Among a very rich heritage of mankind's spiritual symbols, i like Hotoi, the laughing Buddha a lot.With both arms up in the air, he laughs at the confusion of having not known his own reality thus far, as he self surrenders in this moment of realisation.The joke, was on Himself.Equally important it is to remember, that one of the surest signs of spiritual attainment, is humour.Something that the Dalai Lama, despite his predicaments, virtually bubbles over with.On my first meeting with him ( and the photo given isnt that..its actually the latest meeting, but one i found sooner..: reverse order has a certain merit to it..:)) well, very excitedly, and to impress, i told him " i love your people, i love reading Lobsang Rampa "He smiled.half an hour later , after having quizzed him rather exhaustively, as storygetters do, often without letting the answers sink in, i asked him,'so your Holiness, for the third eye, does one have to have an operation?" i think it was my sincerity that got him. He actually almost rolled off his chair, laughing uncontrollably at my present understanding , of which he was by now sure.when he collected himself, he said " no no .no operation. is..uh needed. is..uh...you read too much Lobsang Rampa. is..uh ... Lobsang not tibetan, hes a scottish!!"Years later , when i met him again , in a lovely series of exchange of thought, i told him of my meditations.he smiled again, saying nothing much.But after a delightful cup of tea, as he arose to bid us goodbye, he softly said " found third eye?!!"
