Thursday, October 21, 2010
A Visual Journey Through Dalai Lama Visit
Journalism 201 Honors students captured the week in photos as the campus celebrated the visit by His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Enjoy their story.
On Miami's Stage, He Urges Compassion, Peace
By Jack Nelson and Rachel Petri
After months of anticipation, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, made himself comfortable Oct. 21 on the stage of Millett Hall at Miami University before a crowd of 10,000 people.
Sporting a bright red visor with Miami’s block “M” and sitting on a couch with a very relaxed demeanor, the Dalai Lama at one point took off his shoes.
Occasionally speaking through an interpreter, he talked about how compassion for others is one of the most important facets of human life, and how being compassionate can help a person be healthier in mind, body, and spirit.
“We all want to achieve happiness,” said His Holiness. “It can’t come from outside, but must come from our own minds. If you have a healthy mind, you have a healthy body.”
Inside Millett, the crowd of mainly students was attentive and quiet as the Dalai Lama softly spoke – they almost seemed to strain to hear each word. Until the question and answer session in the last half hour, the crowd remained virtually motionless with few people leaving their seats.
The Dalai Lama also spoke at length about the dangers of not receiving affection and compassion.
“When you are surrounded by people who show no affection, you get suspicious - stress, anxiety, fear,” His Holiness said. “This leads to bad health… Community must be regarded as the basis of one’s own happy future. That will bring inner peace… genuine cooperation leads to genuine friendship, which leads to genuine trust. However, a self-centered attitude leads to distance, then distrust and fear.
After months of anticipation, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, made himself comfortable Oct. 21 on the stage of Millett Hall at Miami University before a crowd of 10,000 people.
Sporting a bright red visor with Miami’s block “M” and sitting on a couch with a very relaxed demeanor, the Dalai Lama at one point took off his shoes.
Occasionally speaking through an interpreter, he talked about how compassion for others is one of the most important facets of human life, and how being compassionate can help a person be healthier in mind, body, and spirit.
“We all want to achieve happiness,” said His Holiness. “It can’t come from outside, but must come from our own minds. If you have a healthy mind, you have a healthy body.”
Inside Millett, the crowd of mainly students was attentive and quiet as the Dalai Lama softly spoke – they almost seemed to strain to hear each word. Until the question and answer session in the last half hour, the crowd remained virtually motionless with few people leaving their seats.The Dalai Lama also spoke at length about the dangers of not receiving affection and compassion.
“When you are surrounded by people who show no affection, you get suspicious - stress, anxiety, fear,” His Holiness said. “This leads to bad health… Community must be regarded as the basis of one’s own happy future. That will bring inner peace… genuine cooperation leads to genuine friendship, which leads to genuine trust. However, a self-centered attitude leads to distance, then distrust and fear.
In the Voice of Students...
“The Dalai Lama is a great spiritual leader and a model human being. I am so glad he can come to Miami to share his life experiences and wisdom with us.”Justin Mills, junior psychology major
"I’m interested in hearing what he has to say. I've heard him before and he speaks very well and with a lot of knowledge about world affairs, so it would be nice to get his perspective. Also I’m quite interested in hearing what he has to say about the Chinese issue."Chanil De Silva, sophomore finance major"
"I was hoping to gain a better view on other cultures and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to hear someone speak that is such an influential leader in the world."Lauren Schnaith, freshman early childhood education major
“The Dalai Lama is a wonderful embodiment of peace and kindness. I find it interesting how on a campus so materialistic his presence still causes a stir. Students are so excited about his visit that I sometimes refer to the event as a ‘J-Crew sale’. We should get him a Miami North Face to take back to Tibet.”
Ben Wood, sophomore pre-communication major
"I want to gain a better understanding of the Dalai Lama's role as both head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet, and what his views are on the ethics of today's world and how they have transformed."Maggie McGrath, freshman business economics major
"Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get tickets because of its popularity. However, I hope to hear the experiences of my peers and hopefully learn more from them."Sarah Bullock, senior exercise science major
"I'm going to see him because I have to for a class. I would not have bought a ticket if I didn't have to. I hope he leaves me with good advice though, maybe a better understanding of life."Stacie Testaguzza, junior creative writing major
"I think that it is an amazing and rare opportunity for the students at Miami University. I believe that every person could learn something from hearing him speak because he is such an influential political figure."Courtney Voegele, sophomore pre-communication major
Interviews conducted by Ron Albritton, a sophomore pre-journalism and creative writing double major.
Travels of the Dalai Lama
By Lauren Ceronie
The Dalai Lama will be traveling from the West to East Coasts of the United States and Canada this October. Here is where he has been and where he is going after leaving Oxford October 21. Click on each location for details.
View dalai lama in a larger map
The Dalai Lama will be traveling from the West to East Coasts of the United States and Canada this October. Here is where he has been and where he is going after leaving Oxford October 21. Click on each location for details.
View dalai lama in a larger map
An Honorary Degree for Tibetan Spiritualist
By Jessica Sink
Miami University President David Hodge presented His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree Thursday morning in front of an audience of about 500 students and faculty at Hall Auditorium.
