A banking billionaire in the United States has donated a whopping $100 million to a university after getting inspired by the wisdom of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The massive donation money is intended to be used for funding scientific research on empathy and compassion by the US based university.
“Banking billionaire Denny Sanford has donated $100 million to UC San Diego (UCSD) for the scientific study of empathy and compassion. Sanford said that the donation was inspired by a private meeting he had with the Dalai Lama in 2017, when His Holiness gave a commencement address at UCSD.” said the report in the Lions Roar on Thursday.
Denny Sanford is reported to have said that he has been inspired by the work and teachings of the Dalai Lama, whose interest in the intersection where science and faith meet is deep and profound. He said that he had the opportunity to see how grace, humanity and kindness can change people and the world. He told that the donation is gift extending to that vision.
“Doctors work in a world where compassion is essential, but often lost in the harsh realities of modern medicine. If we can help medical professionals preserve and promote their compassion, based on the findings of hard science, the world can be a happier, healthier place,” said Sanford. The research funded by the gift will look at how to cultivate empathy and compassion in medical professionals, the report added.
According to Dr. David Brenner, the vice chancellor of health sciences at UCSD, Sanford was inspired by meeting with the Dalai Lama whe he said that we must show that there is a scientific basis to empathy and compassion. Sanford, 83, made his fortune in banking and finance industries and is worth an estimated $2.6 billion.
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