–this is cross posted at Kingdom Surge, my missions blog.
No one is more known for peace and tolerance than the Dali Lama. At least that’s what the world at large thinks of him. A Tibetan Buddhist, he crusades for world peace and harmony.
Sunday at our church, one of the leaders of an Indian church planting organization (directed and funded by Indians primarily, he did not ask for or even tell us how to give money) told a fascinating story about the Dali Lama.
A 17 year old girl from Australia felt that God had laid it on her heart to give a Bible to the Dali Lama. Not to witness to him or anything dramatic, but just to place a Bible in his hands. She came to India and visited this mission and went on a short term trip with them near where the Lama lives. She found a way to stay in that region longer than the others she was with and found a 15 minute audience with the Dali Lama.
She gave the Bible to him, encouraging him to read it as it will help him rule his people better and make wise decisions. The Dali Lama examined the book for a while and when he noticed it was a Bible he became furious. He said he would never allow that book into his kingdom. He felt it was responsible for many of the world’s problems. He then tossed it into one of the incense burning bins near his elaborate seat (almost like a throne).
But he did more than just insult the Holy Bible and the Christian God. He had this Australian girl thrown in prison without notifying the Australian embassy. Members of the Indian Christian mission mentioned above, regularly visited the prisons in that area seeking to provide help to any who needed it. They found the girl and heard this story as her explanation for why she was in prision. It was almost like a dungeon cell, and she was in poor physical shape, too.
They contacted the Embassy for her and she was soon released. Although she never can return to India and see the Lama again, her testimony has had an impact. The Indian leader said they have had more Tibetans come to know Christ Jesus in the past 2 years then ever before in their 30 years of ministry.
Praise God for those who follow His leading and hold forth His word.
“…in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life….” (Phil. 2:15b-16a NASB)
I don’t know why but this story sounds very fishy to me.
I would be sure ALL my facts were straight on this one, because as believers we better not be spreading falsehood about anyone–even the false religious leader mentioned above.
This is not a story to be published by Christians on the internet unless one KNOWS it to be true and can prove it!
Objection heard and registered. But I’m presenting the background to the story. It is hearsay. It was related to me by an Indian director of an Indian Church planting group. He wasn’t wanting to even share the story, but a friend of his had heard it and asked him to share the story.
Take it for what its worth. The fact of the story merely existing shows that firsthand Christian perception of the Lama is that he has no tolerance of Christianity. The scenario in India presently is one where multiple Christian persecutions are happening right as we speak.
Not sharing this interesting story could be the right thing to do. But I don’t think I have to withhold this. I have no reason to dispute his story. He wasn’t asking for anything and was asked to share the story.
Thanks for commenting though.
Blessings,
Bob Hayton
BTW, any story we share has to meet the same standard by your account. So we should just not say anything because we can’t prove it???
Okay Bob-
as long as you let it be known that it is hearsay.
There is so little regard for truth in this world, and we as believers never want to be caught passing around stories we can’t prove even if they may be true.
I have no regard for the Dali Lama–he is a false religious leader taking people on a path to hell.
I do however care that followers of Jesus Christ be found to be above reproach, and that includes you, my brother.
We just need to be careful for the Lord’s sake.