I want to travel to India and visit where the Dalai Lama lives,
preferably at a time when I might see him in person.

Hi Don

The Dalai Lama?s home in India is at Dharamsala .   From Delhi you can
travel by train for twelve hours followed by a three hour taxi ride,
or travel by bus for a less comfortable journey of a similar length. 
There is also a small airport about 18 miles from Dharamsala.

There is plenty of information about acommodation and facilities at
http://www.tibet.com/dasaguide.html

The important bit is that you want to go and see His Holiness in
person.  He gives *teachings* which are public sessions listed at
http://www.tibet.com/teachings.html .  It seems that the next public
Annual Teaching at Dharamsala will be in the second half of March next
year although travellers are warned that this is subject to change and
they should check before setting out.  There is a wonderfully
practical tip for spiritual seekers. *When His Holiness the Dalai Lama
gives public teachings in India you would be well advised to bring: a
cushion, an FM radio, a cup, and a sunhat and given the security
checks that take place, as little else as possible.*
It may be worth noting that this *teaching* would be soon after 10
March which is Tibetan Uprising Day.

If you want to apply for a public audience or shared visit to the
Dalai Lama you can do so once you are there at the Branch Security
Office near the Hotel Tibet.  A private visit involves applying in
writing many months in advance to His Holiness? Secretary.
Contact details are
Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, P.O. Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala
Distt. Kangra Himachal Pradesh, India Tel: (1892) 21343/21210, Fax:
(1892) 21813,e-mail:ohhdl@vsnl.com

I do hope this will help you achieve your wish to see the Dalai Lama
in India.  You will find the website at
http://www.tibet.com/
has a lot of extra information which might be helpful but let me know
if I can clarify anything.

Have a great journey.

google search dalai lama

Hi Don:

I just thought I'd add a little personal "color" to the excellent
answer to your question that leli provided....

I spent 3 weeks near the home of the Dalai Lama in May of 1987. As his
mailing address hints, the Dalai Lama actually lives in a
modestly-sized compound outside the small Tibetan community of Mcleod
Ganj, which is in the foothills of the Himalayas, overlooking
Dharamsala on the vast plain some 1000+ feet below. Many spiritual
travellers spend considerable time in Mcleod Ganj learning Tibetan
arts and spirituality. Little wonder that His Holiness chose this
spot, with the panaramic views of the plain to the south and the peaks
of the mountains poking out to the north.

I spent many days sitting at a favorite spot just east of his
compound, admiring the view, speaking with passers-by, and watching
the eagles/hawks soar in the incredible thermals created by the
foothills and the plain. There are many great little places to eat and
to stay in Mcleod Ganj, if you're not looking for 4 stars. ;-)

While it was not my intention, when I went, to have a personal visit
with the Dalai Lama, I was almost run over by the car he was being
driven in when we met near a sharp corner on road up from Dharamsala.
:-)

If you do go, enjoy your time there!

websearcher-ga

leli,

Your answer is indeed excellent. I see you are new researcher. Please
feel free to join Researcher Forum for help and support. I can't
publish it here, but the link is in your last Google Answers
newsletter.

-K~

Cup - check.
Sunhat - check.

But the FM Radio?  Can't figure that one out.  Are the teachings
broadcast over FM instead of over a PA system?

A simultaneous English translation is broadcast over FM.

Don,

Exelent intention to visit in person HH Dalai Lama!!!!

If you are interested you can meet HH Dalai Lama in other places in
India and arrown the world like:

INDIA, Dharamsala - Tentative 
16 - 24 July, 2002

Around one week teaching to the Taiwanese group followed by two days
Gyalwa Gyatsho. Initiation and teaching to a Singapore group.

INDIA, Spiti, Tabo Monastery - Tentative
29 July - 2 August 
His Holiness will teach on Dorying

INDIA, Spiti, Tabo Monastery - Tentative 
August 
Teaching in Leh and Nyuma, Ladakh. The topic if teaching is yet to be
finalised

Also in:

Austria (October 2002)
Denmark (June 2003)
New York (September 2003)

But the best is to visit his shedul in:

http://www.dalailama.com/html/teach2002.html