2008 Woodie Awards
Dalai Lama brings message of peace and compassion to IU
Rose Soliven
Issue date: 11/7/07 Section: College News
- Page 1 of 1
Bloomington pulsed with excitement Oct. 24-27 as it celebrated a momentous visit from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with cultural displays and presentations of his teachings.
These events, hosted by Bloomington's Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center and the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple, attracted more than 13,000 people from all over the world and across the United States.
The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Tibet's head of state and a world-renowned peacemaker. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, and in October 2007 he was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award, for his commitment to peace and interreligious understanding. This trip was the Dalai Lama's fifth visit to Bloomington.
Twice a day from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, the Dalai Lama presented his teaching "Atisha's Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment" at the IU Auditorium. Each evening featured a free cultural program at the IU Auditorium.
In addition to evening programs, visitors could learn more about Tibetan Buddhism by seeing Thangka paintings on the second floor of the IU Art Museum and rare traditional Tibetan Dharma books in the IU Lilly Library. There was also a "Himalayan Bazaar" at the Indiana Memorial Student Union during these four days of events.
The theme for the program Oct. 24 was "Buddhist Night." The program included a choir performance and speeches from Robert A. Thurman, a professor at Columbia University, and Scott Steinkerchner, a Dominican friar. Thurman, who had studied for almost 30 years as the Dalai Lama's personal student, presented a talk on Atisha, a great Buddhist monk and scholar. Steinkerchner, a teacher of interreligious dialogue, spoke about Tsongkhapa, who was a Tibetan philosopher and religious leader.
The IU Auditorium hosted performances for Oct. 25's "Tibetan Night." Monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in Tibet began the evening with a "Cultural Pageant of Tibet," which included song, a demonstration of monastic debate, and various dances, such as a lively skeletaldance and yak dance. Audience members enjoyed watching the debate, which involved repeated phrases, gestures and movement from the monks, who have come to Bloomington as part of their Sacred Arts Tour in North America. A musical group comprised of members from all over the nation performed some traditional opera songs and original pieces praising their culture.
The Oct. 26 evening program rang out with Mongolian flavor. "Mongolian Night" first highlighted religious dances called 'Cham performed by Mongolian artists. Next, guests were entertained with Mongolian throat singing, a type of singing that involves manipulating different harmonic frequencies. Also, the evening showcased over 100 Mongolian masks.
The Dalai Lama presented a public talk, which became a sold-out event, titled "Compassion: the Source of Peace" in the IU Assembly Hall Oct. 27. His teaching communicated that affection was the "seed of compassion." He also spoke directly to the students present in the audience, emphasizing the role of youth in the future and the importance of affection in education.
Lisa Morrison, the publicity and media coordinator for the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, said she is pleased with the events' success and looks forward to the Dalai Lama's next visit in 2009.
"On behalf of Arjia Rinpoche and the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, we are so appreciative of the support and interest for our events," Morrison said. "Please share with others the message of peace and compassion as impressed upon by His Holiness the Dalai Lama."
Contact Rose Soliven at rsoliven@iupui.edu.
These events, hosted by Bloomington's Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center and the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple, attracted more than 13,000 people from all over the world and across the United States.
The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Tibet's head of state and a world-renowned peacemaker. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, and in October 2007 he was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award, for his commitment to peace and interreligious understanding. This trip was the Dalai Lama's fifth visit to Bloomington.
Twice a day from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, the Dalai Lama presented his teaching "Atisha's Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment" at the IU Auditorium. Each evening featured a free cultural program at the IU Auditorium.
In addition to evening programs, visitors could learn more about Tibetan Buddhism by seeing Thangka paintings on the second floor of the IU Art Museum and rare traditional Tibetan Dharma books in the IU Lilly Library. There was also a "Himalayan Bazaar" at the Indiana Memorial Student Union during these four days of events.
The theme for the program Oct. 24 was "Buddhist Night." The program included a choir performance and speeches from Robert A. Thurman, a professor at Columbia University, and Scott Steinkerchner, a Dominican friar. Thurman, who had studied for almost 30 years as the Dalai Lama's personal student, presented a talk on Atisha, a great Buddhist monk and scholar. Steinkerchner, a teacher of interreligious dialogue, spoke about Tsongkhapa, who was a Tibetan philosopher and religious leader.
The IU Auditorium hosted performances for Oct. 25's "Tibetan Night." Monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in Tibet began the evening with a "Cultural Pageant of Tibet," which included song, a demonstration of monastic debate, and various dances, such as a lively skeletaldance and yak dance. Audience members enjoyed watching the debate, which involved repeated phrases, gestures and movement from the monks, who have come to Bloomington as part of their Sacred Arts Tour in North America. A musical group comprised of members from all over the nation performed some traditional opera songs and original pieces praising their culture.
The Oct. 26 evening program rang out with Mongolian flavor. "Mongolian Night" first highlighted religious dances called 'Cham performed by Mongolian artists. Next, guests were entertained with Mongolian throat singing, a type of singing that involves manipulating different harmonic frequencies. Also, the evening showcased over 100 Mongolian masks.
The Dalai Lama presented a public talk, which became a sold-out event, titled "Compassion: the Source of Peace" in the IU Assembly Hall Oct. 27. His teaching communicated that affection was the "seed of compassion." He also spoke directly to the students present in the audience, emphasizing the role of youth in the future and the importance of affection in education.
Lisa Morrison, the publicity and media coordinator for the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, said she is pleased with the events' success and looks forward to the Dalai Lama's next visit in 2009.
"On behalf of Arjia Rinpoche and the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, we are so appreciative of the support and interest for our events," Morrison said. "Please share with others the message of peace and compassion as impressed upon by His Holiness the Dalai Lama."
Contact Rose Soliven at rsoliven@iupui.edu.
Be the first to comment on this story