BOBBY CHAKRABORTY’S DIVINE MEETING WITH HIS HOLINESS, THE 14TH DALAI LAMA
With Teacher’s Day in India on September 5th, where we celebrate and show our love and respect for our teachers, we feel it’s the time for an introspection for the teachers too, to become the true role models to their students, not only through academics, but with much more.
We spoke with Bobby Chakraborty,who is a popular teacher of Method Acting in West Bengal and is also a celebrated actor and activist, fighting for the young generation of our society, about his divine and magical meeting with His Holiness, Dalai Lama.
Here’s what Bobby recounted about that remarkable day in his life:-
Like millions of aspirants,all around the world,I was eager to meet His Holiness,The 14th Dalai Lama (spiritual name: Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, also known as Tenzin Gyatso; Lhamo Thondup), known to the Tibetan people as Gyalwa Rinpoche, is, as the incumbent Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader and head of Tibet.
He arrived and asked everyone to sit and be informal. He was there to share his views on ‘true meaning and purpose of education’.Every word he spoke with remarkable simplicity,depth,humility and wit, touched my heart!!
While we were given a pad and pencil to note down his unforgettable quotes,I was recording them in my mind and on the notepad I started sketching a portrait of ‘His Holiness’ and a small poem dedicated to him instead, I don’t know why!
After that the interactions started and hundreds of hands were raised!
Magic – Level 1
Luckily the moderator,who knew about my years of service for the betterment of the youth, through my awareness program against addiction and harmful social trends, spotted me and passed on the microphone,saying a few words of appreciation about my campaign, to His Holiness.
I asked His Holiness 2 questions…
(1)”As I myself always wanted to be a teacher, if I wouldn’t have been a Marine Engineer or an Actor,it has been a fulfilling experience as a Teacher of Method Acting to thousands of aspiring actors all over India,at SMPAi,for many years. But I wanted to know,who according to you,is an ideal teacher? “
(2) “Can I come to you and give you a small gift,a sketch and a poem? “
I was pretty sure that my request would be dismissed by His strict security or at the most, someone would carry them from my hands to His Holiness.
Magic – Level 2
He said “Ofcourse,please come”!!
Overwhelmed…in disbelief…I walked upto him and gave him the pad!!
He saw the sketch.He smiled.He read the poem.He smiled again!
Magic – Level 3
Then he caught my left earlobe! Suddenly a shiver went down my spine as if I was connected to an electrical source or something! My legs were shivering!!
He said “You have a pure soul. Your parents should be proud of you”.Then He placed his hands,very very warm hands on my left cheek! The shiver and shock increased! I just couldn’t move my eyes from him!! ‘Hypnotized’ is the perfect term I can use here!
He showed the sketch to the whole audience and said “I appreciate your feelings and approach.You write well. You have a keen eye for details!“
He added,”What I heard about you and your selfless extraordinary work, that you are doing to guide the youth towards light , is extremely necessary because the youth is our future. Now, as far as your first question is concerned,you are the ideal teacher for yourself as,it is only ‘you’ who can understand your faults ,learn from them and make an effort to make amends and never repeat them”
Magic – Level 4
Honestly speaking I really don’t know what was happening to me, but I was feeling a sense of a Divine Moment in the truest sense!! It was as if I couldn’t see or hear anything or anyone else apart from His Holiness, a bright halo infront of me! It was as if only we both were there in a void space with my legs numb, immovable, eyes transfixed to His eyes and His Voice echoing in my heart and soul!
Magic – Level 5
As I trudged back and sat…completely dazed…he called me up again and said “Bobby,I don’t need this whole pad.I never needed excess in life.I only need this one page you gifted me and this portrait you have drawn, which by the way looks way better than me “! Everyone rolled in laughter.
He asked his assistant to keep it with him and place it safely in his belongings!! His parting words were “Bobby I will always be there in you, but you need to be there in me too. See you soon. “
I passed many sleepless nights, since then, laying my hands over my earlobe and cheek, going through what I heard,what I saw, what I felt that on that magical day, trying to reason if this was another encounter with God in my life,via Someone, who has been the closest to HIM…!!!
Photo Courtesy : Mr. Ajay Das (Bul)
(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)
