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Don’t despair if you missed the Dalai Lama’s visit last week.  The Tibetan Cultural Center from Bloomington is bringing Indianapolis a feast of cultural delights — singers, musicians, film, folklore, photography, traditional crafts, and momos (you have to try these!)  Even though we won’t see His Holiness, the staff from the center be on hand to discuss Tibetan Buddhism and their vision for and independent Tibet.

**Bonus: You can see the kick-off for Spirit and Place upstairs featuring “Danke        Schoen,” an exhibit of paintings by local artist Kyle Ragsdale, music by singer/songwriter from Queen Bee Music. (more…)

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The upcoming visit by Chinese ambassador Zhou Wenzhong is a great opportunity to learn more about China and its place in the world. Local groups will seek to draw attention to the Chinese government’s support for brutal dictatorships abroad and its often brutal treatment of its own people. A foreshadowing of global protests that will use the 2008 Olympics in Beijing to highlight their grievances. But first, ask whether their complaints are justified, and whether their hopes for changing China are realistic … and how we can help shape Chinese government behavior. (more…)

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Zhou Wenzhong, China’s ambassador to the US, talks about “China’s Peaceful Development and China-US Relations.” Good and promising topic, let’s help China make good on its promises. (more…)

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The University of Indianapolis will host one of its largest touring exhibitions in recent memory when a collection of contemporary Asian art goes on display Nov. 12. (more…)

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Nov 12 ,2007 , 7:00 pm   “Rumi: Soaring to Ecstasy” by Prof Talat Halman,  Bilkent University,  IUPUI Library Auditorium , FREE

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Turkey is in the news a lot these days, and some of the news is distressing Americans. Denying past genocide, threatening to invade the one piece of Iraq that isn’t causing the US grief? This is a good time to step back and remind ourselves why Turkey is America’s best friend in the Muslim world, and why the significance of Turkish Americans is increasing so much. (more…)

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Which did Troy in: Wooden Horse or Natural Causes? Turkey’s leading geologist may lack the literary flair of Homer, but this should still be a very interesting discussion. (more…)

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Faith-based institutions are some of the wealthiest institutions around. In many religious institutions, philanthropy tends to be more noticeable through its members giving financially to their place of worship and their institutions offer various ministries back to its membership. But how philanthropic are they? How do the different religious institutions measure up to each other in regards to how much and what they give back into the community? Do they give beyond the walls of the worship facility and how? Controversial? Possibly. (more…)

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A familiar biblical scripture says to “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. But, can we truly love our neighbors as ourselves? Come on, my neighbor? (more…)

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Wrote Aristotle: “To give away money is an easy matter and is within any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it and how large, when, for what purpose and how, is neither in every man power nor an easy matter.” Discuss what small business owners think about this. (more…)

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