Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
Encyclopedia
The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is an international charitable organization
and education center located in Vancouver, Canada. Established in 2005, the center describes its mission as "educating the heart and fostering compassion through creative learning, facilitating and applying research, and connecting people and ideas."
The organization is advised by several prominent leaders involved in peace-making and has organized events centered on discussions of spirituality, climate change, the environment, peace and other topics.
's ties with Vancouver, Canada date from the early 1960s when Vancouver-based writer George Woodcock
traveled to India to support Tibetan exiles and met the Dalai Lama. Over the years, the Dalai Lama visited Vancouver several times, in 1980, 1993, 2004, 2006 and 2009. The Dalai Lama's brother, Tendzin Choegyal, also has close ties with the city, having traveled there often to give speeches and teach.
Victor Chan, a 30-year friend of the Dalai Lama
, is founding director of the center. Chan co-authored a book with the Dalai Lama called, The Wisdom of Forgiveness. Chan reportedly raised $60 million to establish and organize the center and the Dalai Lama agreed to the use of his name in the organization's title. According to the Dalai Lama, Vancouver was chosen as the center's location because its, "multiethnic and multiracial population gives it harmony."
The center was formally inaugurated in September 2006 in Vancouver. The Dalai Lama, in attendance at the event, was awarded honorary Canadian citizenship by the government of Canada. Also attending the inauguration were Tim Shriver, Deepak Chopra
, and Sonja Lyubomirsky
. James Hoggan & Associates provided public relations services for the event.
The center originally announced its intention to have a permanent facility constructed by 2009. In a 2006 interview with the Vancouver Sun, Chan explained that the center's facility would be 4,645 square meters and include an outdoor European-style piazza, Zen
garden, bookstore, film-screening theater, performing arts theater, art gallery, library, and studios for classes or group discussions. Chan stated that the facility would highlight the Dalai Lama's international connections, invite guest speakers, host interfaith dialogues, and hold discussions on peaceful resolutions to conflicts. Chan added that half of the center's $60 million budget would go to operating costs, research, local programming, and an endowment, and the rest towards construction of the facility and a meditative retreat. As of March 2010, however, the center's website indicated that the organization had yet to construct a physical facility.
In a press release, the organization stated that its goals were to,
The Center added that it hopes to achieve this goal by promoting human values and stressing a sense of oneness with humanity.
The Center is overseen by seven trustees, including:
. The discussion centered on happiness
.
, Matthieu Ricard
, Mary Robinson
, Eckhart Tolle
, Stephen Covey
, Mairead Maguire, Betty Williams, Jody Williams
, Murray Gell-Mann
, and the Blue Man Group
. The event was held at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
and the Orpheum and was attended by 5,000 people.
One of the Center’s highly visible programs is the Speakers Series, focusing on the key areas of interest to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Center. These include science and its relationship to spirituality, education of the heart and related research, as well as the development of compassion and its contribution to the public good. Through public events held throughout the year, the Series helps to promote His Holiness’ vision, as well as to create, nourish and sustain the Center’s internal and external communities.
In 2010 alone, the Speakers Series guests included internationally-recognized scholars and a Nobel Peace Laureate. In June, the DLC hosted Dr John Helliwell, UBC Professor Emeritus of Economics and Officer of the Order of Canada; Dr Elizabeth Dunn, assistant professor in the UBC Department of Psychology and Dr Bill Harbaugh, economics professor at the University of Oregon, for a discussion on “Money, Generosity and Happiness.” The panelists presented their latest research from economics, social psychology and neuroscience that relate to the Dalai Lama’s insights gleaned from a lifetime of spiritual practice. They discussed altruism, charitable giving along with the factors that promote well-being and happiness in individuals, as well as in society.
In March, the DLC welcomed Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams back to Vancouver for an intimate talk about her personal journey and work. The audience got a unique insight into how Dr Williams and her colleagues around the world fought together to ban landmines - work recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr Williams also spoke about her tireless efforts to promote human rights through the work of the Nobel Women’s Initiative.
Earlier that month, Dr Paul Ekman, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, made a presentation on “Darwin, the Dalai Lama and the Nature of Compassion.” Dr Ekman talked about the connection between an evolutionary and a Buddhist view of human nature. He also provided a new formulation of the nature of empathy, compassion, altruism and heroism.
Throughout 2007-2009, the Speakers Series hosted Dr Marc Brackett, Deputy Director of Yale University’s Health, Emotion and Behaviour Laboratory, and acclaimed author on social and emotional learning; Dr Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics and interdisciplinary studies at Amherst College, who has been closely involved with His Holiness the Dalai Lama through the Mind and Life Institute; and Daniel Goleman, best-selling author and internationally known psychologist who has introduced the concept of emotional intelligence. Political scientist Dr Robert Putnam; founder of Stony Brook University Center for Medical Humanities, Dr Stephen Post; author of intensely experiential and deeply transformative Meditating with the Body®, Dr Reginald Ray; and award-winning educator Daniel Siegel have also been guests of the Speakers Series.
