The Dalai Lama Joins Patti Smith Onstage at Glastonbury
While the Libertines were the surprise guests at the Glastonbury Festival on Friday, they can't hold a candle to the unexpected visitor who showed up at the U.K. fest on Sunday. His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended the event and, according to scattered photos and videos that have surfaced, it looks like he had a pretty awesome time.
The 80-year-old Buddhist monk delivered an early morning message of peace and understanding then showed up during an economic forum hosted by the Guardian. After that, he stepped onstage during Patti Smith's set where Smith led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to the spiritual leader. He then cut into a birthday cake.
He said:
Dear sisters and brothers, I really appreciate so many people’s expressions of warmth, and I very much reciprocate it. I have dedicated my body, speech and mind to the well-being of others in my daily practice, so when people show these warm feelings, that gives me more enthusiasm. So I very much appreciate it.
These singers and musicians, most of you, have white hair—but the voice and the physical action looks very youthful. So that gives me encouragement myself. I’m now 80, but I should be more active like you.
During his speech at the festival’s Stone Circle, he preached for peace and awareness of violent acts being committed across the world. “While you are here, enjoy the joyfulness here. But you should remember on this same planet are human beings being killed by human beings.”
Check out some of the Dalai Lama's excellent adventures: