INDIANAPOLIS — Stop us if you've heard this one before: The Dalai Lama, Lady Gaga and a billionaire investor walk into a roomful of mayors...
...to talk about kindness.
The oddity wasn't lost on anyone in attendance — nor the panelists themselves.
"What's on my mind at this very moment is how unlikely this trio is sitting here. You have the leader of one of the world's great religions. You have a world-class entertainer. And then you have this obscure businessman," said entrepreneur and philanthropist Philip Anschutz, referring to himself.
"And it's unlikely that we're discussing kindness, of all things."
But on Sunday morning at the U.S. Conference of Mayors' annual meeting in downtown Indianapolis, there they were, addressing more than 200 of the nation's city mayors about the importance of being kind in today's violent and increasingly angry world.
The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism gave the gathering's keynote address ahead of the discussion, musing on America's role as a global leader and the part that cities can play in making the world a better place.
America, he said, has long been at the forefront of technological and scientific innovation.
“Now, the time has come that America should be the leading nation in the promotion of human compassion, human love in order to achieve compassionate world," the Dalai Lama said. “I think in my lifetime we can achieve that. But effort must start now.”
The Dalai Lama was at times philosophical, at times self-deprecating, poking fun at his broken English. He repeatedly deferred to the mayors themselves when asked for guidance, saying "Mayor, you know best."
But mostly, he reflected on human nature. People, he said, are kind and compassionate by nature — just look at the relationship between a child and its mother.
"I think eventually, enemies can be best of friends," he said.
“These so-called terrorists, they also received love from their mother. They also give love to their mother or friends. Seed of kindness, seed of compassion (is) already there.”
The panel spoke at length about things that divide us — race, nationality, sexual orientation, class. "None of this can matter anymore," said Lady Gaga, a pop star and humanitarian activist.
And they spoke of the importance of compromise. "The 20th century became (the) century of violence," said the Dalai Lama. "Now (the) 21st century should be (the) century of talk.”
“You can’t fight fire with fire," Lady Gaga agreed. "It makes no sense. You only make more fire.”
The panel made few, if any, policy proposals. There was no talk of taxes or potholes or initiatives to combat homelessness. They opted instead for the philosophical — Lady Gaga at various points offered metaphors of evil personified as a snake, and of the world as a rotting apple with healthy seeds that could be planted for a better future.
But Anschutz, the businessman, tried to appeal to the mayors' more practical nature, saying that city leaders have a unique opportunity to make a difference in today's gridlocked political environment.
“The reason I was interested in being here today is cities and mayors are actually a level of government that you can actually get something done," Anschutz said, to applause.
The Dalai Lama singled out Mayor Tom Tait of Anaheim, Calif., for particular praise, crediting his "city of kindness" initiative with building a culture of volunteerism.
He paused at one point to retrieve something from his bag: a small "city of kindness" button the mayor had given him years ago.
"I always carry it in my bag," said the Dalai Lama, known for his moral objection to materialism. "So, that really gives me more courage. ... I think for the first time, cities have the name of city of kindness, city of love, city of compassion."
Later, journalist Ann Curry, who moderated the panel, said that if all the mayors in attendance took his advice, that his bag would get very heavy.
"Then I can sell it," the Dalai Lama deadpanned. "Make some money."
Follow Brian Eason on Twitter: @brianeason.