In addition to hosting its own events, the DLC often co-sponsors events with other organizations, such as the Vancouver Board of Trade and Hollyhock Foundation.
Since its creation in 2005, the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education (DLC) has been privileged to host a number of highly successful events with participation of world-renowned thinkers and leaders in social change aimed at creating a more compassionate, peaceful world.
One of the Center’s highly visible programs is the Speakers Series, focusing on the key areas of interest to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Center. These include science and its relationship to spirituality, education of the heart and related research, as well as the development of compassion and its contribution to the public good. Through public events held throughout the year, the Series helps to promote His Holiness’ vision, as well as to create, nourish and sustain the Center’s internal and external communities.
In 2010 alone, the Speakers Series guests included internationally-recognized scholars and a Nobel Peace Laureate. In June, the DLC hosted Dr John Helliwell, UBC Professor Emeritus of Economics and Officer of the Order of Canada; Dr Elizabeth Dunn, assistant professor in the UBC Department of Psychology and Dr Bill Harbaugh, economics professor at the University of Oregon, for a discussion on “Money, Generosity and Happiness.” The panelists presented their latest research from economics, social psychology and neuroscience that relate to the Dalai Lama’s insights gleaned from a lifetime of spiritual practice. They discussed altruism, charitable giving along with the factors that promote well-being and happiness in individuals, as well as in society.
In March, the DLC welcomed Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams back to Vancouver for an intimate talk about her personal journey and work. The audience got a unique insight into how Dr Williams and her colleagues around the world fought together to ban landmines - work recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr Williams also spoke about her tireless efforts to promote human rights through the work of the Nobel Women’s Initiative.
Earlier that month, Dr Paul Ekman, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, made a presentation on “Darwin, the Dalai Lama and the Nature of Compassion.” Dr Ekman talked about the connection between an evolutionary and a Buddhist view of human nature. He also provided a new formulation of the nature of empathy, compassion, altruism and heroism.
Throughout 2007-2009, the Speakers Series hosted Dr Marc Brackett, Deputy Director of Yale University’s Health, Emotion and Behaviour Laboratory, and acclaimed author on social and emotional learning; Dr Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics and interdisciplinary studies at Amherst College, who has been closely involved with His Holiness the Dalai Lama through the Mind and Life Institute; and Daniel Goleman, best-selling author and internationally known psychologist who has introduced the concept of emotional intelligence. Political scientist Dr Robert Putnam; founder of Stony Brook University Center for Medical Humanities, Dr Stephen Post; author of intensely experiential and deeply transformative Meditating with the Body®, Dr Reginald Ray; award-winning educator Daniel Siegel; and neuro-physiologist Richard Davidson have also been guests of the Speakers Series.
In addition to hosting its own events, the DLC often co-sponsors events with other organizations, such as the Vancouver Board of Trade and Hollyhock Foundation.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and education center located in Vancouver, Canada. Established in 2005, the center describes its mission as "educating the heart and fostering compassion through creative learning, facilitating and applying research, and connecting people and ideas."
The organization is advised by several prominent leaders involved in peace-making and has organized events centered on discussions of spirituality, climate change, the environment, peace and other topics.
History and mission
The 14th Dalai Lama14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
's ties with Vancouver, Canada date from the early 1960s when Vancouver-based writer George Woodcock
George Woodcock
George Woodcock was a Canadian writer of political biography and history, an anarchist thinker, an essayist and literary critic. He was also a poet, and published several volumes of travel writing. He founded in 1959 the journal Canadian Literature, the first academic journal specifically...
traveled to India to support Tibetan exiles and met the Dalai Lama. Over the years, the Dalai Lama visited Vancouver several times, in 1980, 1993, 2004, 2006 and 2009. The Dalai Lama's brother, Tendzin Choegyal, also has close ties with the city, having traveled there often to give speeches and teach.
Victor Chan, a 30-year friend of the Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
, is founding director of the center. Chan co-authored a book with the Dalai Lama called, The Wisdom of Forgiveness. Chan reportedly raised $60 million to establish and organize the center and the Dalai Lama agreed to the use of his name in the organization's title. According to the Dalai Lama, Vancouver was chosen as the center's location because its, "multiethnic and multiracial population gives it harmony."
The center was formally inaugurated in September 2006 in Vancouver. The Dalai Lama, in attendance at the event, was awarded honorary Canadian citizenship by the government of Canada. Also attending the inauguration were Tim Shriver, Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra is an Indian medical doctor, public speaker, and writer on subjects such as spirituality, Ayurveda and mind-body medicine. Chopra began his career as an endocrinologist and later shifted his focus to alternative medicine. Chopra now runs his own medical center, with a focus on...
