Italian town honours His Holiness the Dalai Lama[Friday, 30 July 2010, 5:48 p.m.]

Representative Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa (2nd R) holds The Traglia award conferred on His Holiness the Dalai Lama by an Italian town in recognition of his message of kindness, love and compassion.

Jelsi, Italy: A
small town in central Italy presented their annual International Prize
– The Traglia – to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in recognition of His
Holiness’ message of kindness, love and compassion. The award was
received by Mr Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, the Representative of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Geneva on 27 July in Jelsi, Italy. The
ceremony was organized as part of the celebrations of Festa del Grano
by Jesli town and supported by the Regional government. In
receiving the award, Mr Chhoekyapa said that he was grateful and
encouraged that a small town in central Italy recognised the work of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and expressed concern for the plight of the
Tibetan people. Over 20,000 people came from all over the region on the
first day of the annual festival. Four monks from the Gaden
Jangtse Monastery in South India constructed a Sand Mandala and prayed
for world peace. After the Sand Mandala was dismantled, there was large
line of people waiting to receive a small portion of the sand from the
Mandala. “His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of peace and
nonviolence is very important for the growth of civilizations”, said Mr
Michele Iorio, President of the Regional Government, Italy. He made
this statement during his meeting with Mr Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa on
28 July morning Molise Region head office. Mr Iorio also said that he
support His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s called for autonomy for the
Tibetan People. The day in pictures:

Gaden Jangtse monks lead prayer for world peace

Mr Michele Iorio, President of the Regional Government, Italy (L) and Mr Chhoekyapa (C)

A monk works on Sand Mandala

Visitors receive granules from Sand Mandala after it was dismantled

A plaque on the peace tree in Jelsi, Italy

Representative Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa (3rd L) with mayor of Jelsi, Italy

Representative Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa speaks to the media at the regional government office