The Buddha Prince

There are many things I could tell you about the play the Buddha Prince and most of which I will not try.


I cannot sing to you the ghostly joyful Himalayan songs with their impossible words and melodies though they still- weeks later- echo in my head.


I cannot tell you how it was that day to walk the Dalai Lama's journey form village to Lhasa to China to exile with a heart that was simultaneously full of joy and and increasing imminent sense of horror.


What I can try to capture is this: young and old gasped together in delight as they turned and saw a great Imperial dragon bounding down the hill towards then, stopping now and then to kick its 8 legs in playful dance. Dogs barked and babies clapped at the mythical apparition.


Perhaps I can share a glimpse of the child Lama passing his white silk scarf to the actor who would play his older self- foreheads touching in a reverent bow, hands in prayer position as if to say I honor you: who you were, are and will be.


What I will say is this: one perfect golden leaf floated tenderly to the ground against the backdrop of lush green and infinite blue sky. In this moment suspended between laughter and sorrow, heaven and earth, hearts opened as we bore witness to the story of Tibet.


To learn more about the Buddha Prince project and play, visit http://www.buddhaprince.org/ .