By Tsering Choedup
Los Angeles, July 5: The Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama Sunday attended the opening of a three-day Global Compassion Summit and an official celebration of his turning 80, celebrated around the world on July 6.
“I feel (it is) very possible for a peaceful world within my lifetime,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama to a packed Honda Center with a capacity of 18,000 people. The audience sang birthday greeting in unison to the Tibetan leader who expressed his appreciation for the rousing welcome.
Hundreds of Tibetans residing in Los Angeles and nearby areas have also attended the event.
The Tibetan leader said, “Ultimate source of peace comes from within ourselves.” Elaborating on the need to be more compassionate, His Holiness reiterated that people should show “unbiased compassion” to all sentient beings which ultimately will lead to happier and safer environment for all to live and nurture.
Noted artists, singers and activists shared the podium with the octogenarian champion of peace on the topic: ‘the transformative power of creativity and art’. The panel was moderated by a journalist and an anchor Ann Curry. On the question of Kindness and its reference to the city of Anaheim (also known as the city of Kindness), His Holiness candidly told the Mayor of the City to ensure that he formulates more programs on compassion.
His Holiness said, “Destructive emotion is spontaneous but whereas constructive emotion isn’t and it needs training. His Holiness said that the mordern education system has a lot to do with the upbringing of children which in turn would nurture better world free from violence. “Nine times failure, Nine times attempt,” quoted the Tibetan leader from a Tibetan proverb.
His Holiness said called for more determination and commitment from the people towards their quest for compassion.
Venerable Lama Tenzin Dhonden, the Personal Emissary for Peace to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, has organized this Official World Celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday at the Global Compassion Summit in partnership with Friends of the Dalai Lama, UC Irvine and Center for Living Peace.
