By Ryan Jennings
He could not make Commencement 2004, but the Dalai Lama has agreed to speak at Rice in September.
Tenzin Gyatso, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, leader of Tibet in Exile and 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner, will speak at Rice Sept. 22.
Religious Studies Professor Anne Klein, who helped arrange the Dalai Lama’s visit, said in addition to his speech at Rice, his trip to Houston will include a speech to the greater Houston community, likely at a major sports arena.
Klein, who is on the committee assembled to organize the Dalai Lama’s visit, said the speech will be sponsored by the President’s Office.
Rice first contacted the Dalai Lama in fall 2003 when the commencement search committee selected him as one of its top three speaker choices. Although he declined the invitation, Klein said she suggested that Rice extend a standing invitation.
The speech will be the inaugural event for Rice’s new Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance. The center was founded in July 2004 and supports research that promotes religious toleration.
Religious studies graduate student Alejandro Chaoul, who is also on the Dalai Lama committee, twice helped bring the Dalai Lama to Chaoul’s home country, Argentina.
Chaoul, who will teach ASIA 387: Asian Religious and Medical Traditions in the fall, said the Dalai Lama’s speech will appeal to many groups.
“Although he comes from a Tibetan Buddhist perspective, he will probably talk about a broad topic important to the masses like universal responsibility, religious tolerance or compassion in the world,” Chaoul said.
Chaoul said he expects the speech will not be political in nature.
“The Dalai Lama will be coming here as a religious figure and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, not as the leader of Tibet In Exile,” Chaoul said.
Klein said other Houston organizations are also anticipating the visit. For the week of the visit, she said the Menil Collection is organizing the creation of a sand mandala, a traditional sand painting by Tibetan monks.
Assistant to the President Mark Scheid (Baker ’67) said security for the visit will be supported by the U.S. government and the Dalai Lama’s own security force.
Brown College sophomore Ignacio Scuseria said he is excited to have the opportunity to hear the Dalai Lama speak.
“I would never pass up a chance to see such a famous world leader at Rice,” Scuseria said. “I think it is a great opportunity, and I definitely plan to attend.”
Students will have to reserve tickets for the event, but the ticket price has not yet been set. Chaoul said the committee will provide details about the visit by the end of April. The Dalai Lama’s trip to the United States will span three months and include stops in Idaho; Tucson, Ariz.; Austin, Texas; New York City and Washington, D.C.
