By turns mirthful, wise and solemn, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama addressed a full-house crowd in Middlebury on Saturday. His remarks — titled “Finding Common Ground: Ethics for a Whole World” — ranged from personal prayer to political beliefs, and hinged on the importance of compassion and mindfulness.

“If you can help other, serve other as much as you can, that’s the proper way to lead meaningful life,” said the Dalai Lama in his halting, deliberate English. 

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet and the recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. Saturday’s midmorning address — which had some ticketholders queueing up well before 6 a.m. for good seats — came after a Friday afternoon talk in which the Dalai Lama addressed the college’s students, faculty and staff. Both events are available to stream online at the Middlebury College website. 

The day’s address kicked off with remarks first from Middlebury College president Ronald D. Liebowitz — but the president’s introduction was interrupted when the Dalai Lama, accompanied by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), appeared on stage midsentence. Led by a contingent of Tibetan Vermonters, the crowd leapt to its feet in the first of at least four standing ovations.  

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Kathryn Flagg was a Seven Days staff writer from 2012 through 2015. She completed a fellowship in environmental journalism at Middlebury College, and her work has also appeared in the Addison County Independent, Wyoming Public Radio and Orion Magazine.

2 replies on “Leahy to Dalai Lama: “Here in Vermont, We Think of You as Our Friend””

  2. Katie, it was great to meet you! Tis is a wonderful write-up!!! I love Steven Brock’s photography, too. The photos capture the joyful ess, and love between the two men.

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