?
|
|
|
|
|
Spirit in Education Movement (SEM); Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation (SNF); International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB); Buddhadasa Inthapanyo Archive (BIA)
Present
The 19th SEM PRINGPUANG-KAEW Annual Public Lecture
?Buddhism : an instrument for human understanding and Peace?
By Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari
On the February 24th, 2013 (13.00-17.00)
At Buddhahadasa Inthapanyo Archive,
Railways Park (Suan Rot Fai), Bangkok
13.00-13.30 Registration
13.30-14.00 Documentary on Buddhism in Tibet
14.00-14.15 Welcome speech by Mr. Surasee Kosolnavin
President of Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation
14.15-14.30 Annual Report presentation of SEM
14.30-14.45 Introduction of the Lecturer by Sulak Sivaraksa
Founder and Advisor of International Network of Engaged Buddhists
14.45-16.15 ?Buddhism : an instrument for human understanding and Peace? By Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari
16.15-16.45 Q & A
16.45-17.00 Closing Remark by Sulak Sivaraksa
?
For more information, please contact Ms. Jessica Armour
e-mail: sem@sem-edu.org
?
Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari is the executive chair of International Campaign for Tibet. He is a seasoned and skilled diplomat who is an impassioned advocate for the Tibetan people, universal human rights and global democratic reform. Mr. Gyari has successfully worked at the highest levels of the international arena. He is trusted, consulted and admired by many world leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.
Mr. Gyari has spent the majority of his professional career working directly on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Mr. Gyari was born into an influential family in Nyarong, Eastern Tibet and recognized as a ‘reincarnate’ Buddhist lama (a ?Rinpoche?.) His early education was in the traditional Tibetan monastic system.
When he was still young, Mr. Gyari’s monastic education and the life his family had known for generations were disrupted by the tragic events that befell his homeland.
Nevertheless Mr. Gyari has continued ever since to cultivate and sustain his deep devotion to Buddhist traditions, and to this day he maintains close relationships with many eminent Tibetan Buddhist masters and lineage heads. As an acknowledgement of his religious background Tibetans refer to Lodi Gyari as ?Gyari Rinpoche?.
Prior to his arrival in the United States in 1990, Mr. Gyari served in the senior most elected and appointed positions of the Tibetan administration in exile in India – from Speaker of the Parliament to Cabinet Minister. At the age of 30, Mr. Gyari was the youngest elected Speaker of the Parliament. He was also one of the youngest people to be appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Kashag (Cabinet), to serve in the Tibetan administration.
As the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Washington D.C. from 1990 onwards, Mr. Gyari was able to continue making profound political, economic, and social contributions to the Tibetan cause. For more than twenty years Mr. Gyari earned and has enjoyed access to the highest levels of leadership within both the United States Congress and the Administration. During his tenure as Special Envoy, Mr. Gyari, against huge odds, was able to successfully institutionalize the Tibetan issue within the United States government.
Appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to initiate and lead a dialogue process with the government of the People?s Republic of China, Lodi Gyari not only conducted nine rounds of high level talks in China and elsewhere, but also led an extensive behind the scenes diplomatic effort to sustain the process, expand the channels of communication, build trust with the Chinese leadership and maintain a broad international interest in the dialogue process.
Heads of State, Heads of Government and policy makers consult Mr. Gyari on global and regional issues such as Indo-US relations, Sino-US and Sino-Indian relations because of his expertise, his deep knowledge of the region and his close personal connections with people in those countries.