Dalai Lama lectures Owls: The Tibetan spiritual leader made his first stop ever in Palm Beach County

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Dhondup, sat in a plush chair on a stage. Standing next to him wasn’t another world leader: It was FAU [Florida Atlantic University] Interim President John Pritchett.

As Pritchett read his introduction, His Holiness slid up the sleeve of his robe, glanced at his watch, and tapped his hands on the chair, pretending to be painfully bored with the formal speech

He quietly chuckled as Pritchett finished introducing the world leader, who sat Indian-style in his chair and stressed his love for informalities.

Prior to sitting down, he posed for pictures and hugged monks who approached the stage from within the audience. Dozens of media photographers and hundreds of students snapped shots as the man bowed to the crowd on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

According to FAU officials, the arena was near capacity, with approximately 2,800 of 3,000 seats filled with people waiting to hear the Dalai Lama’s lecture, “Compassion as a Pillar of World Peace.”

He didn’t speak in a typical lecture format, with notes and a podium. The Dalai Lama — described by Pritchett as “a living example of all the good that can be accomplished in this world by one person” — lounged in his chair and looked audience members in the eyes as he spoke.  Read Article

By Elizabeth Whitton