The Dalai Lama will speak at Western Connecticut State University in October, bringing the one of the world's leading spiritual leaders to Connecticut for the first time.

WCSU President James Schmotter called the Dalai Lama's visit an extraordinary opportunity for the university and state residents to benefit from the unique learning opportunity.

"We know that his holiness will become a new friend as well when he comes to see us at the university," Schmotter said. "We have many friends, but we also have enemies - and the one we struggle against every day is ignorance."

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who has lived in exile in India since 1959. In 1989 he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Dalai Lama will speak at public forums on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 at WCSU Westside's campus. Tickets for the public will go on sale on a future date.