His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the International Campaign for Tibet’s Board Chairman Richard Gere discussed the Dalai Lama’s life experiences before a small, intimate gathering of ICT members on June 14, 2016 in Washington, D.C.
In one clip, you can see how His Holiness rejects the idea of religious terrorism and says that peace only comes through action, not prayer.
In the second clip, upon stepping on stage, His Holiness points to his room in the painting of the Potala Palace that served as the event’s backdrop—created by Tibetan contemporary artist Losang Gyatso.
The Dalai Lama visited Washington, D.C. from June 12 to 16, 2016 and met with President Barack Obama, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Additionally, His Holiness visited American University and addressed a packed Bender Arena on “A Peaceful Mind in a Modern World,” and interacted with youth leaders at the US Institute of Peace and National Endowment for Democracy. The NED event bestowed posthumous honors on the late Tenzin Delek Rinpoche (accepted by his relative Geshe Nyima), who died in prison in July 2015 after 13 years of detention, and on the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The CTA honors were accepted by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
His Holiness’ meetings with Congressional leaders on June 14 and with President Obama on June 15 are a reflection of the continued sympathy and support for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people that exist within US institutions and the American public.
For more on His Holiness’ meeting with President Obama and Congressional Leaders click here.
Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi and His Holiness the Dalai Lama following their meeting.
As he has on previous visits to the U.S. Capitol His Holiness met with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and Representative to the Americas Designate Pemba Tsering also attended the meeting. Members of the Committee who attended the meeting were Senators David Perdue; Bob Corker; Ben Cardin; John Barrasso.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, ICT Board Chairman Richard Gere, ICT President Matteo Mecacci and Thupten Jinpa, translator for His Holiness on stage at the ICT program.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, ICT Board Chairman Richard Gere, ICT President Matteo Mecacci and Thupten Jinpa, translator for His Holiness on stage at the ICT program.
His Holiness also met with four young democracy activists at the National Endowment for Democracy. They shared with His Holiness the experiences in their home countries.
The ICT Board of Directors was greatly honored to have the opportunity to brief His Holiness directly on the work of the organization.
His Holiness met President Obama for the fourth time during his presidency. Following the meeting the President escorted His Holiness through the White House Rose Garden. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
His Holiness meets with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress including Leader Pelosi and Representative Chris Smith.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with members of the congressional delegation that visited Tibet in November, 2015. ICT Board Chairman Richard Gere also attended the meeting. Leader Pelosi, Representatives Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, Betty McCollum and Tim Walz of Minnesota, Joyce Beatty of Ohio and Alan Lowenthal and Ted Lieu of California.
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay receiving the honor presented by NED recognizing the democratic accomplishments of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The Capital Area Tibetan Association hosted a public talk. His Holiness addressed the crowd of more than 3,000 people at American University. Leader Pelosi and ICT Board Chairman introduced His Holiness.
The National Endowment for Democracy honored Tenzin Delek Rinpoche with the Democracy Service Medal. Accepting the award was his cousin Geshe Jamyang Nyima. His Holiness was present for this presentation and spoke following the award ceremony. Also honored at the event was the Central Tibetan Administration for the ongoing commitment to creating a democracy in exile. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay accepted the award on behalf of the CTA. Leader Pelosi and Senator Dianne Feinstein also made remarks.