His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to Polish parliamentarians in Warsaw, Poland on October 24, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Meeting Polish Parliamentarians, Tibetans and Tibet Support Groups

Warsaw, Poland, 24 October 2013 – The sky was overcast and a light rain fell as His Holiness the Dalai Lama stepped out of his hotel this morning to take the short drive to the University of Warsaw, where the Rector was waiting to receive him. His first meeting was with a group of Polish Members of Parliament. His Holiness spotted and fondly embraced his old friend Heinrich Wujec. Members of the group were introduced to him by Hon. Beata Bublewicz. Introductions over, the parliamentarians gathered around His Holiness to hear what he had to say, many sitting in a circle at his feet on the floor. Read the rest of this entry »

Sharon Stone holds up the Peace Summit Award she received at the 13th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Warsaw, Poland on October 23, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

13th Nobel Peace Laureates’ Summit in Warsaw

Warsaw, Poland, 23 October 2013 – When His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at Warsaw airport from New York yesterday, he was received by Tibetan Representative Thubten Samdup and Health Kalon, Dr Tsering Wangchuk who did his medical training here, speaks Polish and is familiar with the city. Received at the hotel by a large number of Tibetans, Mongolians and local well-wishers, he was given a traditional Tibetan welcome. He was then pleased to encounter fellow Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire in the lobby.
He is in Warsaw, city of free people, to attend the 13th Nobel Peace Laureates’ Summit. But before driving to the National Opera House where it was taking place today, he was interviewed by Jackec Zakowsk of Polish Television. To the opening question, are you happy? His Holiness replied that he sleeps well, he is relaxed and he is happy. Read the rest of this entry »

Ginevra: la questione dei diritti umani in tibet sollevata da 13 stati membri dell’UNHRC

Ginevra, 22 ottobre 2013. Tredici stati membri del Consiglio per i Diritti Umani delle Nazioni Unite hanno espresso critiche nei confronti della Cina, con esplicito riferimento alla situazione all’interno del Tibet, nel corso della Universal Periodic Review (UPR), una procedura condotta da un gruppo di lavoro composto dai 47 stati membri del Consiglio per i Diritti Umani (UNHRC), Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a group of Chinese scholars and writers after their meeting in New York on October 21, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Audiences, Meetings and a Discussion with Chinese Writers in New York Prior to Departure for Europe

New York, USA, 21 October 2013 – After three days of Buddhist teachings and a public talk in New York there was time today for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to meet with groups and individuals on a more personal basis. This included thanking and having his photograph taken with the security personnel who have provided him protection and members of The Tibet Center and The Gere Foundation who organized the successful events of the past few days.
A more animated encounter took place between His Holiness and a group of 24 Chinese scholars, writers and poets, who met to discuss promoting secular ethics, particularly in relation to China. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama shaking hands with members of the audience at the conclusion of his talk at the Beacon Theater in New York on October 20, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Empowerment Concerning the Buddha Establishing the Three Pledges and a Public Talk on the Virtue of Non-violence

New York, USA, 20 October 2013 – In the cool quiet of the early morning today, as the sun was just beginning to light the sky, His Holiness the Dalai Lama sat before a mandala structure on the stage of the Beacon Theater to perform the preparatory rituals for the empowerment he was to give. Later, when most of the 3000 seats in the theater were filled he returned to begin to teach.

On this occasion the Heart Sutra was recited in English, as the entire audience followed Richard Gere’s lead from the stage. His Holiness quoted the Buddha as having said: “On my part I will show you the path, but you have to travel it,” and quoted the following verse: “Buddhas do not wash unwholesome deeds away with water, Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking during the second day of his teachings in New York, NY, USA on October 19, 2013. Photo/Robert Nickelsberg

Completing an Explanation of the Heart Sutra and Continuing Chapter Nine of the Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life

New York, USA, 19 October 2013 – For the second day, today, Rato Khenpo Nicholas Vreeland, with incense in hand, escorted His Holiness the Dalai Lama onto the stage of the Beacon Theater, New York. Once His Holiness had greeted members of the Sangha, performed prostrations to the Buddha, saluted the audience and taken his seat on the throne, a group of Chinese monastics recited the Heart Sutra in Chinese. He began with the remark that there is a verse at the end of the Heart Sutra that encapsulates the practice of the Dharma:
May I be able to dispel the three poisons
May the light of insight shine brightly
May I be able to overcome all obstacles
May I be able to engage in the deeds of Bodhisattvas.
He suggested that if in addition to chanting these lines, which encompass the content of the Pali and Sanskrit traditions, we are able to incorporate their meaning into our practice it will be of benefit.

