American University Honours His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Promoting Universal Human Values

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Tibet.net
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University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen, left, and Gloria Gibson, center, present His Holiness the Dalai Lama, right, a honourary diploma before the keynote speech by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to students, faculty, and guests at the McLeod Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus Tuesday, 18 May 2010, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (RICK TIBBOTT/ Courier Staff Photographer)

Cedar Falls, Iowa: The University of Northern Iowa on Tuesday conferred His Holiness the Dalai Lama with an honourary degree “for his life of commitment to teaching and embodiment of universal human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance and love.”

Earlier in the day, His Holiness participated in a panel discussion on “Educating for a Non-violent world" at the McLeod Center of the University of Northern Iowa.

Gloria J. Gibson, executive vice president and provost at the University of Northern Iowa, moderated the session. The other panelists were Art Erickson, founder and CEO of Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation (UVLF), who has been working with young people, facilitating community development, and forming collaborations and networks; Judy Jeffrey, former director of Iowa Department of Education; Jackson Katz Founder and director of Mentors in Violence Prevention; and Lee Rainey, president of C-Level Consulting who has been involved with rehabilitation work in Minneapolis for many years.

The panelists discussed violence in schools, communities, and the workplace.  They talked about ways in which we, as individuals and as a society, can address issues of violence, promote civility and enhance understanding through education.  The panelists first made presentations about their personal involvement in efforts to educate the youth and less privileged members of the society.  They then posed questions to His Holiness on his perception, including on the incorporation of the value of compassion in outreach to the community.

His Holiness said it was his first time in Iowa and he was glad to be participating in a serious discussion. He greatly appreciated the personal experiences of the panelists.  He said it was his basic belief that it was only a minority of the people in the world who were involved in violence or similar action.

His Holiness talked about the need of education of the heart in addition to the education of the brain.  He said there was need to incorporate the study of moral ethics in the education system.  His Holiness concluded that a compassionate and warm hearted individual invariably would be a healthy individual, which would lead to a healthy family, which would in turn lead to a healthy community.

Since His Holiness was wearing a visor with the symbol of Indiana University on the stage (which is his custom to shade his eyes from the bright light), the moderator suggested that he should have one of Northern Iowa University.  When such a visor was brought and His Holiness wore it on his head, there was general applause.

After lunch, some members of the Theosophical Society called on His Holiness and briefed him about their projects within the Tibetan community. Thereafter, the Tibetan students studying in the University of Northern Iowa had an audience with him during which he advised them on their study and briefed them on the importance of reaching out to the Chinese community.

University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen, left, and Gloria Gibson, center, present His Holiness the Dalai Lama, right, a honourary diploma before the keynote speech by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to students, faculty, and guests at the McLeod Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus Tuesday, 18 May 2010, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (RICK TIBBOTT/ Courier Staff Photographer)

His Holiness then gave an interview to Ms. Mary Wald of community.com, who has launched a two year campaign to raise awareness on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  That interview was a part of the campaign of 30 video spots with Nobel Peace Prize winners and internationally recognised artists on the articles of the UDHR. Others who have been interviewed include actors Morgan Freeman and Anne Archer and fellow Nobel laureates Archbishop Tutu and Jose Ramos-Horta. His Holiness responded to questions about his feelings on the significance of the Universal declaration and how it has evolved.

The afternoon public talk programme was at the same McLeod Center and began before His Holiness came on the stage with performances by the Northern Iowa Wind Symphony and young members of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, who had been especially invited to perform for the event.

Thereafter, His Holiness came on the stage with University President Benjamin Allen.  In his introductory remarks, President Allen recognised former Iowa Lt. Governor Joy Cole Corning whose support had enabled the University to establish the Joy Cole Corning Distinguished Leadership Lecture. His Holiness’ public talk was a part of this lecture programme.

Referring to His Holiness, President Allen said, “As an institution strongly committed to the education of future teachers, today we are honoured to host one of the world’s most revered teachers, thinkers and philosophers.”

