Peace emissary for the Dalai Lama will speak on September 18

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Lama Tenzin Dhonden, the peace emissary for the Dalai Lama, will discuss “Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Meditation” on Friday, Sept. 18, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public and will take place in the Abernethy Room in the Axinn Center at Starr Library, located on Old Chapel Road off College Street (Route 125).

In his speech, Lama Tenzin will elaborate on how Tibetan Buddhism and meditation can help people find inner happiness. He will explain the six paramitas of Buddhism - generosity, ethics, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom - and how they can enhance one’s daily living. He will also answer questions from the audience about Buddhism.

From the age of eight, Lama Tenzin was trained in the monastic tradition of Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. After more than 20 years of monastic training, Lama Tenzin is a master of the arts of creating traditional Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas and butter sculptures, as well as performing Buddhist ritual dances.

Lama Tenzin has been living part time in the United States for the past 10 years, sharing his teachings with groups across the country and internationally. As peace emissary, he has planned and coordinated numerous programs for the Dalai Lama throughout the U.S.

The lecture is sponsored by several Middlebury College organizations, including the Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Prajna Student Meditation Group, the Religious Life Council and the religion department.

For more information, please contact Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life Program Coordinator Ellen McKay at 802-443-5626 or emckay@middlebury.edu.