CTA
August 24, 2009

Dharamshala -- Emphasising the importance of
openness, truth and compassion, His Holiness the
Dalai Lama said the strife-torn world needs the
message of peace and progress now more than ever before.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama said this on the
opening day of a four-day religious congregation,
attended by thousands of devotees in Leh on
Saturday. A good number of foreigners and also
tourists are attending the congregation, Asian
News International (ANI) reported.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama highlighted the basic
principles of Buddhism, which he termed as a
faith that stands for wisdom, compassion, peace and brotherhood.

His Holiness underlined the importance of
spiritual development of mankind particularly in the present time.

The participants feel that the presence of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Buddhist majority Leh was a boon for the region.

"The people here are fortunate to listen to the
sermons delivered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
He gives sermon in simple language and people
easily understand him. His coming to this place
itself is a great blessing for us," ANI quoted
Tsewang Rigzen, a Buddhist monk, as saying.