Ayelet Edelberg | "The Wisdom of Happiness"

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Lecture: The Dalai Lama: A Journey of Compassion — From a Remote Village in Tibet to the Heart of the West

He was born to lead his people, but political upheavals caused him to become exiled from his homeland and transform into one of the most famous, recognizable, and beloved figures in the world. In this lecture, we will follow the remarkable story of the Dalai Lama—a monk, leader, and symbol of compassion. Who is he, where did he come from, and how did he become the Dalai Lama? What Buddhist-universal message did he bring to the world, and how did one monk inspire so many people in the West? How did a stateless exile manage to bring about a profound shift in consciousness and influence millions across the globe? What made him the person we all love to love? What is a “tulku,” a unique concept found only in Tibetan Buddhism?

In this lecture, we will explore the fascinating process found only in Tibetan Buddhism: finding the “tulku”—the reincarnation of a teacher born anew. We will accompany the Dalai Lama on his life journey from a small, remote village in northeastern Tibet to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and onward to his dangerous escape to India and his travels around the world, as he underwent the complex transformation into a political and spiritual leader in exile. The lecture will provide profound, interesting, and fascinating background ahead of the screening of the wise and thought-provoking documentary film Wisdom of Happiness.

Film Screening: Wisdom of Happiness

A profound cinematic documentary offering a fascinating glimpse into the Dalai Lama’s inner world. In an intimate and compassionate conversation, the global ambassador of peace and Nobel Prize laureate invites viewers on a personal and profound journey to the roots of happiness. By combining ancient traditions of Tibetan Buddhism with contemporary values of global society, he demonstrates how to create a healthier and happier world for all living beings.

The film presents the Dalai Lama at nearly 90, sharing practical insights for coping with the challenges of the 21st century and speaking directly to the viewer’s heart. This creates an intimate dialogue that offers every person the feeling of a personal conversation about the search for inner peace and happiness. At the end of a journey spanning nearly nine decades, which began in his childhood at the age of three, the Dalai Lama succeeds in balancing the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism with current and relevant messages for a global society struggling with the challenges of violence, wars, and the environmental crisis. As the first Nobel Prize laureate to call for the protection of our planet, he reminds us that the ability to build a better world is already in our hands.

Directed by: Barbara Miller, Philip Delaquis
Year: 2024
Running time: 90 minutes