London University honours His Holiness the Dalai Lama

OoT, London[Wednesday, May 21, 2008 09:46]

LONDON, May 20 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 12-day visit to the UK began today with the London Metropolitan University awarding His Holiness with an honorary doctorate.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (C), greets spectators as he receives an honorary doctorate from the London Metropolitan University in a ceremony held at the Chartered Institute of Insurance Hall in East London, 20 May 2008. The event is being held on the first day of his first visit to the UK since 1973. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made an acceptance speech and met students from the London Metropolitan University. EPA/DANIEL DEME

Receiving the honorary doctorate scroll from the university’s Chair of the Board of Governors Peter Anwyl at a function in a city hall, His Holiness told a distinguished gathering of university staff, students and invited guests from other educational institutes, that his attendance at this function was fitting because the main purpose of his visit to different countries was educational and to promote human values and religious harmony.

“Everyone wants a happy and successful life; but these cannot be bought. Higher studies does not necessarily make a person happy and this is why the most important factor is to develop compassion,” His Holiness said adding that educational institutes have the responsibility to impart both education and moral ethical values.

His Holiness thanked the Vice Chancellor Brian Roper and others in the University for providing scholarships to Tibetans students and said he felt proud to hear that the Tibetan students were doing well.

The London Metropolitan University is the largest single university in London and has 150 years of service in the field of education. It has a diverse body of 34,000 students, of whom 7,000 are international students from over 150 different countries. The university currently has nine Tibetan students.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (C), accompanied by university Vice-Chancellor Brian Roper (L), receives an honorary doctorate from the London Metropolitan University in a ceremony held at the Chartered Institute of Insurance Hall in East London, 20 May 2008. The event is being held on the first day of his first visit to the UK since 1973. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made an acceptance speech and met students from the London Metropolitan University. EPA/DANIEL DEME

Making a special reference to the Tibetan students in the audience, His Holiness told them that the purpose of modern education should be improving not only their individual life but also to contributing toward Tibet’s future. He said presently in Tibet under China’s totalitarian rule, education is much politicised.

“You students have great opportunity to gain from modern education and uphold our traditional Tibetan values,” said His Holiness, who wore the purple and grey graduation gown and hat offered by the university.

Prior to inviting the Presiding Officer and Chair of the university’s Board of Governors, to confer upon His Holiness the “degree of Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa”, the Vice Chancellor gave a brief outline of His Holiness’ early life in Tibet and goodwill he has earned since coming into exile.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a worldwide figurehead and a man who has inspired countless people throughout his life. Today we honour him, not just for his leadership of his people, but also for his demonstration, through all of his words and deeds, that peaceful means of resolution always remain possible,” the Vice Chancellor said.

In a message to the university’s souvenir booklet to mark the conferment of the honorary doctorate to His Holiness, the Vice Chancellor writes:

“It is our great pleasure to confer on His Holiness an Honorary Doctorate of the University in recognition of his outstanding achievements in promoting peace globally, and his spiritual guidance and leadership, which has been an inspiration to so many people”.

Earlier in a press release issued by the university, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based at the Office of Tibet, London, Mr. Tsering Tashi, was quoted as saying, “The London Metropolitan University’s decision to confer His Holiness with an Honorary Doctorate will be welcomed not only by the Tibetan people but also by millions of people around the world who have been touched and feel inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts to promote peace and harmony not only for Tibet but also for the world and humanity at large”.

His Holiness delivering the acceptance speech. (Photo by Ian Cumming/Office of Tibet, London)

The Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate’s May 20 to 31, 2008 visit to the UK is at the invitation of the Dharma Network (formed of various Buddhist organisations in the UK), the Tibet Society UK, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, and the Oxford University’s Blackfriars Hall and the Centre for Buddhist Studies, to give a series of public talks and teachings in London, Nottingham and Oxford. During this visit, confirmed since last year, His Holiness besides addressing members of parliament will also be meeting with HRH The Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, leaders of main political parties, the Archbishop of Canterbury and leaders of other religions and faiths.

His Holiness will also meet with over 230 family members of former British officials and others who had worked or visited Tibet in the late 19th Century and up to 1950 prior to the Chinese occupation along with a few Tibet experts who have contributed significantly to the cause of Tibet. His Holiness has also accepted the invitation from the renowned Pitts River Museum in Oxford to launch the museum’s Tibet Photo Album website.

Report by: Office of Tibet, London