Dalai Lama visit to University at Buffalo moved up
By HAROLD DUMKE, The Spectrum, January 20, 2006
Buffalo, New York -- The Dalai Lama's visit to UB, originally scheduled for Sept. 21-23, has been rescheduled for Sept. 18-20 in order to accommodate His Holiness's commitment to make an appearance elsewhere.
That other appearance will be this year's PeaceJam in Denver, Colo., where the Dalai Lama, along with other Nobel Peace Prize laureates, will gather and share their collective wisdom with young people in hopes for a better, more enlightened generation, according to Stephen Dunnett, UB vice provost for international education.
PeaceJam is scheduled to run from Sept. 15-17.
"Obviously we had to change our planning to accommodate the new dates. We should be in a position to go forward with the events we had planned," said John Wood, vice provost of international education. "This happened within enough time so that people could adjust plans for the new dates."
Meanwhile, several special preparations made for His Holiness's visit next fall are coming to fruition this semester.
"Tibet: Myth and Reality," an interdisciplinary course, was added to the class schedule this spring. Students may register for the course for full credit, and it's also open to non-students who can register as auditors. According to the course description, the curriculum will draw upon UB scholars of Tibet, China and Buddhism; guest lecturers; and media resources.
Several UB professors, including Thomas Burkman, director of Asian Studies, will give lectures in the course. Other speakers include Dr. Thupten Jinpa from the Institute of Tibetan Classics in Montréal and Lodi Gyari, His Holiness's special envoy in Washington D.C.
"It's a really interesting course and people can still register even at this late date," Wood said. "Professor Burkman has a really high enrollment cap because we expected a lot of interest."
When the Dalai Lama visits this fall, he will speak about the importance of international education. His keynote address will be followed by several private meetings with different groups. He also will attend an interfaith meeting with local leaders of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities.
For more information about the Dalai Lama, tickets and volunteering, visit www.buffalo.edu/dalai_lama.