The Dalai Lama visits: a time for reflection

This coming week is a special one – the Dalai Lama will be in Atlanta at Emory for a few days, and many monks, lamas, and other Buddhist scholars will be here for

Tibetan Buddhist monks create a mandala

a conference. I am looking forward to participating and volunteering with Drepung Loseling Monastery, Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Practice and Culture, where I study Buddhism.

On Sunday, the Dalai Lama will lead “Teaching to the Buddhist Community: The Nature and Practice of Compassion.” His Holiness will explain the nature of compassion and the practices for cultivating it as understood in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition—something to which His Holiness has dedicated his entire life.

The conference descriptions says: Having established itself and laid down roots outside of traditionally Tibetan Buddhist areas through the efforts of many teachers, and particularly His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the time has come for teachers and students of Tibetan Buddhism to consider its future direction, with an eye to ensuring that the tradition continues to grow as a beneficial force for the peace, well-being and happiness of humanity.

Coinciding with the three-day visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Emory University, this conference will bring together the preeminent leaders, teachers, scholars, translators, supporters, and students of Tibetan Buddhism from both traditionally Tibetan Buddhist areas and western countries to engage in substantive discussion about the current state of Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world and how best to move forward collectively.

Travels of the Dalai Lama for the greater good

I take a look at the Dalai Lama‘s activities now and then, and I am amazed at his schedule and his energy for talking about Buddhism’s role in the world.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Regarding his visit to Japan this week he said,  “Japanese Buddhist practitioners should engage in dialogues with scientists to explore areas where science and religion can find a common ground in understanding universal values like compassion and kindness. In the last few years, secular dialogues between Tibetan Buddhists and Western scientists have attracted attention to the role of meditation in creating balance between mind and body.”

His approach to understanding in the world in a simple message, “Whatever the position or the identity, whether he is a king or some President, a business man or a beggar, we all have same mental disposition. Happiness that we derive from money and material goods are of temporary nature, we should seek for a lasting happiness which is comes from our inner value. This ultimate source of happiness based on satisfaction and inner value is the basis for a happy life. This promotion of inner value is of utmost importance in order to be happy.”

The work the Dalai Lama with The Mind-Life Institute is amazing. And his connection to Emory University via multiple channels such as the Emory-Tibet Partnership provides opportunities to better understand the importance of compassion in our world. Looking at the intersection of Buddhism and science is at the forefront of this relationship.

Emory’s web says, “By accepting this invitation, Emory has embarked on an historic initiative to expand the horizons of knowledge for Tibetan monks and nuns. The vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not only to give Tibetan monastics new tools for understanding the world, but also to give those monastics tools to contribute to the effort of translating time-tested Buddhist contemplative knowledge in a practical way that can help relieve suffering around the world.”