An Invitation
Wisdom for Our Time:
A Celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2026
Washington Plaza Hotel, Washington, DC
You are invited
Join the Mind & Life Institute for a day of reflection, inspiration, and shared vision as we honor the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama—celebrating a legacy that has transformed both science and our understanding of human flourishing.
For nearly four decades, His Holiness, as co-founder of Mind & Life, has guided the historic dialogue between contemplative wisdom and Western science, sparking a global movement toward compassion, mental well-being, and the scientific study of the mind.
“Mind & Life’s work has been unprecedented, especially in promoting a scientific understanding of the human mind
through a unique combination of research and contemplative practice. It has brought about a fresh focus on interconnection and its programs give me hope for the future.”
—His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Mind & Life Co-Founder
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, we will gather for a joyful day of celebration, connection, and discovery. Through stories, panel discussion, mindful movement, creative multi-media, and heartfelt exchange, we’ll explore His Holiness’ enduring vision of a compassionate, interconnected world—and our shared role in carrying it forward.
Highlights include inspiring voices from the field of contemplative research, insights derived from Mind & Life’s work, and collaborative visioning to inform the future. The day culminates in a celebratory dinner where we’ll gather to offer collective well wishes for His 90th year.
Also featured will be Warmheartedness, a unique immersive experience created from His Holiness’s own words.
Due to strong interest in this event and limited space, registrations are currently in a waitlist phase.
We encourage you to continue with registration and payment, as additional spaces are likely to become available.
If we are unable to accommodate you, your registration fee will be fully refunded.
About Warmheartedness
Warmheartedness is an immersive listening experience that amplifies His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s urgent call for compassion in a divided world, bringing his voice—clear, close, and centered—within a quadraphonic field of original music by Nous Alpha. Developed from recordings of the 2022 Mind & Life Dialogue, this intimate installation offers a calm, low‑light environment for deep listening. The program plays continuously; guests may enter quietly during open listening windows (see schedule) and stay as long as they wish. Capacity is intentionally limited to preserve a contemplative atmosphere. Presented by Our Silent Canvas in partnership with the Mind & Life Institute.
Schedule
Please join us for a weekend in Washington, D.C. The event kicks off on Friday evening, continuing through the celebratory Saturday evening dinner, leaving time for you on Sunday to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
Friday, March 27th
2:00 pm | Registration Opens
Join others in the Welcome Lounge with coffee and tea available.
8:00 pm | Drinks and Gathering
Saturday, March 28th
8:00 am | Morning Meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn
8:30 am | Welcome Coffee and Tea
9:00 am | Morning Session
Includes small group discussions
12:00 pm | Lunch
1:00 pm | Afternoon Session
Includes small group discussions and an opportunity to send personal written birthday greetings to His Holiness
4:00 pm | Afternoon Coffee and Tea
Pause in the program while the room is transformed for our celebratory evening event
6:00 pm | Reception
7:00 pm | Plated Dinner
8:00 pm | Program
9:30 pm | After Dinner Social
Sunday, March 29th
No scheduled events
Guests are encouraged to delay departure, taking in the beauty of the peak cherry blossom blooms.
Location
Our gathering will take place at the Washington Plaza Hotel in the heart of Washington, DC. In 1987, His Holiness spoke to a couple hundred Buddhists at this location—it is fitting that we return here to celebrate his 90 years. Convenient to DCA airport, the hotel is within walking distance to the National Mall and monuments.
Details on how to book your hotel room through our secured room block will be provided to confirmed attendees. Attendees are responsible for their travel and accommodation costs.
Due to strong interest in this event and limited space, registrations are currently in a waitlist phase.
We encourage you to continue with registration and payment, as additional spaces are likely to become available.
If we are unable to accommodate you, your registration fee will be fully refunded.
Event Cost
Your $90 registration secures your place at this special celebration. Through the generosity of our donors, this fee represents only a small portion of the true cost, making it possible for our broader community to gather and share in the richness of the event.