, and Sonja Lyubomirsky
Sonja Lyubomirsky
Sonja Lyubomirsky is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside and author of The How of Happiness, a book of strategies backed by scientific research that can be used to increase happiness....
. James Hoggan & Associates provided public relations services for the event.
The center originally announced its intention to have a permanent facility constructed by 2009. In a 2006 interview with the Vancouver Sun, Chan explained that the center's facility would be 4,645 square meters and include an outdoor European-style piazza, Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
garden, bookstore, film-screening theater, performing arts theater, art gallery, library, and studios for classes or group discussions. Chan stated that the facility would highlight the Dalai Lama's international connections, invite guest speakers, host interfaith dialogues, and hold discussions on peaceful resolutions to conflicts. Chan added that half of the center's $60 million budget would go to operating costs, research, local programming, and an endowment, and the rest towards construction of the facility and a meditative retreat. As of March 2010, however, the center's website indicated that the organization had yet to construct a physical facility.
In a press release, the organization stated that its goals were to,
The Center added that it hopes to achieve this goal by promoting human values and stressing a sense of oneness with humanity.
Governance
The Center has an international advisory board which is chaired by the Dalai Lama and includes:- Betty Williams
- Desmond Tutu
- Jimmy Carter
- Jody Williams
- Kim Campbell
- Mairead Maguire
- Sakyong Mipham
- Rigoberta Menchu Tum
- Shirin Ebadi
- Tendzin Choegyal
- Vaclav Havel
The Center is overseen by seven trustees, including:
- Victor Chan
- Brenda Eaton
- Evan Alderson
- Gwyn Morgan
- James Hoggan
- Martha C. Piper
- Thomas Rafael.
Notable events
In October 2006 the Center hosted an invitation-only discussion group with economist John Helliwell and neuro-physiologist Richard DavidsonRichard Davidson
Richard J. Davidson is professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.-Early life and Education:Born in Brooklyn, Richard "Richie" Davidson attended Midwood High School...
. The discussion centered on happiness
Happiness
Happiness is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources....
.
Vancouver Peace Summit
The Center sponsored a summit in Vancouver in September 2009, called "The Vancouver Peace Summit". In various dialogues, including "World Peace through Personal Peace", "Nobel Laureates in Dialogue", and "Educating the Heart", speakers discussed spirituality, science, psychotherapy, the arts, business, and education. In attendance at the Summit were the Dalai Lama, Maria ShriverMaria Shriver
Maria Owings Shriver is an American journalist and author of six best-selling books. She has received a Peabody Award, and was co-anchor for NBC's Emmy-winning coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics. As executive producer of The Alzheimer's Project, Shriver earned two Emmy Awards and an Academy of...
, Matthieu Ricard
Matthieu Ricard
Matthieu Ricard is a French Buddhist monk who resides at Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery in Nepal.Born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France, he is the son of the late Jean-François Revel , a renowned French philosopher, and grew up among the personalities and ideas of French intellectual circles...
, Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson served as the seventh, and first female, President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, from 1997 to 2002. She first rose to prominence as an academic, barrister, campaigner and member of the Irish Senate...
, Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is a German-born Canadian resident, best known as the author of the The Power of Now and A New Earth, which were written in English. In 2011, he was listed by the Watkins Review as the most spiritually influential person in the world...
, Stephen Covey
Stephen Covey
Stephen Richards Covey is the author of the best-selling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Other books he has written include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families. In 2004, Covey released The 8th Habit...
, Mairead Maguire, Betty Williams, Jody Williams
Jody Williams
Jody Williams is an American teacher and aid worker who received the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the campaign she worked for, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines...
, Murray Gell-Mann
Murray Gell-Mann
Murray Gell-Mann is an American physicist and linguist who received the 1969 Nobel Prize in physics for his work on the theory of elementary particles...
, and the Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
. The event was held at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts is located on the campus of the University of British Columbia near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is situated within the natural landscape of the campus and is surrounded by evergreens and rhododendrons...
and the Orpheum and was attended by 5,000 people.
Speaker Series
Since its creation in 2005, the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education (DLC) has been privileged to host a number of highly successful events with participation of world-renowned thinkers and leaders in social change aimed at creating a more compassionate, peaceful world.One of the Center’s highly visible programs is the Speakers Series, focusing on the key areas of interest to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Center. These include science and its relationship to spirituality, education of the heart and related research, as well as the development of compassion and its contribution to the public good. Through public events held throughout the year, the Series helps to promote His Holiness’ vision, as well as to create, nourish and sustain the Center’s internal and external communities.
