Dalai Lama
Being asked to design for the Dalai Lama was a humbling experience. I have been a student of His Holiness, so I meditated on his teachings and tried to overcome my nervousness enough to produce a concept that could carry his message.
The Dalai Lama is one of millions living in exile. He teaches that all life is of equal importance. That suggested to me a montage of the faces of refugees with His Holiness among them – a reminder of the potential in every life. I hoped His Holiness might provide a quote, included a panel for it and placed the auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism at the top of the page, welcoming His Holiness to Toronto and Toronto to his teachings.
The day before the Dalai Lama made his choice, he spoke with sadness of his own journey as a refugee. As I listened to his words, I was reassured and felt that my concept had managed to convey the message His Holiness had chosen to share.
His Holiness did select my concept and he did provide a quote –
“We do not ask who people are before we offer them help. We help because they are human beings like us” – His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.
Video of His Holiness making his choice and the designs:
The Dalai Lama – Guest Editor of the Sunday Toronto Star
Dalai Lama’s choices
