His Holiness the Dalai Lama meets Czech Prime Minister 

Monday, 1 December 2008
Tibet.net
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Prague : His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with the Czech Prime Minister Mr. Mirek Topolanek this evening at the Prime Minister’s official resident. Prime Minister Topolánek received His Holiness at the entrance of resident. The two leaders met for over one hour during which His Holiness the Dalai Lama briefed the Czech leader of the present situation in Tibet. Prime Minister Topolánek welcomed His Holiness to Czech and expressed his concern about the Tibetan issue.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama (R), and former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel poses for photographers in Prague December 1, 2008. REUTERS/David W Cerny (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Earlier in the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to about 3000 Compassion: The basis for happiness. The tickets for the public talk were sold out within two days in mid November. The public talk which was live webcasted on two different websites, but once crashed due to overloading.

His Holiness said the ability of compassion and open attitude to others is an important path to attaining internal peace. His Holiness also said that empathy and compassion also play a role in solving global problems, including climate change.

In the morning, internationally acclaimed Swiss born photographer Mr. Michel Comte interviewed His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mr. Comte’s visited Tibet in 1986 and travelled Dharamsala in June 2008 to discuss how he can assist Tibetan Medical and Astro. Institute in his new project to established a new medical academy near Dharamsala.

This was followed by an audience for Italian fencer Margherita Granbassi, who won a medal in Beijing Olympic, will present her fencing mask to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 30 November in Prague . "I hope the same mask that protected me in Beijing will help him protect his people," said Granbassi.

His Holiness met Tibetans who have travelled from Hungary and Austria . The members of the Tibet Support Groups had a group photo taken with His Holiness. He said that Tibet was going through a difficult time and need their help. His Holiness also expressed his gratitude for their support.