Emory receives $1M grant for Tibet effort
A trust founded by the Dalai Lama has awarded $1 million to support the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative at Emory University.
University officials announced the grant this week, saying it will help support an ongoing partnership focused on incorporating modern science into the monastic education of Tibetan monks and nuns. Each summer, Emory science faculty travel to India to offer intensive course work as part of a broad effort to establish a science curriculum for all Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
The science project was launched in 2007 at the Dalai Lama’s request. Last year, a group of six monks completed an intensive three-year program at Emory focused on science instruction. Those monks have returned to India where they will be leading efforts to teach science at three major monastic universities.
Jesus’ “Crown of Thorns” shown at Notre Dame
An ancient relic that many Christians revere as Jesus Christ’s “Crown of Thorns” has made a special public appearance at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The crown — a circular band of branches encased in a gilded, golden tube — is being displayed for three days to mark the 800th anniversary of the birthday and christening of King Louis IX of France, who acquired it in 1239.
The relic was first mentioned by Jerusalem pilgrims in the 5th century and was transferred to Constantinople in the 10th century.
The artifact has appeared in special ceremonies a handful of times in the last hundred years: in 1997, and in 1939 on the eve of World War II, to celebrate seven centuries since it came to France.
