STRETCH GOAL -- $125,000!
We are so very happy we made our initial goal, but we have so much more to do. Help us reach and record for prosperity great leaders of peace around the world for the Living History experience. We recently met with the revered South African social activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu -- see his comments below:
The Dalai Lama Foundation is thrilled to develop the Living History of the Dalai Lama -- the world's first and only comprehensive online interactive history highlighting the Dalai Lama's lifelong journey to advance the cause of world peace.
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**** SPECIAL OFFER **** TICKETS TO SEE THE DALAI LAMA IN 2015 !
All contributors making donations between now and the end of the campaign on Wednesday, December 3, will be automatically entered in a random drawing to win two tickets to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his tour of the United States in 2015. Travel and accommodations are not included, and the date and location of the event will be determined after the Dalai Lama releases his 2015 itinerary. See our Updates for more details.
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The Dalai Lama is one of the most recognizable leaders and advocates for world peace. Among his many honors and awards, 25 years ago, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. His commitment to selfless contribution in support of peaceful coexistence is an inspiration to millions of people around the world. And now, the Living History project will bring the words and actions of this extraordinary man to future generations.
This project, and the efforts of the Dalai Lama Foundation, which the Dalai Lama has endorsed, promise to put into action many of the ideas for peace supported by His Holiness.
“I welcome all those who will join us…in our efforts to advance the cause of genuine peace in the world.”
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
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The Living History will include:
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A website portal that brings the experience of the Dalai Lama directly to you, whereever you are located.
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A chronological presentation of the major events in the Dalai Lama's extraordinary life.
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An interactive map showing the many places around the world that the Dalai Lama has visited and spread his message of peace.
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A searchable data base of rarely seen videos and photos of the Dalai Lama, as well as his speeches, talks and writings.
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Success stories of people, groups and organizations that were inspired by the Dalai Lama.
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A community where users can share stories, as well as post photos and videos through their social media.
As His Holiness approaches his 80th birthday, we know that now is the time to create the Living History.
Tenzin Tethong, former Prime Minister to the Central Tibetan Administration
Thupten Jinpa, principal English translator to the Dalai Lama
Paul Blackthorne, television and screen actor
Your Generosity Makes the Difference.
We cannot accomplish our goal of creating the Living History of the Dalai Lama without your support. Please join the many friends of the Dalai Lama and contribute generously.
Gingger Shankar, Grammy nominated musician
Peter Coyote, screen actor and Buddhist scholar
The money raised in this campaign will be used to create the Living History. If we raise amounts over our goal, we will enhance the interactive content, and produce an even more exciting and complete experience. In the event that we are fortunate to raise more than we can use for the Living History, we can start to advance several other goals, including our Incubator for Peace: a program for social entrepreneurs to collaborate and further their organizations' advocacy of peace.
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Our Heartfelt Thanks
Your support is so meaningful. To thank you, we are offering a variety of gifts that we hope that you will enjoy. All of our gifts are available in an unlimited quantity unless specified as a limited edition. Many of these gifts are exclusive for this campaign and cannot be found anywhere else. For example:
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$25 Perk -- Peace Quote by the Dalai Lama
Here is a sample image of this fantastic digital postcard that includes an inspirational quote for a peaceful, inspirational life!
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$50 Perk -- Selection of 14 Mobile Wallpapers
Have a selection of mobile digital Wallpapers at your fingertips! Choose among your selection of 14 Wallpapers that are available for iPhone and Android mobile devices.
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$75 Perk -- Valentine Popov Print
For a donation of $75, you can receive this fantastic color print of His Holiness the Dalai Lama created by artist Valentine Popov. Unframed, this print is 11" x 16". There is a limit of 175 pieces.
