Love, compassion and peace were the teachings Buddhist monk Lama Tenzin Deshek explained to students and faculty who gathered Thursday at the Crossroads Lounge in the Ferguson Center to hear him speak about Buddhist philosophy.
Crossroads Community Center and the Intercultural Student Council had Deshek speak to commemorate Asian and Pacific Island American Heritage month.
Deshek said anger is the internal enemy of everyone. The tragedy of the Virginia Tech shootings were a result of anger and hatred, he said, but love and compassion contradict those negative emotions.
Deshek started by silently meditating and then spoke about Buddhist ideology and the importance of compassion and kindness. Students and faculty members also had an opportunity to ask questions.
Eddie Sobenes, a graduate student studying music, said he asked Deshek to come to the University after hearing him speak at the Losel Maitri Center. Sobenes said he hopes students leave with openness and religious tolerance after hearing Deshek speak.
Deshek said he has been in the United States for six years and lives in Birmingham. He is the spiritual leader at the Losel Maitri Tibetan Buddhist Center in Birmingham. He was born in Tibet and raised in India, and he said he is still learning English.
Deshek also said there is not one truth, but many truths for many people.
"I think it's wonderful there are so many religions," he said. "If there was only one religion, then what? If there was only one food that you could eat at a restaurant, then what?"
Meagan Peters, a senior majoring in political science and history, said she came to hear Deshek speak because of her global literacy class but also because of her interest in Buddhist philosophy.
"[Buddhist philosophy] is beyond borders, and it's really good to have something like that in your life," she said. "Especially at times like these, with the Virginia Tech shootings and with all the violence in this world. It's important to be kind to others."
David Agee, a junior majoring in public relations, said he came because the talk sounded interesting. He said concept of an inner enemy to conquer impacted him the most.
"If we don't fix what's in ourselves, how can we fix other things?" he said.
Deshek said he enjoyed being at the University, just as he enjoys speaking at other places because of the questions people ask. He said he learns from the questions other people ask.
Deshek reiterated the importance of religious harmony and tolerance.
"You are an American, I am a Tibetan," he said. "We are both human beings. We are all seeking a peaceful life. No one wants suffering. No one wants problems in their lives."
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