About 30 students and teachers had the opportunity to see the Dalai Lama speak at the University of Northern Iowa on Tuesday, May 18.
The Dalai Lama is the political and spiritual leader of Tibet. He has traveled to 62 countries since 1959, advocating non-violence, compassion, cross-cultural understanding and social responsibility. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Dalai Lama came to speak in front of a full UNI crowd on Tuesday. World Humanities teachers Cara Jones, Michelle Frye and Kathleen Riffe purchased tickets for students who were interested in attending. Students had to write a short essay about why they wanted to go and the importance of educating kids for a non-violent world, which was the topic of the Dalai Lama’s speech.
Students who were selected had to pay $20 for the ticket and bus ride.
Kwame Eastman, sr., was one of the students who attended the event. He was interested in attending because he finds “different cultures to be really interesting” and “thought it would be interesting to see a political figure from another country.”
Eastman was impressed with what the Dali Lama said. “It was very thought out and well done,” he said.
RaeAnne Mason, sr., also attended. She wanted to go because she thought that seeing the Dalai Lama would be a “once in a lifetime experience.”
Mason is glad she went and thinks it was worth it. “He knew what he was talking about and he was really funny,” she said.
