Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile at the Salisbury University, lectured "Democracy and the Third Way" and "One Person Can Make A Difference Lecture Series" yesterday at he University of Salisbury, MD.
Fortunately I received a ticket to this event. My friend, knowing of my compassion for the people of Tibet and their struggle for freedom, my admiration of the Dalai Lama and my attachment to India. I was thrilled.
" Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of the Tibetan Government in exile, was born in the Himalayan town of Darjeeling." His father was a Buddhist monk, maintained a small business and saved his earnings to send his son to law school.
(I have enclosed the pamphlet of this event, in which you can read his life's journey.)
"In 2009, Dr. Sangay was nominated by Tibetan exiles" as a candidate and in 2011 he was voted to the office of Prime Minister of the government -in-exile in Dharamsala, India.
My visit to Dharamsala was a true spiritual encounter for me, a hidden gem in the mountains of the Himalaya.
Dr. Sangay travels to Tibetan exile communities world-wide, especially thanking U.S.President Barak Obama for his acknowledgement of the cause for the freedom of Tibet, which he clearly expressed in his lecture in Salisbury yesterday.
He is the first non-monk to hold this position.
Dr. Sanjay was welcomed by Dr. Brian Polkinghorn, executive director of the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution.
Dr. Lobsang Sangay was presented the Presidents' Medal by Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach, President of Salisbury University.
Little did I know, I would also have the opportunity to meet the grandson of Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi and speak my few phrases in Hindi, which I still remember.
It was an honor meeting Dr. Sangay and Arun Manilal Gandhi at a reception following the lecture.
The photos are clearly made only with my cell phone. Never again will I go anywhere without my beloved Canon.
Here are links to my blog-post about mandalas in Salisbury.
Wikipedia article about the Dalai Lama
Wikipedia Article about Dr. Sangay
Wikipedia Article about Mahatma Gandhi
Wikipedia Article about Arun Manilal Gandhi
Late 2007, Gandhi co-taught a course entitled "Gandhi on Personal Leadership and Nonviolence" at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland.
To my paintings
My palette has developed and changed since my encounter with Tibetan refugees in India, Buddhists, whom I admire for their peaceful manner, tenacity and their struggles hoping to become a free Tibet.
My residency in colorful India with its many contradictions, have resulted in paintings of many layers, adding sometimes confusion and then cohesion.Using the bright colors and warm tones of the Tibetan Buddhist Mandalas and the colorful spices of India, I wish to convey these attributes in my paintings and works.
My circles, although living in the US and in Europe, seem to meet and connect together with India and Tibet. Many of my students wished to learn this practice. In Florida and Germany I held workshops introducing Mandala as a form of meditation and art in the Alternative healing Institute of Paracelsus in Stuttgart. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus.
Although a Christian artist, India, Tibet and Buddhism have become a substantial part of my life and art work.
We are all connected.
