One of the most learned and highly trained American-born lamas in the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. He is a meditation teacher and author.
Tonight I was a guest on The Colbert Report tv show on Comedy Central channel, and Stephen Colbert asked me why Obama should become a Buddhist now that he’s left his church. (View the July 14 show with Lama Surya Das.)
There are actually TWELVE OFFICIAL REASONS WHY OBAMA SHOULD BECOME A BUDDHIST
12. Buddhists have more fun.
11. It’d be great to have a president for once who practiced right speech, right actions, right intentions and right livelihood, as Buddha taught.
10. I’d call him Head Lama Obama.
9. All the best people are. My religion is the best and the only way, just like yours.
8. Buddha has for 2500 years taught change and inclusivity.
7. Buddhist meditation and mindfulness training is good for both physical and mental health.
6. Buddha was the world’s first ecological leader and protector of animals as well as human beings.
(Obama could rename 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue “The Green House”)
5. Nonviolence and altruism is the Buddhist way. War might be outlawed.
4. Buddhist practices of mindful anger management and nonviolent conflict resolution could make him an enlightened leader, like Aung San Su Kyii of Burma and the Dalai Lama of Tibet.
(Pres. Medvedev of Russia does yoga.)
3. I am a Buddha, and so can you.
2. It would help the energy crisis.
AND FINALLY, LAST BUT NOT LEAST,
My Father’s favorite answer to all of life’s big questions:
1. BECAUSE…
I’m not a fan of Obama at all but I agree Buddhism will make him a better person. Everybody should practice meditation. Cheers 🙂
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.
I like that you separate fate from destiny. There is something to be said for trying to account for the idea that we can sometimes fail to fulfill our destiny.
You were in great form! You got several good points out about Buddhism – not proslytizing (where’s that dictionary!), “converting,” and becoming a Lama. AND you were funny too! Loved “short attention span.” Good point.
Excellent! You and Colbert were very funny! I loved the comments on Buddhism too. He knows that Buddhists are good humoured and will not take offense.
Great show and I loved your list. That was not what I expected when I saw you on the show. OK, I may not be an Obama fan, but I am a fan of yours.
Sigh – make that a *run for his money.*
You were absolutely wonderful – gave Colbert for his money! Thanks for the list, and thanks for the unexpected boost to the end of my day! ^_^