On the backdrop of the building tension in China and Tibet, the Dali Lama will be here in Seattle for 4 days,  April 11-15. You just know I have tickets! : )

The tour is called "Seeds of compassion"  and covers a number of topics ranging from education, to giving, to a lecture geared just for youths. 30 years ago, on the 1st visit to Seattle, the Dali Lama drew a crowd of only 2,000. There are expected to be over 150,000 gathering here this time.

One of my favorite quotes from him shows both his outlooks on life, as well as his great sense of humour. It's taken from the classic book 'The Tibeten Book of Living and Dying'.

"Many peole who start to study Buddhism for the 1st time have this care free belief that they will be relaxed and at peace when it comes time for their death. That is a fine philosophy to have, until one is actuallly dying."

Peace.