He also announced a scholarship for Tibetan students from money set aside from ticket sales and other funds raised for the visit.  President Allen said that University will continue to partner with The Tibet Fund that has a programme under which Tibetan students come to study at the University of Northern Iowa.  He recognised Tibet Fund President Rinchen Dharlo who was present at the talk saying, “Thank you for providing our campus with outstanding students.”

President Allen then introduced an original musical piece entitled “Follow” that was composed by University’s Professor of Theory and Composition, Jonathan Schwabe. Prof. Schwabe was inspired by the verse on “Joy” in the Buddhist scripture, Dhammapada.  The combined ensembles of the University’s Concert Chorale, singers, Children’s Choir, Varsity Men’s Glee Club and the Wind Symphony performed the composition under the direction of conductor Ronald Johnson.  His Holiness called the performance “touching” and suggested that the meaning of the lyrics should be put into practice in our daily life. Prof. Schwabe presented the original score of “Follow” to His Holiness thereafter.

University Executive Vice President and Provost Gloria J. Gibson then joined President Allen in conferring His Holiness the Dalai Lama with an honourary degree “for his life of commitment to teaching and embodiment of universal human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance and love.”

President Allen said, “Since leaving his Tibetan homeland, the Dalai Lama has been embodied symbol of the Tibetan people and culture.  His efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.”

“A belief in education and a commitment to teaching is a consistent element in the life of the Dalai Lama,” the President said.  “As an educator and religious scholar His Holiness consistently blends his work as a world and spiritual leader with his commitment to teaching,” he added.

After the honourary degree was conferred, President Allen invited His Holiness to address the gathering saying, “Ladies and Gentleman, I am honoured to present His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.”

His Holiness began by saying that at the basic level all human beings were the same, from the President to a beggar, from a king or a queen to an Aids patient or a prisoner.  He said the difference regarding colour, gender, income, education, etc. were secondary to this basic oneness of humanity.

He cautioned the audience, who numbered more than 5000 people, not to have high expectations from his speech saying he had only come as a fellow human being and to find new ideas for a happier life. He also said he did not have any magical or healing power saying his gall bladder surgery in 2008 was a scientific proof of this.  He said he was generally sceptical of anyone who claimed healing power.

His Holiness explained his two commitments of promoting human values and promoting religious harmony.  Talking about religious harmony, His Holiness referred to his meeting with the late Trappist Christian monk, Thomas Merton, from whom he had learnt the real value of Christianity.

Referring to the topic of the public talk, His Holiness in the early period of human life education did not play a role.  As there was technological advancement education began to play a role.  His Holiness then quoted a Buddhist scripture to convey the importance of education. It said learning is like a lamp that dispels the darkness, a reliable friend that will not waver, and a friend that will show you the path.

His Holiness, however, cautioned that education alone is not a guarantee for bringing happiness to oneself or the community.  He said for education to be constructive there needs to be a sense of responsibility based on a sense of concern for the wellbeing of others, which in turn is based on the oneness of all human beings.

His Holiness then explained the importance of developing moral ethics to promote inner peace.  He said in this there were two options, one based on faith, in which case the complication arose as to which religion to choose. The other is a non-religion path, in which moral ethics are promoted on the basis of common experience, common sense and through scientific findings.  His Holiness called this the promotion of secular ethics. His Holiness said his definition of secularism is not rejection of religion but something that India promotes namely equal respect to all religions.

During the question and answer session, in a response to a question on whether all religions were the same, His Holiness said they were not. He said that while all religions had the same message; that of compassion, love, forgiveness, tolerance, etc., at the philosophical level they were different. He said even within one religion like Buddhism there were different philosophical viewpoints.  He said such variety was needed to meet the need of different dispositions of the individuals.

His Holiness received a standing ovation as he finished his program and as President Allen thanked him for taking the time to be here.

The Cedar Falls TV stations covered His Holiness’s events in great details with some TV even posing trivia questions on the life of His Holiness to entice the interest and to test the knowledge of the viewers. TV news reports carried reactions of the public to His Holiness’s talk and they were greatly impacted by the simplicity and the practicality of his message.

His Holiness leaves Cedar Falls for New York City on 19 May 2010 on the last leg of his current tour of the United States.