Buddhism in CT, Part II: Dalai Lama Takes the Stage

There won't be a red carpet required for this visit.

Just the most austere of provisions—like a meditation mat.

A long-awaited visit from one of the world's leading spiritual icons begins Thursday, when the Dalai Lama spends two days at Western Connecticut State University.

His Holiness—the unofficial leader of Tibetan Buddhism—will deliver a series of speeches at the Danbury campus.

Stay with Patch as we cover the celebrated visit, and check in with our devoted Dalai Lama page as the week progresses. We'll pen dispatches on it all—from medicine to uplifting speeches to possible traffic.

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The latest:

Richard Gere Introduces His Holiness the Dalai Lama at WCSU (Video)

Though His Holiness needs little introducing, the Dalai Lama had a household-name in philanthropy introduce him to the Western Connecticut State University crowd Thursday.

Richard Gere. (OK, some maybe he's a household name because of the acting—but here's guessing the Dalai Lama is more into his charity work.)

Check out a video of the salutation by clicking the above link.

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Before he touched on the heavy stuff—Buddhist spirituality, the inner workings of the mind—the Dalai Lama opened with a joke. He pulled out a WCSU cap, fixing it firmly to his head.

To see the caper—and rest of his speech—check out the above video.

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Dalai Lama Urges a Calm Mind and Compassion

"Maintaining a calm mind to achieve happiness."

That's one of many dictums and memorable lines from His Holiness' visit. Students and staff at WCSU are sounding off on how the iconic visit is impacting them, and Danbury.