How We Started
It Began with the Wish to Host the Dalai Lama
In 2010 members of The Tibetan Buddhist Center for Universal Peace, DNKL (Do Ngak Kunphen Ling) and members of Western State Connecticut University (WCSU) began a two year collaborative effort to bring the Dalai Lama to Connecticut for a series of public talks. After much hard work and planning, we hosted the Dalai Lama in 2012 for a series of talks at DNKL, WCSU, and Tibetan community organizations!
Filled with inspiration, the organizers were eager to participate in the Dalai Lama’s aim of bringing secular compassion and universal ethics into Western education. In 2013 the Center for Compassion Creativity and Innovation (CCCI) was formed at WCSU with a gift of over $100,000 from the Dalai Lama.
After nearly a decade of successful compassion projects, the governing board of the CCCI agreed to continue their work independently of WCSU. This reformed organization is now known as the Center for Compassion and Creativity (CCC).
The Need for Compassion and Creativity
The Center for Compassion and Creativity has been a source of learning and inspiration for local communities, schools, and universities across the country. As societal events and worldwide challenges have continued to escalate, the need for compassion, connection, solidarity, and creative responses to wellbeing has increased. The Center for Compassion and Creativity is honored to participate in both asking questions and facilitating answers.
Our Purpose / Vision
Create awareness within regional and global communities about the importance of compassion and creativity in daily life.
Maintain a forum where people from all traditions such as artistic, religious, philosophical, cultural, political and business traditions can come together to investigate the conjunction of compassion and/or creativity through dialogue, research, and activities.
Publish and disseminate CCC conference proceedings, research, music, etc., through appropriate formats and media (such as online, print, concerts, etc.).
Support activities, research, and curricula in all disciplines that explore and engage compassion and/or creativity.
Sponsor activities, events, conferences, and forums related to compassion and/or creativity.
Engage with other centers and organizations on projects consistent with CCC mission.
Our Funding
Since the beginning we have been self-sufficient. We have worked to develop events that are self-funding or co-produced with other departments and organizations. Similarly, our conferences have recouped costs through conference fees.
Read about our many projects and activities here.