WESTLAND, MI - Mayor William R. Wild has been invited to join a group of the nation's Mayor's in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, May 19^th, for the rare and possibly one-time opportunity to meet His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14^th Dalai Lama of Tibet.

During his visit to Louisville, Mayor Wild and others will hear from the Dalia Lama, who will discuss how government can engage with compassion to build world peace from the local level to the world community. Through his teachings the Dalai Lama has been known to address both the internal aspects of personal peace and the social and political dimensions of peace, often stating that "we can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."

"The Dalai Lama is an iconic figure who has traveled to 62 countries, spanning six continents, someone who has met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. The opportunity to meet him will be a great honor. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the residents of Westland when I return," said Mayor Wild.

The Dalai Lama is known around the world as a spokesman for the non-violent, peaceful and compassionate resolution of human conflict and has been the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

According to Buddhist belief, the Dalai Lamas are earthly incarnations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the bodhisattva of compassion and patron saint of Tibet. In Buddhist tradition, bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who chose rebirth, rather than moving on to the afterlife, in order to serve humanity. As such, the Dalai Lama is considered the spiritual leader of Tibet and one of Buddhism's most important leaders anywhere.

Mayor Wild will cover the cost of this trip personally including his flight, lodging and meals.