His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeted his audience of young Tibetans with a brisk, “Tashi delek,” this morning. He began his discourse with the observation that the philosophical view of Buddhism is dependent arising and its conduct is non-violence, not harming others and, if possible, offering them help. These two themes can contribute to bringing peace to the world.

After His Holiness the Dalai Lama had entered the room in his residence from where he was giving teachings this morning, he saluted the Tibetan students he could see on the screens before him and sat down. They chanted a couple of prayers, including the mandala offering, and he began.

Responding to the news that Northern Irish politician and Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume had passed away, His Holiness the Dalai Lama composed a letter expressing his condolences to his widow.

On receiving news that former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui had passed away, His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to express his condolences to his widow Mrs. Tseng Wen-hui and members of her family.

This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited to speak to students from the Law Faculty of Delhi University; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi; the National Institute of Technology, Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh and Chapra Central School, Saran, Bihar. Prof Raman Mittal of the Delhi University Law Faculty gave a short welcome address. He acknowledged that the world is going through difficult times during which everyone has been reminded of the fragility of life. Forced to turn inward, they sought His Holiness’s guidance with regard to compassion and hope.