Peace, love and understanding are only a portion of what UB's distinguished guest speaker will address in September, and the speaker isn't Elvis Costello.
From Sept. 18-20, UB will welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, the spiritual head of Tibet. This event is solidifying world history as His Holiness, recipient of a 1989 Noble Peace Prize, is the only Dalai Lama to ever travel into the West. Being such a monumental occasion, there is ample preparation planned for the public.
In order to help educate Buffalo about the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Buddhism, the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center in Buffalo is linking a film festival to the visit. The Tibet-in-Buffalo film festival, starting on March 9, will take place every Thursday through April 27 (except for March 16), and will feature a special introduction by a film expert for each showing. This event is designed to showcase the history of the Dalai Lama to increase awareness before the visit.
Launching the festival is the feature film "Kundun" (1997), directed by five-time Academy Award nominee, Martin Scorsese. "Kundun," which means "The Presence," accurately identifies the reincarnated Dalai Lama at the age of two in 1937.
"Kundun" follows His Holiness from his enthroning at the age of five, through his adulthood. The film highlights his struggle to rule Tibet despite living in exile in India. Throughout "Kundun," His Holiness, an advocate of peaceful conflict resolution, has continuous visions of his peoples' slaughter.
Upon the release of "Kundun" there was outcry all over the world caused by the film's powerful message. This is all the more reason that the Tibet-in-Buffalo Film Festival should prove to be quite an attention-getter. "Kundun" is considered the best-known film version of His Holiness's life, which could place it nearer to a feature documentary rather than a feature film. "Kundun" was actually filmed in Morocco due to Tibet's difficult political status.
Another noteworthy film being shown at the festival is "Mirage in New York," directed by Tashi Wangchuk. Wangchuk is a Tibetan filmmaker that is showing great promise. He is also a 2005 UB graduate who received a Master's degree in media study. "Mirage in New York" is an important film for the Tibet-in-Buffalo Film Festival in conjunction to the Dalai Lama's UB visit.
If nearly two months of weekly films isn't enough to satiate the thirst to learn about His Holiness, then UB is also offering classes. Spring and fall 2006 classes are available to graduates and undergraduates in a number of different forms.
His Holiness travels extensively, seeking advancement in peace, human rights, and religious understanding. He has written a number of books, and has had many more written about his life.
Admission to a showing of Tibet-in-Buffalo Film Festival is conveniently low-priced, at $2.50 for students and $5 otherwise. There is also a Web site available for those who would like to volunteer to prepare for His Holiness at www.buffalo.edu/dalai_lama.html
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
