His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Seattle

The Dalai Lama was in Seattle this week participating in the Seeds of Compassion conference which aimed to:“…engage the hearts and minds of our community by highlighting the vision, science, and programs of early social, emotional, and cognitive learning.” The conference commences in the wake of Olympic protests due to the mistreatment of the Tibetan people in China.
The conference opened on Friday at the University of Washington with an emotional greeting of the Dalai Lama by panel-members. Co-founder of the Seeds of Compassion, Dan Kranzler addressed the audience: “…[We will] begin the dialogue using our brain, talking about the brain; but I ask all of you to listen with your heart.” In a brief mention of the political turmoil of the Tibetan people, Kranzler alluded to recent circulating allegations against the Dalai Lama that he was behind the Olympic protests in China: “the world knows the truth…the world knows,” which was followed by an embrace of gratitude by His Holiness.
The Dalai Lama said Thursday that he has always supported Beijing’s hosting of the upcoming summer’s Olympics but does not advocate violent protests by the Chinese. The Chinese government has accused the Nobel Peace prizewinner of using the Olympics as fuel for protests against five decades of Chinese rule in Tibet. The Dalai Lama told reporters at a Tokyo airport on Thursday: “I really feel very sad the government demonizes me. I am just a human; I am not a demon,"
The Dalai Lama focused his attention on the importance of compassion for children at Friday’s “Scientific Basis for Compassion” discussion. Admitting his limited medical knowledge, His Holiness remained inquisitive of the esteemed panel of scientists that concluded that children are products of their environment; they should be surrounded by peace and comfort as opposed to growing up in a pressured environment if they are to develop into compassionate citizens. “A willingness to learn [and a] happy mood is much healthier and much stronger,” responded the Dalai Lama.
In Saturday’s “Compassion in Action” event, about 50,000 were gathered in Qwest Field to witness about 1,000 representatives from varying cultures and 200 drummers join together for a demonstration and discussion of unity with the Dalai Lama. Among others present at the event were Governor Christine Gregoire and the venerable Tenzin Dhonden who serves as the emissary of peace for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Seeds of Compassion conference attracted over 150,000 people at various workshops, panel discussions with the Dalai Lama, and the Concert for Compassion featuring Tim Reynolds and Seattle local, Dave Matthews.
At least one anti-violence protest was scheduled in congruence with the conference: The Concert for anti-violence began in “red square” on the UW campus and protested the violence in China and the turmoil surrounding the Olympics. When asked on Saturday how leaders of nations can promote ideas through speech rather than violence, the Dalai Lama regretfully responded with a chuckle: “I don’t know.”
Seeds of Compassion is a collaboration of the Kirlin Foundation and the venerable Tenzin Dhonden. The organization encourages communities to have thoughtful and engaged citizens and stresses the need for active cross-cultural problem-solvers.
The Dalai Lama’s visit to Seattle attracted ten times as many participants as his last visit in 1993 and spread his message of peace over the five day period: “Whenever we face a difficult problem, the realistic method is nonviolent dialogue,” said the Dalai Lama on Saturday.