EXILED TIBETAN LEADER ENDS HIS 20-DAY VISIT
By SARAH GREEN, TORONTO SUN
GOODBYE, DALAI. The exiled Tibetan leader ends his 19-day Canadian visit today after drawing thousands of faithful to teachings that were a mix of Buddhist tradition and Hollywood glamour. Much of his Canadian visit was spent in Toronto, where the Dalai Lama initiated followers into the Kalachakra — 2,500-year-old Tibetan Buddhist teachings to promote peace.
HUGE SUCCESS
More than 7,000 followers gathered at the National Trade Centre yesterday for a long life prayer ceremony for the Dalai Lama, who wore his monk’s robes atop a gold throne.
Organizers in Toronto called the visit a spiritual and statistical success, drawing 7,200 participants from more than 50 countries.
Norbu Tsering, president of the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario, said the Kalachakra event earned $780,000, all of it to for Tibetan projects here and in India.
VISIT ‘REMARKABLE’
“This visit is truly a remarkable one,” Tsering said. “Wherever you go, you embody an awareness of peace and harmony.”
A public talk in Toronto drew nearly 30,000 people. Actress Goldie Hawn and singer Alanis Morrisette hosted similar talks in Vancouver and Ottawa respectively.
Dolma Dejikhangsar, 33, presented the Dalai Lama with a gold-wrapped parcel, one of dozens of gifts including rice, fruit and suitcases laid at the foot of the stage.
She hopes to visit Tibet this fall, but said, “I’m not sure when I’ll see His Holiness again.”
The Dalai Lama meets today with Premier Dalton McGuinty and Lt.-Gov. James Bartleman in his suite at the Royal York Hotel.
