The 14th Dalai Lama visited California in 2001, talking about the Heart of Wisdom teachings. Our protagonist, whom I shall call Dr. P, attended a “reception-y” event at which the Dalai Lama spoke, and then headed out. As Dr P was leaving, the Dalai Lama was also leaving. In a hurry.

Wiesbaden in 2005.

They were in a wide hallway. “He was basically being hustled along by his entourage and his feet were barely touching the ground,” says Dr. P. In their haste, the handlers bumped the Dalai Lama into Dr. P’s arm. Very slightly. (I envision the handlers as grim and burly monks.)

The Dalai Lama said something like ‘I’m so sorry,’ and his handlers rushed him off before the stunned Dr. P could say anything like ‘Think nothing of it, Your Holiness.’

It was the handlers’ fault, but it was the Dalai Lama who apologized.

Dr. P is not quite sure how to speak about this event. “I can’t say ‘I ran into the Dalai Lama.’ But he ran into me,” she muses.

With Bishop Desmond Tutu in 2004. Vancouver.

Dr P’s mother suggested saying, “At one time the Dalai Lama and I were very close.” And sagely added, “Keep quiet about it, or your right arm could become a location of pilgrimage.”

Which is why SorryWatch feels Dr. P needs the pseudonym.

(Note: another person who was present recalls that the Dalai Lama apologized through gesture, rather than speech. Dr. P thinks that is possible. But she says the apology was clear, whatever form it took.)