Bankers Life Fieldhouse News

  • ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER TO HOST VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

    04/19/2010

    ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER TO HOST VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

    Bloomington, IND. - On May 14, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a public talk entitled, “Facing

    Challenges with Compassion and Wisdom,” at 9:30 am at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The

    program is expected to draw an audience from around the globe.

    This will be the sixth visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Indiana and the second public talk he will

    deliver in Indianapolis. This is the first time, however, that three Indiana-based organizations are

    collaborating to host such an event: the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC),

    Interfaith Hunger Initiative (IHI), and Indiana Buddhist Center (IBC). As a result of this collaboration, a

    new partnership has been formed, in part, to meet the needs of persons experiencing poverty and hunger

    in Central Indiana and Kenya. This partnership has brought together members of the Jewish, Christian,

    Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh communities.

    A long-time friend and board member of the TMBCC, Bloomington resident Elaine Mellencamp serves

    as spokeswoman for the partnership. “We are eager to welcome His Holiness to Indiana once again,’ she

    stated. “His prior visits have been a source of true inspiration for so many people who will have another

    opportunity to hear him speak.”

    The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC), located in Bloomington, Indiana, was

    founded in 1979 by Thubten Jigme Norbu (Taktser Rinpoche), the eldest brother of His Holiness The

    Dalai Lama of Tibet. In 2003, a new Temple was built on the grounds of the Center and consecrated by

    The Dalai Lama. In 2005, His Holiness turned over the directorship of the Center and Temple to Arjia

    Rinpoche, former abbot of Kumbum Monastery in Amdo, Tibet. The Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple,

    located on the TMBCC property, is open to persons of all faiths. Information about the TMBCC can be

    found at www.tmbc.net.

    The Indiana Buddhist Center serves Central Indiana through neighborhood outreach and education

    programs. Larry Gerstein, Ball State University Professor and Media Coordinator for the Indiana

    Buddhist Center commented, “We are so very fortunate that The Dalai Lama will be visiting Indiana.

    His wisdom, compassion, commitment to nonviolence, sense of humor and deep respect for all humanity

    reminds us of our own potential and responsibility to create and live in a world where there is harmony,

    cooperation and sufficient resources for all people.” Information about the IBC is available at

    www.indianabuddhist.org.

    Formed in Indianapolis in 2008, the Interfaith Hunger Initiative is currently comprised of over two

    dozen congregations whose leaders and members are committed to helping end hunger for children and

    families. The Reverend Dr. Kent Millard, Senior Pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church serves as

    President of the IHI. “The Indianapolis Interfaith Hunger Initiative is honored to be one of the

    sponsoring organizations of the Public Talk to be given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Conseco

    Fieldhouse at 9:30 am on Friday, May 14th,” Dr. Millard commented. “His Holiness will speak about

    wisdom and compassion. We express compassion when we feed the hungry around us and in other

    nations, and we express wisdom when we work together across religious lines to more effectively care

    for families and children in need.” Information about the IHI can be found at

    www.interfaithhungerinitiative.org.

    Tickets for the public talk are available at the Conseco box office or at area Ticketmaster locations.

    General admission tickets are $25; student tickets are $15. Additional information may be obtained at

    www.consecofieldhouse.com.