Amherst: As part of the global Year of Compassion (2025–2026), marking the 90th birth anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a series of impactful events were held in Amherst, Massachusetts, featuring Geshe Thupten Jinpa, renowned Tibetan scholar, author, and principal English translator to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The events brought together students, scholars, and community members to reflect on compassion as a guiding principle in addressing today’s global challenges.
On 22 April 2026, Geshe Thupten Jinpa delivered a public lecture at Johnson Chapel at Amherst College. Titled “Why Compassion Matters in Challenging Times,” the talk drew a full audience and explored compassion not merely as a moral value, but as a practical and necessary framework for navigating a world marked by conflict, climate crisis, and growing inequalities. Organised by the Department of Religion at Amherst College and the Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts (RTAM), the event was also live-streamed on RTAM’s Facebook platform, extending its reach to a global audience.
Coinciding with the public talk was a photo exhibition titled “Oneness of Humanity: Compassion, Responsibility, and Our Shared Future,” held at Frost Library, Amherst college. Organised jointly by the Department of Religion and RTAM, the exhibition honoured the life and legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Featuring 16 curated panels across four key themes—compassion, dialogue, religious harmony, and ethics and education—the exhibition invited viewers to reflect on the deep interconnectedness of humanity. Drawing on the global vision and moral leadership of His Holiness, it emphasised universal human values essential for building a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.
On 23 April, Geshe Jinpa met with faculty members from the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to discuss the integration of His Holiness’s vision of “education of the mind” and warm-heartedness into academic curricula. The meeting included Prof. Ian Barron, Co-Director of the Center for Youth Engagement, and Prof. Michael Krezmien, Director of the Centre for Youth Engagement. They were joined by Dhardon Sharling, Lecturer in the Department of Communication, and Thondup Tsering, Assistant Director for Student Learning in Residential Life. The discussion explored possibilities for embedding compassion-based education within higher education frameworks.
Later on 23 April, RTAM hosted a book talk and discussion on Voice for the Voiceless by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, featuring Geshe Jinpa. The event brought together members of the Tibetan community, including students and staff from Thunme Lekshey Tibetan Language School. The discussion was interactive and reflective, with participants engaging deeply with themes of justice, nonviolence, and the enduring Tibetan struggle. The event was also live-streamed on RTAM’s Facebook page, enabling broader community participation.
Together, these events highlighted the continued relevance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message that compassion should serve as a “working model for the 21st century.” In a time defined by global uncertainty, these engagements in Amherst served as a powerful reminder of the role of compassion, dialogue, and ethical responsibility in shaping a more humane and interconnected world.
The Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts extends its deep gratitude to all partners, participants, and community members who contributed to the success of these events.
(This material is distributed by Office of Tibet on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.)
