Bloomington awaits arrival of Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso, will make a much-anticipated appearance in Bloomington this weekend to dedicate a new interfaith temple at the Tibetan Cultural Center. The visit comes at the tail end of Spirit of Tibet Week, an annual celebration offering discussions, lectures, Tibetan films and musical performances to the community. \nDuring his visit the exiled Buddhist leader will speak and confer a blessing after the dedication of the recently completed 10,000 square foot temple, located on the grounds of the Tibetan Cultural Center. The Dalai Lama will culminate his fourth trip to Bloomington with a peace tree planting ceremony shared with United Nations Messenger of Peace Muhammad Ali. This will be the first time Ali has met the spiritual leader. \n"It means everything. (The Dalai Lama) is known as the soul of Tibet, so when he makes a visit anywhere, it's a special occasion for us," said Ngawang Gyatso, resident monk at the Cultural Center. "His presence is a sacred event ... we very much look forward to it."\nMuhammad Ali is not the only famous face complementing the Dalai Lama this weekend. Among events scheduled for Friday is a lecture by Columbia professor A.F. Thurman, father of actress Uma Thurman; also, Elaine Mellencamp and other panelists will lead a discussion Sunday. In the past, supporters have included Richard Gere and Harrison Ford. There will also be some "unannounced celebrities" in attendance, said Jigme Norbu, nephew to the Dalai Lama and a Bloomington resident. \nAlthough in past visits the Dalai Lama has focused on sharing Buddhist teachings with the community, Gyatso said that this Sunday's ceremony will be more about the dedication itself. The interfaith temple, the Chamtse Ling, sits on over 100 acres and will be a haven for all major religions.\nNorbu stressed the universality of both this weekend's ceremony and the future use of the temple.\n"It is an interfaith temple for world peace," Norbu said. "All the major faiths are represented." According to Norbu, the temple houses religious paintings, statues, and wall hangings that credit Christianity, Islam, Catholicism, Native American religion, and Judaism as well as Buddhism. In addition, it will provide an official residence for the Dalai Lama himself. \nLong known as an advocate of peace and freedom -- he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 -- the Dalai Lama has endured extreme circumstances to continue spreading his message. After China took military control of Tibet in 1951 and a Tibetan uprising against the Chinese government failed years later, the cultural leader and some 80,000 followers were forced into exile. The Dalai Lama has headed the Tibetan government-in-exile from northern India ever since. Tibetans have continued to resist Chinese occupation, resulting in years of conflict within the country, and sparking pleas of "Free Tibet" from around the world.\nThe organization IU Students for a Free Tibet has responded to the controversy by seeking to raise awareness about the situation. Leaders of the group say events like Spirit of Tibet Week are important to the group's mission. They say hopes are high that this week's visit by the Dalai Lama will generate a significant response from the community. \nCo-chairman of the group's board, Adam Carver, has helped promote this week's events in conjunction with the Tibetan Cultural Center. Carver said he knows that the publicity accompanying the holy leader's appearance makes a difference, but stressed the more important underlying message the Dalai Lama brings.\n "Our organization is devoted to getting the people of Tibet back where they belong," Carver said.\n"It's a gift for us to have the spiritual and cultural leader of the Tibetan government here."\nTickets for the all-day event are on sale at the Tibetan Cultural Center this week, including the day of the ceremony, but Norbu advises those who wish to attend purchase the $75 pass in advance to avoid potentially missing out on Sunday. IU Students for a Free Tibet will also be selling tickets on campus in the Indiana Memorial Union Commons this Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. \nNorbu explained that although the cost of attendance may seem high, the proceeds will go to covering food, setup, and a tight security system including closed-circuit monitoring of the event. The cost is also offset by the opportunity involved, he said.\n"It's an all-day pass to take part in something historic."\n -- Contact staff reporter Jenny Davis at jeedavis@indiana.edu