ORIGINS

The initiative to establish the Dalai Lama Foundation is being led by a core founding group that includes both long-time friends and supporters of the Dalai Lama and also members of the Silicon Valley business community.

The Dalai Lama was appraised of the endeavor in July, 2001, both by letter from the original core group and in person by Professor Jeffrey Hopkins, who has known and worked with the Dalai Lama for over 30 years. A formal response was received shortly afterward, stating that the Dalai Lama, while usually "not keen at all to establish a center, foundation or institute," in this case "welcomes your proposal to set up such a foundation."

The 14th Dalai Lama is that rare public figure who, like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, has transcended his own religious and cultural background to become a moral voice with international stature. His steadfast work spanning a half a century for the cause of non-violence and human development has made him a symbol of integrity and hope for millions of people around the world. Over the years, he has attracted a diverse group of scholars, political leaders, activists, and artists who have joined with him to work on a wide range of projects.

Silicon Valley represents a cultural force of great vitality, which has developed great expertise in finance, technology and communications. People in the valley are used to working collaboratively, thinking big and joining together to undertake projects that can literally change the world.

In the Dalai Lama Foundation these two cultures - so powerfully different -are coming together to give birth to a unique organization.

The long-term vision of the Foundation is to develop a financially-endowed, international foundation, one that plays a significant role by providing both thought leadership and material support for projects of great benefit to humankind and by helping connect the many people and groups working for individual and global transformation.

Especially in these times it is important to do the serious work of understanding and eliminating the root causes of violence. The Dalai Lama Foundation will endeavor to be a new resource to all those working to promote peace and reduce violence, conflict, and human suffering.