Dalai Lama coming to CU-Boulder

The Tibetan Association of Colorado (TAC) and the University of Colorado Boulder will co-host a campus visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Oct. 20 and 21, both groups announced Tuesday.

A schedule of events at CU-Boulder is still being finalized. The schedule and ticket information will be announced in the months ahead.

CU-Boulder student leaders and TAC representatives met with the Dalai Lama last year in California to extend the invitation to come to CU-Boulder. TAC, CU Student Government (CUSG) and the CU Cultural Events Board are hosting the campus visit, with the support of CU-Boulder’s administration.

“We’re beyond thrilled to host His Holiness and hear his message of peace and compassion,” said Lora Roberts, CUSG president of internal affairs. “This visit has been more than a year in the making. A group of CUSG and TAC leaders watched His Holiness give a speech at Santa Clara University and then met with him afterward to respectfully encourage him to come to Boulder. We are pleased that he graciously accepted this invitation. Our students and the entire region will benefit from his visit.”

More than a year ago, TAC approached CU-Boulder leaders about a partnership to host such an event. Erie resident Telo Tulku Rinpoche, recently appointed as the Dalai Lama’s honorary representative at the Tibet Culture and Information Center in Moscow, was also influential in organizing the visit.

“The invitation to His Holiness was motivated by the great public interest in him, Buddhist teachings and Tibetan culture,” said Tenzin Tashi, TAC vice president. “This interest has been especially strong in the Boulder area for many years. Tibetans who have chosen to live in this area are especially honored to serve as co-hosts for this important event. The Dalai Lama takes a keen interest in promoting both secular ethics and the development of universal compassion and is especially interested in encouraging younger generations to consider these issues.”

The title of the two-day event is “Compassion in Action,” reflecting the way the Dalai Lama serves as an embodiment of compassion as a role model. His visit to Boulder will focus on methods of incorporating the core values of compassion and ethics into daily life, leading to happiness, peace, ethical behavior and social harmony.

“It’s a long-standing tradition at CU-Boulder to host the world’s best and brightest achievers,” said Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano. “We all benefit from hearing their stories. In that spirit, we are delighted to welcome and learn from the Dalai Lama.”

His visit will be accompanied by a multiday community celebration of Tibetan culture, including Tibetan foods, an exhibition of Tibetan art and culture, traditional performances of dance and song, a Tibetan market and more. Updates will be posted to www.DalaiLamaColorado.comand www.colorado.edu.