‘Please, Think Humanity': Dalai Lama at UC San Diego 2017 Commencement
“You have the opportunity and also responsibility to create a better world,” Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, told new graduates at the University of California San Diego on Saturday
By Monica Garske ••
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, delivered the keynote address at the all-campus commencement ceremony at UC San Diego on June 17, 2017.
The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, delivered the keynote address at the 2017 commencement ceremony at the University of California San Diego on Saturday, urging new graduates to keep humanity top of mind as they carry into the future.
“These people are the future of our humanity,” he said, addressing students and spectators gathered at the all-campus commencement ceremony at RIMAC Field.
“You have the opportunity and also responsibility to create a better world,” the Dalai Lama told the new graduates. “Please, think humanity.”
Dressed in a graduation gown and colorful purple flower lei, the Dalai Lama started the address by taking off his graduation cap and, instead, putting on a blue visor emblazoned with the “UC San Diego” logo.
“I prefer this hat,” he said, as the crowd laughed.
In his 22-minute speech, the Dalai Lama went on to talk about the importance of finding “inner peace” and happiness in life. He told graduates that, while education is important, their knowledge should be used to better the world in peaceful ways.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, delivered the keynote address at the 2017 commencement ceremony at the University of California San Diego on Saturday. In this portion of his speech, he talked about finding inner peace, and how to be happy. “This knowledge should not be solved through the creation of problems,” he said. “This knowledge now should be resourced...
“This knowledge should not be [the] source of [the] creation of problems,” he said. “This knowledge now should be the source of peace; peace in oneself as a peaceful, happy individual. Warm-heartedness is very, very essential.”
The Dalai Lama told graduates that, as they begin their journey into adulthood, they should focus on living with “determination, will power and optimism.”
But, he said, it won’t be easy.
“Now you begin to enter the life. You start work; [it’s] not easy,” he said. “Because of a complicated society, life will not be easy.”
The Dalai Lama said those who focus on living with “warm-heartedness” would develop self-confidence.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, delivered the keynote address at the 2017 commencement ceremony at the University of California San Diego on Saturday. In this portion of his speech, he talked about the importance of “determination, will power and optimism,” as graduates begin their adult lives. He said if you live with “warm-heartedness” you will develop self-confidence.
“So, the determination will power, optimism is very essential. These things are important. According to my experience, these things become very, very helpful,” he said.
Saturday marked the second day of speeches for the Dalai Lama in San Diego.
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Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, holds a press conference at UC San Diego on June 16, 2017.
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The Dorado Family from San Diego attends the Dalai Lama's public address, sharing the experience with their children.
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John Gavaras and Dennis Doyle attend the Dalai Lama's event at UC San Diego. "We're here to see the Dalai Lama and be inspired," they told NBC 7. "Peace, love, and happiness."
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Savannah Ivy, Carly Newsome, and Devon Newsome heard the Dalai Lama speak at UC San Diego on Friday. They said they were there because they're alumni of UCSD.
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A monk attends the Dalai Lama's public address on June 16, 2017, in San Diego.
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UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla speaks with the media before the Dalai Lama takes the stage on June 16, 2017.
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UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla speaks with the media before the Dalai Lama takes the stage on June 16, 2017.
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Television correspondent Ann Curry moderates the Dalai Lama's press conference at UC San Diego on June 16, 2017.
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Television correspondent Ann Curry moderates the Dalai Lama's press conference at UC San Diego on June 16, 2017.
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Ann Curry moderates the event.
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Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, at UC San Diego on June 16, 2017.
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Ann Curry shares a moment with the Dalai Lama at UC San Diego.
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Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
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Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama delivers a public address at UC San Diego on June 16, 2017.
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LED screens allowed the large crowd gathered at RIMAC Field at UC San Diego to see every second of the Dalai Lama's address.
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San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer addresses the crowd at the Dalai Lama's events at UC San Diego on June 16, 2017.
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The event drew a large crowd to UC San Diego.
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Mayor Kevin Faulconer presents a key to the City of San Diego to the Dalai Lama.
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The crowd listens to the Dalai Lama speak at UC San Diego on June 16, 2017.
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Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at his public address at UC San Diego.
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The crowd listens.
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The Dalai Lama talked about happiness and its importance in life.
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The Dalai Lama's speech, titled "Embracing the Beauty of Diversity in Our World," focused on love and kindness among humanity.
UC San Diego
The Dalai Lama returns to UC San Diego on June 17, 2017, to deliver the keynote address at the all-campus commencement. He told new graduates that they are the "future of humanity."
On Friday, he delivered a public address, also at UC San Diego, in which he talked about spreading love and kindness, and the plight the world faces today due to what he referred to as “man-made problems.”
For a look at the Dalai Lama’s public address, scroll through our photo essay here.
Dalai Lama spoke at UC San Diego Friday, touching on several topics, including happiness. "Everyone wants a happy life -- and that's alright," he said. "[The] very purpose of our life is for happiness," he added.
