The Dalai Lama begins US tour/ENG

2012. április 13./Phayul.com/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA, April 13: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama left his exile residence of Dharamshala yesterday afternoon for a visit to Hawaii,San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago in the United States of America and Ottawa in Canada.

“His Holiness left Dharamshala for the US and is scheduled to give public lectures and participate in panel discussions,” the spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration, Tashi said.

The visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader to Hawaii marks the launch of a new initiative called “Pillars of Peace Hawaii: Building Peace on a Foundation of Aloha.” The program aims to bring global peace leaders to Hawaii to share ideas about actively practicing peace and aloha in our daily lives, both at home and around the world.

His Holiness will begin his engagements with a public talk titled “Educating the Heart” at the University of Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center on April 14. This event is for high school and college students and is focused on encouraging compassionate and responsible behavior. His Holiness will discuss with Hawaii students the importance of practicing tolerance, perseverance, and persistence in everyday life.

The following day, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion with native Hawaiian leaders including Dr. Pualani Kanahele and Nainoa Thompson on “the Importance of Native Intelligence in Modern Times” at the University of Hawaii’s East West Center. Panelists will consider the positive contributions of wisdom found in Hawaiian and other native cultures and explore Hawaii’s potential for global leadership.

The same day in the afternoon, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to speak to the general public on “Advancing Peace through the power of Aloha,” a talk centering around the role of peace and compassion in daily life.

His Holiness’ events in Hawaii will be live webcast on http://dalaila.ma/hzbQLE

On the second leg of his tour, the Tibetan spiritual leader will attend three sold-out public events on his first ever visit to San Diego.

On April 18, the Dalai Lama will participate in a panel discussion on “the Global Impact of Climate: Balance through Universal Responsibility, Compassion and Human Consciousness” at the University of California. This event is intended to be a conversation on global climate change and the need for humanitarian values and universal responsibility in recognising and responding to the impacts of this change on communities and ecosystems. The teaching will be live webcasted at http://uctv.tv

In the afternoon, His Holiness is scheduled to give a public talk on “Cultivating Peace and justice” and explore alternatives to violence and the shared core human values that can lead the way to peace, justice and happiness. The event will be live webcast at www.sandiego.edu/dalailama/media.

In his final public appearance in San Diego, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to give a public lecture on “Upholding Universal Ethics and Compassion in Challenging Times” on April 19 at the San Diego State University. The Nobel Peace Laureate will share his views with 12,000 attendees on upholding ethics, practicing forgiveness and tolerance, and coping with the challenges found in today's society.

Travelling on to Los Angeles, His Holiness will confer the Solitary Yamantaka Initiation (jigje wang) at the request of Gaden Shartse Thubten Dhargye Ling at the Long Beach Arena in the Long Beach Convention Center. The teachings will be followed by a public talk on "Peace of Mind In Troubled Times," on April 21, at the same venue.

The 76-year old Tibetan leader will then participate in the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago on April 25 and the following day give a public talk on Non-Violence organised by the Tibet center Chicago at the Gentile Arena in Loyola University.

On the last leg of his North America tour, His Holiness will give a public talk on "Ethics for a Whole World" organized by the Canada Tibet Committee at the Civic Center in Ottawa on April 28.