How These Talks Arrived Here
In October 1980, the Dalai Lama visited Vancouver BC for his first visit to Canada. I wanted to record these talks; and my dear friend Bob Curadeau suggested that instead we video tape them. An ambitious leap!
To my amazement, Bob contacted Joseph Cohen of Sony Canada Ltd. to ask if we could borrow their equipment. Mr. Cohen generously agreed to lend Bob $10,000 worth of equipment -- at no cost. He even provided one of his employees Jon Raby to assist Bob (and probably ensure that Bob didn't run off to Mexico.)
And so, Bob arrived at each venue with special lighting and his TV equipment and recorded the first talks given by the Dalai Lama in Canada.
Later, Bob created small cassettes from the VHS tapes so that I could transcribe the talks and type them to paper. (Before I had a computer.)
More than 40 years later, I have decided to put them on my website so anyone who is interested can read them. They have never before been published.
Typically, the Dalai Lama spoke in English at the beginning; and in 1980, his English was less polished. However, I think it's important to share these talks exactly as they were heard by those who attended in person.
There is a difference in the style of these talks because each was intended for a different audience.
The talk at the Vancouver Institute was for the academia of UBC and is more academic.
The talk given at the Old Auditorium at UBC was given to the general public and university students.
The talk given at the Holiday Inn in Vancouver was given to Buddhists.
The fourth talk was given at an Inter-faith ceremony at Christ Church in downtown Vancouver.
My sincere thanks and gratitude to --
- Bob Curadeau for videotaping His Holiness' lectures
- Joseph Cohen who generously donated the use of Sony equipment
- Jon Raby for his professional assistance with Sony equipment
- Dr. Shotara Ida for his encouragement to transcribe these talks
- Edyth Anstey Hanen for her editing and proofreading skills
- Greta Pascuzzi for her suggestions and proofreading skills
- Judith Dawson for her financial assistance
- Graham TerMarsch for his technical expertise and generous time preparing this material for this website
Georgia Nicols
Bowen Island, BC
May 26, 2025