H.H. the Dalai Lama's First Ever Visit To Iceland Concludes
Published: Wednesday, 3 June, 2009
Reykjavik, Iceland, 2 June 2009 (tibet.net) - His
Holiness the Dalai Lama this afternoon concluded his two-day programme
in Iceland with a public talk attended by a capacity crowd of more than
3,000 people, who listened every word with rapt attention. Speaking on
the topic of “Compassion, Values and Happiness” His Holiness said that
the practice of genuine compassion is the key to a happier life. He
said that one can also have compassion for one´s own enemies bearing in
mind that the other person also belongs to the same human family and
has the right to happiness and to overcome suffering. Following the
public talk, His Holiness also answered a series of questions from the
audience ranging from the recent economic crisis suffered by Iceland
and a question from a ten-year old asking whether His Holiness loved
animals and to which His Holiness answered in the affirmative. The
public talk was organised by the “Dalai Lama in Iceland” group.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Parliament being greeted by members of Committee on Foreign Affairs with the Speaker in the centre. Photo by Ragnar Axelsson. |
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| His Holiness signing the Iceland Parliament´s VIP guestbook with Parliament Speaker Asta Ragnheidur Johannesdottir (Mrs). Photo by Ragnar Axelsson |
Prior
to the public talk, His Holiness visited the Parliament of Iceland,
considered the world´s oldest Parliament. On his arrival, His Holiness
was welcomed by Parliament Speaker Mrs Asta Ragnheidur Johannesdottir
who led His Holiness to sign the VIP guest book before giving His
Holiness a tour of the Parliament House and escorting him to the room
where members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs were waiting. His
Holiness spent about an hour with the Speaker and Foreign Affairs
Committee members who asked him various questions relating to the Tibet
issue and how Iceland as a free and democratic country can help the
Tibetan people regain their rights. His Holiness expressed his
appreciation to the Speaker and Foreign Affairs Committee members for
the invitation to meet with them and their genuine sense of concern and
interest in the issues affecting the Tibetan people.
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| His Holiness with University of Iceland Rector and special guests prior to the morning lecture. Photo by Ragna by Axelsson |
In
the morning His Holiness visited the University of Iceland, the
island´s biggest university to speak at a gathering of academics and
students and to participate in a discussion with leading University
scholars on the subject of philosophy and ethics. His Holiness advised
that besides academic knowledge it was also important to develop inner
values. His Holiness also stressed the importance of secular ethics
which he said has nothing to do with any religious traditions or
values. With the hall being packed to capacity, the University had
arranged for screens where people in the foyer and corridors could
watch His Holiness addressing the audience in the hall including the
University Rector, Minister of Science & Technology and the former
President of Iceland. In answering a question, His Holiness said that
there were some similarities between Tibet and Iceland because in the
past Tibet was isolated by mountains and Iceland was isolated by the
water on all sides. Following the talk and as he was leaving, His
Holiness was applauded and cheered by crowds both inside and outside
the hall. Some people had even gathered to greet His Holiness outside
the main university entrance where the motorcade had lined up to take
the Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate for his next engagement.
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| A large crowd in the corridor of the University of Iceland greeting His Holiness. Photo by Ragnar Axelsso |
His Holiness´ busy schedule for the day also included a major TV interview and meetings with the Ministers of Environment, Health, and Industry and a former Minister of Trade who had raised the issue of human rights with the Chinese leadership during his visit to Beijing.
His
Holiness also gave a group audience to the small Tibetan community,
members of Friends of Tibet - Iceland and Mongolians. His Holiness told
the supporters that he does not consider their support for the Tibetan
people as being pro-Tibet or anti-Chinese but rather as pro-justice and
pro-truth.
Following his successful first ever visit to
Iceland where His Holiness was warmly welcomed and greeted by large
numbers of people wherever he went, His Holiness will be leaving here
tomorrow morning for The Netherlands on the third leg of his current
four nation European visit. Prior to visiting Iceland, His Holiness was
in Denmark where besides giving teachings and a public talk His
Holiness was met by the Danish Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the
Leader of the main opposition The Danish Social Democratic Party, Ms
Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
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| His Holiness leaving the stage after the public talk attended by a capacity crowd of over 3000 with two of the visit organisers. Photo by Ragnar Axelsson. |
His
Holiness´ 31 May to 3 June visit and public engagements in Iceland took
place at the invitations of the “Dalai Lama in Iceland” group, the
Bishop of Iceland, the University of Iceland and the Speaker of the
Parliament of Iceland.
-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, London
