Source: Belén Álvarez Galán. Page 1

Dalai lama

Activity 1. In small groups write as much as you know about this international figure: Try to answer the following questions: 10 minutes

Who is he? Why is he so important or famous? Where does he live? Choose a spokesman and share your views about this figure with the rest of the class.

Activity 2.

Listen to this radio program and make a summary of the main points of the interview; any information gaps you may have, try to reconstruct everything with the members of your group (15’ listening +10’ reconstructing). Guide line of the interview

� When did the speaker meet the Dalai Lama for the first time? Why? � What are his main interests? How does he present himself? What is his attitude

towards life and people? � When people come to him, what kind of advice does he offer? � What are his views as regards the Chinese government?

Share the information with the rest of the class (30’).

Source: Belén Álvarez Galán. Page 2

Activity 3. Profile: Dalai Lama

1. The Chinese authorities believe that all the problems they have in Tibet are due

to a. the Olympics b. international protest c. political dissidents d. one man

2. When the father of the speaker told him about meeting the Dalai Lama on this

trip to India, in 1974 a. He felt very excited about the whole idea. b. The Dalai Lama was already an Idol for him as Jerry Garcia. c. He was already interested in philosophy d. He had no interest whatsoever in meeting this man.

3. What he remembers most vividly about the meeting was

a. the monsoon season b. the house of the Dalai Lama c. the trip to the Dalai Lama’s house d. the mist and the clouds

4. What is it like to hang around him? What’s he like?

a. He’s mainly interested in international politics b. He presents himself as wise man c. He is a good listener d. He refuses to ________________

5. He is addicted to the ____________________ 6. He reads ______________________________ 7. Due to his empirical nature he likes...

a. to see how things work. b. to take apart watches. c. Gadgets. d. to know everything.

8. How does the speaker view exile? a. as an opportunity to change his future. b. as a chance to get rid of the past. c. as loss and separation. 9. When they talk about the amusement park built by his palace by the Chinese

authorities, he reminds people that despite the technological advances introduced by the Chinese government in Tibet, one should not forget that

a. technological advances are negative for Tibetans. b. the Chinese authorities are carrying out a ethnic genocide in Tibet. c. people are taken to jail for their religious and political beliefs. d. there is an anti Chinese feeling among Tibetans.

Source: Belén Álvarez Galán. Page 3

10. For Tibetans Freedom means a. freedom from poverty. b. access to modernity. c. access to a more comfortable world. d. freedom from suffering.

11. As regards Westerners he encourages them

a. Not to take _____________________ b. To take _________________________