Richard Gere, Alice Walker to participate in Dalai Lama events at Emory

By Laura Diamond

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Dalai Lama, author Alice Walker and actor Richard Gere will discuss the relationship between spirituality and the arts during a lecture at Emory University, college officials announced Thursday.

The Oct. 19 lecture, "The Creative Journey: Artists in Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Spirituality and Creativity," will tackle several questions, such as how do the arts help people uncover spiritual yearning and questions. The three also will discuss the role of tradition in maintaining or renewing art and spiritual life.

The event is one of several being held during the Dalai Lama's return trip to Emory from Oct. 17 to 19.  As a Presidential Distinguished Professor, the Tibetan spiritual leader will participate in lectures, hold conversations with religious leaders and conduct private teaching sessions. The Nobel Peace Prize winner was last on campus in 2007.

The relationship between Emory and the Dalai Lama goes back several years. Emory has a study abroad program in Dharamsala, India, where the Dalai Lama's exiled government is based. The close ties also led to the creation of the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, which develops science lessons to be infused into the regular curriculum for monks and nuns in monasteries in India.

Emory also has strong ties with Walker. The university acquired the Pulitzer Prize winner's archival papers a couple of years ago.

For program and ticket information to Dalai Lama events, go to www.dalailama.emory.edu.