His Holiness the Dalai Lama to dedicate interfaith temple

Thousands from around the world will gather Sunday to witness "an interfaith gathering for world peace" as His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso, dedicates a new temple in Bloomington.\nThe Tibetan Cultural Center, 3655 Snoddy Rd., will host the dedication of the Chamste Ling temple, which begins at 10 a.m.\n"I consider it a great honor that (the Dalai Lama) is coming to Bloomington," Mayor John Fernandez said. "It presents a good face for the community as a fairly open, diverse community that welcomes leaders like the Dalai Lama."\nSunday's program will begin with the dedication and a blessing from the spiritual leader. \n"My father wanted it to be specifically dedicated by His Holiness," said Jigme Norbu, son of Thubten Norbu, the Dalai Lama's brother and founder of the cultural center.\nThe construction on the 10,000 square-foot temple, which is located on the cultural center's grounds, began in 2001. It will house religious décor representing a variety of faiths and provide an official residence for the Buddhist leader.\n"There are a lot of Buddhist centers throughout the United States, but this is probably the only interfaith temple," said Kunyang Norbu, Thubten's wife.\nIn the afternoon, celebrity panelists will facilitate a program entitled, "How to Find Peaceful Solutions to Conflicts," with four local youths who won an essay contest under the theme, "Let Peace Begin with Me: I Make a Difference."\nThe panelists include United Nations Messenger of Peace Muhammad Ali and Elaine Mellencamp, supermodel and wife of singer John Mellencamp.\n"Muhammad Ali will give a perspective on the Muslim side," Jigme said. "He's also a great supporter of kids. (Elaine) is a local supporter of youth programs. We want a perspective on a local level."\n"I would be pleased just to be able to attend the event," said Elaine Mellencamp. "For me it's just a great honor. It's a forum for (the children) to discuss and share their views. The future is obviously in the hands of youth. The success rate is so much higher if you teach children to incorporate these ideas early."\nAt the close of the day-long event, the Dalai Lama and Ali will lead a ceremonial tree planting for world peace. \nThe Buddhist leader first visited Bloomington in 1987 to dedicate Jangchub Ling, a monument to Tibetan refugees, visited again in 1996 to lay the cornerstone of the Chamtse Ling and also in 1999 to give the Kalachakra Initiation for a Buddhist ritual held over a 12-day period.\nA 1989 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama was forced into exile with 80,000 followers after the People's Republic of China took military control of Tibet.\n"I find him to be a very fascinating man and an inspirational leader," Fernandez said. "You don't have to be Buddhist to appreciate him."\n"He's obviously excited to come," Jigme said. "He's always excited to see my father."\nJetsun Pema, who will also have a seat on the panel, is the youngest sister of the Dalai Lama and president of the Tibetan Children's Village in India, which serves 20,000 children.\n"His Holiness is coming and my brother is here," said Pema. "I thought it would be nice for me to come here."\nWith over 2,000 tickets already sold, Jigme estimates an even larger walk-up attendance. Tickets will be available at the Tibetan Cultural Center, Sunday. The facility opens at 5:30 a.m. and will include security measures. Vendors will be on-site for meals and refreshments.\n"We're encouraging people to come early," Jigme said. "This is a whole-day event for $75, which just goes to help defer the cost of the event."\n"Bloomington is becoming more and more famous as it becomes more diverse," Jigme said.\nPanelist Mellencamp agrees with Jigme. \n"It sets Bloomington apart from other cities of its size," she said. "A home for peace and harmony in your backyard is such an asset."\n"Hopefully there will be more peace in the world," said Kunyang. "We're doing our part."\n-- Contact staff writer Michelle Perry at meperry@indiana.edu.