Thondup Ling was honored to sponsor an intimate morning with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on June 29, 2000. Impressively moderated by Sharon Stone, His Holiness took questions from the 1000-member audience, especially from the youth invited from local juvenile prison camps. The moment that remained in the minds of many came when a young woman in prison fatigues asked His Holiness "How can I keep an open heart in this cruel world?". Following a short teaching, he told her to come to the stage, got up from His chair, and gave her a big warm hug. It was evident to all that her life would never be quite the same. His Holiness also offered his blessing to the Shi-tro Mandala, then under construction.