Dalai Lama awarded Hofstra prize

This is from the Herald, which I write for. Reprinted with permission. (FYI, I got my master's degree @ Hofstra...)


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The 14th Dalai Lama, Tanzin Gyatso, was recently selected as the first recipient of Hofstra University's international Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize, said Hofstra president Stuart Rabinowitz last week.



The $50,000 prize, which recognizes efforts at interfaith dialogue, will be presented to the Dalai Lama on Nov. 18 in India. A delegation will present the award, including Hofstra officials, the family of Sardar Ishar Singh Bindra -- who established the prize at Hofstra -- and former Indian prime minister I.K. Gujral, a member of the Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize honorary committee. The Dalai Lama has agreed to visit Hofstra in the near future.



[BG's comment: I. Am. So. There.]



"There are few mission as important for a university as the advancement of understanding among all peoples," said Rabinowitz. "Awarding this prize allows us to recognize those who bring together people of all faiths, which now, more than ever, is important for the peace and prosperity of our world. We are pleased to bestow Hofstra's inaugural Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize on a person as worth and renowned as His Holiness the Dalai Lama."



Tashi Wangdi, the Dalai Lama's U.S. representative, accepted the prize last week on behalf of the Dalai Lama during a news conference at Hofstra. "We are very happy that this award has been given to His Holiness in recognition of his many years of promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding," he said.



There were 75 individuals and groups nominated for the first prize, representing interfaithh efforts in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, as well as throughout the United States and Canada.