McLeod Ganj, India — Mount Madonna School’s senior class and their teachers were personally blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a visit to McLeod Ganj, the home of His Holiness and the central seat of Tibetan Buddhism.
The blessing marked a profound moment in the students’ two-week educational journey through India as part of Mount Madonna’s Values in World Thought program. The immersive program invites seniors to engage directly with diverse spiritual traditions, cultures, and communities.
During four days of their travels, students lived and studied on Hindu holy ground, exploring the culture, philosophy, and rituals of Hinduism. A significant portion of this time was spent bonding with children at Mount Madonna’s sister organization, Sri Ram Ashram. The Ashram is home to a large family of orphaned children who are raised with a strong academic foundation and an emphasis on strength, creativity, and individuality. Through shared meals, conversations, and activities, Mount Madonna students formed meaningful connections that deepened their understanding of service and global community.
Following their time at the Ashram, students traveled to Dharamsala and then onward to McLeod Ganj. There, they explored the artistic and cultural traditions of Tibet during a guided visit to Norbulingka Institute, where they observed master artisans creating traditional Tibetan paintings and sculptures and received a comprehensive overview of Tibetan history.
The group also visited several nunneries in Himachal Pradesh, engaging in open dialogue with Buddhist nuns about the realities of fleeing occupied Tibet and the experience of monastic life in exile. Students were welcomed into sacred spaces to observe ceremonies in which the nuns prayed, chanted, and played traditional instruments as part of their spiritual practice.
The journey culminated this morning in a personal blessing from His Holiness. The Dalai Lama individually touched each student and blessed personal objects and ceremonial scarves, creating a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.
Senior Kyler Nishimura reflected, “This experience finalized my commitment to learning more about Buddhism.”
Nikowa D’Costa-Hemp added, “Meeting the Dalai Lama showed me the true power that he holds and how all of the devotion that people have for His Holiness is fully deserved.”
The learning journey to India is offered annually to all Mount Madonna seniors. This year marks the eleventh trip to India by the school and the fifth time Mount Madonna students have had the honor of meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Through its Values in World Thought program, Mount Madonna School continues to provide transformative global learning experiences that foster cultural understanding, spiritual inquiry, and compassionate leadership.
