

Sitting with noted psychologist Richard Davidson, the Dalai Lama answered questions from Dan Harris (author of 10% Happier, about his experience with meditation) this week. Below is a partial transcript from the video.

Dan Harris begins: “Can I ask just ask one last question and this is a more earthly question. I know you follow the news you listen to BBC. I’m just curious if you have any views on the presidential candidate in this country who’s making the most noise: Donald Trump.”

The Dalai Lama, laughing a bit, responds, “Oh, that’s your business. Firstly, I have no right or opportunity to vote. And secondly, [I’m on] a short, sort of, visit here, so I don’t know the whole background of these things. So sometimes I feel ‘oh, too much personal criticism’ – then I feel a serious discussion of policy matters, that’s useful, but little bits of personal criticism in these things, that looks a little bit cheap – that’s my view.