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Dalai Lama brings in cash

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by Bridget Roby

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Nearly $500,000 will be donated to education, health and art programs around the world as a result of the Dalai Lama's stay in Madison last week.

All of the funds raised from his holiness' visit were given to the Deer Park Buddhist Center, which coordinated his trip to Madison, and the organization plans to donate all funds that remain after bills are paid.

"We don't do anything for profit in Buddhism," said Penny Paster of the Deer Park Buddhist. "We wanted to bring the Dalai Lama so people in Madison could hear his message of global responsibility, peace, altruism and loving kindness."

According to Paster, Deer Park is still waiting for some bills to arrive, but they estimate the remainder to be close to $500,000. Paster said the organization feels lucky to have the opportunity to donate the money.

"One of the principles of Buddhism is the concept of generosity," Paster said. "When you have the opportunity as a person to be generous, it really benefits you as much as the people or institutions that you are donating to."

Because the Dalai Lama does not charge anything for his visits, the only costs for the Deer Park Buddhist Center were those of a typical event, such as renting the venue, transportation and general program managing.

Paster said the Dalai Lama has traveled to Madison six or seven times since 1979, five of which were visits to the University of Wisconsin. She said his visit this trip went remarkably well.

"We felt exceptionally happy about his visit," Paster said. "We're very, very fortunate that he comes."

According to Mike Hanson, public information officer for the Madison Police Department, there were no security issues as a result of his visit that the MPD dealt with directly, although it was the Dane County Sheriff's office that handled most of the safety measures. The sheriff's office did not return calls as of press time.

The Dalai Lama plans to return to Madison once again in mid-July 2008 to give a blessing to the temple of Deer Park. During his stay here, there will also be a ceremony for his long life, said Paster, for which Tibetans from all over North America will travel to Madison. Paster estimates up to 8,000 Tibetans will be present.

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