By TOM GODFREY,
As the Dalai Lama touched down in Ottawa yesterday, dozens of volunteers from the Tibetan community were busy preparing an Etobicoke centre to be blessed by the Buddhist leader during his visit to Toronto.
The Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre on Titan Rd. was a hive of activity yesterday as volunteers painted a newly built entrance in bright colours, erected a stage and cleaned the former factory in preparation for a visit by one of the most revered spiritul leaders in the world.
Norbu Tsering Baro, president of the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario, said more than 300 volunteers are helping with the two-day visit to Toronto.
On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama delivers a speech on The Art of Happiness at the Rogers Centre. Tickets are still available.
He leaves for India on Thursday.
“This is a dream come true for many of us,” Baro said yesterday. “To have the God-king here to bless the centre is a great honour for all of us.”
He said security will be tight Wednesday when 3,500 dignitaries and community members pack the centre for the meeting with the spiritual leader. Visitors will go through metal detectors and pass by explosive-detector dogs.
“Just hosting his holiness is a big honour,” Baro said. “It is a great opportunity for many of us to witness history in the making.”
Community leader Namgyal Nangsetsang said the $3.2-million centre is the first of its kind for Tibetans in Canada.
“We will be witnessing history with the holiness here,” Nangsetsang said. “To have him here at our centre is something special worth celebrating.”
Volunteer Sonam Lankar said his son, Patsering, 9, was one of the lucky ones. He was chosen to perform music for the Dalai Lama.
“It is truly a big honour for me and my family,” Lankar said. “I took a week off work to come down here and help out.”
Visitor Sonam Wangdu, 39, travelled from New York City.
“This is one of the highlights of my life,” Wangdu said. “It is a big honour for me to be here and help with this visit.”
There are about 4,000 Tibetans in the Toronto area.
