Sao Paulo – On 28 April, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave two lectures at the convention center Palacio das Convencoies do Anhembi, co-hosted by the Federal University of Sao Paulo’s School of Medicine and the Association Palas Athena.
A former Brazilian Justice Minister and current head of the Human Rights Commission of Sao Paulo Dr. Jose Gregori opened the two lectures, Wisdom and Compassion, and Science and Spirituality.
In his opening speech, Dr. Jose Gregori paid rich tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his ceaseless efforts to promote the human values and better understanding among various religious traditions as well as in leading the Tibetan people in their non-violent struggle to gain their own rights.
In his first lecture, His Holiness gave a very clear and precise introduction to the concept of compassion and how wisdom or the knowledge assists in generating awakened or genuine sense of compassion through understanding the reality.
In the second lecture, His Holiness mentioned that until the middle of the twentieth century scientific community had been involved more in exploring the outer space. But more recently, he said, the scientific community has been involved more in understanding the functioning of brain and mind. This exercise, he said, brought the science closer to the spirituality.
During the two lectures, the eight department heads of the university shared a platform with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to discuss on the topics and the interactions became extremely interesting, lively and educating.
The two lectures were attended by over 4,000 university academics and mainstream intellectuals, politicians, and public.
In the morning, before starting the lectures, His Holiness spent half-an-hour with the Dean of the University Dr. Ulysses Fagundes Neto and heads of the various schools and departments of the university to discuss about the various research activities that are being carried out by the university.
The heads of the departments also informed His Holiness that they were greatly inspired by His Holiness’ continued dialogues with the world renowned scientists to understand the mind and they too were keen to participate in this exploration of mind. The Federal University of Sao Paulo’s School of Medicine is the best medical school in South America.
A memorandum of understanding between the Federal University of Sao Paulo’s School of Medicine and the Tibetan establishment to undertake collaborative research activities relating to the impact of individual behavior and mental attitude on the personal health was signed by the University’s Dean Dr. Ulysses Fagundes Neto and Mr. Tashi Wangdi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Americas, in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The memorandum of understanding also includes exchanging of scholars and medical professionals.
In the evening at the Hotel, His Holiness the Dalai Lama also addressed a group of one hundred young, influential entrepreneurs and corporate leaders of Brazil. In his address, he drew the attention of the audience on the individual responsibility to the global welfare by reminding them about the world energy and resource crisis, global conflicts, etc.
His Holiness said that if the larger human society remains happy, that will provide an opportunity for the individuals to remain happy and contended. The address was very well received by the entrepreneurs and cooperate leaders. Ya Ping Chang, the head of the corporate, commented, that there are no words to express the feeling and impressions that His Holiness has left upon the group.
Report submitted by Liaison Office, Latin America, New york
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