Search Buddhist Channel
Dalai Lama Speaks At Lehigh Amidst Protests
WTXF-TV Fox 29, Jul 13, 2008
Lehigh, PA (USA) -- A sold-out arena greeted His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sunday. Roughly 5,100 people attended his public lecture, "Generating a Good Heart."
"I am happy and grateful to share some of my ideas, experience, my thoughts to you," said the Dalai Lama to the crowd.
He spoke about his three main commitments. "Number one commitment is emotional human value, the thing that supports our survival and happiness. These things I consider value. Number two, as a believer, as a Buddhist, trying to promote harmony among different religious traditions," said His Holiness.
His last commitment is to Tibet. He has wanted Tibet to enjoy self-rule or autonomy. Currently, the Chinese government sees him as a traitor for pushing his view. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since fleeing his country in 1959 after a failed Tibetan uprising.
Kelsang Pema of the Western Shugden Society says she was in India weeks ago and witnessed terrible actions first hand. "Many people, thousands of people have been expelled from monasteries, attending shops, attending restaurants, education, they can't even get medicine," said Pema.
The Shugden followers are asking the public to scrutinize the Dalai Lama more closely.
The Dalai Lama spoke little about the politics of Tibet, saying only that since 2001, he has acted mostly as a "senior most respected advisor" after they began having elections. He even joked and said he was looking forward to "complete retirement."
His Holiness' historic journey to Lehigh actually started 10 years ago when the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in New Jersey asked the Dalai Lama to speak on a particular Buddhist text. They were looking for an intimate setting that holds just a few thousand.
Some like Lisa de la Vega from Lansdale came to learn more about His Holiness' teachings. "His teachings are very simple. His ideals are very simple. What spoke to me is when he talked about Americans and how we're always looking for the next thing."
Amy Miller has been studying the Dalai Lama's teachings for the past 21 years. "It's always a pleasure to be around the king of kindness."
Lehigh University presented the Dalai Lama with an honorary degree for his numerous accomplishments and for continuing to spread his message of non-violence and peace. His Holiness brought a chuckle from the crowd when he said how happy he was to get a degree "without much study."
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