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The Dalai Lama is on a speaking tour of Australia, focusing on reducing poverty and protecting the environment.
"Taking care of the environment should be part of our daily life," the Dalai Lama said.
. . .
Just as important was the need to reduce poverty, he said."The gap between rich and poor is growing, it's huge," he said.
And, of course, he's walking the talk by minimising his environmental footprint and conserving resources for the poor.
On this, his fifth Australian tour, which starts today, the 71-year-old Dalai Lama and his entourage of 10 will fly business class and stay in four to five-star hotels. He is expected to speak to more than 200,000 people and more than 500 volunteers have been trying to make sure most costs can be met.The 10-day tour is expected to cost $3.5 million.
Hundreds of devotees are volunteering their services so the Dalai Lama and his “entourage” can fly business class and stay in four- and five-star hotels. What’s wrong with this picture?
Private donors are paying for most, but not all, of the cost.
Organisers are also relying on donations being made and on merchandise sales.
He’s soliciting charity to pay for top-flight travel and accommodation. What’s that saying (incorrectly) attributed to P.T. Barnum?
Alan Molloy, the tour's director, admits managing costs is a large part of his job.
I have a suggestion that may not have occurred to anyone: The group could fly economy and stay in two-star hotels.
"Religion and money are inflammatory," he concedes. "A balance has to be achieved in that because nothing exists without resources in this world."
How do business class and top-flight hotels contribute to “balance” in resource usage?
Enough of this petty criticism. Dalai’s a busy guy. After touring Australia and New Zealand preaching austerity and environmental rectitude, he’s scheduled to move on to India, Germany, India, Spain and Portugal, India, USA, Canada, Italy, India, United Kingdom, and USA. Airlines and hotels await.
h/t: Andrew Bolt
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Stats do require balancing against outcomes to establish actual “costs”.
The savings due to the Dalai Lama’s tour: Reduced use of resources by all who listen.
Reduced use of aggression by all who follow his role model and teachings.
Reduced use of “blame” by the same.
Increased “responsibility” of the same.
Increased kindness amongst all humans.
Guess the savings could well dwarf the $3.5million given the room for improvement in these areas and given current security and Justice costs.
If you have solid estimates of those benefits based on more than speculation, I’d be very interested in seeing them. Until then, it’s just wishful thinking.
In any case, the benefits could be achieved at far less expense if he travelled like a regular human being rather than the celebrity he has obviously become.
Arnold’s impressive carbon footprint…
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