Dalai Lama speaks to sold-out crowd at UCI
Visit by Tibetan spiritual leader marks seventh anniversary of UCI scholarship carrying his name.
In his first public appearance at UC Irvine since 2004, the Dalai Lama discussed compassion, happiness and interfaith harmony before a sold-out crowd Wednesday at the Bren Events Center.
Wearing his traditional red and saffron robes and an Anteaters visor, the Tibetan spiritual leader started his talk by expressing appreciation for UCI’s XIV Dalai Lama Endowed Scholars, who took the stage with him and Chancellor Michael Drake.
According to the Dalai Lama, the goal of education should be to “develop sensible, compassionate leaders who are realistic and warmhearted.” He also stressed the importance of respect for all religions – and nonbelievers as well – which elicited cheers from the audience.
“This is not a new idea from my mind,” he said. “India has a 1,000-year tradition of respecting different religions.”
Asked how to encourage interfaith friendship and communication, the Dalai Lama emphasized the value of meeting with scholars from varying religious traditions and learning from them.
He illustrated his point with an anecdote about participating in silent meditation under a Bodhi tree with Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Jews.
“People with different philosophies and viewpoints often have the same purpose, the same goal,” the Dalai Lama said. “We all want to be better, sensible human beings.”
He concluded his talk by presenting Drake and other special guests with white silk scarves called “khata” as a sign of admiration and respect.
When a sociology undergraduate asked about the secret to happiness, the Dalai Lama replied with his distinctive sense of humor: “If there is a secret, I must keep it.”
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- On Wednesday, May 4, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama made his second appearance at UC Irvine as part of the Living Peace Series, sponsored by the university and the Center for Living Peace Orange County. The visit marked the seventh anniversary of UCI’s XIV Dalai Lama Endowed Scholarship. More than 5,000 people came to UCI’s Bren Events Center to see the world-renowned spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize speak on “Compassion & Global Leadership.” He also met with this year’s scholarship recipient, Armaan Rowther, and previous winners. Steve Zylius / University Communications
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- Copies of the Dalai Lama’s latest book are offered for sale in the Bren Center lobby.
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- More than 5,000 people attended the sold-out event at UCI’s Bren Events Center.
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- Sporting an Anteaters visor, the Dalai Lama made his second appearance at UCI as part of the Living Peace Series, speaking on ”Compassion & Global Leadership.”
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- Yungchen Lhamo, a Tibetan singer-songwriter, engages the crowd in chanting before the Dalai Lama’s talk.
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- Buddhist monks play traditional Tibetan horns to announce the Dalai Lama’s arrival onstage.
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- Audience members listen intently to the Dalai Lama’s address.
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- The Dalai Lama’s sly sense of humor was often on display during the event. When a student asked about the secret to happiness, he replied: ”If there is a secret, I must keep it.”
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- The Dalai Lama greets audience members before discussing compassion, happiness and interfaith harmony.
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- The Dalai Lama chuckles at his own story during his second visit to UCI. More than 5,000 people came to the Bren Events Center to hear the world-renowned spiritual leader and Nobel laureate speak on ”Compassion & Global Leadership” as part of the Living Peace Series.