Publishing has been looking for its editors in some pretty odd places lately. But the Toronto Star struck gold yesterday, when it asked his Holiness the Dalai Lama to guest-edit its Sunday edition—and he agreed. (What else would you expect from the Twitter-using 14th reincarnation of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avolokiteśvara?)
The Star devoted the entire edition to the plight of exiles and displaced peoples—a group that includes the Dalai Lama—and Buddhist artists were asked to submit potential front pages. His Holiness then chose from the seven options while hanging out at the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Center. “You can be sure that I will choose the best one,” he quipped. (He ended up choosing this one.)
With a translator, the Dalai Lama also read and edited a pre-written editorial titled “Looking for a place called home,” which he agreed to put his byline on.
Watch the endearing video below of the cover meeting, which includes as much discussion about nirvana and world piece as it does editorial decision-making.
Love this. Maybe we should get the big guy to edit TGMP for a day? Seems like it would be right up his alley…
I am no Tibetan religious expert but isn’t the 14th incarnation of Gautama Buddha but of Avalokiteśvara? I am not trying to be nitpicking, I am just confused– when I hear “Buddha” like a proper noun I think Gautama Buddha, & I don’t know how the aspects & facets of manifestation & incarnation interweave. Then again, I think I’m reading too much into an off the cuff joke.
You’re right! It’s been changed—thanks for the tip.