The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and spiritual and political leader of millions of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, will address a sold-out Tucson Convention Center Arena today to discuss compassion.

Giving a speech titled “Creating Peace in a Violent World” Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, will address more than 7,300 people during his afternoon speech.

Tickets went on sale in the spring and prices ranged from $10 to $95, but an additional 1,000 tickets were set aside for students for no charge, said Marty Carey, TCC ticket manager.

The public discussion was arranged by Arizona Friends of Tibet, a nonprofit organization for people who believe Tibetans are entitled to the basic human rights outlined in the charter of the United Nations, according to their Web site.

The Dalai Lama arrived in Tucson Thursday, where he taught a three-day class on the 8th Chapter of Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara.

The Dalai Lama came to Tucson at the invitation of Arizona Teaching Inc., a local non-profit group dedicated to the teachings of the Dalai Lama, according to the Dalai Lama’s Web site. The Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his work toward a peaceful solution to the Chinese occupation of Tibet.

Coinciding with his visit, the Arizona State Museum put a portion of a robe believed to be worn by the ninth Panchen Lama, the second-highest religious leader of Tibet, on public display.

The object will be on display in the museum’s lobby through Sept. 24.