September 21, 2006 was the United Nations Day
of Peace, and Woodstock NewYork was fortunate
to have a visit on that day from "a simple monk"
who is one of the leading spokesmen for peace
and understanding in our human world: His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. This DVD chronicles
both his public talk in the town of Woodstock
and an extensive Buddhist teaching and ceremony
at KTD Monastery, the sponsor of the visit.
In his public talk, His Holiness focused on two
main themes. First, he spoke of loving kindness
and compassion as basic human values, values
that are not particularly religious teachings but
rather something fundamental to everything
that we cherish in life. The second theme was
understanding among religious traditions. His
Holiness expressed his respect and appreciation
of all major traditions in today's world, and urged
us to see what is universal among them,
especially the cultivation of loving kindness and
compassion.
The following day,His Holiness gave the initiation
of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, at
KTD to an assemblage of over 500 people. He
prefaced the ceremony with a long and very
erudite Buddhist teaching, touching on essential
points of Dharma, Buddhist history, and logic.
In these two extraordinary talks in less than 24
hours, His Holiness showed us two key facets of
his activity in this world: his work for peace and
reconciliation on a basic human level, and his
qualities as a remarkable Buddhist teacher.
His Holiness The Dalai Lama's Visit to Woodstock: Dedication to World Peace on the United Nations International Day of Peace, DVD, 102 min., $24.95
