Inverness featured in historic visit to Scotland planned for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Issued by The Edinburgh Inter Faith Association, The Conference of Edinburgh’s Religious Leaders, The University of Dundee, Dundee City Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Highland Council and The National Library of Scotland
At the invitation of The Conference of Edinburgh’s Religious Leaders, The Edinburgh Inter Faith Association, The University of Dundee, Dundee City Council, The City of Edinburgh, Highland Council, and The National Library of Scotland, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama will visit Scotland from Thursday 21st June until Sunday 24th June 2012. His Inverness visit is on Saturday 23rd June.
This is part of a wider visit to the United Kingdom that includes visits to and public programmes in Manchester from 16th June and London from 19th June.
Victor Spence, Co-ordinator of the Dalai Lama’s visit in Scotland said: ‘Following a wait of six years from the initial invitations in 2006 for His Holiness The Dalai Lama to visit Dundee, Edinburgh and Inverness the invitation partners and co-ordinators are delighted and excited to announce what will be a historic visit to Scotland in late June 2012. Three public talks in three cities being Edinburgh, Dundee and Inverness are the highlights of a very full schedule for His Holiness The Dalai Lama in Scotland.’
Mr Thubten Samdup (Representative of HH the Dalai Lama and UK Visit Co-ordinator) said, “This visit will be an opportunity for people across the UK to hear the message of this globally recognised spiritual and moral authority. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has called for this to be a ‘century of dialogue and peace', urging youth to ‘be the change they wish to see in the world’. In particular, his message will encourage youth across the UK to seriously consider their unique potential as decisive catalysts for peace, able to bring to reality the better world they hope to inhabit.”
DALAI LAMA TO VISIT THREE SCOTTISH CITIES
EDINBURGH
The Dalai Lama arrives in Scotland on the afternoon of Thursday 21st June from London. On Friday 22nd June The Dalai Lama will begin his Scottish tour with a private viewing of archive material relating to Tibet during a visit to the National Library of Scotland. This will be followed by a public talk at the Usher Hall on the theme of Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World. This event will be the highlight of a five month series of talks marking the 20th anniversary of The Edinburgh Lectures. Following the public talk His Holiness will meet with religious leaders from across Scotland for an informal lunch at the Scottish Parliament.
The Rt Hon Cllr George Grubb, Lord Provost of The City of Edinburgh said: “I am delighted to welcome His Holiness The Dalai Lama to Edinburgh and I will be very much looking forward to hearing what will undoubtedly be a fascinating and inspiring talk. This will be a monumental occasion for the city and a truly special way to mark the twentieth anniversary of The Edinburgh Lectures series.”
www.usherhall.co.uk or in person and 0131 228 1155
DUNDEE
Later on Friday 22nd June His Holiness The Dalai Lama will make a historic visit to Dundee where he is to be greeted by pipe bands and the public. At the invitation of the University of Dundee he will give The Margaret Harris Lecture on Religion at the city’s Caird Hall. This special event for Dundee will top off a week of graduation ceremonies in the city hall.
The theme of the lecture will be 'Education of the Heart'. His Holiness believes that although the West has been immensely successful in respect to what he refers to as' education of the brain', it needs to give greater attention to 'education of the heart' to promote the cultivation of love and compassion.
Dundee Lord Provost John Letford said, "It is a privilege for Dundee to be visited by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. His spiritual leadership and unstinting promotion of human values will be well received in the city of discovery."
Professor Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said, “It will be an honour to welcome His Holiness The Dalai Lama to Dundee and truly a privilege to have him deliver this year’s Margaret Harris Lecture on Religion.
Prof Downes added: “His visit will enhance understanding of all faiths and cultures, and help promote relations between these different groups. Cultivating love and compassion is central to the Dalai Lama’s teaching, and his talk presents a rare opportunity for people in the city to hear from one of the world’s most influential spiritual leaders.”
http://www.cairdhall.co.uk/boxoffice/ or in person and 01382 434940
INVERNESS
On Saturday 23rd June His Holiness will make another historic visit to the Highland Capital of Inverness where he will give a public talk at Eden Court Theatre. The theme for the public talk in Inverness is ‘Be the change’ a term coined by Mahatma Gandhi. The Dalai Lama will discuss his view on promoting personal and universal responsibility for transformational change. He especially seeks to encourage our young people to be the change they wish to see in the world.
The Highland Council Convener, Councillor Sandy Park said: “The Highland Council is delighted to welcome His Holiness The Dalai Lama to the Highlands. He is guaranteed a warm Highland welcome. It is fitting that the focus is on young people, who will, I am sure, be inspired by his presence and talk.”
Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee added: “This will be a hugely important and historic occasion for Inverness. There is sure to be great interest in the visit, which will be a real highlight for the city.”
www.eden-court.co.uk or in person and 01463 234 234
Tickets:
Dalai Lama Scotland Visit website: www.dalailamascotland.org