriah responded briefly, paraphrasing what they understood from the previous icon’s rhetorical outburst…no context for their audience to listen and no room for their originality to find expression. Also being on the edge, the margin meant they either had to speak first or last, meaning they had to either follow some of the worlds best minds and rhetoricians or respond first to a question not meant for them but the best minds and rhetoricians. The focus of the conference was, “teaching our youth compassion.” Here was what to me seemed like a lose lost situation for these young kids, amidst what was presented to be a great honor and privilege. Though they had for some reason that was never expressed to the audience, earned their way to this place, this stage, no one was actually there to hear what they had to say. It was about the Dalai Lama and his friends.

If its not obvious this was my main criticism of an otherwise amazing event. A conference about youth needs to actually make an effort to highlight youth despite the pillars of wisdom in attendance. There were many workshops and activities that did just this that i was unable to attend. I was just saddened that when it came time to actually follow something other than our normal idolatrous tendency, we failed.

Aside from this criticism, I was as beside myself as I ever get to see Desmond Tutu, Buddha, and others interact, but especially, Bishop and Buddha. They undid all of the pomp and circumstance that surrounded them. I knew it was coming but I longed to hear it. As leaders answered questions with answers that incorporated philosophy, politics, non-violence, and the fundamentals of their faith all with an intro, climax, and conclusion, some even with notes, Buddha responded once with “I don’t know” and then turned to Bishop and they laughed hysterically. That was why I came and why I left so pleased that I had. A leader in exile and a religious and political punching bag for warring and divided nations, both lead the arena in worshipful laughter not at anything, but because that is how joy is often expressed outwardly.