UPDATE 5: His Holiness the Dalai Lama Concludes His Chile Visit
Tuesday, 9 May 2006, 10:00 AM
Santiago: His Holiness the Dalai Lama concluded his four-day visit to Chile on 6 May. Early that morning, he had a 30-minute private meeting with the Chilean Minister of Transport, Mr. Sergio Espejo Jakse.
Later in the morning, His Holiness gave two-hour teaching on the Eight Verses of the Training of Mind to the Buddhist Community of Chile at Santiago Arena, the largest indoor sport auditorium in Santiago.
Before commencing the teaching, His Holiness gave a succinct introduction of Buddhism. The teaching was attended by over 2,500 people and majority of the people who attended the teaching were non-Buddhists.
Soon after the completion of the teaching, His Holiness planted a sapling at the Tibet Square in Parque O Higgen in the presence of the Mayor of Santiago region, Mr. Victor Barrueto, local dignitaries and media representatives.
After the event, His Holiness granted audience to the organisers of his 1992 and 1999 Chile visit and members of the Chilean Tibetan Culture Association, Drikung Kagyu Centers in Chile, Shambhala Center, and Zen Centers.
His Holiness advised the Buddhist leaders to focus more attention on transmitting the essence of the teachings and the Buddhist philosophy rather than maintaining the Buddhist rituals. His Holiness also sought their assistance in preserving and promoting the rich Tibetan cultural heritage and civilization, which, he said, is in danger of extinction.
His Holiness gave a brief audience to Chilean musicians and Ngawang Khechok, who participated in the Peace Concert held there after the conclusion of His Holiness public talk.
In the late afternoon, His Holiness gave a public talk on the Power of Compassion, which was attended by over 7,000 people. The Chileans, particularly the younger generation, have paid tremendous attention to His Holiness’ talk.
Earlier on 5 May, His Holiness participated in a day-long seminar on Exploring the Mind. He shared two forums of the seminar, Gentle Bridges Between the Two Sciences in the morning and Science and Spirituality in the evening. More than 500 scientists, experts, scholars and science students attended the seminar.
In between the science seminar, His Holiness had a private one-to-one meeting with the Chilean Education Minister Mr. Matin Zilic, Culture Minister Ms. Paulina Urrutia, and Vice-Minister of Interior Mr. Felipe Harboe Bascunan.
His Holiness also had a warm and cordial meeting with Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa, the Archbishop of Santiago. Since His Holiness and the Cardinal share many views in common, the meeting went on for long time.
More than 50 media photographers and reporters waited outside the meeting room to cover the get-together of the two spiritual leaders.
Apart from these meetings, His Holiness gave audience to Mauricio Avila, Consul General of Colombia, and Mr. Steve Reifenberg, Regional Program Director of David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies of the Harvard University based in Santiago.
His Holiness also had a very emotional private gathering with the family members of the late Chilean-born Neuroscientist Francico Varela, the man who initiated His Holiness’ dialogues with the modern scientists and co-founded the Colorado-based Mind and Life Institute.
From Santiago, His Holiness the Dalai Lama departed for Lima, the capital of Peru, for a three-day programme from 7 to 9 May. The three-day programme of His Holiness includes a public talk on The Power of Tolerance at the Catholic University of Peru, a visit to Cuzco, the mythical capital of the Inca Empire, where he will give a public talk on Ancient Culture in Modern Society, and participation in an Inter-religious Prayer for Peace.
Report sent by Liaison Office, Latin America, New York
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