WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Support local, independent journalism on WWNO with your Member Fest gift now! Click the donate button or Call 844-790-1094.

Dalai Lama Brings Timely Message To New Orleans

Thomas Walsh
/
WWNO

The Dalai Lama has wrapped up his first visit to New Orleans. He brought a message of peace and compassion.

His two-day visit brought thousands of people to hear his message of resilience.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu introduced him at the first of two public forums.

“His holiness’ visit could not come at a time that is more appropriate for this blessed city," Landrieu said. "We in New Orleans are in need of his message of peace and reconciliation. It has been a very trying and difficult week for us all.”   

The Dalai Lama had an interpreter standing at his right to help the Nobel Prize winner get just the right words.

He says ending violence throughout the world must be made by all communities, working with one humanitarian goal.

“Global warming, ecology problem, global economy — these are really telling us you must act as a human, one humanity,” the Dalai Lama said.

He  told an audience at the University of New Orleans that problems can only be solved by actions — not just words.

The atmosphere lifted to a much lighter tone when he spoke at Tulane’s commencement. 

He was given a sample of a New Orleans celebration with a lesson in holding a parasol for a second-line.  

He eventually got the hang of it.

The Dalai Lama is making some appearances in Kentucky this week before heading back to India, where he lives in exile from his native Tibet.

This news content made possible with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Eileen is a news reporter and producer for WWNO. She researches, reports and produces the local daily news items. Eileen relocated to New Orleans in 2008 after working as a writer and producer with the Associated Press in Washington, D.C. for seven years.