His Holiness Urges World Leaders to Spread Peace, Praises India
Monday, 2 June 2008, 8:51 a.m.
 File photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing a religious conference in Dharamshala, India /Photo:Sangjey Kep |
New Delhi: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who Sunday evening paid his first visit to the historical Jama Masjid here, urged global leaders to spread values of tolerance, peace and amity and held India as a model of communal harmony.
His Holiness was in the city to participate in an international Anti-Terrorism Conference, was accompanied by a galaxy of religious and political leaders from India and abroad. The leaders called upon governments to generate awareness about the problem cutting across all sections to overcome the “greatest threat” to humanity.
“Let us understand that all major religions have great potential in bringing peace on the earth. Respecting human values and thinking about humanity is a universal responsibility. There is a need to spread and promote secular values and harmony,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said at the two-day conference.
Sunday was the concluding day of the two-day anti-terrorism conference organised by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) and the Jama Masjid United Frond (JMUH), the two city-based organisations dedicated to the welfare for Indian Muslims.
“We must preach values of tolerance, peace, harmony and brotherhood. This is what humanity is all about. Emotionally, mentally and physically, all humans are equal and the same. We should take care of one another. It is good for us,” His Holiness said.
His Holiness also lauded India’s secular values and tradition and the level of religious tolerance the country has exhibited over decades, which makes “India a role model for the rest of the world”.
“India is the source of origin for many major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. As a nation, the country has been home to followers of religions like Zoroastrianism. These can be a model for the rest of the world,” His Holiness said.
–Report compiled from Thaindiannews.com and economictimes.com
