When the clock struck noon, the crowd started pouring into Matthew Knight Arena and the 11,000 expected attendees filtered through security, which consisted of stepping through a metal detector and being subjected to a brief bag check.

By 1:30 p.m., there weren’t many seats left to spare. The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet made his appearance on stage a few minutes after he was scheduled to begin. Upon his entrance, His Holiness received a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd, consisting of students and Eugene locals alike moments before he gave his speech, entitled “The Path to Peace and Happiness in the Global Society.”

The crowd grew silent, and a few voices cried out, “I love you.”

The Dalai Lama took a seat center stage while Mark Unno, head of the University of Oregon’s Department of Religious Studies, welcomed the audience and introduced UO President Michael Gottfredson, who then presented the Dalai Lama by awarding him with the Presidential Medal, the highest honor given by the university. After placing the ribbon around his neck, he offered him a green Oregon visor. His Holiness wore it the entire time.

For the last 10 years, the UO has been working closely with civic and legislative leadership, governors and the Eugene Sakya Center to bring him to Eugene.

David Hubin, senior assistant president of the UO, said it has been a remarkably complex journey.

Since the Dalai Lama’s visit to Eugene was confirmed last September, Hubin said it has been an intense eight months of complex planning.

“We’ve had important distinctions to keep in mind — for example, the separation of church and state,” he said. “This is a unit about learning; we do not go about promoting a particular faith. It was quite a constructive dynamic that fit very well within the message the Dalai Lama gave today.”

The Dalai Lama explained that he begins every talk by calling everyone his brothers and sisters. He spoke about compassion and the “oneness of humanity” that will develop a sense of global responsibility. The crowd was focused and responsive.

“Peace must come through inner-peace, and that starts with the individual,” he said.

Hubin said it feels remarkable to have been able to bring His Holiness here.

“I think there will be a lasting message that resides with students of compassion and selflessness.”