Breakfast With Buddha

In the heart of the Midwest, Otto and Rinpoche’s journey takes a turn into the urban sprawl of Chicago. As they encounter the city’s industrial might near Gary and the deep blue of Lake Michigan, their path is halted by a formidable traffic jam due to a White Sox game. Otto seizes the opportunity to introduce Rinpoche to baseball, a quintessential American pastime.

Navigating through the city’s streets, they encounter a diverse tapestry of human life, from a man hoping for lucky lottery tickets to the grandeur of the Walnut Room, where they dine. Amid the city’s bustle, Otto grapples with life’s inequalities, questioning why fortunes vary so dramatically among individuals. Rinpoche offers a perspective rooted in the continuity of life, suggesting that one’s current existence is influenced by past lives and shapes future ones.

Over lunch, Otto challenges Rinpoche with deep questions about life’s disparities. Rinpoche responds by encouraging Otto to look beyond conventional intelligence and embrace a broader, more spiritual understanding. He emphasizes the importance of how one lives and thinks, suggesting that actions and thoughts ripple through life and beyond. The encounter culminates in a mutual agreement: Otto commits to showcasing the American experience for Rinpoche, while Rinpoche promises to give Otto a glimpse of enlightenment.