So, word on the Buddhist street is that during the inauguration, Obama had a khata in his pocket, that the First Lady’s escort, Richard Blum, had been given by the Dalai Lama at some point. Truth or urban myth? Not sure, although the source I got it from was only two degrees of separation from the people involved. Whatever — it is a wonderful image.

(For anyone who doesn’t know, a khata is a white scarf that one gives to a lama who blesses it and gives it back.)