0

The Dalai Lama to speak at the University of Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – The Dalai Lama is expected to deliver a speech at the University of Utah in October, the school announced this week.

Tickets for the event will go on sale July 13.

The theme of the Dalai Lama’s presentation will be compassion and universal responsibility followed by a Q&A session. Guests are encouraged to submit their questions prior to the event online.

“It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome the Dalai Lama back to the University of Utah,” said David W. Pershing, president of the U. “He is the spiritual leader of tens of millions of people and has shared his peaceful message with the people of six continents, Congress, Parliament and the United Nations. We look forward to his return to the Huntsman Center.”

The Dalai Lama’s first visit to the University campus was in May 2001. As part of his visit to Salt Lake City this fall, the Dalai Lama will also give the keynote speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions held at the Salt Palace Convention Center on Oct. 17.

Exiled from Tibet in 1959 during the uprising of Tibetans against the Chinese army, the Dalai Lama escaped to India and established the Central Tibetan Administration to meet the needs of refugees and seek to maintain their culture. He has since traveled the globe promoting peace and compassion and in 1989 he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle to free Tibet.

“His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet is a gift to the world,” said Pema Chagzoetsang, board member of the Utah Tibet Foundation. “In today’s world, his message of seeking personal spiritual awareness to reflect compassion and kindness is more needed than ever. He has impacted millions of people worldwide through his teachings on human values, tolerance, harmony, peace and the genuine practice of loving kindness. The Dalai Lama has stepped outside traditional roles to make this world more conscious of our humanity.”

Prior to his address at 1:30 p.m., a cultural program celebrating the birthday of the Dalai Lama will be presented by the Utah Tibetan Association and the Drepung Loseling Monastery Tibetan Monks. Doors to the Huntsman Center open at 11 a.m.

All local proceeds from the event will go the Utah Tibetan Association to fund the Tibetan Community Center, a gathering place to celebrate and encourage the preservation of Tibetan culture.