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November 2008 News from |
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Visions of hope through the hearts and Periodically the Dalai Lama Foundation features an organization whose mission is aligned with ours — This month’s organization is Poems for Peace. Poems for Peace is an international poetry exchange that gives youth a means to transcend prejudices, embrace differences and recognize the common thread that unites us all. Cross-cultural connections are established though the sharing of ideas, hopes, fears and dreams, weaving a strong and colorful tapestry of peace. As Poems for Peace founder, Lauri Bunting explains, “the goal is to raise awareness and allow curiosity and empathy to replace prejudice, apathy and fear.” Each poem is posted on the Poems for Peace website, giving each message an infinite capacity to be heard Loosely defined, Poems for Peace describes a poem as any written expression, letter, prayer, story or artwork that conveys a heart-felt message, a personal truth. “It’s through these expressions of the heart that one can see beyond the constructs of the mind,” asserts Bunting. Poems for Peace invites individuals to contemplate the meaning of peace as it pertains to their own lives, their families, their communities, the earth and the world. They are asked to consider the meaning of peace, where it abides, how it is created, how it is destroyed, and as peacemakers, how they can contribute to world peace. According to Bunting, “There is an endemic thirst for peace right now and the opportunity to write peace poems is the cool water so desperately sought.” She adds, “I’ve been deeply touched by how graciously this project has been received.” Contributors include India’s “untouchables,” Tanzania’s AIDS orphans, Israel’s war-battered youth, as well as young peace-makers from Nepal, Jamaica, The United States, and Tibet Autonomous Region of China. In a poignant message from Israel, Muslims and Jews collaborated in art to show a united effort towards peace. Poems for Peace continues to look for ways to extend its reach into the world. Locally, in Ketchum, Idaho where Poems for Peace is based, the focus has been on schools and camps. Looking forward, Poems for Peace hopes to expand into interfaith and refugee communities and also work with special needs youth. Internationally, Poems for Peace will continue to cooperate with schools and youth organizations. According to Bunting, The hidden gift of Poems for Peace has been the extraordinary people that she has met. “I am so grateful for each encounter, which has altered the prism through which I see the world. Whereas I once saw a world of problems, I now see a world of problem solvers.”
To submit a poem or learn more about Poems for Peace, please visit www.poemsforpeace.org. You may also contact Lauri directly at: lauri@poemsforpeace.org. |
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Peace through Art: The Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama, a joint effort between the Committee of 100 for Tibet and The Dalai Lama Foundation, explores the interpretation of art as a vehicle for peace. The project’s aim is to spread the Dalai Lama’s message of peace and the principles he embodies through the work of artists. Darlene Markovich, co-founder and member of the executive committee, accompanied by other board members, including Rebekah Alperin, project director for The Missing Peace: The Dalai Lama Music Project, Los Angeles, took the project’s message to India in May. They attended an event at New Delhi’s famous astronomical observatory, Jantar Mantar, to demonstrate support for Tibet and to commemorate the nonviolent spirit of the Tibetan movement. The Missing Peace members expressed their sympathy for the Tibetan people and offered their full allegiance to the struggle for freedom. They urged the UN to look into the involuntary disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, who is now 19 years old, and to hold China answerable for its actions. The Committee of the Rights of the Child, United Nations had sought permission to visit the boy in 1996, but was turned down by the Chinese government even after 400 celebrities and associations, including 11 Nobel Prize laureates, signed a petition requesting the visit. Former Kalon Tenzin Namgyal Tethong, from the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, briefly addressed the crowd, calling for unity in response to the recent crisis and for the continued nonviolent struggle for liberation. The government's deputy speaker, Dolma Gyari, spoke about the suffering of Tibetans under the authoritarian Chinese regime and the ongoing violence in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Expressing helplessness at the inability to stop the violence, she urged all Tibetans to come together and continue the mass prayer for victims and their families. To close the event, members from the Delhi Chapter of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee presented the guests with traditional silk scarves. The peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar continues and enters its second month, even as we see no respite in Tibet. |
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Holiday Cards
You may purchase “Peace on Earth” holiday cards from the Foundation. You receive a box of 10 cards, tax and shipping included, for $15. To purchase, visit the Foundation website. |
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P.S. The Fall Mailing letter is available online in case you didn't receive it by postal service. Feel free to download and read it. We are very grateful to all of our supporters. | ||
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