His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in UK
LONDON, 26 May: His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived this afternoon in Liverpool city on the first leg of his 27 May – 3 June visit to UK at the invitation of educational institutions and non-governmental organizations to give a series of public talks and teachings at locations ranging from one of the world’s most famous capital London to the little known Scotland’s ancient capital Dunfermline. Among others, he was received at the Manchester airport before travelling in a motorcade to Liverpool by Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe.
His Holiness is visiting Liverpool at the invitation of John Moores University (JMU) to accept an Honorary Fellowship. The presentation ceremony will be followed by His Holiness’ public lecture on “Secular Ethics”.
“The Dalai Lama is a remarkable role model, a true symbol of peace and the University is delighted to bestow an Honorary Fellowship upon him,” says Professor Michael Brown, JMU’s Vice-Chancellor. “We are honoured that His Holiness is to present one of our public lectures,” the Vice-Chancellor says in a JMU press release.
According to Barbara Mace, the events coordinator, the “tickets have all gone and we are putting on a waiting list.” She adds that people on the waiting list who are unsuccessful and others will be able to watch His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lecture live on the internet. For press and other enquiry please call: 0151 231 3852 or check the JMU website: www.jmu.ac.uk that also will provide a live internet broadcast of the lecture. The Mayor of Liverpool also will be hosting a luncheon reception for His Holiness at the Town Hall.
On May 28, His Holiness will give a public talk in London on “A Human Approach to World Peace” organised by The Temenos Academy. The former Indian High Commissioner to London, Dr. L.M. Singhvi, who is involved with this academy is coming all the way from India to participate in this event. For tickets, press and other queries please call 0870 906 3815 or check their website: www.temenosacademy.org Temenos Academy also will be making video recording of this talk for the benefit of all those unable to attend.
On May 29, His Holiness will be in Glasgow where he will give a public talk on “Inner Peace, Outer Harmony”. Then from May 30 to June 1, His Holiness will give teachings on Kamashila’s Middle Stages of Meditation and Thogme Sangpo’s Thirty-Seven Bodhisattava Practices, followed by the Mithrukpa Initiation and the teaching organisers’ long life offering to His Holiness. His Holiness’ public talk and teachings are at the invitation of the Dharma Network 2004 Ltd. that is formed of various Buddhist organizations in the UK. Detailed query about various arrangements and related information please check their www.dalailama2004.org.uk While in Glasgow His Holiness also will be receiving delegations from Leaders of Glasgow Churches Together and Glasgow Forum of Faiths.
On June 2 – 3 His Holiness will visit Scotland’s modern capital, Edinburgh, and ancient capital, Dunfermline at the invitation of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and the Tibet Association of Edinburgh. At the request of the organisers His Holiness will give a public talk titled, “Towards Vision of a New Civilization”. While in Edinburgh, His Holiness will also be giving a short address at the main Parliament Chamber, namely ‘Time for Reflection’ at the invitation of the Scottish Parliament. This brief presentation on the matter of ‘Spirituality in Leadership’ will focus on Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity’ and will be telecast live on the internet website: www.scotishparliamentlive.com His Holiness visit programme to Dunfermline is focused mostly for peace initiatives and to benefit the school children and youngsters who with the support of the Fife Council has for months been studying about His Holiness, Tibet and the Tibetan culture. For more information about the public talk/events in Edinburgh and Dunfermline, please check their website: www.dalailamascotland.org.uk
His Holiness’ visit to UK is being coordinated by the Office of Tibet, London, the official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“His Holiness is visiting UK this time at the invitation of the Liverpool John Moores University, the Temenos Academy, the Dharma Network and the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association,” says Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe, based here at the Office of Tibet in London.
But as the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people and a Nobel Peace Laureate, His Holiness’ visit to UK has received and continues to receive a lot of public and media attention. Because of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s busy and tight schedule, the Office of Tibet has been unable to help with many requests for interviews from the media as well as other requests. His Holiness, however, will be visiting the FPA on 28 May at the invitation of the Foreign Press Association in London.
Religious heads and dignitaries meeting with His Holiness include the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, who will be receiving His Holiness at the Lambeth Palace on May 27. The same afternoon His Holiness will be meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Jack Straw. On May 28 His Holiness will meet with the Opposition, Conservative Party Leader, Mr. Michael Howard, and attend a meeting for MPs organized by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet. His Holiness also will be attending a reception for Tibetans and hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales. In response to concerns expressed by the British public through the media and their MPs, and the MPs themselves, the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, on May 8 told the House of Commons: “I am unfortunately unable to meet the Dalai Lama due to existing diary commitments. However, my Right Honorable friend the Foreign Secretary will be meeting the Dalai Lama during his visit.” This will be His Holiness’ 10th visit to UK.
A report sent by OoT, London