“Shantideva, a scholar-adept at Nalanda University, says it is our duty to pay respect to senior students of the Dharma, for example, those who follow the Pali tradition. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama reading from a Tibetan text during his teachings at the Beacon Theater in New York City, NY, USA on October 18, 2013. Photo/Robert Nickelsberg

Teaching from the 8000 Verse Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, The Sutra of Truly Remembering the Sublime Three Jewels and the Heart Sutra

New York, USA, 18 October 2013 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama flew into Newark from Mexico yesterday afternoon and was received on behalf of his hosts, The Tibet Center and The Gere Foundation, by Khyongla Rato Rinpoche, Rato Khenpo Nicholas Vreeland and Richard Gere, who escorted him into New York. Excited Tibetans thronged the streets around his hotel, while musicians and dancers celebrated his arrival and he was offered a traditional Tibetan welcome.

This morning, as he made his way to the Beacon Theater, where he was to speak to nearly 3000 people, Read the rest of this entry »

La polizia cinese a Driru

PROSEGUE LA REPRESSIONE A DRIRU: UCCISIONI E ARRESTI

Dharamsala, 17 ottobre 2013. A distanza di oltre due settimane dall’inizio della repressione resta estremamente tesa la situazione nella Contea di Driru, nella cosiddetta Regione Autonoma Tibetana, dopo il rifiuto da parte della popolazione locale di issare la bandiera cinese sul tetto delle case in occasione del 64°anniversario della fondazione della Repubblica Popolare. Le immagini arrivate dal Tibet (nelle foto) documentano la massiccia presenza della polizia armata e delle forze paramilitari in marcia verso la Contea. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking during his public talk on The Art of Happiness at the Convention Center in Zacatecas, Mexico on October 16, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Inter-religious Dialogue and Public Talk on the Art of Happiness in Zacatecas

Zacatecas, Mexico, 16 October 2013 – A short drive through the cobbled streets of the historic town of Zacatecas, which is recognised as a UN World Heritage Site, brought His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Antiguo Templo de San Agustina. Once a church, the restored building now serves as a venue for art and cultural exhibitions. Today, however, it was the location of an Inter-Religious Dialogue hosted by Monsenor Sigifredo Noriega Barcelo, the Bishop of the State of Zacatecas. As His Holiness arrived a large brass band played on the square and excited school children lined his path to the door, where the Bishop received him and escorted him inside. Read the rest of this entry »

Former Mexican President Vincente Fox introducing His Holiness the Dalai Lama before his talk in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico on October 15, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Speaks about Compassion in Action and Visits the Presidential Library at the Fox Center

León, Guanajuato, Mexico   15 October 2013 – This morning as the day began to warm, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s hosts at Hacienda San Cristoboal, former Mexican President Vicente Fox and his wife came to see him. They met privately for a few minutes before walking with him from the main house to the newly established Vicente Fox Center of Studies, Library and Museum. This modern facility which incorporates a library, museum, a centre for the advancement of democracy, and is privately funded will be Mexico’s first US style presidential library. President Fox was pleased to point out how the new buildings blend in with the old ones that have been in his family for more than one hundred years. Read the rest of this entry »

Adela Micha interviewing His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Televisa, the biggest TV network in Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico on October 14, 2013. Photo/Oscar Fernandez

Generating the Awakening Mind of Bodhichitta and Speaking to Students, Teachers and Parents

Mexico City, Mexico, 14 October 2013 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama began a final busy day of engagements in Mexico City, once again at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico, by giving an interview to Adela Micha of Televisa, Mexico’s largest television network. She began by telling her viewers that she was speaking in person to the Dalai Lama, a person many regard with great awe and asked him how he sees himself and he answered: “As just another human being.”

She asked his view of the status of women in Buddhism and he told her that 2600 years ago in India there was some discrimination against women, but the Buddha gave equal rights to both men and women. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting a capacity crowd of 15,000 before his talk at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico on October 13, 2013. Photo/Oscar Fernandez

Talking about Secular Ethics and Continuing the Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life

Mexico City, Mexico 13, October 2013 – Immediately after he had arrived at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico this morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with representatives of two local Buddhist groups. He was keen to explain to them that performing rituals and saying prayers is fine up to a point, but in the twenty-first century it is important to understand what Buddhism is about, which requires study. He also told them that scientists and others are taking greater interest in Buddhism for what it can tell them about the mind. A project is underway to compile materials from the Kangyur and Tengyur related to Buddhist science, philosophy and religion, which will make them easier to study in an academic way. He encouraged the making of such provisions in Dharma centres too. Read the rest of this entry »

La polizia spara sulla folla, 4 morti

Tibet torna di pre­po­tenza nelle cro­na­che rela­tive alla Cina: dopo alcune pro­te­ste seguite a un arre­sto, la poli­zia cinese ha spa­rato sulla folla, ferendo cen­ti­naia di tibe­tani e ucci­den­done quat­tro. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is accompanied by actor Richard Gere as he arrives on stage at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico at the start of his teachings in Mexico City, Mexico on October 12, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Teaching ‘A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ and Visit to the Universidad Pontificia de Mexico in Mexico City

Mexico City, Mexico, 12 October 2013 – A lengthy drive through Mexico City’s busy streets this morning brought His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Arena Ciudad de Mexico. As his motorcade turned into the precincts of the building, hundreds of members of the public were lined up on the pavement, waiting to enter too. Many waved.

