By TIM BROUK
tbrouk@journalandcourier.com
August 3: He is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a religious icon and a symbol of compassion to millions worldwide.
He is the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and he is coming to Purdue University.
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, will speak at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at Elliott Hall of Music. The talk, entitled “Cultivating Happiness,” is open to the public.
“This is his first time in this part of Indiana,” said Donald W. Mitchell, a Purdue professor of philosophy and religious studies. “At this point, he is accepting very few invitations to speak publicly. He’s turning down universities all over the U.S. We’re very fortunate to have him here.”
The event is brought in by Purdue Convocations, the Purdue College of Liberal Arts and the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington.
Security will be heavy at this event and ticket holders are asked to arrive by 1 p.m. to pass through security.
The Dalai Lama’s older brother, Thubten Norbu, is a retired Indiana University professor who still lives in Bloomington. Norbu and thousands of other Tibetans fled to United States as refugees after The Dalai Lama will speak Oct. 24 to 26 at IU.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama, now 72 and whose birth name was Tenzin Gyatso, is a manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion and that each new Dalai Lama is chosen at the age of 2 as the reincarnation of the previous one.
Mitchell has met the Dalai Lama on numerous occasions and he has edited books on the writings and teachings of His Holiness.
“I was stuck by two things when I met him,” Mitchell recalled. “On one hand, he’s a very simple and humble person, very kind and generous with his time. He has a wonderful sense of humor and laughs a lot. On the other hand, you really feel a spiritual presence, compassion and kindness. You go to his talks and the audience leaves feeling very happy.
“When I met Mother Theresa, I felt the same way. There’s this presence but she was simple and down to earth.”
Dave Raymer, business manager at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, has helped coordinate monks from the Dalai Lama’s Drepung Gomang Monastery to visit Greater Lafayette in the last few years. The monks will return to create a sand mandala sculpture at TAF from Sept. 4 to 9. Raymer, who saw the Dalai Lama speak at Bloomington in 2003, believes His Holiness’ views are universal.
“When he speaks, the things he says touches a deep, human part of you,” Raymer said. “It’s not political. It’s deeper and spiritual. People of all faiths can learn what he teaches. You don’t have to be Buddhist.”
Todd Wetzel, director of Purdue Convocations, reminded that Convos’ full name also includes “and Lectures.” Wetzel said bringing in distinguished lecturers to Purdue is important.
Wetzel is predicting Elliott Hall to be at capacity for the Dalai Lama.
“He usually speaks in arenas,” he said. “While Elliott is a large theater with 6,000 seats, this will be one of the Dalai Lama’s more intimate talks.”