In 2010 alone, the Speakers Series guests included internationally-recognized scholars and a Nobel Peace Laureate. In June, the DLC hosted Dr John Helliwell, UBC Professor Emeritus of Economics and Officer of the Order of Canada; Dr Elizabeth Dunn, assistant professor in the UBC Department of Psychology and Dr Bill Harbaugh, economics professor at the University of Oregon, for a discussion on “Money, Generosity and Happiness.” The panelists presented their latest research from economics, social psychology and neuroscience that relate to the Dalai Lama’s insights gleaned from a lifetime of spiritual practice. They discussed altruism, charitable giving along with the factors that promote well-being and happiness in individuals, as well as in society.
In March, the DLC welcomed Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams back to Vancouver for an intimate talk about her personal journey and work. The audience got a unique insight into how Dr Williams and her colleagues around the world fought together to ban landmines - work recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr Williams also spoke about her tireless efforts to promote human rights through the work of the Nobel Women’s Initiative.
Earlier that month, Dr Paul Ekman, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, made a presentation on “Darwin, the Dalai Lama and the Nature of Compassion.” Dr Ekman talked about the connection between an evolutionary and a Buddhist view of human nature. He also provided a new formulation of the nature of empathy, compassion, altruism and heroism.
Throughout 2007-2009, the Speakers Series hosted Dr Marc Brackett, Deputy Director of Yale University’s Health, Emotion and Behaviour Laboratory, and acclaimed author on social and emotional learning; Dr Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics and interdisciplinary studies at Amherst College, who has been closely involved with His Holiness the Dalai Lama through the Mind and Life Institute; and Daniel Goleman, best-selling author and internationally known psychologist who has introduced the concept of emotional intelligence. Political scientist Dr Robert Putnam; founder of Stony Brook University Center for Medical Humanities, Dr Stephen Post; author of intensely experiential and deeply transformative Meditating with the Body®, Dr Reginald Ray; and award-winning educator Daniel Siegel have also been guests of the Speakers Series.
In addition to hosting its own events, the DLC often co-sponsors events with other organizations, such as the Vancouver Board of Trade and Hollyhock Foundation.
Since its creation in 2005, the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education (DLC) has been privileged to host a number of highly successful events with participation of world-renowned thinkers and leaders in social change aimed at creating a more compassionate, peaceful world.
One of the Center’s highly visible programs is the Speakers Series, focusing on the key areas of interest to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Center. These include science and its relationship to spirituality, education of the heart and related research, as well as the development of compassion and its contribution to the public good. Through public events held throughout the year, the Series helps to promote His Holiness’ vision, as well as to create, nourish and sustain the Center’s internal and external communities.
In 2010 alone, the Speakers Series guests included internationally-recognized scholars and a Nobel Peace Laureate. In June, the DLC hosted Dr John Helliwell, UBC Professor Emeritus of Economics and Officer of the Order of Canada; Dr Elizabeth Dunn, assistant professor in the UBC Department of Psychology and Dr Bill Harbaugh, economics professor at the University of Oregon, for a discussion on “Money, Generosity and Happiness.” The panelists presented their latest research from economics, social psychology and neuroscience that relate to the Dalai Lama’s insights gleaned from a lifetime of spiritual practice. They discussed altruism, charitable giving along with the factors that promote well-being and happiness in individuals, as well as in society.
In March, the DLC welcomed Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams back to Vancouver for an intimate talk about her personal journey and work. The audience got a unique insight into how Dr Williams and her colleagues around the world fought together to ban landmines - work recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr Williams also spoke about her tireless efforts to promote human rights through the work of the Nobel Women’s Initiative.
Earlier that month, Dr Paul Ekman, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, made a presentation on “Darwin, the Dalai Lama and the Nature of Compassion.” Dr Ekman talked about the connection between an evolutionary and a Buddhist view of human nature. He also provided a new formulation of the nature of empathy, compassion, altruism and heroism.
Throughout 2007-2009, the Speakers Series hosted Dr Marc Brackett, Deputy Director of Yale University’s Health, Emotion and Behaviour Laboratory, and acclaimed author on social and emotional learning; Dr Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics and interdisciplinary studies at Amherst College, who has been closely involved with His Holiness the Dalai Lama through the Mind and Life Institute; and Daniel Goleman, best-selling author and internationally known psychologist who has introduced the concept of emotional intelligence. Political scientist Dr Robert Putnam; founder of Stony Brook University Center for Medical Humanities, Dr Stephen Post; author of intensely experiential and deeply transformative Meditating with the Body®, Dr Reginald Ray; award-winning educator Daniel Siegel; and neuro-physiologist Richard Davidson have also been guests of the Speakers Series.
In addition to hosting its own events, the DLC often co-sponsors events with other organizations, such as the Vancouver Board of Trade and Hollyhock Foundation.