The Dalai Lama Is Coming to Boston This Fall [Updated]
Update, July 28: In addition to the event at Citi Wang Theatre, the Dalai Lama will also give a talk, “Educating the Heart and Mind,” at TD Garden on Saturday, November 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m. The event is hosted by the Tibetan Association of Boston. Learn more on Facebook.
Tickets go on sale August 2 at Ticketmaster.
It’s one thing to meditate in yoga class, but to learn about a traditional meditation text from His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself? That’s a rare opportunity—one that Boston residents of all backgrounds, Buddhist or not, will have the chance to take part in this fall.
In October, the Dalai Lama will visit the Citi Wang Theatre to give a traditional Tibetan transmission ceremony of Bodhicitta, “The Awakening Mind,” followed by a guided line-by-line commentary of a popular meditation text called the “Eight Verses of Mind Training.”
“[The ceremony], what they call the “Enlightened Mind,” is basically an energetic transmission of the essence of love and compassion and of warm heart,” explains Pranavayu Yoga director David Magone, who is helping to organize the event sponsored by the Prajna Upadesa Foundation.
Magone points out that—unlike previous occasions when the Dalai Lama has visited Boston, when he has taken part in events like panel discussions—in October he’ll actually be speaking about old-school Dharma teachings. “The event is an opportunity to see the Dalai Lama shining in his true form as an authentic teacher from his tradition,” Magone says.
“The ‘Eight Verses of Mind Training‘ is really interesting because the first seven stanzas essentially talk about practical tips for daily living, and the final line talks about the wisdom nature of reality or the ultimate nature of reality itself,” Magone says.
For example, verse 1 states:
With a determination to achieve the highest aim
For the benefit of all sentient beings
Which surpasses even the wish-fulfilling gem,
May I hold them dear at all times.
The text will be distributed at the October event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a Thursday. Though security will be tight and people are encouraged to stay for the entirety, ticket holders are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the day on Thursday. Capacity is about 3,500, and people of all backgrounds are welcome, says Magone.
“The thing that I’m most excited about is that the text is so incredibly practical. I think that the teachings within the text itself are very universal, and they apply to people of all faiths and backgrounds. So I’m excited that it’s such a practical teaching. They can really have a positive benefit on so many people from so many different walks of life.”
The Dalai Lama event will take place Thursday, October 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Citi Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, 617-482-9393, citicenter.org. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, July 6, at 6 a.m. on ticketmaster.com.
