Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, delivered a message Saturday to UC San Diego graduates centered on the power of compassion and the importance of emotional knowledge. The remarks were part of his keynote address at the all-campus commencement ceremony at RIMAC Field in front of a crowd of 25,000 people including the 9,000 graduates and their supporters in the audience.
The Dalai Lama wore a graduation gown, a flower lei and a UC San Diego visor as he emphasized that through loving kindness toward others, the next generation can manifest a more peaceful world. "You have the opportunity to create a better world, a happier world," the Dalai Lama said. "In my own experience, I feel it is important to create happy individuals, happy family, happy community, and a more happy humanity, more peaceful humanity."
The Dalai Lama's commencement address topic was ``The Value of Education, Ethics and Compassion for the Well-Being of Self and Others.'' He received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks. The 81-year-old Dalai Lama's San Diego appearance was the first in a planned U.S. tour. He also visited UC San Diego five years ago when he spoke at the University of San Diego and San Diego State University.
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