As an Ashoka Changemaker Campus and in the spirit of the annual Social Issues Conference, the University of San Diego hosted a series of events inspired by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's "Compassion Without Borders" symposium in San Diego.
USD Changemaker Festival
February 28
12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Institute for Peace & Justice
The USD Changemaker Festival will showcase all of the different campus organizations that are involved in the creation and promotion of peace and justice. Various tables will each focus on the ways in which they cultivate peace and justice in their community. One of the tables will be dedicated specifically to events that pertain to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's visit to San Diego, along with background information on His Holiness himself.
This event is sponsored by USD Changemaker Hub, Associated Students and CASA (Center for Awareness Service and Action).
Tibetan Film Series
February 9 - April 12 on Thursdays
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Outdoor Adventures, University Center, Room 129
Cost: free
Outdoor Adventures is hosting an eight-evening Tibetan film series in conjunction with The Dalai Lama's visit. The series will run each Thursday from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m (except during Spring Break and Easter Week) and will conclude on April 12. This event is free and open to USD students, faculty and staff.
April 12 - "Unmistaken Child"
This event is sponsored by Outdoor Adventures and Theology and Religious Studies, and co-sponsored by Residential Life.
Living in Meditation and Peace: A Discussion with the Venerable Lama Tenzin Dhonden, Personal Peace Emissary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
March 13
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Institute for Peace & Justice, Room C/D
From the age of eight, The Venerable Lama Tenzin Dhonden was trained in monastic traditions of Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. He completed extensive studies on Buddhist philosophy and the highest form of Tantric practice. In addition to over thirty years of monastery training, Lama Tenzin is a master of the art of Tibetan sand mandalas and butter sculpture and has performed Buddhist ritual dance.
Lama Tenzin has been living in the United States for over 20 years sharing his teachings with groups and giving talks at American and international universities. In 2005, Lama Tenzin was honored to be appointed Personal Emissary of Peace for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. As such, he has arranged interviews for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with CNN, ABC and NBC, among other media outlets. Lama Tenzin has also planned and coordinated numerous programs for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in the United States and abroad.
Click here to read the Venerable Lama Tenzin Dhonden's bio.
Moderated by Assistant Professor Louis Komjathy, Department of Theology and Religious Studies. This event is sponsored by the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice.
Essay Contest
Deadline: March 19
The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice and the USD Office of Public Affairs sponsored an essay competition open exclusively to USD students. Students were asked to submit an original essay, maximum of 500 words and tell us what "Compassion Without Borders," the theme of the Dalai Lama's historical San Diego visit, means to you.
Congratulations to the winners of the Dalai Lama Essay Contest. Each of these students received one complimentary ticket to the Dalai Lama's talk.
- Nathaniel Dunigan
- Sara Feiteira
- Carina Hinton
- Jacob Holley
- Natalie Larraga
- Natasha Mahapatro
- Ciria Mariscal
- Rocío López Ramos
- Alyssa Rodriguez
- Kierstan Sanvidge
- Kara Skarzynski
- Alicia Vallejos
- Joshua Wheeler
Mural Construction
March 19 - 23
A mural will be constructed around His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's "Compassion Without Borders" tour along with the participation of youth from the Migrant Outreach program. The mural will be presented on the day of His Holiness' visit to USD on April 18.
This event is sponsored by CASA (Center for Awareness Service and Action).
Alcala Park Readers Book Discussion of Toward a True Kinship of Faiths
by His Holiness The Dalai Lama
March 27
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Salomon Hall (Maher Hall, Room 240)
Book discussion is presented by the Department of Human Resources and The Center for Educational Excellence. Lunch will be provided. Books are available for check out in the Human Resources Office and The Center for Educational Excellence. Please note: Books are available for check out only by faculty and staff. All are welcome to the book discussion.
Click here for a flyer with more information.
Please register online by March 22 or by calling the CEE at (619) 260-7402 or HR at (619) 260-6611 or emailing cee@sandiego.edu.