As he climbed out of his car, His Holiness was greeted by an old friend, Richard Gere, who walked with him to the back of the stage. Gere then went ahead to introduce His Holiness to the 4.000 strong audience, who gave him a rousing welcome when he too appeared and greeted them with folded hands. Taking his seat on a simple armchair before a backdrop of several thangkas, His Holiness began his talk without further ado. Read the rest of this entry »

Madrid: la corte nazionale apre un’inchiesta contro Hu Jintao

Madrid, 11 ottobre 2013. Con una sentenza pronunciata il 9 ottobre, la Suprema Corte Nazionale spagnola ha accettato di aprire un’inchiesta contro l’ex presidente cinese Hi Jintao con l’accusa di genocidio contro il Tibet e contro la nazione tibetana. Read the rest of this entry »

Choje Akong Rinpoche

Ucciso a Chengdu Choje Akong Rinpoche

Dharamsala, 10 ottobre 2013. Nella giornata di ieri è giunta notizia della uccisione a Chengdu, capitale della provincia del Sichuan, di Choje Akong Rinpoche, co-fondatore, assieme a Chogyam Trungpa, del centro buddista Samye Ling, il primo in  occidente, inaugurato in Scozia nel 1967. Akong Rinpoche sembra sia stato ucciso nella periferia della città Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness talking to students during his visit to their classroom at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on October 10, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Teaching Panchen Lobsang Chogyen’s Root Stanzas on Mahamudra

Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 10 October 2013 – Acceding to a request from Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta, after arriving at the Glenn Memorial Auditorium of Emory University this morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama lost no time before beginning his explanation of Panchen Lobsang Chogyen’s Root Stanzas on Mahamudra. He made clear that he would not follow the traditional procedure that requires preliminary prayers and repeated explanations, but would give a straightforward account of the verses.
He led the 1200 people present in reciting the traditional verse which in the first two lines concerns taking refuge in the Three Jewels and in the second two lines concerns developing the awakening mind of bodhichitta. Both sections refer to ‘I’, so for them to make sense we have to have some sense of self. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with China-Tibet Initiative members after their meeting at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on October 9, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Exploring Secular Ethics at Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 9 October 2013 – When His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at the Glenn Memorial Auditorium to spend a day on the Emory University Campus this morning President James Wagner was there to receive him. His first engagement was a meeting with members of the China-Tibet Initiative in a marquee on one of the lawns. A Chinese student gave a brief introduction explaining that initially five students had agreed the need to arrange meetings between Chinese and Tibetan students and that their number has grown to eighty. He said getting to know each other was the most important thing and suggested theirs was a model for conflict resolution among students. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking during his talk on "The Pillars of Responsible Citizenship in the 21st Century Global Village" at the Arena at the Gwinnet Center in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 8, 2012. Photo/Sonam Zoksang

Pillars of Responsible Citizenship in the 21st Century Global Village

Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 8 October 2013 – Amidst the flashing blue and red lights of the secure motorcade, the roar of motorcycle outriders and the clatter of a helicopter overhead, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove from his hotel in Atlanta out to the Gwinnet Arena, venue of the day’s programs. He was met at the door by Emory University President James Wagner and greeted by the audience in the 10,000 seat arena with warm and friendly applause.
In his introduction, President Wagner mentioned that Emory University was founded by Methodists and has long been motivated to prepare citizens for life not only to do well, but also to do good. Paul Wolpe, the moderator, followed him saying that a university concerns itself with knowledge, but there is also a need for wisdom, deep understanding and insight. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting the audience at the start of his talk at the the Global Spa and Wellness Summit in Guragon, India on October 6, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Addresses the Global Spa and Wellness Summit

Gurgaon, New Delhi, India, 6 October 2013 – At the start of a trip that will take him to USA, Mexico and Poland, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke at the Global Spa and Wellness Summit in Gurgaon today. Having flown from Dharamsala to Delhi, he drove directly to the gathering where he was met on arrival by his host and old friend, Analjit Singh, founder and chairman of Max Healthcare.
Once the friendly welcoming applause had died down, His Holiness began by addressing his ‘respected brothers and sisters’ explaining that he always likes to start this way because he believes that the 7 billion human beings alive today are the same. They all wish for happiness and all have a right to achieve it. With a twinkle he added: “Of course, what we also have in common is that we all face problems of one sort or another too. Anyway, I am very happy to be here and I thank my old friend Analjit Singh for the invitation.” Read the rest of this entry »

AUTOIMMOLATO. FORTE TENSIONE A DRIRU Dharamsala, 4 ottobre 2013. Le autorità cinesi della Contea di Ngaba hanno costretto i familiari di Shichung, il tibetano di quarantuno anni immolatosi con il fuoco sabato 28 settembre a Gomang Thawa, nella Contea di Ngaba, a gettare nel fiume Ngachu le ceneri del loro congiunto. Prima di darsi fuoco, Shichung, di professione sarto e padre di due bambini, aveva acceso una lampada a burro di fronte a un ritratto del Dalai Lama. Read the rest of this entry »