His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will visit Princeton University on Tuesday, Oct. 28, to deliver an address to the entire community and will meet with students and faculty to discuss the meaning of service.
The Dalai Lama will give a public talk, "Develop the Heart," at 9:30 a.m. at Jadwin Gymnasium. As a scholar and a monk, the Dalai Lama will highlight the importance of developing compassion and kindness, alongside the intellect, in an academic environment.
In the afternoon, His Holiness will engage a small group of students and faculty in conversation around Princeton University's informal motto, "In the Nation's Service and in the Service of All Nations."
The Dalai Lama's reflection will provide a unique opportunity for the community to think about shared aspirations for lives of meaningful engagement. After the conversation, a blog with entries from community members will provide an opportunity for continued reflection. The student-faculty event is by invitation only.
"The immensely positive response to His Holiness coming to Princeton demonstrates that he is a singular figure," said Matthew C. Weiner, associate dean, Office of the Dean of Religious Life. "Students from every religious tradition have expressed deep interest to hear what he has to say about the importance of compassion, the role of service in our lives, and how to remain peaceful in stressful and difficult times."
The Dalai Lama's appearance at Jadwin Gymnasium will be free but tickets are required. Ticket distribution for students, faculty and staff will take place at the University Ticketing office at the Frist Campus Center.
Ticket distribution for Princeton University students will begin at noon Tuesday, Sept. 16. One ticket per TigerCard will be permitted, but up to two TigerCards per person can be brought to the distribution.
Tickets for Princeton University faculty and staff will be available starting at noon Thursday, Sept. 18. Faculty and staff may pick up one ticket per TigerCard, and can bring up to two TigerCards.
Ticket distribution for the general public will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at a location to be announced soon. Members of the public will be able to pick up two tickets per person.
The visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is co-sponsored by the Office of Religious Life at Princeton University and The Kalmyk Three Jewels Foundation. Additional programming in coordination with his Holiness' visit will include special lectures, weekly meditation and other events.
The Kalmyk community's ancestors came from the Kalmyk Republic of Russia in the Northwest corner of the Caspian Sea area. They helped bring Tibetan Buddhism to the United States when they arrived in 1951. Community members are largely settled in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Kalmyk Three Jewels Foundation works to maintain and strengthen Kalmyk language, religion and tradition around the world.
A website with details about the Dalai Lama's visit and related programming has been set up.