Not surprisingly, the Dalai Lama’s message was consistent with his beliefs and what he has shared throughout his Hawaii visit.

“Violence always brings suffering, so a happier future means peaceful nonviolence ultimately in our mind,” he said in his broken yet clear English. He singled out bullying as something to avoid, encouraging the students to be “wise selfish” rather than “foolish selfish.”

The Dalai Lama’s vaunted sense of humor resonated with the students. Pointing to his gray-haired translator and said he feels older when he looks at him. When he looks at the students, however, he feels much younger.

Chad Miller, the 2012 Hawaii teacher of the year, led the Q&A session, which included this query:

Kaitlin Hooker, 12th grade: “If we have all these reasons to be good people, why is it so hard to be a good person?”

Dalai Lama: Citing a Tibetan master, he told the student people need to sustain their efforts. He admitted that it’s not easy to transform our emotions, like anger and fear, because they are biological as well as mental. Use intelligence to try to minimize “these destructive emotions … it is possible.”

At the event’s conclusion, the Dalai Lama was presented the gift of a peace-themed quilt and — a-ha! — a koa paddle.

“A most enlightening and awe-inspiring event,” said Principal Honda. “And I can tell you all feel the same.”

Norma Joy Agbisit, a 10th grader, said she was motivated by the Dalai Lama’s speech to be more positive toward others — “to be one with them.”

—Chad Blair