$85 Perk -- Custom USB Drive
A beautiful wooden 8GB USB drive, laser engraved with a quote by His Holiness the Dalai Lama: "Work for Peace"
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$100 Perk -- Olivier Adam Limited Edition
You can receive a 12" x 18" limited edition print of His Holiness the Dalai Lama conducting some ritual prayers as he prepares to give the 33rd Kalachakra Empowerment in Leh, Ladakh this past July, 2014. This is a pigment print of museum quality on Hahnemulhe Fine Art Pearl paper, hand printed by the fantastic photographer, Olivier Adam. There are only 10 copies of these amazing signed and numbered prints available.
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$108 Perk -- Shambhala Sun Digital Subscription
Get a year's digital subscription to the Shambhala Sun, beginning in January 2015. The Shambhala Sun is the world's leading Buddhist magazine, bringing a contemplative view to all the important issues in life.
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$150 Perk -- Dalai Lama Notecards
$150 Perk -- Original Meditation and Relaxation Music
Download an original album of music for meditation and relaxation. This unique perk features music selections from Grammy nominated artists Nawang Khechog and Ried Kapo Ku, world-renowned cellist Michael Fitzpatrick, and Oscar nominated artist, Gingger Shankar. It's a wonderful compilation!!
$200 Perk -- Olivier Adam "Offering" Print
This is a wonderful limited edition print by the talented and generous Olivier Adam. It's known as "Offering", and shows an offering of light and flowers in the sacred place of Mahabodhi Temple for the last day of Kalachakra Initiation given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2003 in Bodhgaya. This is a 12" x 18" pigment print of museum quality on Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl paper, hand printed. There are only 10 copies of these amazing signed and numbered prints available.
$200 Perk -- Your Name on a Prayer Flag
This perk will fly your name high on a prayer flag in Dharamsala, India, home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
$350 Perk -- Anderson Water Color
Here is a fantastic original water color painting of a seated Buddha by the celebrated artist David Kimball Anderson. It measures 10" x 11". The one shown here is pink, but each one is a little different, appearing in different colors.
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$500 Perk -- Garry Bailey Dalai Lama PrintEnjoy this water color pencil digitally enhanced print of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by renowned artist, Garry Bailey. Unframed on watercolor paper mounted on a 16" x 20" matte.
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$1000 Perk -- Me&Ro Silver Tibetan Mirror Pendant Created exclusively for this campaign by Me&Ro, "3 Tibetan Mirror", a unisex pendant in silver, 1" diameter, on an 18" chain. The mirror represents consciousness and the element for space. Whatever appearances arise as reflections, be they beautiful or ugly, inherently good or evil, the mirror passes no judgment on them. In the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Yama, the Lord of Death, holds up a mirror of karma in which all one's deeds are reflected. The mirror of karma represents the clarity of seeing all of one's actions in the nakedness of pure humility.
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$1000 Perk -- Two Tickets to Wisdom 2.0 Conference
You and a friend can be part of the next Wisdom 2.0 Conference in San Francisco on March 1, 2015. Wisdom 2.0 addresses the great challenge of our age: to not only live connected to one another through technology, but to do so in ways that are beneficial to our own well-being, effective in our work, and useful to the world. General admission tickets only; travel and accommodations are not included.
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$1000 Perk -- High Plateau Tibet Photo, by Lisa Kristine
"High Plateau Himilayas", is a 16" x 20" photograph of Tibet by Lisa Kristine, the Lucie Humanitarian Photographer of the Year, 2013. Framed size is 21" x 25" (shipped unframed outside of the continental United States).
From Lisa: "For centuries, the Buddhist Kingdom of Tibet has been land-locked by the mountainous mass of the Himalayas. While moving through such landscape one morning, I saw a woman walking to her fields. What struck me was the dancing, ever changing light on the colossal land mass along with the golden glow of river. I also noticed the joyous expression on the farmer's face.
On the rooftop of the world, in a country so vast, the remoteness and climatic extremes pose unique challenges for the farmers, or Rongpa, who call it home.
Here is a rare place where one can walk for days on end, witnessing the ancient and sophisticated culture without having the experience marred by the dross of modern civilization."
