POPE-ISLAM: DALAI LAMA, DIALOGUE IS THE PATH FOR PEACE
(AGI) - Vatican City, Oct 13 - The Dalai Lama shared Benedict XVI's desire for peace and his conviction that this is the way to build peace, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader said at the press conference after the hearing this morning at the Vatican. "The meeting with Benedict XVI was a religious one in which we spoke about human values, religious harmony and the environment," he explained, saying that there was a substantial agreement on these points. As far as the tensions with Islam are concerned, the Dalai Lama said he told the Pope that "few people who do evil do not represent their religion". "It is not right to make generalisations on the behaviour and the deeds of a few. Not all Muslims are terrorists. A few people doing evil cannot be considered to be representatives of any community: Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or any other," he said to the press. The meeting did not touch on China, because "there are many Christians there who are having trouble because of their faith". When asked about human rights in China and in Tibet, the Dalai Lama replied that the topic is discussed with the Chinese government by many foreign delegations visiting Beijing. "This needs to be done constantly regardless of the response given," he said. The Dalai Lama was also asked about the Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, who was kidnapped in 1996 by the Communist government. "I have no news," he replied. "The Panchen is youngest prisoner of conscience in the world (he is currently 16, Ed.) and every time we ask about him, the Chinese government replies that 'he is where he is'." (AGI) -
131943 OTT 06
The Dalai Lama always comes across as a saintly individual, but (we knew that was coming, right?) sometimes his message can... grate.
"Not all Muslims are terrorists!"
Thanks for the tip.
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