Photographic Exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London
London 21 May 2005: As a part of the worldwide celebrations to mark the 70th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader, a unique photographic exhibition will be held in London at Hoopers Gallery, 15 Clerkenwell Close, EC1R 0AA, from July 2 to 14, 2005. The media preview of the exhibition will take place on July 1 at 6 pm. Noted travel journalist Michael Palin, who has met and interviewed His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the recent BBC TV special series on the Himalayas, has very kindly consented to be the chief guest at the opening.
The exhibition provides a glimpse into the extraordinary life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for leading the non-violent Tibetan struggle and for the efforts in promoting peace in the world. Some of the rare photographs show the Tibetan leader’s childhood in Tibet and the subsequent escape in 1959 over the Himalayas into India, where His Holiness lives.
As one of the world’s most admired and respected personalities, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has endeavoured to balance his spiritual life with his commitments to Tibetan and international issues. Through the warmth of His Holiness’ inimitable smile, His Holiness shares the joy of living with the people he meets from all walks of life. His Holiness makes every effort to promote non-violence, compassion, religious harmony, world peace and universal responsibility. All these are showcased in this exhibition. His Holiness is also seen enjoying the company of children whom he considers humanity’s hope for the future.
Despite his simplicity, more and more people across the world want to hear and live by His Holiness’ principled stand on non-violence and universal responsibility, a testament to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s moral authority. Many organisations, institutions and foundations seek His Holiness’ patronage to further their aims and objectives. Highly regarded spiritual figures and intellectuals also acknowledge the Tibetan leader’s influence in the global community. In the book, “The Wisdom of Forgiveness ” Intimate Conversations and Journeys”, the Canadian-Chinese writer Victor Chan quotes the Nobel Peace Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as saying: “He (His Holiness the Dalai Lama) also has this transparent holiness. He’s got ‘Holiness’ as a title, but in fact, he is a holy man. Young people particularly find him irresistible. Young people are very quick to pick up on when you’re not authentic, when you’re a dud. They realize that the Dalai Lama’s for real.”
At the exhibition’s preview on July 1, the Tibetan Community in Britain’s Dance Group will perform traditional Tibetan songs and dances. The exhibition, organised by the Office of Tibet, London, and the Tibetan Community in Britain, opens to the public on July 2 and concludes on July 14, when Ven. Geshe Tashi Tsering, a well known Tibetan Buddhist teacher, will give a free introductory talk on compassion and a workshop on meditation.
The entrance free exhibition opening times at Hoopers Gallery are: Monday to Friday – 11 am to 5 pm & Saturday – 11 am to 6 pm.
The photo exhibition will be accompanied by the presentation of a colourful Sand Mandala of the Buddha of Compassion made by monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in south India. The construction of the mandala will begin on 8 July and for the next few days visitors to the museum will be able to see a live demonstration of the making of the beautiful Sand Mandala, which upon completion will be dismantled on July 14, after Geshe Tashi Tsering’s free talk on compassion and meditation workshop. The dismantling of the Mandala despite all its beauty and hard work is to remind that everything in the world is temporary. Some of the sand particles will be distributed to those present as souvenir and blessing, and the remaining will be collected in a jar and dispersed into river.
The Mandala is believed to bring peace and harmony in our world “through genuine practices of the mind of Great Compassion, the Wisdom of Emptiness, and the meditations of Mandala with their respective deities”. Tibetan Buddhists believe that catching a glimpse of the Mandala will create a positive impression on the mind of the observer, who for a moment is in touch with the profound potential for perfect enlightenment that exists within the mind of all beings.
As a further part of the celebrations to mark the 70th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Community in Britain is hosting a special cultural evening on July 8 at International Students House (The Theatre), 29 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN (nearest tube station: Great Portland Street or Regents Park). Tickets are available from the Tibetan Community in Britain.
On July 9, the Tibet Day to commemorate the 70th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, will be hosted jointly by the Office of Tibet, the Tibetan Community in Britain and the Tibet Society, at Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, London SW1 (nearest tube station: Victoria). Monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in south India will be enthroning the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the accompaniment of prayers and religious music. The day will also be marked with display of Tibetan cultural performances, among other attractions.
Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe, will be available for media interviews. Please call +44-20-7722-5378, the Office of Tibet, to arrange interview date and time.