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$2500 Perk -- 10k Gold Me&Ro Tibetan Mirror Pendant with Diamonds
For a donation of $2500, you can have this stunningly beautiful Me&Ro 10k gold Tibetan Mirror pendant with diamonds that was created exclusively for the Living History campaign. The pendant is 5/8" in diameter, on an 18" gold chain.
The mirror represents consciousness and the element of space. Whatever reflects in the mirror, whether beautiful or ugly, good or evil, the mirror passes no judgment. This a really special pendant that you will cherish.
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$5000 Perk -- David Kimball Anderson Buddha Mound
For a donation of $5000, you'll receive a remarkably beautiful bronze sculpture from the celebrated artist, David Kimball Anderson. These sculptures are known as "Buddha Mounds", and are approximately 8.5" x 8" each. Each sculpture is unique, coming in a different bronze patina of blues, greens, grey and black.
$10,000 Perk -- Tahitian Pearls
Single opera length strand of 10-11mm circle pearls from Tahiti. The strand features 108 dark Tahitian black/green color pearls of exceptional lustre. The pearls have a very slightly marked circle skin. Only one available, and comes with a jewelry valuation certificate appraisal.
Also - you will join the Founders Circle of the Living History project, and your name will be listed in the credits of the Living History Program.
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$10,000 Perk -- The Erudio Project in South AfricaFor a donation of $10,000, you and a friend can join the Dalai Lama Foundation's partner in South Africa, the Erudio Project, to expand their Technology for Peace program. This program works in remote villages in underserved communities to provide much needed technology and education to expand the world view of local children. Join the team as they set up a new computer lab, then work with the tribal children and educators to teach basic computer skills and help launch the kids into the computer curriculum.
Additionally, you will get to work with the local community to see other programs that have been developed, including sustainable farming, HIV/AIDS education, the after-school soccer program and more. Accommodations and meals will be provided as will transportation from Capetown to Richmond. Travel to Capetown is not included.
Also - you will join the Founders Circle of the Living History project, and your name will be listed in the credits of the Living History Program.
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$15,000 Perk -- Trip to Dharamsala, India
You and a guest will join a key member of the Dalai Lama Foundation for five days in Dharamsala/McLeod Gang -- home to the Tibetan Government in Exile, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Stay at the beautiful Chonor House, which is located adjacent to the Dalai Lama's temple, or Norlinga House, which is located in the beautiful park ground of the Norbulingka Institute. Here you will have a guided tour of the Institute created to continue the traditions of Tibetan artists. You will have the option of taking a workshop in either wood painting, wood carving, or thangka painting. You will visit the Domaling Nunnery, the first nunnery ever to offer a full Buddhist curriculum for nuns. Then, head up to listen to the chanting monks of Gyuto Monastery, the temporary residence of His Holiness, the XVIth Karmapa. Afterwards, you will explore the ancient empire of Kangra. This day long visit will include a visit to Vahreshwari (which is one of the more revered temples in India), and also Kangra Fort, which is believed to be the most ancient fort in all of India. Of course, no trip to Dharamsala would be complete without a visit to Tibetan Children's village and the Main Tibetan Temple located near His Holiness' residence.
Also - you will join the Founders Circle of the Living History project, and your name will be listed in the credits of the Living History Program.
Travel to and from Dharamsala is not included.
About the Dalai Lama Foundation
“May this natural wish be my small contribution to world peace. I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet.”
The mission of the Dalai Lama Foundation is to support the development of our shared global capacity for ethics and peace, based on a non-dogmatic ethic of compassion.
The Foundation has been established with the Dalai Lama’s endorsement and advice. As stated by the Dalai Lama,
“I am happy to endorse and lend my name to this effort because it promises to try to put into action many of the ideas for peace that I support.”
The Dalai Lama Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of California in the USA. Tax ID 680492149.
Special Thanks
We want to extend our special appreciation to those artists and friends that helped put this campaign together and who generously shared their images and time in this effort: Olivier Adam, Don Farber, Michael Collopy, and Marcus Oleniuk. Also thanks to Nawang Khechog for the use of his music.
