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Thousands of Children Pack Seattle Arena to Hear Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama addressed 15,000 children at the Key Arena in Seattle on Monday. We hear from three of them reflecting on the Tibetan spiritual leader’s message. [includes rush transcript]

Children at Dalai Lama event in Seattle,

Rush Transcript

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AMY GOODMAN: We wrap up today show with the reflections of three kids from Seattle, Washington, who heard the Dalai Lama speak yesterday. The Tibetan spiritual leader addressed over 15,000 children at the Key Arena in Seattle.

    AMY GOODMAN: Hi. What’s your name?

    PHIL: Phil.

    AMY GOODMAN: And how old are you, Phil?

    PHIL: I’m twelve years old.

    AMY GOODMAN: And who were you just watching?

    PHIL: The Dalai Lama.

    AMY GOODMAN: And what does he mean to you?

    PHIL: He means the future, because he represents hope. And we also—a lot of people at our school, we love to see someone who can set a good example. And because he—even though he’s a leader of Tibet and he’s exiled, he still does good throughout the world. I think that really means a lot. And I really hope that one day everyone will see as he does, that we need to have compassion, and we need to have hope.

    AMY GOODMAN: And what school do you go to?

    PHIL: Seattle Country Day School.

    AMY GOODMAN: Seattle Country Day School?

    PHIL: Seattle Country Day School.

    AMY GOODMAN: What’s your name?

    ELEANOR: I’m Eleanor.

    AMY GOODMAN: And how old are you?

    ELEANOR: I’m eleven.

    AMY GOODMAN: And what did you think?

    ELEANOR: Well, I think that it’s a great opportunity for all of us to be able to see someone who speaks with such wisdom and experience. And I’m really glad that I was able to learn from his powerful words.

    AMY GOODMAN: What did you learn?

    ELEANOR: I learned that there is such thing as a place where everyone can be happy and help each other. And he is a motivation to create that world.

    AMY GOODMAN: Where is that world?

    ELEANOR: That world is in the future. That world’s in the future.

    AMY GOODMAN: And what’s your name?

    SHAY: My name is Shay.

    AMY GOODMAN: How old are you?

    SHAY: I’m eleven.

    AMY GOODMAN: Where do you go to school?

    SHAY: Seattle Country Day School.

    AMY GOODMAN: And what did you think of the Dalai Lama today?

    SHAY: I think he’s very wise, and I think he had a message that everyone should hear, and everyone could be compassionate no matter what religion you are, or you’re atheist or whatever. And I think it was a great opportunity for us to see him.

    AMY GOODMAN: Will you remember this day?

    SHAY: Yeah, I definitely will.


AMY GOODMAN: Kids at the Key Arena yesterday. It was packed with children, ages three and four up through high school. But this in the Seattle Times: on Monday, when the Dalai Lama awarded an honorary degree at the UW, University of Washington, students will get to ask him his views on compassion, peace and relationships, but not on the Chinese political situation or Tibet. UW officials last month asked students to submit possible questions for the Dalai Lama’s campus visit. About sixty students responded, including eight who wanted to ask about China or Tibet, but when UW officials handpicked fourteen students to ask questions at the event, politics were deliberately left out.

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