Sunday, October 14, twenty honors students were given the opportunity to see the Dalai Lama in Radio City Music Hall. The Dalai Lama, introduced by Richard Gere, spoke on several issues and then responded to questions that had been received by email. The overall consensus: the Dalai Lama was way more entertaining than anyone had expected! Not that we had expected less than great--after all, he is the Dali Lama-- but perhaps we simply were not expecting the Dalai Lamahimself to be so incredibly down to Earth. The moment he pulled his legs up to sit indian-style in his armchair and pulled out his visor we knew that it was going to be no ordinary C & E lecture. I am not sure if it was his sense of humor that struck us or if it was his ability to convey his thoughts on such universal issues so well in a language not his own. One thing is for sure: whether Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or of any other religion, no person in Radio City could have left untouched by his words. He spoke not as a Buddhist, not as a Tibetan, but as a fellow humanitarian to each of us sharing this globe.
1 comment:
The Dalai Lama is perhaps one of the greatest humanitarians alive today. He has greatly influenced my life ever since I saw him two years ago at Rutgers. Every speech he gives, irrespective of his ability to speak the language, is full of compassion and care. He lives life with the express purpose of ending war and spreading peace and to hear him speak is utterly heartwarming and moving. I'm glad the Honors College was able to organize such a fine event. Its a shame I was not able to attend. (SOME people got to the tickets before me...humph)
Ian
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