Essay by Luke Foster
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
Dalai Lama
I realised today that I don’t know much about the Dalai Lama or the current Catholic Pope and my study has just begun so I am sort of both of theirs loving son. But I was also a little sad that I don’t have an equal number of female role models. Without an equal number of male and female role models then there is unbalance in the world.
However, I do look up to the loving Australian Catholic Saint Mary Mackillop. Perhaps there shall appear an, amazing Buddhist female Lama to guide me too.
“Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio 17 December 1936) is the 266th and current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a title he holds ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and sovereign of Vatican City, as well as current de facto Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.”
Google Search
It has been on my bucket list to be near the Pope subconsciously to feel safe and see the Sistine Chapel but when I was in Rome last year just before my mum passed, I was on holiday in Europe drawing every day but the previous pope had passed and his funeral was on so my booked tour was cancelled and I tried to book later but it was too busy perhaps with strong Catholics on a pilgrimage. Occasionally I would buy food and non-alcoholic drinks for the homeless on the way to buy snacks or dinner at the supermarket around the corner from my hotel.
I heard my mum died while I was at the airport in Rome on the way to Greece and was so shocked I ran to the bathroom thinking I would throw up but came out of it and didn’t cry until a couple of days ago.
I like this following Mary Mackillop sayings.
“Love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you all your life. God will reward you as only He can. Find happiness in making others happy. Never see a need without doing something about it.”
In conclusion I think the most important issue in the world is creating peace and harmony in the world between all nations, and to have compassion particularly for the poor as well as respect for each-others moral values and religious beliefs.