Search Buddhist Channel
Dalai Lama joins rush to get out of Rita's way
By TARA DOOLEY, Houston Chronicle, Sept 21, 2005
He leaves city early after giving speech on religion and science
Houston, Texas (USA) -- The Dalai Lama is joining the many who will leave Houston ahead of Hurricane Rita. Officials at Rice University canceled his two talks scheduled for today because of the storm.
<< The Dalai Lama hugs 92-year-old Ida Fink, left, at the end of the conference Wednesday at the Westin Galleria hotel.
But the Dalai Lama did participate Wednesday in a Houston symposium on Spiritualism and Science in the Modern World.
"It was a miracle" that he came, event chairwoman Gail Gross said.
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists and the political head of the country's government in exile, is on a tour of the United States that already has taken him to Idaho, Arizona and Austin. He is scheduled to leave Houston this morning.
After Wednesday's symposium at the Westin Galleria, the Dalai Lama briefly attended a VIP reception, greeting his own fans and posing for a group photograph with event volunteers.
"He was very funny, he had a lot of personality," said Jada England, 26, who helped with the event.
In his talk, the Dalai Lama spoke of the relationship between religion and science. Religion, he said, deals with inner peace and offers comfort when people are confronted with situations beyond their control.
"Of course the practical benefit of science to humanity is beyond question," he said. "Flight today is very easy, very convenient because of science, not prayer."
He said he believes that his religion may need to re-examine beliefs disproved by science. "When I say these things, I am curious about the opinion of my senior colleagues in the tradition," he said. "They may be thinking I'm probably going too far in my thinking."
The serious talk included references to ancient texts and Buddhist cosmology. But when taking questions, the tone was lighter.
When a scientist asked whether the Dalai Lama had a list of unsolved problems for humanity, he answered: "No."
After the laughter died down, the Dalai Lama rattled off a list that included the energy crisis, the environment and the gap between rich and poor.
Topping his list was the promotion of human value and a devotion to religious harmony.
"These two things are, I think, my lifelong commitment," he said.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv