Dalai Lama calls for dialogue, compassion in Prague

Monday, December 01, 2008
Tibetoday
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Mr. Olda Cerny, Executive Director of Forum2000 (R) greets His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his arrival in Prague.

Dharamsala - Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, 73, Nobel Peace Prize winner, called for compassion and support to dialogue in a public lecture on compassion as path to happiness in Prague on Sunday.

He said the ability of compassion and open attitude to others is an important path to attaining internal peace.

The Dalai Lama has visited the Czech republic many times. He was here previously in 2006. He arrived at the invitation of former Czech president Vaclav Havel and Foundation Forum 2000.

The Dalai Lama told the full Congress Centre that empathy and compassion also play a role in solving global problems, including climate change.

The participants in the lecture included leading representatives of the junior government Green Party, Martin Bursik and Katerina Jacques.

Bursik, Jacques and other deputies are to meet the Dalai Lama as members of the group of Friends of Tibet during his stay in Prague.

In reaction to the Dalai Lama's European tour China cancelled the summit with the EU that was to be held in Lyon, France, on Monday. It was postponed indefinitely.

If the two sides reached agreement on a new date, it could be held in the Czech Republic that will take over EU presidency from France on January 1, 2009.

The Dalai Lama was to be a guest to the Forum 2000 conference in Prague which he regularly attends, but he cancelled his participation at his doctors' recommendation.