In celebration of the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, you are invited to the opening of a special photographic exhibition:
America and the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
The Kennedy Caucus Room (SR – 325)
The Russell Senate Office Building
2 Constitution Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
The opening event will include prayers by Tibetan Buddhist monks, the offering of Khatas (ceremonial Tibetan scarves) to the portrait of the Dalai Lama by members of the Capital Area Tibetan Association, an introduction of the exhibit by Tencho Gyatso, exhibit curator, and remarks by special guests.
We hope you are able to join us for this tribute in honor of His Holiness’ 80th birthday and view a collection of images representing the longstanding relationship between His Holiness and America. If you are unable to attend, but have friends or family who will be in the DC area at the time of the event please extend this invitation to them. All are welcome.
The photo exhibit will be on display in the Rotunda of The Russell Senate Office Building from July 6 through 10.
America and the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
The relationship between the present Dalai Lama of Tibet and America is a longstanding and special one. It began in 1942 when President Franklin Roosevelt sent two emissaries to Tibet who presented a letter and a gift of a gold watch from the President to the young Dalai Lama. The letter stated: “There are in the United States of America many persons, among them myself, who, long and greatly interested in your land and people…” These words ring truer than ever today, as Americans of all faiths, races, and ages fill university halls, churches, and stadiums to listen to the Dalai Lama’s words of wisdom and peace.
The Dalai Lama’s first visit to the United States was in 1979, when he was 44 years old. Just as the Dalai Lama has said on many occasions that he greatly admires the United States’ fundamental values of democracy and freedom, so too have Americans taken to the Dalai Lama’s message of peace, compassion, and universal responsibility.
In 1987, the US Congressional Human Rights Caucus invited the Dalai Lama to speak on the situation of Tibet. In his historic presentation, the Dalai Lama proposed his seminal Five-Point Peace Plan for peace in Tibet and the region. This later became known as the Middle Way Approach. In 1989, the Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the Dalai Lama for his work towards a nonviolent solution to the issue of Tibet.
Since 1991, every US President has met with the Dalai Lama, and in 2007, Congress bestowed on him the Congressional Gold Medal, “in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, nonviolence, human rights and religious understanding.”
The people of Tibet look upon the Dalai Lama as a beloved leader and enlightened master, and the international community looks to him as a global icon for peace, non-violence and religious harmony.
The Dalai Lama was born on July 6, 1935.
This photo exhibit is a tribute in honor of his 80th birthday.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will not be present