Tim Sabatino, Photographer: On working with the Dalai Lama

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Buddhist and the Tibetan people. His message of peace, respect and mutual understanding is an inspiration for us all. His life is guided by three main commitments: the promotion of basic human values and secular ethics for the purpose of human happiness, the nurturing of inter-religious harmony and the preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist culture, a culture of peace and non-violence.

Lama is a title for a teacher of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism, a level of education, very much like a PhD. There are many lamas. The Dalai Lama is the Buddha of Compassion. The Karmapa Lama is the Buddha of Action.

On the 16th Day of the first month of the Tibetan Calendar (which usually falls in February or March), His Holiness gives his yearly spring teachings at the Main Temple in Dharamsala. These teachings are translated in English on FM channels and several thousand people, both Tibetans and non Tibetans attend. Tim Sabatino made it happen to get to India and be part of this amazing experience.

Buddhism teaches Love and Respect for all beings, may they be human, animal or vegetal. It is a way of life that Tim Sabatino has followed for many years. So when Tim got the opportunity to photograph His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he felt like he had photographed the most important person alive today.

Watch Tim interviewed by Theta Creata about his experience with the Dalai Lama and see Tim’s photographs below.