The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20090429131300/http://www.dailycal.org:80/article/105438/berkeley_welcomes_dalai_lama



Berkeley Welcomes Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso Visited UC Berkeley to Speak About Human Values

Photo:
Victoria Chow/Staff


Slideshow »




Photos »

Photo: The Dalai Lama shook hands with UC Regent Richard C. Blum at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Saturday. Blum and the Dalai Lama have been friends for over 30 years.   





  • Printer Friendly Printer Friendly
  • Comments Comments (0)

Sitting cross-legged in an armchair in the middle of the stage, the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso imparted his views on the importance of human values to an audience of more than 6,000 at the Greek Theatre Saturday.

The Tibetan government's exiled leader, who had visited Berkeley twice before in 1994 and 1997, said the way for people to achieve peace is by being compassionate and genuinely caring for others' well being.

"Humans have great potential for peace. Compassion, firstly, brings inner peace. In turn, inner peace genuinely can accomplish world peace," he said.

Students said his message was well-conveyed, but that it was not always easy to understand the Tibetan leader, who occasionally conferred with an interpreter during his speech.

"I'm getting older-my English also getting older," he joked.

The Dalai Lama has been friends with UC Regent Richard C. Blum, founder of the Blum Center for Developing Economies and the American Himalayan Foundation, for more than 30 years, according to Tracy Mills, marketing director for the foundation.

Both the center and the foundation, established on campus to address global poverty, sponsored the event.

In his address, the Dalai Lama said compassion can be achieved either through a biological connection, such as the bond between a child and its mother, or through meditation.

"A compassionate mind is more balanced and calm. All negative perception is 90 percent mental, not reality," he said. "When our mind becomes too agitated, our mental balance (becomes) disturbed, so (we) cannot perceive reality."

Blum and several others also spoke at the event, including Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, who presented Blum with a Berkeley Medal, and actress and activist Sharon Stone.

During the prepared question and answer segment, the Dalai Lama provided advice to graduating students.

"You probably find jobs, have to find your partner, so a lot of problems there," he said, making the crowd laugh. "A realistic suggestion (is) do not take for granted when life (is) difficult or easy. Hope for best, prepare for worst."

Campus spokesperson Marie Felde said hearing the Dalai Lama speak is just one of the many opportunities available to students.

"One of the reasons you come to Berkeley is to experience the depth of the world around you. So getting to see the Dalai Lama is one of those great experiences that you get as a Berkeley student," she said.

The speech ended with applause. Afterwards, the Dalai Lama left immediately to speak to the Tibetan, Himalayan and Mongolian community at the Berkeley Community Theater next to Berkeley High School.

Some said they were surprised by the Dalai Lama's candor and relatable sense of humor.

"His laugh was contagious and his speech was very simple-simplicity at its best," said junior Casondra Koufos. "You expect holy people to be more timid, but he didn't seem like it."

While protests by Chinese student groups were anticipated, none took place before the event, according to UC police.

Tenzin Seldon, a Berkeley resident and regional coordinator for the organization Students For a Free Tibet, sold buttons outside the event to raise money for the Tibetan cause.

"I'm here to support His Holiness," she said. "Helping to spread the message of non-violence and peace. I think that just his presence and his essence is felt in Berkeley and that sheds light in Berkeley to compassion and peace."

Tags: THE DALAI LAMA


Contact Elizabeth Chang at echang@dailycal.org.



Comments (0) »

Comment Policy
The Daily Cal encourages readers to voice their opinions respectfully in regards to both the readers and writers of The Daily Californian. Comments are not pre-moderated, but may be removed if deemed to be in violation of this policy. Comments should remain on topic, concerning the article or blog post to which they are connected. Brevity is encouraged. Posting under a pseudonym is discouraged, but permitted. Click here to read the full comment policy.
White space
Left Arrow
University
Image All Student Groups May Take 4 Percent Cut in 2009-...
With all student groups taking a 4 percent cut in t...Read More»
University
Image 'Sex and Sustainability' Event Mixes Art and Devel...
Hundreds of onlookers packed into the Alphonse Berber Galle...Read More»
University
Image Space Tornado Produces Colorful Skies
UC Berkeley scientists and international researchers have discovered that t...Read More»
University
Image Professor Wins Prestigious Award
UC Berkeley economics professor Emmanuel Saez was announced last Friday as ...Read More»
University
Image UC Berkeley Senior Dead in Apparent Suicide
A UC Berkeley senior died in an apparent suicide last week. Staff memb...Read More»
University
Image Campus Prepares for Dalai Lama's Speech
UC Berkeley is teeming with anticipation as students, staff and community m...Read More»
Right Arrow


HS Lordships
Come enjoy our happy hour specials and delicious food.

Oakland Athletics
Pick up Friday's paper to enter to win A's baseball tickets!

Albany Bowl
Monday and Tuesday $1.50 per game.






Job Postings

White Space