His Holiness brings Message of Compassion at Lehigh

His Holiness the Dalai Lama receives an Honorary Degree from Lehigh University following his receiving and Honorary Degree. Photo: AP

"I am happy and grateful to share some of my ideas, experience, my thoughts to you," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the crowd.

"I think this: love, compassion is the main thing," His Holiness said.

His Holiness said in order for these values to have an impact on the global society, they need to first begin in each individual's "calm mind." His Holiness said when a mind becomes clouded with anger and agitation it distracts people from having compassion.

His Holiness spoke about his main commitments. "Number one commitment is emotional human value, the thing that supports our survival and happiness. These things I consider value. Number two, as a believer, as a Buddhist, trying to promote harmony among different religious traditions," said His Holiness.

Defending Islam in response to a question about the rise of violent religious fundamentalism, His Holiness said that "it's totally wrong, unfair" to call Islam a violent religion.

Also during the speech, His Holiness answered questions posed by Lehigh University President Alice P. Gast, which were submitted by the public. After the Q-and-A session His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree.

"Until my last breath, my life is dedicated to service to humanity," His Holiness the Dalai Lama said as he accepted the degree.

On 10 July, His Holiness arrived in Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, to deliver six days of lecture series on Tsongkhapa's masterpiece on the stages of spiritual evolution -"The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment".

The six-day lecture series will go through till Tuesday.

--Report compiled from MyFox Philadelphia and Associated Press

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