The visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Portland, Oregon, which was hosted by the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association, began on Sunday May 13, 2001 and ended the morning of Wednesday, May 16th. His Holiness came to Portland to visit the more than 230 Tibetan settlers that live in Portland and Southwest Washington.

While in Portland the Dalai Lama also attended a Welcoming Ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square, presented a two-day teaching — Generating A Good Heart and Awakening the Mind, held an audience with the Tibetan Community, attended the Community Luncheon — A Human Approach to World Peace, met with high school students at Educating the Heart Youth Summit and spoke at An Evening with the Dalai Lama. Portland citizens rolled out the red carpet for the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people. He in turn charmed them and left his message of love, compassion and non-violence at every speaking opportunity. His words had a profound impact on those in attendance everywhere he went.

AMALA PEACE WALK
Sunday, May 13, 2001

"Amala" is the Tibetan word for "mother" and this walk symbolized the wish of all mother’s around the world for a peaceful planet. 3,000 participants gathered for the 1-mile walk starting at Lincoln High School and ending in the "Vendor Village" in the PSU Park Blocks.

The walkers were lead by Tibetan amalas local to Portland and some coming from as far as Canada. The walk ended in time for participants to gather at the Pioneer Courthouse Square to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Portland

WELCOMING CELEBRATION
Sunday, May 13, 2001

25,000 well wishers came to Pioneer Courthouse Square, "Portland’s Living Room", to welcome His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Portland. The event was a multicultural festival to celebrate diversity between cultures and to start the Pathways to Peace events, the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The free event featured local performances by Oregon Ballet Theatre, Lions of Batucada, Portland Taiko, the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association Dance Troupe, the international Mystical Arts of Tibet and the Hood River High School Band.

After introductions by Gov. John Kitzhaber and Mayor Vera Katz His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to the crowd on a very personal level. "World peace must develop from inner peace," he said. "Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, manifestation of human compassion." Many were touched by their brief encounter with the political and spiritual leader of Tibet. His Holiness was moved by the warm reception he received while in Portland.

EDUCATING THE HEART YOUTH SUMMIT
Monday, May 14, 2001

7,500 high school aged students from Oregon and Southwest Washington were selected to take part in a lecture with Nobel Peace Prize winner His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A "Core Group" of 200 youth were also selected to meet with His Holiness prior to the large group gathering. This allowed the students to have a more personal discussion with the Dalai Lama. At the summit His Holiness spoke on the importance of individuals taking responsibility for creating a better world environment through compassion, mutual respect, and tolerance. He also spoke on the importance of honoring diversity between individuals and using non-violent means for conflict resolution.

The event was hosted by First Lady Sharon Kitzhabor and included performances by local artists Portland Taiko, Flying Safari Ants, Body Bang, and Keith Schreiner. The event was concluded with the viewing of Peace by Piece, Youth Take Action, a documentary produced by Green Fire Productions about several Oregon youth who are working to create peace in their communities.

A HUMAN APPROACH TO WORLD PEACE
Tuesday, May 15, 2001

His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke of the importance of global peace and compassion at an intimate luncheon, which benefited the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association’s efforts to establish a Tibetan Studies and World Peace Center.

The Mystical Arts of Tibet, the Hood River Valley High School Chamber Singers, the NWTCA Dance Troupe and NWTCA Children’s Choir provided entertainment for the guests. Each guest was presented a Khata, a traditional Tibetan prayer scarf that symbolizes a positive note to the start of any enterprise or relationship and is offered with good intentions.

AN EVENING WITH HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA
May 15, 2001

Nobel Peace Prize winner His Holiness the Dalai Lama shared insight on the importance of compassion, peace, and other topics from his book Ethics for the New Millennium with an audience of 9,000 at the Memorial Coliseum. Brenda Braxton emceed the event with introductions by NWTCA President Jigme Topgyal and Senator Mark Hatfield.

The evening began and ended with Tibetan music performed by Sonam Tsering and Sonam Pelmo. Local artists Michael Allen Harris, Aaron Meyer, Taylor Coghill, Phil Baker, Brian Davis, Derek Rieth and Tobias Manthey entertained the audience with "Ocean of Wisdom" a world premier commissioned by Pathways to Peace for the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It was a memorable evening for all who participated. Videotapes are available for purchase from the NWTCA with 50% of the proceeds being donated to the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Please see the "Merchandise" page under Pathways to Peace.

GENERATING A GOOD HEART AND AWAKENING THE MIND
Monday & Tuesday, May 14 & 15, 2001

On May 14th and 15th a sold out audience of 4,000 people gathered at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center to hear His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama offer a teaching on Bodhicitta, the quintessence of the Mahayana path of Buddhist practice. A very attentive and appreciative audience from all faiths absorbed the words of wisdom from one of Buddhism’s foremost teachers.

His Holiness delivered a message about the relationship between cause and effect, between all things and all people. He said, "This is the concept, and you all have the potential to pursue it. It is there for you to seek in the context of your own religious tradition. Seek it".

The Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association is very grateful to the following individuals, foundations and companies for their sponsorship of Pathways to Peace: Festival Major Sponsor - The Leland and Kathleen Larson Legacy; Festival Donors - J.G. Jones Co. and for the NWTCA’s Dance Troupe the Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust. An Evening with His Holiness - The World Affairs Council; Educating the Heart Youth Summit: Presenting Sponsor - W. Glen Boyd Foundation; Special Patrons - James and Nancy Johnson; Patrons - John and Jane Emrick, Al Jubitz, Russell Development Co., Scott Taylor, Junki Yoshida; Benefactors - The Greenbrier Companies, Harry A. Merlo Foundation, Portland General Electric; Contributing – Howard and Manya Shapiro, Peter Hoffman, The Zidell Family Trust, Bob Stoll and Stoll, Stoll, Berne, Lokting & Shlacter.