Dalai Lama album to be released on 85th b’day

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, June 12

A music album ‘Inner World’ featuring teachings and mantras of the Dalai Lama, set to music, would be released on his 85th birthday on July 6.

Junelle Kunin, a musician from New Zealand and a practicing Buddhist, first suggested the idea of making the music album to the office of the Dalai Lama. She said teachings of the Dalai Lama, paired with music, were a stress-buster to her. This set her on the path of creating the music album that took her five years to complete, along with her husband and fellow musician, Abraham Kunin, and guest artists, including Grammy nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar.

In the album, the Dalai Lama recites the mantras of seven Buddhas discussing topics of wisdom, courage, healing and children. As a part of the pre-launch, a track ‘Compassion’, one of the most famous Buddhist prayers from the album, was released on Tuesday.

“The purpose of the project is to try to help people. It’s not a Buddhist project, but a means to help people like me,” Junelle said. The messages couldn’t be more poignant for our current social climate. The world is suffering from Wuhan-originated Covid pandemic, and cases of stress and anxiety have been reported globally. The album would provide relief to people, she said.

Net proceeds from the sales of the album will benefit Mind and Life Institute, as well as Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning), an international education programme developed by Emory University and the Dalai Lama.