Results tagged “dalailama”

The Dalai Lama was in Albany today and gave a prayer before the State Senate's session today. PolitickerNY reports that His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, "Compassion will guide more of our activities in way that they become constructive. Compassion will bring us in step with more confidence, and inner peace of mind. That's extremely useful for our character."

In 1994, Eric Ripert became the executive chef of Le Bernardin after chef-owner Gilbert Le Coze died of a sudden heart attack. The following year, Ripert was only 29 years old when the restaurant was re-reviewed and kept its four-star rating from the New York Times. Le Bernardin has had a total of four four-star New York Times reviews since its New York opening in 1986, and has consistently been awarded a top rating of three Michelin stars since guide inspectors first set up shop here in 2005.

The Dalai Lama's brother, Thubten J. Norbu, died at the age of 86 on Friday in Bloomington, Indiana. The NY Times reports that he was regarded as a reincarnated saint, and had helped the CIA in covert guerrilla warfare supporting Tibetan resistance fighters. Robert Barnett, of Columbia University, said Norbu's death is "important beyond just signaling the passing of a generation of the Tibetan leadership. Tibetans, particularly exiles, generally support Mr. Norbu's hard-line approach." Here in New York, Norbu was the curator of Tibetan artifacts at the American Museum of Natural History from 1961 to 1965. Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama himself was just released from the hospital in Mumbai after having abdomen pain earlier this month.

Professor, author and activist Robert Thurman is widely regarded as the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism, having been a major force in the widespread introduction of Tibetan culture and religion to the west. In 1962, Thurman became the first American ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, but after a few years he shifted from strict monasticism to the more conventional lifestyle of an academic. Though currently on sabbatical to write another book, Thurman remains a beloved professor in the Religion Department of Columbia University. At the behest of the Dalai Lama, Thurman co-founded Tibet House with composer Philip Glass and others; this year’s annual Carnegie Hall benefit for the organization takes place next Wednesday, February 13th. The lineup thus far includes performances by Glass, Ray Davies, Phamie Gow, Nawang Khechog, Ashley MacIsaac, Marisa Monte, Sufjan Stevens & Tom Verlaine.

A look at some of this week's noteworthy television:

Yet another culinary transfer point has been added to the many ethnic eateries radiating outwards from the 74 Street/Broadway subway stop in Jackson Heights: Shangrila Express. Yesterday when Gothamist learned that the city's first and only Tibetan food cart had opened near the renowned Sammy’s Halal we couldn’t wait to try it. We approached the cart next to Sammy’s and ordered some momos only to be told they only serve chicken over rice. Upon...

The Dalai Lama has arrived in New York, speaking in his native Tibetan language for two hours yesterday to followers, fans and the faithful at the Javits Convention Center. Newsday reports:

He delivered his entire speech without notes, pausing to take a sip of tea only at the end as tears of joy flowed through the crowd. [He stated:] "The Tibetan cause is a cause of justice, and that's something that cannot fade away. That is the nature of truth _ that it cannot die with time and with the change of generations."

Next week the Dalai Lama will visit Washington to receive the Congressional Gold Medal (formerly received by Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela) from President Bush. In the past he has visited the White House as a religious leader, now (at least in the eyes of Chinese President Hu Jintao) he may be recognized more as a political leader. Before heading to DC, however, he will be at Radio City for three days of teachings, which began today -- more details can be found at his New York site. He will end his visit with a public talk on Sunday, more details for that are here.

The Cablevision Dolans are planning to sink their claws into another Manhattan space: The Beacon Theatre. A long-term lease has been negotiated between the theater's owner and MSG Entertainment - one that has MSG paying much more than the current tenant, which may mean the Beacon's ticket prices would go up even more.

Ever since the Apple store on Fifth Avenue opened its glass doors to the public we knew that eventually somebody was going to throw a story around about its similarities to the Kaaba in Mecca. And so we weren't really at all surprised when we saw this story in the Post today. We were, however, impressed with whomever wrote the articles hed: "QAEDA CUBE BOOBS 'MECCA' BIG STINK."

The Dalai Lama was in town yesterday to receive a key to NYC - maybe this was his way of celebrating his 70th birthday! The ceremony took place in front of the Farley Post Office, site of the future Moynihan Station, because of the Dalai Lama's friendship with the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and he said, "With the opening of this new station here in the future, it will contribute to the joy and also to the greater ease for the movement of the people of this city." Selfishly, Gothamist wishes the Dalai Lama could guilt the State government into rethinking its financial support (as in, giving some) to the MTA, but, really, we'll take whatever spiritual guidance he can give us.

EVENT/MUSIC: It's Children's Day at South Street Seaport this Saturday. With Gordon from Sesame Street, The School House Rock Stage Show and They Might Be Giants! Wait...AND fireworks! [via FreeNYC]

Time releases its Time 100 list of influential people for 2005, and it's pretty much the snore it was last year. Much like other magazines whose "most influential list" reads more like a "Who's popular?" or "Who's pretty?" list from high school, Time focuses on names that people have heard of. Sure, some of the people truly make a difference, like Jeffrey Sachs or Javier Solana, but Jamie Foxx and Clint Eastwood? Boring. And the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, they're on the list this year, but aren't they influential for an era, not just a year? What also is hilariously lame is that Time insists on its subscriber-only policy to access this content. News flash: No one really wants to read it unless they're in the dentist's office. Which reminds Gothamist, it's time for a cleaning.

The Post kicks off Radiohead's two nights at Madison Square Garden by talking to people who hate Radiohead but have been afraid to admit it because Radiohead are critically beloved and "cool." An entertainment editor says, "Hating Radiohead is the hipster's dirty little secret," and Spin writer Chuck Klosterman, though a fan, can understand the hate as well. "There's definitely now a symbolic value to saying you hate Radiohead - even Kid Rock makes a big deal about hating Radiohead. He even has a video where he's literally using toilet paper with the word 'Radiohead' embossed on it." Kid Rock? Using Kid Rock in an argument about hating Radiohead is like knowing Brett Ratner hates David Lynch - it doesn't matter at all.