And you thought Clinton was big.
It seems that for the past several months, talk of His Holiness has consumed both the faculty and student communities at UB as well as the greater Western New York region. The Dalai Lama -- leader-in-exile of Tibet, Nobel Peace Prize winner, author, teacher and soon-to-be recipient of a State University of New York honorary doctorate - speaks on peace across borders to record crowds this week as part of his three-day stay, marking a historic milestone in university history.
"The message, especially in these troubled times, of peace and harmony resonates well," said Stephen Dunnett, Vice Provost For International Education. "The Dalai Lama abhors any kind of violence. In his mind, the only thing that can come from violence is peace."
Bringing His Holiness to UB
So how did it happen that His Holiness, who normally visits even the most prestigious schools for mere hour-long dissertations, decided on a three-day stay at UB?
Dunnett said while many factors came into play, the large population of international students at UB and the Dalai Lama's familiarity with the university's international strides greatly contributed to the extended visit.
"It is very unusual for (His Holiness) to spend more than an hour at any school," he said, "but he wanted to accomplish a lot - the interfaith service, holding an audience for Chinese students, a law school conference on Buddhist law. It's very big compliment to UB that he's going to spend three days here."
The reason for the Dalai Lama's enthusiasm about speaking to Chinese students specifically, Dunnett said, was that while unable to speak the language, His Holiness likes to come and speak to English-speaking Chinese students in America.
"(His Holiness) is well aware that we're a highly internationalized campus," Dunnett said. "Seventy percent of the international students here are from Asia. We also take very good care of (his) citizens, the Tibetan students who are here."
While the mission to bring the Dalai Lama to UB began nearly seven years ago, things really picked up when the first Tibetan students came to UB.
"Four to five years ago, the first Tibetan students to Buffalo came under the Fulbright Scholarship program," he said. "One of those students used to work in the Dalai Lama's governmental office in Tibet. He wasn't that close to the Dalai Lama, but he certainly had proximity. He introduced us to their representative office in New York City."
Former UB President William R. Greiner then sent out an invitation to the Dalai Lama, where according to Dunnett, "it went into the pot with all the other universities. It wasn't declined, which was good, but it wasn't accepted."
In May of 2004, the Tibet office in New York City arranged an audience between the Dalai Lama and Dunnett while His Holiness was visiting the University of Toronto in what the professor described as a "life-changing experience. "
"He's like the book describes him, 'A Simple Monk'," Dunnett said. "He was not at all what I expected -- very gentle, very warm, very friendly. He has no pretensions, and was very charismatic. He radiates something I cannot quite explain."
"He asked me if UB is like Cornell. I explained that (Cornell) is a private institution, with different kind of students. He liked the idea that these are university students."
Within a month after the meeting, a visit was confirmed for a mere two years down the road.
Since that announcement, the impact of His Holiness' planned visit has been far-reaching, according to Dunnett. Because the goings-on of the Dalai Lama make front-page news in Asia in the same way that an announcement of the Pope's arrival might make top headline in the U.S., many Asian citizens began to take note of UB as a very respectable institution.
"When it was announced that the Dalai Lama was coming to UB, we immediately started getting emails and a lot of hits to our Web site from students in Asia saying that they're thrilled. It raised our prestige."
Dunnett said, however, that the enthusiasm is not limited to one faction of the university. Because Buddhism and the Dalai Lama's teaching are so embracing of all religions and nationalities, the response by UB students has been tremendous.
"The hundreds of students who volunteered for the events, the student response in peace flag making, the strong impact on UB Reads, the overwhelming demand for tickets, it was all very impressive."
Preparing for the Dalai Lama's arrival
When asked what it's like to set up for such a massive event as the coming of the Dalai Lama, CFA Production Director Bryan Sidorowicz can only breathlessly describe the past week as "insane."
The production director at the Center for the Arts, Sedonowitz oversees the technical side of most large events, and according to him the coming of the Dalai Lama is a landmark achievement.
"This is the biggest thing that the university has done and probably will ever do," he said. "It is exciting to be apart of it. Nearly every part of the university has a vested interest in the event."
According to Sidorowicz, 500,000 watts of power, 60 speakers, four large screens and at least forty volunteers are required in the UB Stadium alone in preparation for His Holiness' formal address on Tuesday afternoon.
"We started setting up (the auditorium) at the beginning of the week," Sidorowicz said. "Normally, concerts or any other productions would be set up the morning of."
In line with the coming speaker's focus on peace and understanding, Sidorowicz also said that there has been impressive teamwork amongst the crew.
"It's surprising how much has gone well because everyone is cooperating and has a vested interest in it," he said. "It is an amazing effort for someone who is ultimately just talking, but (the Dalai Lama) is unique in that he appeals to nearly everyone."
Volunteer numbers reach nearly 500 in total according to Katharine Trapanovski, who plays a large role in the volunteer organization.
"It's definitely one of the biggest things that UB has taken on, and one of the biggest things I have personally been apart of, but I love it and thrive on it," she said.
Planning for the event started a year ago in June, with plans being brought to fruition over the past week.
"This is the calm before the storm. We've gotten good at prepping people before Tuesday," Sidorowicz said.
From an administrative standpoint, Dunnett sees the event as the storm before the calm.
"The last few months were difficult, and last few days will be tough," he said. "Then he'll step off the plane, and everything will be calm and peaceful. If you're a Buddhist you would say it's already decided, so there's no need to worry about it."
Student involvement
Welcoming the Dalai Lama will be thousands of peace flags strung around the UB Stadium as well as the Student Union, the CFA atrium, Alumni Arena and residence halls dining areas. Student Affairs coordinated the effort, and the flags were made by thousands of UB student and faculty volunteers throughout this past week.
According to Kunchok Youdon, president of the Tibetan Graduate Student Association, she and other members of the Tibetan GSA will be greeting His Holiness as he steps from his plane onto Buffalo soil.
"We will receive him at the airport in the very traditional Tibetan manner," she said. "You present to anyone with good intentions items such as the Tsampa (a traditional Tibetan food), a small bottle of wine and the Khatak, a white scarf."
The Tibetan GSA will also be hosting a booth outside the CFA offering information about the culture and history of the Dalai Lama's native land.
Currently there are ten Tibetan students at UB -- two undergrads and eight graduate students. The Tibetan club currently has around 50 members, including undergraduates, graduate students and non-students.
Youdon said that the coming of the Dalai Lama will also present a good opportunity for Buffalo and the university to come together despite location separation.
"There's a separation between the city and school, and this gives the opportunity for them to come together," she said. "The people who have put effort into this will make something historical, which will also serve as a model for other schools."
As she has witnessed firsthand the Dalai Lama's teaching since childhood, Youdon also said that the message for the future generation applies to all denominations and cultures.
"Some people believe that (the Dalai Lama) is only coming for Buddhist students, but that's not true," she said. "He stresses that education is important, that the future leaders of the world are in such schools, and they must have a compassionate heart to find a way that is peaceful."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
