Dalai Lama gives $50K to support brain research

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Associated Press
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Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greets devotees as he arrives to give a religious talk at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010. The talks, requested by a Southeast Asian group, will end Friday. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Tibetan spiritual leader has given $50,000 from his personal trust to support research into the science behind kindness and compassion at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The grant to the school's Center for Investigating Healthy Minds comes after the Dalai Lama promoted its work during a visit to Madison in May.

Center Director Richard Davidson says the gift was completely unexpected and unsolicited, and that researchers "are deeply honored" by the Dalai Lama's support.