Obama’s Inaugural Buddhist Connection

Earlier today, elephant journal reported that Obama was keeping a prayer shawl from the Dalai Lama in his pocked during the inauguration.

I then got this email from a friend of mine:

From: “Richard C. Blum”
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:40:46 -0800
To: Lodi Gyari
Subject: The Inauguration

Dear Lodi:

I hear that during the ceremony you were on the phone to Kathmandu; presumably to Norbu.  You will be delighted to know that I had a kata at my house that His Holiness had given me.   I offered it to President
Obama before the ceremony.  I said that I could get it delivered to him
later.   He said, no, that he was going to take it and have it with him;
in fact, it was in his pocket when he was sworn-in.  Please let His Holiness know.

I’ll talk to you soon.

Best personal regards,

Dick

“Dick” is Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s husband, Richard Blum. I guess he should know. Of course, I can’t vouch for the email’s authenticity. Then again who, other than our egos, cares?