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--> --> Dalai Lama's Oregon visit a week away PORTLAND (AP) - The Dalai Lama arrives here Sunday to greet thousands of people who see him as embodiment of tolerance, nonviolence and humility. The 65-year-old Dalai Lama is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and key figure in the human rights movement. He is also the political leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, India, after being ousted by China in 1959. Organizers of the three-day visit expect about 75,000 people to participate in at least part of the Pathways to Peace festival, which includes a sold-out lecture, teachings and luncheon with the Dalai Lama, a youth summit, peace walk and various arts and cultural events. The Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association is presenting the festival as a first step in establishing a Tibetan Studies and World Peace Center. Abby Terris of Corvallis had tea with the Dalai Lama during his 1978 visit to the Seattle Zen Center. She can't believe how popular he has become. "We were aware of what an extraordinary person he was and that he was a remarkable leader, but he wasn't very well-known among non-Buddhists," Terris said. "Buddhism was still very 'fringy' back then." What's the Dalai Lama like? "I remember we laughed a lot, even though I can't remember what the laughter was about," Terris recalled. "You just felt like you were talking to someone you've known a long time." The Dalai Lama's first visit to Oregon is part of a six-city tour of the United States that includes Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Calif.; San Francisco, Madison, Wis.; and Los Angeles. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing