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After receiving the Congressional Gold Medal last week, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama came to Atlanta to accept an honorary professorship from Emory University, and ended his trip with a speaking engagement to the people of Atlanta in Centennial Olympic Park.
The day was dreary, with badly-needed rain threatening to drown the proceedings, but the storm held off as grey clouds formed a backdrop to musical and dance performances prior to His Holiness' speech. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) was on-hand to welcome the Dalai Lama, whose serene and humble nature was evident to the crowd of thousands who had braved the weather.
The subject of the Dalai Lama's speech was "Educating the Heart and Mind: A Path to Universal Responsibility," an apropos topic given his recent professorship. Speaking in somewhat broken English with the assistance of a translator at his side, He lauded the scientific achievements of western universities while expressing his belief that they did not sufficiently educate the heart. He explained the need for cultivating compassion, understanding, and forgiveness while learning to inhibit negative feelings that bring about conflict.
The speech was interspersed with short anecdotes and humble remarks, frequently punctuated by His Holiness' infectious and disarming laugh. He presented His ideas in a simple manner that was respectful to people of all faiths.
After concluding his speech, the Dalai Lama answered a few questions previously submitted to the events organizers on topics such as interfaith cooperation and understanding and the 2008 Olympics in China. On this latter topic, He was supportive of China's selection as host, and saw the Olympics as a means to help bring China into the world community.
Before departing, the Dalai Lama presented khata, or Tibetan prayer scarves, to Congressman Lewis, a few officials from Emory University, and the sign-language interpreter who had been translating His speech.
His Holiness' message of peace, contrasted with the bombing during the 1996 Olympics in the same park, was not lost on the event's organizers, and was seen as evidence of the need for His message.
