After receiving an honorary degree from the University of Pisa on September 21, the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, said he is just one of us.
“I am one of you, a human being like the other 7 billion humans, who try to make a small contribution to building a better world,” said Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.
The University of Pisa presented His Holiness a degree in clinical psychology for his work in the science of the mind. Dean of the University Paolo Mancarella explained that the Dalai Lama received this honor as a significant contributor to all disciplinary areas of psychology.
In his keynote speech, the Dalai Lama thanked the University for his degree, which he said was a representation of his efforts to build a bridge between contemplative sciences of ancient India and modern psychology.
He stated that contemplative techniques, such as meditation, can be used to treat diseases, such as depression, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.
The Dalia Lama, a major religious figure, stated that at their core religions are all the same: they each contain messages of peace and humanity. (deanna carbone)
To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.
To read what the Dalai Lama said at the Mandela Forum on September 19, including a video and photos of actor Richard Gere in attendance, see the following Firenze Repubblica link.