Registration includes our group dining experiences and community socials. Please note that guests are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
Cancellation policy: A 10% fee will apply to any cancellations. Mind & Life is financially responsible to the hotel for our contracted event and we all would like to see rooms and meals fully attended. Please notify ekellner@ mindandlife.org if you are no longer able to attend so that your space can be offered to a waitlisted participant. Thank you for your consideration.
A limited number of hotel scholarships are available on a rolling, first-come basis. To help us care for our whole community, we ask that scholarships be requested by those who would not be able to participate otherwise—especially emerging scholars, contemplatives, and others whose voices are vital to the richness of our shared experience. Contact: ekellner@mindandlife.org
Getting to the Hotel
Details on how to book your hotel room at the Washington Plaza Hotel through our secured room block will be provided to confirmed attendees.
By Air: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located 7 miles from the hotel and is a short taxi ride from the airport (approximately $25).
By Metro: If traveling by DC Metro, the closest metro stops are McPherson Square (blue/orange/silver lines from IAD); Farragut North (red); Mt. Vernon Square (green/yellow).
By Car: The Washington Plaza Hotel has daily and overnight parking. Parking is $43/day. Please call the hotel to confirm the current daily rate.
If you would like assistance in booking air travel, we are pleased to work with Covington Travel. Please contact specialist Brenda Martin at brendam@covtrav.com or (434) 220-2111.
Deadline & Contact
This invitation-only event is limited to 200 guests. We encourage early registration. Your invitation does not guarantee you a seat. RSVPs are on a first come basis. This event is expected to sell out.
For more information, contact Ellen Kellner, Head of Events, ekellner@mindandlife.org,
(434) 329-7865 cell/text
Key Participants
This section recognizes key participants whose commitment to Mind & Life—among them Program Planning members, Board members, and Founding Stewards—adds depth and meaning to this celebration.
Suzanne Bond
Mind & Life President
Richard Davidson, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Healthy Minds
Mind & Life Chief Scientific Advisor and Founding Steward, Mind & Life Fellow
Sona Dimidjian, Renée Crown Wellness Institute at University of Colorado Boulder
Mind & Life Board Chair-Elect, Mind & Life Fellow
Thupten Jinpa
Mind & Life Board Chair, Mind & Life Fellow
Jon Kabat-Zinn, University of Massachusetts; Mind & Life Founding Steward; Former Mind & Life Board; Mind & Life Fellow
Connie Kemmerer
Event Planning Committee; Former Mind & Life Board; Mind & Life Fellow
Bobbi Patterson, Emory University
Event Planning Committee; Former Mind & Life Research and Programs Council; Mind & Life Fellow
Ed Taylor, University of Washington
Event Planning Committee; Mind & Life Research and Programs Council; Mind & Life Board ex officio, Mind & Life Fellow
Additional Participants
Alongside our Key Participants, we are grateful for the additional voices who will help bring this celebration to life. As program details are confirmed, we’ll continue to update this section with those contributing to a memorable experience.
Doris Chang, New York University
Mind & Life Research and Programs Council, Mind & Life Fellow
Carolyn Jacobs, Dean Emerita Smith College
Former Mind & Life Board, Mind & Life Fellow
Tish Jennings, University of Virginia
Mind & Life Fellow
Amishi Jha, University of Miami
Former Mind & Life Research and Programs Council, Mind & Life Fellow
Malena Price, University of Miami, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Geshe Thabkhe, Sera Jay Monastery
Rob Roeser, Emory University
Mind & Life Research and Programs Council; Mind & Life Fellow
Juan Santoyo, Universidad de Antioquia; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Mind & Life Fellow
Yikai Xu, New York University
Mind & Life Research and Programs Council
This program is presented with deep appreciation for the generous support of Connie Kemmerer, a dedicated Mind & Life donor and former board member.
Why Mind & Life?
Learn more about the Mind & Life Institute: www.mindandlife.org
Due to strong interest in this event and limited space, registrations are currently in a waitlist phase.
We encourage you to continue with registration and payment, as additional spaces are likely to become available.
If we are unable to accommodate you, your registration fee will be fully refunded.
