By Chime Tenzing
Dharamsala; August 27 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama will return to the prestigious Emory University this October in his capacity as Presidential Distinguished Professor to participate in a series of public events from October 17th -19th, 2010.The events include programs on science research and meditation, creativity and spirituality, an interfaith dialogue and a teaching for the Buddhist community on compassion.
His Holiness will be joined by actor Richard Gere and author Alice Walker besides students and faculty members of the University to discuss the relationship between spirituality and the arts. The highlight of the events would be the program “The Creative Journey: Artists in Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Spirituality and Creativity,” which will tackle several questions, such as how do the arts help people uncover spiritual yearning and questions. The three also will discuss the role of tradition in maintaining or renewing art and spiritual life.
His Holiness last visited the university in 2007 and was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Professor, the only university appointment accepted by the 1989 Nobel Peace Laureate and leader of the Tibetan people.
Emory has a study abroad program in Dharamsala, where the Tibetan exiled government is based. The close ties also led to the creation of the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, which develops science lessons to be infused into the regular curriculum for monks and nuns in monasteries in India.
