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The Gala Event called “World Peace through Compassion” celebrating the Dalai Lama 83rd Birthday was held on July 6, 2018 at the Essex House in NYC. Every year on July 6th since his 80th birthday New Yorkers have come together to celebrate H.H. the Dalai Lama. A Good News Video/Podcast.
There were about 150 people of various backgrounds and religious denominations to lend their support.
Since Tibet has no country nor embassy, a group started to gather on the birthday of H.H. and celebrate his life to convey his most important teaching: “Compassion.” that showed the idea of ‘World Peace through Compassion’ to the nations of the world and to people who are suffering.
There were 5 world prayers for World Peace of different religions. All echoed the same message that the world needs more compassion to find peace. The Dalia Lama’s messages helped them and we able to relate his messages to their beliefs and teachings.
Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, D. Min. is a Buddhist priest, ordained in the 750-year-old Jodoshinshu tradition of Japanese Buddhism. He is a President and Founder of newly established non-profit organization, Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York, Ltd
The Rev. Dr. Dale T. Irvin, an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches, was appointed President of the seminary in 2005.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik is a rabbi and radio show host and was very funny. He currently serves as the executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbi and the senior rabbi at Congregation Mt. Sinai in Brooklyn Heights, New York.
Sahar Alsahlani is an interfaith peace activist, media commentator, public speaker launched the first ever, American-Muslim lifestyle network, Bridge-TV. She leads an active life being an Executive Council Member at Religion for Peace USA, Fellow at Greenfaith, and others. She stated that the Dalai Lama reminded her about her own religion that wants compassion as Dalai Lama advocated.
Ravi Vaidyanaat Sivachariar, a renowned scholar on Agama Shastras and Saiva Siddhanta, is the Executive Director of the Hindu Society of North America, New York, one of the first authentic Temples in North America, established in 1970.
This year’s “World Peace through Compassion” awards was given to Arvol Looking Horse from Sioux Tribe of the Lacota Nation and Eric Ripert from Le Bernadin for their contributions to the World Peace through Compassion.
Arvol was awarded the prestigious Canadian Wolf Award in 1996, given to a person dedicated their life working for peace. Nelson Mandela, the President of South Africa received the award.
Eric Ripert is a French chef, author and television personality specializing in modern French cuisine and noted for his work with seafood.
He leads an active life. For three years, Eric has hosted the Tibetan Aid Project’s Taste & Tribute New York benefit dinner and auction at his Manhattan restaurant, Le Bernardin. “Funds raised at the annual Taste & Tribute benefit dinners help support efforts to restore Tibetan-language texts to libraries all over the Himalayan region. So far, this project has led to the distribution of nearly two million traditional Buddhist texts—one of the largest free book distributions in history.
Eric is the chair of City Harvest’s Food Council, a non-profit organization founded in 1982, is the world’s first and New York City’s only food rescue program. City Harvest exists to end hunger in communities throughout New York City, through food rescue and distribution, education, and other practical, innovative solutions. In this capacity he works to bring together New York’s top chefs, restaurateurs and others in the food community to assist City Harvest in its mission to raise funds and to increase the quantity and quality of food donations.
His first TV show, debuted on PBS stations and ran for two successful seasons, earning two Daytime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Culinary Program (2011) and Outstanding Achievement in Main Title and Graphic Design (2010).
Le Bernardin was one of four New York City restaurants to be awarded the maximum three Michelin stars for excellence in cuisine. Le Bernardin received four stars from the New York Times four consecutive times, making it the only restaurant to maintain that exquisite status for that length of time and never dropping a star in ten years
Also, the Humanitarian Award was given to broadcaster Rita Cosby. Rita is a television news anchor and correspondent, radio host, and best selling author. She is currently a Special Correspondent for the CBS syndicated program Inside Edition, specializing in interviewing news makers and political figures. Cosby has received three Emmy Awards, the Jack Anderson Award for investigative excellence, the Matrix Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the Lech Walesa Freedom Award
She felt that the industry did not focus on the good news nor good people and she wanted to give back.
We enjoyed special performances of Tibetan music and dancers and Red Hawks Native Tribes.
There was the flag ceremony representing over 190 nations that audience wished peace for all nations and their people.
In this troubled world especially with so many thousands of displaced refugees, we need to send out the energy of caring for others and pray for the elimination of suffering. This is so appropriate to do this together on H.H.’s Birthday.”
The event is co-sponsored each year by Gaia Holistic Foundation, The Tibet Fund, and Orphans International Worldwide and endorsed by many NGOs.
Gaia Holistic, Inc. was founded by Dr.Kazuko Tatsumura-Hillyer, Director and Philanthropist, (http://www.gaiaholistic.com). This organization strives for the betterment and the happiness of all sentient beings on this planet, constantly working toward dispelling of suffering through various programs building orphanages throughout the world including Manjushree in Himalayas & others and Holistic Medical therapy called Onnetsu Therapy, using unique patented method.
The Tibet Fund’s mission is to preserve the distinct cultural and national identity of the Tibetan people (www.tibetfund.org). The organization promotes self-reliance and help sustain the cohesiveness of the exile community. In Tibet, their support is directed to orphanages, eye care and other health programs and educational projects that aid impoverished and marginalized Tibetans.
The Mission of Orphans International Worldwide, Inc. (www. OrphansInternational.org) has worked to support orphaned children in Africa, Asia, and the Americas since it’s founding in 1999, including Manjushree Orphanage for Tibetan Children in the Himalayan mountains of India.
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