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By University of Portland

Maitripa College and University of Portland are honored to co-sponsor His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, on the University of Portland campus on May 9, 2013 for the first of two public events in Portland as part of The Dalai Lama Environmental Summit on May 9 and May 11, 2013. Maitripa College, the first and only Tibetan Buddhist college in the Pacific Northwest, is host of the summit.

The Environmental Summit includes three days of enlightening teachings and conversations with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and distinguished leaders of the Pacific Northwest environmental, scientific, policy and faith communities. Tickets for public events on both May 9 and May 11 are priced from $25, and will be available starting February 25, 2013 at 10 a.m. For more information go to www.dalailamaportland2013.net.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 2013 visit begins with two events on Thursday, May 9 at the University of Portland Chiles Center (5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland); both events are co-sponsored by Maitripa College (also host of the summit) and the University of Portland. At 9:30 a.m., the Dalai Lama will be joined by a religious leader from the Archdiocese of Portland, Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana of Congregation Beth Israel of Portland, Imam Muhammed Najieb of the Muslim Community Center of Portland, and Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, in the interfaith dialog “Spirituality and the Environment.” Host of “Straight Talk,” KGW NewsChannel 8’s Laural Porter, will moderate the discussion.

On Thursday, May 9 at 1:30 p.m., the Dalai Lama will offer a public address entitled “Universal Responsibility and the Inner Environment: the Nature of Mind.” This will be followed by a question and answer period with the audience.

Tickets go on sale February 25 at 10 a.m. Tickets to the May 9 events at University of Portland can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, and can also be purchased at the Chiles Center box office (5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday).

Other Environmental Summit Events

On Saturday, May 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (300 N. Winning Way, Portland), His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be among a panel of political and environmental leaders discussing the roles of science and policy in catalyzing environmental action globally and in the Northwest in “Environmental Summit: Universal Responsibility and the Global Environment.” Other panel members include David Suzuki, the award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster, and Andrea Durbin, executive director of Oregon Environmental Council. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman Earl Blumenauer will also offer remarks at the Environmental Summit.Host of “Think Out Loud,” KOPB’s David Miller, will moderate the discussion.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will conclude the weekend with a public address at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 11 at 1:30 p.m. entitled “Inspiration for the Global Environment.” The World Affairs Council is a sponsor of this event.

On the afternoon of Friday, May 10, His Holiness will deliver a public lecture co-organized by the University of Oregon and theEugene Sakya Center. Tickets go on sale March 11 at www.matthewknightarena.com. For more information go to www.uoregon.edu.

Harnessing the energy of the preceding days’ events, Maitripa College will host Green Action Day on Sunday, May 12, from noon to 5 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The eco fair will include local environmental organizations, speakers, musicians and participatory activities, and is intended to provide Oregonians with practical, real-world opportunities to make a difference on environmental issues.

“As we face the environmental issues before us, solutions will come through awareness and individual responsibility,” said Yangsi Rinpoche, president of Maitripa College. “The purpose of the Dalai Lama Environmental Summit is not to focus on all that is wrong, but to inspire ourselves and future generations to act in a positive way for the environment. Individual responsibility arises from individual inspiration, formed and catalyzed by spirituality, philosophy and policy. Therefore, this summit is designed as a platform for these three areas, all driving forces of action on this planet.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the author of more than 70 books and the 1989 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the 2007 Congressional Gold Medal.He frequently states that his life is guided by three major commitments: the promotion of basic human values or secular ethics in the interest of human happiness, the fostering of inter-religious harmony, and the welfare of the Tibetan people, focusing on the survival of their identity, culture and religion.

In his previous visit to Portland, in 2001, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drew a crowd of approximately 25,000 to Pioneer Courthouse Square. On that same visit, His Holiness addressed 7,500 teenagers from across the state at a youth conference at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, followed by a public speaking event to a sold-out crowd.

Tickets to the May 11 event at Veterans Memorial Coliseum can be purchased at RoseQuarter.com, participating Safeway/TicketsWest locations, by phone at 877.789-ROSE (7673), and at the Rose Quarter Box Office(One Center Court, Suite 100, Portland, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama offers his appearance for the promotion of peace. Funds generated through ticket sales and sponsorships are used solely to cover expenses, with any surplus being disbursed to charitable organizations under the advisement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.