If you could ask the Dalai Lama anything, what question would you have?

Is there a perfect way of living life? If yes, what is it?

Dalai Lama Questions

International Relations Coordinator Robyn Broughton says His Holiness really wanted to interact with staff and students.

As the capacity of St David is limited to 500 people, it was decided to run a competition to choose which staff and students can attend – asking what question they would ask the Dalai Lama.

The competition closes on Friday 19 April, but Mrs Broughton says there has been a fantastic response already from staff across the campus.

“We have had entries from across the board,” she says. “Right from PhD students to senior management.”

And the questions cover a spectrum of topics too.

“There are quite a few around how to achieve balance in a busy life, quite a few around His Holiness’s thoughts around the role of tertiary education for young people, some around how to stay positive, someone has asked ‘If you could be an animal, what would you be?’, another has asked ‘What is your favourite childhood memory?’.”

The final questions to be put to His Holiness will be selected by the national organiser of the Dalai Lama Trust, but Mrs Broughton believes there will be mix of serious and more light-hearted questions. Professor Mark Henaghan of Law will facilitate the session and put the questions to him.

Well, first I would ask why CPUs are the most amazing things in the whole world. I mean, have you ever seen one?? They're totally amaizng. Plus they are the cousin of the motherboard, which is the mother of the hardrive. It's a long story, but yeah. I'd also ask why goats are amazing. Just look at their faces. Pure beauty. And they help you if you are quite poor coz you wouldn't need a lawn mower coz the goat would eat all the grass in your garden. Plus, goats are better singers that Taylor Swift. Have you seen the goat addition of 'I Knew You Were Trouble?' Well its amazing. Lastly, I'd ask him why i am the way i am. I know everyone is different and everyone is special, but i think i'm extra special. I mean, look at my profile pic. Thats me. And thats me on a bad day!!! Honestly, i look like a super model. When i walk on the street all the guys smile and ask me for my number.

I'm sooo sexyy.

CPUs are the most amazing things in the whole world. I mean, have you ever seen one?? They're totally amaizng. Plus they are the cousin of the motherboard, which is the mother of the hardrive. It's a long story, but yeah. I'd also ask why goats are amazing. Just look at their faces. Pure beauty. And they help you if you are quite poor coz you wouldn't need a lawn mower coz the goat would eat all the grass in your garden. Plus, goats are better singers that Taylor Swift. Have you seen the goat addition of 'I Knew You Were Trouble?' Well its amazing. Lastly, I'd a

I mean, have you ever seen one?? They're totally amaizng. Plus they are the cousin of the motherboard, which is the mother of the hardrive. It's a long story, but yeah. I'd also ask why goats are amazing. Just look at their faces. Pure beauty. And they help you if you are quite poor coz you wouldn't need a lawn mower coz the goat would eat all the grass in your garden. Plus, goats are better singers that Taylor Swift. Have you seen the goat addition of 'I Knew You Were Trouble?' Well its amazing. Lastly, I'd a

Gabriel Sebastian

Reuben Elias

Scarlett Eliza

Theodora Rose

This question is one which the Dalai Lama has never answered though asked numerous times.

When are you going to lift the ban on Dorje Shugden practitioners?

Dorje Shugden practitioners are ostracised in Tibetan communities and are even denied the fundamental human right of access to medical treatment, schools and basic necessities. Why do you say your gurus are wrong to have said Dorje Shugden is a Buddha? How can you say respect all religions when you say Dorje Shugden is a spirit? How can you preach compassion when Dorje Shugden practitioners are suffering because of YOUR ban? Satan worshippers can attend your teachings but Dorje Shugden practitioners cannot? Illogical. How can schism be one of the 5 heinous sins when you created schism in the monasteries by dividing Shugden practitioners from non-Shugden practitioners? Dividing families? Friends?

Please lift the ban on Dorje Shugden. Tibetans have suffered enough.

I was born during WWII, since then have experienced Korean war, Vietnam War, the two Bushes phony wars in Iraq Kuwait etc. Now afghanistan. The world does not seem to want to live in peace. Israel is constant provoking surrounding countries towards war. What is the answer. Are there no reasonable people in this world when it comes to letting each country decide their own religous practices, or none whatsoever if people choose to not be religous? Why does bloodshed and war have to be synonymous with religion in this world? You are a wise man. Do you have an answer

Otago staff have responded with enthusiasm to the question, “If you could ask His Holiness, the Dalai Lama one question – what would it be?”

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, will visit Otago on Tuesday 11 June and speak at a question and answer forum to be held at the St David Lecture Theatre.

International Relations Coordinator Robyn Broughton says His Holiness really wanted to interact with staff and students.

As the capacity of St David is limited to 500 people, it was decided to run a competition to choose which staff and students can attend – asking what question they would ask the Dalai Lama.

The competition closes on Friday 19 April, but Mrs Broughton says there has been a fantastic response already from staff across the campus.

“We have had entries from across the board,” she says. “Right from PhD students to senior management.”

And the questions cover a spectrum of topics too.

“There are quite a few around how to achieve balance in a busy life, quite a few around His Holiness’s thoughts around the role of tertiary education for young people, some around how to stay positive, someone has asked ‘If you could be an animal, what would you be?’, another has asked ‘What is your favourite childhood memory?’.”

The final questions to be put to His Holiness will be selected by the national organiser of the Dalai Lama Trust, but Mrs Broughton believes there will be mix of serious and more light-hearted questions. Professor Mark Henaghan of Law will facilitate the session and put the questions to him.

His Holiness is visiting Dunedin as part of a national tour – also travelling to Christchurch and Auckland.

If you have a question for the Dalai Lama, it is not too late to enter the competition. Email: dalailama.visit@otago.ac.nz before 19 April.

Does the dalai lama consider himself enlightened? Has he achieved narvana??