His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Dallas, Texas on July 1 for a 10 day visit to the United States.
His Holiness at Southern Methodist University, USA
Photo: George W Bush Presidential Center
He addressed a full house of nearly 2,500 people at the George W Bush Presidential Centre in Southern Methodist University, and spoke of every human being’s right to happiness and the need for education in order to fulfill this right. His Holiness commended the US’s democratic principles and role as a leader for freedom, although he said he didn’t “necessarily admire America for its military strength”.
His Holiness at Javits Center, New York
Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
The Peak Mind Foundation hosted His Holiness for a meditation talk in Silverado, Californiaon July 4. The audience of 400 listened intently to His Holiness’ advice on meditation, following his instructions for a short five-minute meditation session. His Holiness advised the attendees that “learning how to deal with our emotions,” would be the key for “the world to be happy”.
His Holiness presided as the keynote speaker at the 3-day Global Compassion Summit in Anaheim and Irving, California. He urged global leaders to unite to act on climate change: “Too many important nations put their national interests before global interest…Some of it is a result of our materialistic way of life and to change that we need a more holistic education, an education that incorporates inner values, such as a compassionate concern for others’ well-being”.
Closing His Holiness’ tour, a Public Gratitude Event catered to over 14,000 members of the North American Tibetan community. His Holiness recalled his direct reception of the 8th Century Tibetan text: The Middle Stages of Meditation, and spoke of “understand[ing] the causes and conditions for enlightenment” by “eliminat[ing] our disturbing emotions…by developing an understanding of emptiness”. The event was held in the Javits Center in New York City,organised by the North American Tibetan Associations, and the communities from Mongolia, Buryat, Kalmyk and Tuva regions of the Russian Federation, Bhutan, and Himalayan regions in India and Nepal.
His Holiness travelled Frankfurt in Germany where he was received by the Lord Mayor, Peter Feldmann. The Tibetan Community of Germany held international performances and speeches for His Holiness’ 80th birthday at the Jahrhunderthalle. Of the Tibetan supporters, His Holiness spoke about their effect on Chinese Buddhists: “Many of them want to learn about Buddhist philosophy and are taking an interest in the Nalanda tradition. So, today, when changes are taking place in China I’d like to ask our friends here to keep up their support”.
His Holiness completed his visit to America and Germany on July 14.
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