T
ANN BORDEN / EMORY UNIVERSITY
195
Event designer Tony Brewer and Emory’s Michael Kloss, pictured with the Dalai Lama, have worked together since 2007 orchestrating the special private events held for the Dalai Lama during his visits to Atlanta. “As Tony and I have said numerous times when struggling through the complicated security, timing and protocol logistics of producing these events, it’s not about the lunch,” Kloss said. “Beyond the décor, flowers and artwork, people are truly the centerpiece of these events.”
HIS HOLINESS THE XIV DALAI LAMA • • • • • • • • • • •
32
Discovered at age 2 as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama Began studying as a monk at age 6 Assumed full Dalai Lama duties in 1950 Fled from Tibet in 1959 during the Tibetan Uprising due to fears of retaliation from Chinese government Has lived in India since political exile from Tibet Won Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 Bestowed with over 150 awards and recognitions Co-authored over 110 books Has traveled to more than 67 countries spanning 6 continents to teach Special visits to Emory in 2007, 2010 and 2013 Teaches compassion, peace and inter-religious understanding for all people
WWW.SOUTHERNSEASONS.NET
his October, more than 12,000 guests flocked to the Gwinnett Center and Emory campus for the amazing opportunity to see, hear and witness His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. “The Visit 2013” marked the Dalai Lama’s third trip to Atlanta as a Presidential Distinguished Professor at Emory University. In a remarkably unique and highly revered collaboration, the school works hand-in-hand with the Dalai Lama to integrate the best of Western and Tibetan Buddhist education through science, religion and mind/body medicine. In short: ancient Tibetan wisdom meets modern scientific understanding. Conceived in 1998, the Emory-Tibet Partnership (ETP) has succeeded tremendously. Adding to the cultural and religious exchanges, enterprising work is being done through the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, bringing a modern science curriculum into the Tibetan monastic education; the Emory-Tibet Medical Science Initiative, studying traditional Tibetan healing in modern research labs; and Cognitively Based Compassion Training, researching the physiological, psychological and behavioral benefits of compassion. “Our relationship has been a true mutual exchange of knowledge,” said Emory University President James W. Wagner. “Emory brings modern science education to Tibetan monastics on campus and throughout India. In turn, the Emory community benefits from the Tibetan Buddhist contemplative traditions of compassion meditation and holistic medicine, with an emphasis on the interplay of mind and body. “Each community receives the best of what the other has to offer in this intellectual and cultural interchange, creating a foundation for discoveries that expand our understanding of humanity,” Wagner continued. The Dalai Lama applauds the multi-faceted exchange. “This historic work is a testament to Emory’s sincere commitment to advancing human knowledge by drawing on the unique and complementary strengths of the Tibetan and Western traditions,” he said. “I firmly believe that education is an indispensable tool for the flourishing of human well-being and the creation of a just and peaceful society.” During the Dalai Lama’s momentous trips to Atlanta, a myriad of public and private events – from talks, panels and summits to cultural