One of the best quotes from Caddyshack is when Bill Murray‘s character, Carl Spackler, tells a story about the time he was the Dalai Lama‘s golf caddy. According to the famous Caddyshack Dalai Lama quote, the Tibetan religious leader didn’t give him a tip but instead offered him some spiritual guidance.
The scene is legendary with Caddyshack fans, but what does the Dalai Lama think about it? Does he know about his Caddyshack Dalai Lama quote? Has His Holiness even seen the movie Caddyshack? A Fox News reporter decided to find out and you have to see the Dalai Lama’s cringe-worthy response for yourself.
TL;DR – The Caddyshack Dalai Lama Quote
“Caddyshack” is a classic comedy film that was released in 1980. One of the most memorable quotes from the movie comes from the character Carl Spackler, who delivers a whimsical musing on life while tending to the golf course greens. This quote has since become a cult classic, and has even been humorously attributed to the Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader known for his wisdom and compassion. Despite the fact that the quote is actually not from the Dalai Lama, the pairing of his esteemed reputation with the lighthearted humor of “Caddyshack” has resulted in a charming and entertaining cultural reference.
The Caddyshack Dalai Lama Quote: What Did The Dalai Lama Say In Caddyshack?
Before you see Dalai Lama’s response, let’s just clarify something first. The Dalai Lama isn’t actually in the movie Caddyshack. We just get to hear about His Holiness playing a fictional round of golf through Carl Spackler. Here’s the legendary Caddyshack Dalai Lama quote from the movie:
- Carl Spackler: So I jump ship in Hong Kong and I make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas.
- Angie D’Annunzio: A looper?
- Carl Spackler: A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So, I tell them I’m a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald… striking. So, I’m on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one – big hitter, the Lama – long, into a ten-thousand-foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga… gunga, gunga-lagunga. So we finish the eighteenth and he’s gonna stiff me. And I say, “Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know.” And he says, “Oh, uh, there won’t be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.” So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice.
NERD NOTE: Caddyshack writer and director, Harold Ramis, passed away in 2014. President Obama recognized Ramis in a White House press release offering prayers and hope that he “received total consciousness“. It’s the first and only time that the film Caddyshack has been referenced in a statement from the White House.
Has The Dalai Lama Ever Seen The Movie Caddyshack?
So has the Dalai Lama ever seen the movie Caddyshack? Nobody had enough guts to ask the spiritual leader until Fox News reporter Bret Baier.
As you can see in Bret Baier’s interview with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader was completely caught off guard by his question. I think it’s safe to say that the Dalai Lama has not only never seen the movie Caddyshack, but he’s also never even heard of it before.
Getting a featured mention in one of the best comedy films of all time normally would be an incredible honor, but apparently not for everyone. Maybe someday the Tibetan leader will get a chance to hear the full Caddyshack Dalai Lama monologue for himself.
NOTE: The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a revered figure in many spiritual traditions. Born in Tibet in 1935, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama at the age of two and later enthroned as the political leader of Tibet. He has been a lifelong advocate for peace, nonviolence, and human rights, and has received numerous awards and honors for his efforts, including the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite facing political persecution and exile from his homeland, he continues to travel the world spreading his message of compassion and peace, and works to promote the well-being of all sentient beings.
What Does Gunga Galunga Mean?

One of the first questions people normally have after hearing the Caddyshack Dalai Lama quote, is what does Gunga Galunga mean? In reality nothing. It’s just a made-up phrase from the movie Caddyshack. Gunga Galunga, sometimes pronounced Gunga Lagunga, is a fictional Tibetan expression used to peacefully express dismay after hitting an errant golf shot. Since the film’s release, it’s now common to hear someone say Gunga Lagunga while playing a bad game of golf.
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