The Buddhist Diaspora in North India Photography Exhibit
April 2 - April 30
Institute for Peace & Justice, Room 219
In honor of the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, to the University of San Diego, this special exhibition of photography gives articulation to the landscape of a people His Holiness has spent a lifetime serving. Collected from over two years of travels in north and north-east India, these select photographs offer a panoramic view of Buddhist pilgrims and architecture from Bihar and Sikkim. The images provide a visual entry into appreciating faith’s role in the shaping of space and community for Buddhists in the diaspora.
Known as the Buddhist “capital” of the world, Bodhgaya is an important destination for pilgrims who come from distant locations to visit the hallowed site of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment and to worship at the sacred Mahabodhi temple (recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002). Look for the temple in two images here, and for Buddha’s footprint on stone.
The small and secluded geography of Sikkim makes logical its equation with mythical accounts of a Himalayan utopia known as shangri-la, paradise on earth. Today, it exemplifies India’s cultural diversity and religious tolerance by its graceful hybridization of Buddhism and Hinduism. Well over three hundred years ago, the famous Pemayangtse monastery (Sublime Lotus) in Pelling, featured here, was built for monks of Tibetan descent.
About the photographer:
Born in Switzerland, raised in southern Italy, a long-time resident of New York city, and now a resident of San Diego, Dominik Huber’s passion for story-telling and photography are intricately linked in images that combine an artist’s sensitivity to the abstract and involvement with socio-cultural evolution. His full portfolio can be viewed at www.dominikphoto.com. Prints are available upon request.
The photographer would like to thank and recognize those whose enthusiasm and generosity made this exhibition possible. These include: Chris Nayve (CSL) for believing in the project, Allen Wynar (Media Services) for help with printing and production, Mary Whelan and Andrea Cutlip (University Design) whose ingenuity and swiftness found a space for these pictures, and Carmen for her humor and professionalism during the installation itself.
Event sponsored jointly by the Offices of Community Service-Learning and the Vice Provost. Comments and enquiries can addressed to Dr. Atreyee Phukan (English) at phukana@sandiego.edu.
Film Screening of "Project Happiness"
April 10
4 p.m.
Warren Auditorium, Mother Rosalie Hill Hall
Cost: free
"Project Happiness" is a 60-minute documentary produced by Randy Taran about high school students’ on three continents inquiring into the nature of happiness. Their trip culminates in India where they encounter one another and have an audience with the Dalai Lama. For more information and a trailer please visit the Project Happiness website.
Stop the Silence
April 16 - 18
Working for justice requires us to "stop the silence and end the violence." Join the USD Women’s Center in giving voice to victims and survivors of sexual violence during Sexual Assault Awareness Week, April 16-19, 2012. To learn more about events and ways you can "stop the silence," click here.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Visit to USD
April 18
1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. (approximately)
Jenny Craig Pavilion
Cultivating Peace and Justice
Americans, and our close neighbors in Mexico, are struggling with violence in society and among nations. At the University of San Diego, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will explore alternatives to violence and the shared core human values that can lead the way to peace, justice and happiness.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has identified inter-religious harmony as one of his three main focus areas, so he will also discuss ways in which people of all religions, and secularists as well, share values that can bring people together to contribute to peace and justice. How can people let go of their fears of "the other" to recognize their common humanity? How can faith become a bridge between people and groups, creating strong coalitions for peace and justice, rather than a dividing line that separates people? In short, how can religious values/human values become part of the solution to the conflict and violence afflicting the world today? His message of peace crosses all borders.
Click here for ticket information.
Theology on Tap
April 19
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Student Life Pavilion, Room 401 (Graduate Student Commons)
Karma Lekshe Tsomo, associate professor in USD’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies, will reflect on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talk, describe the role of the Dalai Lama in Buddhism, and explain both the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Christianity.
All graduate and law students are welcome. No RSVP necessary. For more information, contact Andrew McMillin at (619) 260-6818 or mcmillin@sandigo.edu.
Reflection
April 20 - May 4
The post-reflection piece of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's "Compassion Without Borders" tour will be a collection of student photographs, drawings and art focused around His Holiness' visit. The collection will be turned into a collage that will be presented around campus to show the ways students reflected on His Holiness' visit and what students will continue to do in the future to promote peace and justice.
This event is sponsored by CASA (Center for Awareness Service and Action) and co-sponsored by Associated Students.
