An-shu Stephen K. Hayes introduces His Holiness the Dalai Lama, taking his teaching seat at right

CLICK HERE to watch a video of An-shu Stephen K. Hayes as he introduces His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a teaching session October 2007 (An-shu appears at minute 6 after cultural performers)
A full list of the teachings is found at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center web site

Boulder Quest Center Dojo-Cho Kevin Keitoshi Casey Reflects on Days with An-Shu at His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s October 2007 Teaching

The trip was not easy – rather, quite arduous. Sixteen hour days with little sleep and odd food schedules. No particular reward was promised, but there is intrinsic value in spending such long days with An-Shu, so I called in a lot of favors to be there. Every minute with An-shu is a teaching. How does a ninja master move through the complications of an extreme schedule, high expectations, and heavy security in the presence of the god-king of Tibet and thousands of visitors and attendants?

Our lineage promises the power to move through life with skill, accomplishing what we want and need while leaving everyone better off because of it. This is a subtle and important way of living, and in the dojo it is generally a vision that stands behind our regular martial training. Out in the real world, in the service of my teacher, I witnessed and participated in this ninja way of moving through chaos leaving a trail of brightness. I clearly saw how it is done and how our martial training prepares a person if they are willing to listen to the stories, embrace the lessons, and then take the responsibility and the risk to show up.

I was well rewarded by the privilege of participation in this most elite training, and I would have gone home happy with that alone. On top of that, I along with hundreds of others received elegant teachings and an initiation from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, clarifying the path toward enlightenment and inspiring a deep sense of connection with our vast human lineage. The crown jewel of the trip, however, was impossible to guarantee and almost dangerous to dream. It did come to pass that An-shu was able to set it up for me to personally meet the Dalai Lama and receive his touch and blessing. That brief moment in time with a man considered a literal deity and king, nearly unachievable, is a testament to the magic that can happen when we unite our spirits wholeheartedly with the teachings and community of the To-Shin ninja lineage.