Rice University | News & Media

5/2/2007

Dalai Lama advocates compassion, religious tolerance

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News staff

In the first of two sold-out lectures at Rice University’s Autry Court May 1, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso told Houstonians that they seem to be practicing compassion already, living as "one community, easily, happily."

He encouraged them to share that spirit with other people, particularly in areas where conflict has arisen over religious differences.

After presenting a public lecture on "The Meaning of Compassion in Everyday Life," the Dalai Lama spoke to a private audience of Rice students, faculty, staff, alumni and invited guests on "Tolerance and Universal Responsibility."

He told the students that their generation is “extremely important” because they can create a new reality for the 21st century.

"My generation, instead of solving the problems, created more problems," he said. "Now [it is] your responsibility to solve these problems."

He said that because of the increased population, the global economy, tourists and easy access to information in the 21st century, "everyone is interdependent – East needs West, West needs East, Northerners need Southerners, Southerners need Northerners."

“The destruction of your neighbor is actually destruction of yourself,” he said, adding that it is important to have a sense of global community. "People should be happy, peaceful."

The Dalai Lama noted that he is committed to the promotion of religious harmony and human value. He said he cannot tell someone which religion is best for them because it depends on each individual and their mental disposition, just as a particular medication is best for some illnesses but not others.

He told the audience to respect others’ faith and accept differences in individual thinking to promote religious tolerance.

The Dalai Lama’s appearance at Rice was sponsored by the Office of the President and the Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance.

To hear the archived webcast of his lectures are also available online. A photo gallery chronicling the events is also available.

PHOTOS BY TOMMY LAVERGNE

Clockwise, from bottom left: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso greets the audience at Rice University’s Autry Court. Rice President David Leebron and the Dalai Lama participate in the traditional Khata scarf exchange. Carol Quillen, director of the Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance, participates in the scarf exchange while President Leebron observes. The Dalai Lama sits comfortably in a chair while sharing his wisdom.