The event preceded an afternoon speech with a 10,000-person audience at Millett Hall.
At the morning ceremony, Hodge said, “We are honored to welcome his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Miami University and recognize his struggle to promote cultural understanding.”
The spiritual leader of Tibet was then presented with the international Harry T. Wilks Leadership Award, an award presented by Wilks himself.
“Today we want to honor a man who has tried to bring peace, understanding and compassion to various cultures, races and religions,” said Wilks, a retired Hamilton attorney and philanthropist whose funded a Miami conference center and lecture series that bear his name.
Miami University President David Hodge presented His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree Thursday morning in front of an audience of about 500 students and faculty at Hall Auditorium.
The event preceded an afternoon speech with a 10,000-person audience at Millett Hall.
At the morning ceremony, Hodge said, “We are honored to welcome his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Miami University and recognize his struggle to promote cultural understanding.”
The spiritual leader of Tibet was then presented with the international Harry T. Wilks Leadership Award, an award presented by Wilks himself.
“Today we want to honor a man who has tried to bring peace, understanding and compassion to various cultures, races and religions,” said Wilks, a retired Hamilton attorney and philanthropist whose funded a Miami conference center and lecture series that bear his name.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Class or Global Figure's Speech?
By Annie Srsen
While the Dalai Lama’s visit to Miami on Oct. 21 means a significant, globally known religious leader will be on campus, his speech is scheduled in the middle of the afternoon - a time conflicting with many students’ classes.
Since Miami President David Hodge did not cancel classes across the university for the sold-out event, the decision to cancel or excuse student absences was left up to professors.
Many students with Thursday afternoon classes said while their professors did not cancel, they openly told students they realized many seats would be empty. More than 10,000 tickets to the event were sold - the majority purchased by students.
In contrast, Comparative Religions Professor Peter Williams canceled both his Thursday afternoon classes. The philosophy behind his decision related not only to the religious significance of the Dalai Lama, but also the Tibetan leader's political importance in the world.
Williams said he would have canceled class had a religious leader of similar magnitude from another affiliation visited campus. But he also said he believes such global-impact talks offer students the opportunity to broaden their cultural horizons.
“Recent polls have demonstrated the remarkable ignorance of Americans on religious matters, and the chance for both Miami students and others from the Oxford area to become aware of the importance of religion in today's world is an opportunity that seldom comes our way, and one of which we should take advantage,” said Williams.
Kara McSweeney, a sophomore Zoology major and a student in Williams' Religion 101: American Religious Encounters class, agreed.
“I think it was a good idea to cancel class,'' said McSweeney, but "whether or not that will encourage students to go to the speech, I'm not sure.”
McSweeney called the 14th Dalai Lama's visit to campus an amazing opportunity.
"Not canceling class is making students have to choose between this amazing opportunity, and missing information that could be important for exams and important concepts,” she said.
Annie Srsen is a sophomore strategic communications major.
While the Dalai Lama’s visit to Miami on Oct. 21 means a significant, globally known religious leader will be on campus, his speech is scheduled in the middle of the afternoon - a time conflicting with many students’ classes.
Since Miami President David Hodge did not cancel classes across the university for the sold-out event, the decision to cancel or excuse student absences was left up to professors.
Many students with Thursday afternoon classes said while their professors did not cancel, they openly told students they realized many seats would be empty. More than 10,000 tickets to the event were sold - the majority purchased by students.
In contrast, Comparative Religions Professor Peter Williams canceled both his Thursday afternoon classes. The philosophy behind his decision related not only to the religious significance of the Dalai Lama, but also the Tibetan leader's political importance in the world.
Williams said he would have canceled class had a religious leader of similar magnitude from another affiliation visited campus. But he also said he believes such global-impact talks offer students the opportunity to broaden their cultural horizons.“Recent polls have demonstrated the remarkable ignorance of Americans on religious matters, and the chance for both Miami students and others from the Oxford area to become aware of the importance of religion in today's world is an opportunity that seldom comes our way, and one of which we should take advantage,” said Williams.
Kara McSweeney, a sophomore Zoology major and a student in Williams' Religion 101: American Religious Encounters class, agreed.
“I think it was a good idea to cancel class,'' said McSweeney, but "whether or not that will encourage students to go to the speech, I'm not sure.”
McSweeney called the 14th Dalai Lama's visit to campus an amazing opportunity.
"Not canceling class is making students have to choose between this amazing opportunity, and missing information that could be important for exams and important concepts,” she said.
Annie Srsen is a sophomore strategic communications major.
In His Own Words
Inspirational quotes from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, compiled by Lindsey Gooch.
On Peace:
On Peace:
“Compassion, forgiveness, these are the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life.”
“If an individual has a calm state of mind, that person's attitudes and views will be calm and tranquil even in the presence of great agitation.”
“One of the secrets of inner peace is the practice of compassion.”
“The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.”“Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.”
On Patience:
“Who provides the opportunity to cultivate patience? Not our friends. Our enemies give us the most crucial chances to grow.”
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