Indian-Tibetan Aftab Pureval Has Been Elected as Mayor of Cincinnati

Nothing is permanent, so everything is precious. Here’s a selection of some happenings—fleeting or otherwise—in the Buddhist world this week.

Aftab Pureval, an Indian-Tibetan, has been elected as Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio 

Aftab Pureval, an Indian-Tibetan, won Cincinnati’s mayoral race on Tuesday, making him the first Asian American to be elected mayor of Cincinnati, and the first Tibetan-American to be elected mayor of a major city in the US. Pureval’s mother is a Tibetan refugee and his father is Indian. When the 39-year-old left his job as an attorney in 2015 to run for Hamilton Country county clerk, he became the first Democrat in over 100 years to be elected to that position. In the mayoral race, he defeated fellow Democrat David Mann with 66 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results from Hamilton County Board of Election. “Words can’t express how honored and excited I am to be the next Mayor of Cincinnati,” Pureval said in a tweet after his victory. “Tonight, we made history! Let’s get to work!”

Upcoming Livestream Benefit Features Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Cher, and Richard Gere, Among Others

On Monday, November 8, actor Richard Gere will host a livestream benefit event called WisdomSound. Featuring performances by prominent musicians such as Cher, Angelique Kidjo, Maggie Rogers, and Norah Jones, the event will raise money for Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery and Nagi Gompa Nunnery, two Tibetan Buddhist institutions based in Nepal. WisdomSound will also include a teaching from Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, the abbot of the monastery, and videos showcasing the social work done at the monastery and nunnery. While the event is free of charge, viewers are encouraged to donate. Registration information can be found here.

40th Anniversary of 16th Karmapa’s Death Commemorated with Free Teachings

From October 29 to November 6, Karmapa Center 16—an organization whose mission is to commemorate the 16th Karmapa with a stupa and study center at the place of his passing in Illinois—is hosting a 10-day event in honor of the 40th anniversary of the 16th Karmapa’s parinirvana. The tribute includes teachings by Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and more. Video recordings of the teachings will be available until December 5. While registration is free, donations and offerings will be accepted as well. Additional information can be found here.

Microwave Explosion Destroys Edinburgh’s Dalai Lama-Inspired Cafe

The Dalai Lama-inspired Himalaya Café in Edinburgh, Scotland has been forced to close after a microwave explosion in the kitchen caused major damage. Owner Reka Gawa had gone out for groceries when she received a call from a friend that the building was on fire. Gawa returned to find the whole area sealed off, and she was not permitted to enter the building until firefighters had completely extinguished the blaze. She told BBC Scotland that the kitchen looked like a bomb had gone off. “The microwave has completely exploded and nothing is left of it and my kitchen is completely destroyed,” she said. “Thankfully I wasn’t inside at the time so I’m ok, I’m just in shock.” The café will remain closed until a new kitchen has been installed. 

Gawa opened the Himalaya Café after a chance meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2004 at the Scottish Parliament, where she had been working in catering. He urged her to stay in Scotland and keep Tibetan culture alive, which led Gawa to open the café in 2007 so she could help spread Tibetan culture through food, a free meditation room, and hosting Tibetan cultural events. The future of the café was threatened earlier this year when the building’s landlord moved to sell the building, but a GoFundMe campaign helped Gawa raise enough money to buy the property. 

Tibet House US to Host Four-Part Poetry Series in Conjunction with Allen Ginsberg Exhibit

Filmmaker and poet Arden Wohl has curated a four-part poetry series at Tibet House US to celebrate the life of Allen Ginsberg and Transforming Minds, the exhibit featuring his photography that is on view at Tibet House through December 12. The poetry series, titled Towering Mind, kicks off on November 10, followed by readings on November 17, December 1, and December 8. Guests can attend the events in-person or online. Readers include Eileen Myles, David Rimanelli, Bob Holman, and Anne Waldman. See here for a full list of poets and to register for the events.