Dechen Shak-Dagsay: Day Tomorrow
Dechen Shak-Dagsay: That was amazing. His Holiness, for us Tibetans–of course, first of all, you know, it’s an amazing honor to be performing for His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. He’s the peace icon in this world.
And in fact, I’ve had the chance to perform and sing for him a few times. And by now he recognizes me, and it’s–every time it’s such a tremendous feeling to be close to him, to His Holiness.
And the last time, as you said, was on his 80th birthday in Germany in Wiesbaden. I was invited to–with my musicians to perform for him. And it was especially amazing because the–when–because I was performing, chanting for His Holiness the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra out of my album, Jewel.
And I had the whole audience in Wiesbaden. It was in a park outside, in a beautiful park, a beautiful, lovely Sunday afternoon. The park was filled with about 17,000 people. And I asked the audience to chant the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra together as a gift, as a birthday gift to His Holiness. And the whole crowd chanted Om Mani Padme Hum for His Holiness.
And after that, His Holiness got up from his chair, and he shook hands with each one of my musicians, especially my producer, Helge van Dyk. And his–he looked at the audience, and he said, “This is the first time I have heard such a holy mantra with these beautiful instruments. I really liked it a lot.”
And that, for me, was just amazing. It was just beautiful. And I was so happy also for the musicians, especially for Helge, because he wrote the music for it. And–yeah. And, you know, you just feel so tremendously blessed. And now, of course, this Om Mani Padme Hum has even a greater meaning to me. Each time I perform this, you know, it’s just like His Holiness is blessings go with it too.
Victor Fuhrman: What a wonderful blessing and connection for you and the other musicians involved. That’s truly wonderful. So, speaking of the Dalai Lama, what is your sense of the current political situation in Tibet? And do you see a day when Tibetan culture and spirituality will be something looked upon favorably by the Chinese government?
