The Dalai Lama of Tibet returns to Chicago July 17 and 18 for public speaking events at UIC Pavilion and Harris Theater
Presented in Celebration of Chicago as One of the World’s Most Diverse
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Chicago, IL –Nobel Peace Prize laureate, internationally respected leader, author and speaker Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet returns to Chicago for two public events July 17 and 18. Presented by the Theosophical Society in America, a membership organization dedicated to promoting the unity of humanity and encouraging the study of religion, philosophy and science, the events offer a rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s most respected and influential figures in person. Tickets for both events will go on sale Wednesday, May 4 at 9 a.m.  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. In the talk, His Holiness will expand upon the ideas put forth in his recent book “Toward a True Kinship of Faiths.â€Â 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, the children of the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago and the Chicago Children’s Choir under the direction of its President and Artistic Director Josephine Lee. 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 of America.  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.â€Â 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 in 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 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 toadvocating for the welfare of the Tibetan people and world peace.Now 76, he announced in 2010 that he would retire from the position of head of the Tibetan government.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 www.dalailamachicago.com.  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 supportthe Society’s commitment to action for “bridging the faith divide.† Event Proceeds  Contributions to underwrite the cost of the program are being made to a restricted account of the Theosophical Society in America, a 501c3 tax exempt organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. All proceeds in excess of the cost of the program will be given to the Tibet Fund, a United States based nonprofit providing humanitarian and educational support for Tibetan refugees around the world. Ticket Information  Tickets are required for both events. Tickets to each event are $125, $75 or $25 based on seating location, and will go on sale Wednesday, May 4 at 9 a.m.  Tickets for the July 17 UIC Pavilion public talk can be obtained via 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 can be purchased at the Harris Theatre box office, 205 E. Randolph Drive, harristheaterchicago.org or 312.334.7777.  Ticketholders are encouraged to arrive early to get through security entrances. For security purposes, no backpacks, large purses, briefcases, cameras, or recording equipment or bags will be admitted.  |