ODN Founder, His Eminence Khempo Yurmed Tinly Rinpoche, explains that ODN is dedicated to the greater need for peaceful and respectful relations between diverse peoples and nations. Southern Florida stands out as a culturally diverse region, and as such, is an important place to make these teachings available to the public. "The message that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will deliver is one that we aspire to live by and to share with people of all cultures, races and religions," adds His Eminence Khempo Rinpoche. In 2000, His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent a high level Tibetan delegation to the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, and H.E. Khempo Rinpoche was sent as a member of that delegation from the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. "ODN feels honored to co-host this visit. Especially since ODN was established in accordance with the Dalai Lama's message of world peace. The South Florida events are among the most important to support his ability to teach compassion as a means towards peace," says H.E. Khempo Rinpoche. Events open to the general public are as follows:

• Sunday, September 19, 2004: A public talk at the Office Depot Center (3:00 - 5:00 PM), by the Dalai Lama entitled World Peace through Inner Peace .

• Monday & Tuesday, Sept. 20-21, 2004: Series of 4 Buddhist teachings at the UM Convocation Center (9:30 - 11:30 AM and 2:00 - 4:00 PM each day) entitled Instructions on the Garland of Views , and a traditional Empowerment . This marks the first time that His Holiness will conduct these particular teachings in the West, which derive from an important text that expresses support for all world cultures, religions and races.

Following these talks, the Dalai Lama i s scheduled to address the students, faculty and staff at Florida International University on Sep tember 22 nd to give a private lecture entitled Compassion - The Source of Happiness . Later that day, he will visit the University of Miami for a private lecture entitled A Human Approach to World Peace.

Dr. Donna E. Shalala, President of the University of Miami, was the former Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Clinton administration, and Dr. Modesto Maidique, President of FIU, was appointed in 2000 by then President-elect George W. Bush to serve on the President's Education Advisory Committee.

The exiled Tibetan leader and Nobel Laureate attracts ever larger audiences who seek out his message of non-violence, compassion and hope. In 2003, his talk in New York City's Central Park attracted an enthusiastic crowd of more than 100,000. In April 2004, his public appearance in Toronto filled the Sky Dome to a capacity of over 29,000.

For general information and/or to become a sponsor, contact Gloria at 305-460-3363, or Danielle at 303-883-3445, or visit www.odn-usa.org , or www.dalailamamiami.com. Tickets will be available soon via Ticketmaster and the box offices.

Media covering the public talks must fill out a credential media request form located at www.odn-usa.org . The U.S. State Department will be conducting security checks prior to the event, so it's important to submit your form for clearance prior to September 1, 2004. For all media inquiries regarding these events, contact Dina Allende at 305-593-9192 or Angela Rodriguez 305-441-7976. For information about the private appearance at FIU and UM, please contact Maydel Santana at (305) 348-2232, and UM's Margot Winick at 305-284-4828

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