By Kristin Palpini
NORTHAMPTON – The Dalai Lama is coming to the Pioneer Valley.
In May, the Dalai Lama will visit Smith College for one day to address an audience of Smith and Hampshire college students, faculty and staff as well as members of the Tibetan Association of Western Massachusetts. A private gathering will also be held for invited members of the Tibetan community.
Although his talk will be restricted to those in the audience, the Dalai Lama’s address to the college communities will be broadcast live on local television in the Pioneer Valley.
“We are all very excited. We can’t wait for the day,” said Thondup Tsering, president of the Tibetan Association of Western Massachusetts. “We feel blessed.”
The 14th Dalai Lama is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet. In 1959, after the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the Dalai Lama was forced to escape into exile. Since then, he has resided in northern India, the seat of the Tibetan government in-exile.
