Washington State's Conversation with the Dalai Lama
The Compassion 2020 Delegation, chaired by Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib and made up of distinguished community leaders, returned home last week after a week-long trip to India. Six exceptional high school students named as “Compassion Scholars” took part in the trip.
Established through a partnership between the Association of Washington Generals and the Office of the Lt. Governor, the purpose of the Compassion 2020 program is to cultivate compassionate leadership in the next decade.
The program included a unique opportunity for dialogue with the Dalai Lama in which the Compassion 2020 delegation had a 90-minute in-person interview to discuss major global issues. All Washingtonians were invited to participate by submitting their questions and watching the livestream video of the conversation. 6 official Compassion Watch Parties took place live, hosted by universities, colleges, and community centers throughout the state.
Compassion 2020 delegates also toured Dharamsala, India, where they learned about the practical ways in which a compassion-based ethics system has been woven into educational and service organizations in the area.
Highlights
The Tibetan Children’s Village:
The Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) is one of several residential schools for Tibetan refugees and other orphaned children, renowned for its high level of education and rehabilitative care for traumatized children. The delegation had the opportunity to tour the sprawling campus, built into the foothills of the Himalayas, and to interact with the children.
In one particularly special event, the delegation members delivered a gift to the TCV children on behalf of inmates at the Walla Walla Penitentiary.
The Walla Walla Penitentiary supports an initiative called Sustainable Practices Lab, a fully voluntary, selective program that offers inmates the opportunity to engage in a number of vocational training options, including woodworking, environmental sustainability, toy-building, and more. The Lab regularly makes products that are donated to developing countries. In this case, the inmates made 50 teddy bears to give to the students of TCV, with TCV supporting the effort by selecting the 50 students who have been away from their parents the longest, and who likely would appreciate the gift the most. Compassion 2020’s high school “Compassion Scholar” delegates were then allowed to pass the bears out to the students. The Lt. Governor’s office will be sharing the video of students receiving the bears with the inmates who made them so that they can see the difference their crafts have made for the students at TCV.
School of the Brave Heart | Nyingtop Ling
Nyingtop Ling is a residential home that offers vocational training, educational, and employment opportunities to Tibetan refugees with developmental disabilities. The residents of Nyingtop Ling had prepared a full performance of dancing and singing for the delegation.
Following their performances, the director of the institute invited members of the delegation to dance with the residents. Each of the Compassion Scholars, as well as other members of the delegation, delighted the residents by taking part.
Conversation with the Dalai Lama
The delegation’s experience culminated in the live stream interview with the Dalai Lama, during which he spoke to the role of compassion in addressing a number of urgent global issues, including climate change, inequality, and political divisiveness. Following his opening statement, the delegation’s high school “Compassion Scholars” were able to present their “Compassion Project” ideas to him directly. From there, the conversation opened up as a virtual town hall between the Dalai Lama and the State of Washington.
As a gift, the Lt. Governor presented the Dalai Lama with a blanket from the Lummi Nation, one of the largest federally recognized tribes in Washington state.
What’s next?
Compassion 2020 aims to leverage the momentum of the trip to inspire concrete compassionate actions in communities throughout Washington state. In particular, the Association of Washington Generals will guide the Compassion Scholars as they implement their Compassion Projects, blessed by the Dalai Lama, in their communities.
In case you missed it, watch the full video below:
