My adventures with the Dalai Lama part II – the photo that was never taken.
By: Sabina Lousie Pierce
Tags: buddhism, dalai lama, his holiness, philadelphia, photography, Sabina Louise Pierce
Category: 1, photography
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
|---|---|
| Focal Length: | 62mm |
| ISO: | 1250 |
| Shutter: | 1/50 sec |
| Camera: | NIKON D300 |
Note- I’ve been hesitant of ever telling this particular part of my adventures with “His Holiness ” as I feared breaking an unspoken trust. But with time and other events unfolding it seems okay to tell now.
Time passed quickly that spring day as it seems to do when you never want something to end. I think I could have stayed there all day just to be in his presence, though I had a sense that his personal aide was not too keen on having me around much longer. So at one point when I was photographing a Buddhist man presenting gifts to his holiness I got closer then his aide would have liked so he grabbed me and told me “enough photos!” I stopped, but was a bit taken back as I didn’t want to do anything that would offend His Holiness. Did I break protocol? It must have showed because as quickly as he had grabbed me the Dalai Lama stopped what he was doing and told him in english (which he rarely spoke if he didn’t have too) to leave me alone, that I wasn’t bothering him . The man glared at me as he backed away. Half an hour later when he headed to the elevators with his entourage in tow, I ran ahead, slowed down my shutter speed and shot what I thought would probably be my last photos of him. A slew of secret service and Tibetan aides filled the the elevator with himself. I thought for a moment of trying to jump in but was stopped with a hand out by the same cold man who had scolded me before. I stood back along with a secret service agent and smiled goodbye to the Dalai Lama. He smiled back then said something in Tibetan and the elevator doors stopped closing, then he motioned to me and said “come” with his hand out stretched. I wasn’t sure if he was speaking to me or the female agent next to me.. so I pointed back and forth from me to her. He pointed again at me and motioned. I smiled surprisingly at her and her at me and then walked past the glare of his aide. His holiness reached out and grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him.. He wrapped his arm into mine and smiled. I was speechless, though I did manage a quiet “thanks!”. I glanced downward to break the awkwardness of the moment only to see that his back was against the back of the elevator and he was being held up by a few of his Tibetan aides. I looked back up in his eyes to see he was clearly exhausted. The photojournalist in me tingled with excitement as I thought of how a photo showing the Dalai Lama being held up in exhaustion would surely win me many awards, maybe even a Pulitzer. My hand fondled my camera and the button that could create such a photo. It all ran through me head wildly, how I would raise my camera, the angle I would need, the shutter speed, but I knew if I took this photo it would be proof to his enemies that he was weak, and I didn’t want to be responsible for that. He was allowing, me a stranger with a camera to witness this moment, he had given me the power to harm him.. but he already knew that I wouldn’t couldn’t ?
The eyes really are windows to our souls….
I pulled my hand away from my camera and looked back into his smiling eyes and smiled.
I have an ethos, “what you can live with” and this wasn’t one of them…
When the door opened he jetted out full power towards his followers that had been waiting; not one ounce of exhaustion showed. Only then did I realized why his loyal aide was so weary of having me around. I was dangerous.
A few weeks later I read in the paper that he had canceled the rest of his trips and been checked into a hospital for exhaustion but would be okay. I said a little prayer for him and scanned the papers everyday until I saw a post that he was much better.
This photo above is of a man worshiping him. There is a certain flow to the photo where your eye is led to to Dalai Lama’s eye looking away, to where, I’d never presume.
This photo above is of a man worshiping him. There is a certain flow to the photo where your eye is led to to Dalai Lama's eye looking away, to where, I'd never presume.
To see the first installment push teh right arrow above The last installment of my adventure with his holiness will come soon.. so check back often, and leave comments if you wish. You can also subscribe to my blog by hitting the radio button in the bottom left and check out my website for more photography. Sabinalouisepierce.com
4 comments on “My adventures with the Dalai Lama part II – the photo that was never taken.”
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Sabina,
You touched my soul with your rendition of events with the Dalai Lama and the photographer. I felt the mix of emotions you experienced with your hand on your instrument, an extension of yourself that could make you or break you if you simply aimed, clicked “and got away.”
But the Sabina in you flooded you with love of another (love of your self) and you chose a path that “lets you live with your self.” [Your Words?].
That will have made all the difference years from now when you retell your story to others that will appreciate your actions (refrain from acting) as much as I do right here in my Conshohocken home.
I will look for your photos and hope to stay in touch.
Michael J
(hey, was a Philadelphia Public Defender for 20 years. got to know the neigborhoods and sections of the city, unfortunately, those areas where my clients were accused of crime.)
Thanks! and please read the oteh rposts! I think you will appreciate them.. sabina
Dear Sabina,
I held my breath during your ride on the elevator….. I have known of your special skills with a camera and I have known of your special spirit… I am excited about your skills as a story teller…. There is a whole world waiting for you.
Gayle
For you to touch the soul of dignity with respect, only a few offer. Blessings for the pause, to behold, without your precious skill of an artist but to capture it in words and express to others. He, we are thankful.