Fiscal Note
No funds required.
Title
Welcoming and honoring the visit of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet on his 7th visit to the City of Madison.
Body
WHEREAS, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet is the spiritual mentor to millions of Buddhists throughout the world and the leader of the Tibetan people; and
WHEREAS, since the time of his forced exile in 1959 from Tibet to India, he has devoted himself to the plight of his people and to promoting world peace, winning respect and affection of world leaders and millions of people throughout the globe; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama has, through his example, his teachings, and his travels, furthered mutual understanding, respect, and unity among nations and individuals; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts to promote peace and non-violence throughout the globe, and to find democratic reconciliation for the Tibetan people through his ''Middle Way'' approach; and
WHEREAS, in recent years His Holiness has traveled extensively, sharing his consistent philosophy of peace based on compassion and personal responsibility; and
WHEREAS, the US Congress awarded His Holiness the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in 2007, in recognition of His Holiness advocacy of religious harmony, non-violence, and human rights throughout the world and for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue through dialogue with the Chinese leadership; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness has visited Madison 7 times and performed Buddhist teachings and given Public Talks in 1979 on his First Historic Tour of North America, in 1981 to perform the Kalachakra Ceremony, 1989 two weeks after he won the Nobel Peace Prize to dedicate the stupa, 1998, 2001 for the Mind and Life Conference, now in 2008; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness will be in the City of Madison on July 18 - 24, 2008, for the opening ceremony and consecration of Deer Park's new temple and confer a special teaching and accept a long life prayer offering requested by Ven. GesheL. Sopa, Deer Park Buddhist Center and the North American Tibetan Associations and meet with the Tibetan community and recognize their civic contributions; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet offers these thoughts, "My message is the practice of compassion, love and kindness. Compassion can be put into practice if one recognizes the fact that every human being is a member of humanity and the human family regardless of differences in religion, culture, color, and creed. Deep down there is no difference."
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council and the City of Madison welcome and honor the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, on his seventh occasion to visit the City of Madison on July 18 - 24, 2008; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that such welcome shall include the appropriate placement of the Tibetan flag in recognition of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama's visit.