Dalai Lama delivers lecture of peace

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/WPRI) -- In a visit to Providence Wednesday afternoon, the Dalai Lama called for the violence of the 20th century to give way to a "century of compassion" and peace.

The exiled Tibetan leader told a crowd of 5,600 at the Rhode Island Convention Center that peace stems from happiness, and happiness stems from looking beyond yourself.

The Dalai Lama was invited by Brown University to deliver the Stephen A. Ogden Jr. Memorial Lecture -- this year's installment was titled, "A Global Challenge: Creating a Culture of Peace."

He drew cheers at the start of his speech when he donned a Brown baseball cap.

One high school student said the Dalai Lama's message of peace and selflessness "blew my mind."

Brown President Christina Paxson said prior to the talk the university was honored to have him share his inspirational messages.

Closing comment mistaken for swear word

A closing comment by the Dalai Lama was mistaken for a crude profanity by the closed captioner transcribing his remarks for the audience.

The exiled Tibetan leader urged listeners at the close of a speech in Rhode Island Wednesday to share his thoughts with others if they found them interesting. If not, he said, they could "forget."

The closed captioning on a large screen at the Rhode Island Convention Center transcribed the remark as an expletive.

Some in the audience also believed the Dalai Lama, who has a strong accent, had sworn. Questions have arisen before over the same comment in other venues.

A Brown spokeswoman confirmed the Dalai Lama said "forget" and said the closed captioning that appeared was an error.

The Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his nonviolent struggle in protest of Chinese rule of Tibet.

He gave talks in Vermont and Massachusetts before his visit to Providence. He next travels to Connecticut.