Posted on: July 13, 2011 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

n an effort to extend the reach of Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet’s message of interfaith relations and bridging the divide that separates various faiths, The Theosophical Society in America is proud that iClips Network will broadcast a live video stream of the public speaking events in Chicago on July 17 and 18 with live syndication by Livestream.

Viewers across the world will be able to watch as the Dalai Lama expands upon the ideas set forth in his book, “Toward a True Kinship of Faiths” through his public talk on July 17 and his public conversation with leaders from major world religions on July 18. Interested viewers only need to log on to the iClips web site at the designated start times for both events to watch the Dalai Lama speak. There is no charge to view the presentations on iClips.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to work with His Holiness the Dalai Lama again,” said Nate Parienti, iClips Founder and CEO. “We had the opportunity to stream His Holiness back in 2007 and we are excited to be able to bring these special events from Chicago to a worldwide audience.”

The live video streams for both events will be featured on: http://www.iclips.net/watch/dalai-lama-public-talk

On Sunday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. the Dalai Lama will present a public talk entitled “Bridging the Faith Divide” at the University of Illinois, Chicago Pavilion, 525 S. Racine. Emceed by Bill Kurtis of WBBM-TV, the event will also feature an array of cultural programming featuring representatives of various faiths from the Chicago area and the children of the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago. Buddhist singer Ani Choying will present a special invocation. The stage setting, featuring artwork devised from an interfaith collaboration, will be directed and produced by Jim Lasko of Redmoon Theater in conjunction with the Theosophical Society in America and Exelon Corp.

On Monday, July 18 at 9:30 a.m., the Dalai Lama will join Rabbi Michael Lerner, founding editor of the progressive Jewish interfaith magazine Tikkun, which is dedicated to building bridges between religious and secular organizations; Dr. Ingrid Mattson, former president of The Islamic Society of North America and Rev. Peg Chemberlin, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches in a panel discussion entitled “Building Bridges: Religious Leaders in Conversation with the Dalai Lama.” The panel will be moderated by Eboo Patel, the founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit that aims to promote interfaith cooperation. The event will be presented at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive.

“Hearing the Dalai Lama speak is a profoundly inspiring and even life-changing experience,” said Tim Boyd, president of the Theosophical Society in America. “In this time of tremendous world-wide political and social unrest and acrimony, we are tremendously excited to offer Chicagoans, and now the world, an opportunity to be in the presence of His Holiness; I have no doubt that his wisdom and tremendous insight will touch those who attend these events in the most empowering and meaningful way.”

This appearance will mark His Holiness’ fifth visit to Chicago (the last having been in May 2007). Prior to visiting Chicago, the Dalai Lama will participate in a 10-day Kalachakra for World Peace in Washington, D.C. The Dalai Lama, who describes himself as “a simple Buddhist monk,” is recognized world-wide for his lifelong advocacy for non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. With the Communist Chinese invasion of his country, he fled Tibet in 1959 for India, where he established a Tibetan government in exile, and has since devoted himself to advocating for the welfare of the Tibetan people and world peace. In 2006, the United States honored him with its highest civilian award, the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, “in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights and religious understanding.”

For more information, visit http://dalailamachicago.com/events.html.

Ticket Information
Tickets are required for both events. Tickets to each event are $125, $75 or $25 based on seating location.

Tickets for the July 17 UIC Pavilion public talk can be obtained via dalailamachicago.com, Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, via phone at 800-745-3000 or at the UIC box office, 525 S. Racine Ave.

Tickets to the July 18 Harris Theater panel discussion are currently sold out, but more may become available closer to the event.

Ticketholders are encouraged to arrive early to get through security entrances. For security purposes, no bags of any kind, backpacks, large purses, briefcases, cameras, or recording equipment or bags will be admitted.

About The Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society in America was founded in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles related to the search for Truth. The Theosophical Society has a long and close relationship with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. His Holiness visited the Theosophical Society in Adyar, India in 1956, prior to his exile from Tibet in 1959. He returned to Tibet “a changed man” and committed himself to the understanding of and engagement with the world’s faith traditions. In 1975, the Dalai Lama again visited Adyar to celebrate the 100th International Convention of the Theosophists. The Society was host to the Dalai Lama on his second trip to the United States in 1981 to speak at their center outside of Chicago. The Dalai Lama accepted the 2011 invitation from the Theosophical Society in America to discuss themes of his 2010 book, Toward a True Kinship of Faiths as a way to support the Society’s commitment to action for “bridging the faith divide.”

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