By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, June 24: The Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama who will give the key note adress at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual meeting in Indianapolis will be joined by pop star Lady Gaga for a conversation on Kindness.
The Tibetan leader is expected to appeal the attending mayors (more than 200) and others towards building a “kind and compassionate cities” at the J.W. Marriott Grand Ballroom.
Following the speech, Pop Singer Lady Gaga will join the Buddhist leader for an onstage conversation, moderated by journalist Ann Curry who will be joined by businessman and philanthropist Philip Anschutz in the proceedings.
“I am honored to be sitting down with the @DalaiLama this Sunday to have a conversation about kindness to 300 of our important US mayors”, tweeted Lady Gaga.
The same day, the Dalai Lama will give a public talk on ‘Compassion as a Pillar of World Peace’ organized by the Indiana Buddhist Center in partnership with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation and Compassionate Indy at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
The Tibetan leader currently in Boulder Colorado spoke to a packed University of Colorado’s Coors Events Center ushered by Mayor Suzanne Jones and around 9000 people who gave him a standing ovation.
Speaking on all religious traditions as having uniform potential for peace, he said, “It is very important to understand that all religions, or religious traditions, can send messages of love. All have same potential to help human behavior, to create good community. I never try to propagate religion. Without being requested, one should not impose spiritual teachings.”
He encouraged interfaith exchanges that promote deeper and analytical thinking to rid “mental distortions” arising from “afflictions”.
The 81 year old who was presented a Bicycle jersey and a helmet by the organizers responded while wearing the helmet, “When I was young, I used to bike. Of course these days I am too old to bike.”
