May 26, 2009 12:04 am US/Eastern
Dalai Lama Makes Donation To FIU Religious Program
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader warned the audience beforehand that the main reason he came to Rochester was for his medical exam and not to be part of a serious discussion.
CBS
Budget cuts at Florida International University have put the Religious Studies Department in danger of being shut down. Now, one of the world's foremost spiritual leaders is stepping in to help save it.
CBS4's News partners at the Miami Herald broke the story.
Dr. Nathan Katz has devoted his life to studying religion. He helped create FIU's Department of Religious Studies more than a decade ago. The program's Alumni have gone on to help our military understand Islam to better fight terrorism, others work with international companies to help them relate to China.
"If we want to understand the world at all, what motivates people, why people do what they do, we have to understand religions," Dr. Katz told CBS 4 News Reporter Natalia Zea.
When Dr. Katz discovered his program was on the University Board of Trustee's list of budget cuts, first he felt sick. "I think it's a very wrong decision."
Then he jumped into action, and called in a favor from a spiritual heavy-hitter he met while studying in India years ago; a man who is an honorary alum of the program: the Dalai Lama himself.
Late last week, the exiled Tibetan leader faxed a letter to FIU's President imploring him to keep the Department open. Through his secretary, He wrote, "In our deeply interconnected world, understanding and appreciation of diversity of religions is critical in fostering a culture of genuine tolerance and peaceful coexistence. If the Department were to close down, it will not be easy to rebuild it."
"His Holiness would like to request you if possible to reconsider or find ways of looking for funds from elsewhere." He also offered a donation of $100-thousand and his help to raise more money.
Dr. Katz is thrilled. "This is totally, totally unprecedented. This has never happened before." Religious Studies Grad Student Jonathan Koschezki was floored, too. "That's so cool; I think it just speaks volumes about our department."
Koschezki believes it may be enough to keep his grad school going. "With the Dalai Lama's support, how can we go wrong?"
Dr. Katz estimates the Department needs to raise $600-thousand a year to stay open. He is hoping the Dalai Lama will schedule a third visit to FIU to help raise funds.
The University's Board of Trustees will vote on the budget June 12.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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