Atlanta: His Holiness the Dalai Lama participated in “The Creative Journey: Artists in Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Spirituality and Creativity” with Richard Gere and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker on Tuesday.
They started with the question whether the arts have any special responsibility to promote compassion. They also discussed what the artist and the spiritual master have to teach each other from their respective disciplines.
His Holiness and the panelists agreed that the arts had much role in promoting compassion. He urged the people in general to use their creativity to uphold democracy, liberty and individual freedom. Regarding the role of the United States in promoting a better world, His Holiness said that since his childhood he had an admiration for the United States as the champion of democracy, liberty and freedom. Since the United States is the leading nation, His Holiness said no matter what happens the American people should not let down their spirits. He added that if the Americans become demoralised it would have negative impact throughout the world.
Both Richard Gere and Alice Walker referred to His Holiness as a role model and a source of inspiration. They also talked about the message of despair and redemption conveyed by the story of the Tibetan saint Milarepa. Alice Walker said that the trials and tribulation of Milarepa echoed the experience of her community adding that she would be very happy for the story to be known to Americans in the south of the country. This session was co-presented by Emory’s Creativity: Arts and Innovation initiative.
At the conclusion, Dr Rosemary Magee, Emory Vice President and Secretary, thanked His Holiness the Dalai Lama calling him “Our Professor” and everyone involved with the programmes saying it has been an extraordinary spiritual, academic and scientific journey.
His Holiness departs from Atlanta to Cincinnati, OH, for the next leg of his visit to the United States.
Report filed by Bhuchung K Tsering
