February 21, 2008
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to speak with students at University of Washington
Update March 24: Tickets are no longer available. UWTV will broadcast the event live on the Web and television, visit http://www.uwtv.org/dalailama.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will speak with students from regional public and private universities and community colleges from 3 to 5 p.m. April 14 in the Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on the University of Washington Seattle campus. This special convocation, part of His Holiness’ five-day visit to Seattle for the Seeds of Compassion initiative, will engage students and the world figure in a discussion centered on compassion and civic responsibility.
This event is intended primarily for students from the region. Online tickets will be available in mid-March. More details will be forthcoming. Questions should be directed to the Office of Ceremonies, ceremony@u.washington.edu.
The university will confer an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for His Holiness’ humanitarianism, his advocacy of non-violence, and his promotion of compassion, responsibility, and understanding.
“This is a timely opportunity for our campus,” said Ed Taylor, dean and vice provost of undergraduate academic affairs at the University of Washington. “Civic engagement and compassion are imbued in our mission and a part of who we are. Students, faculty, and staff show compassion and civic engagement daily through service to others, mentorship, tutoring, thoughtful research, and advising that focuses on the whole student. We’re looking forward to this opportunity to connect students from the UW and other colleges with His Holiness.”
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is pleased to participate in this important dialogue with the college students of Washington”, added Lama Tenzin Dhonden, co-founder of Seeds of Compassion and the personal emissary for peace for the Dalai Lama. “He particularly enjoys speaking with students and engaging in a lively discussion. As His Holiness recently told us, ‘they, the younger generation, are the real basis for our hope.'”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two the child, who was named Lhamo Dhondup at that time, was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who describes himself as “a simple Buddhist monk,” is a man of peace. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet and most recently was awarded the Gold Medal of the US Congress, the highest honor for a non-American. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems. His Holiness has travelled to more than 62 countries spanning six continents. He has met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. He has held dialogues with the heads of different religions and many well-known scientists.
Since 1959 His Holiness has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. His Holiness has also authored more than 72 books.
For complete biographical information on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, visit www.dalailama.com/page.105.htm.
Seeds of Compassion is an initiative dedicated to focusing world attention on the importance of social and emotional development of children. More information about the Seeds of Compassion events April 11 — 15 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama visit www.seedsofcompassion.org.
