UC Santa Barbara students and visitors from across the country received a lesson in Buddhist wisdom Friday ‘mdash; from the Dalai Lama himself.
In his two two-hour talks on the UCSB campus, the smiling, self-described ‘simple monk’ said that compassion and understanding can solve everything from world war to economic crises.
‘Wherever I go and talk with the public, I always emphasize importance of compassion,’ he said. ‘Compassion for human being, because it is that that I consider the source of our strength, source of self-confidence. More self-confidence, less fear, less stress. So open our mind so that we can easier reach other people.’
G. Shulz, a practicing Buddhist, traveled from Santa Cruz to attend the event.
‘I love being in the same room with him, and whenever he laughs or tells a joke, it lights me up, and I think it lights others up, too,’ he said. ‘He is very childlike and has a joyful heart, and it’s wonderful to be in his presence.’