Dharamshala: - In an incredibly busy and productive last day of his European visit, on May 28 His Holiness the Dalai Lama stressed his commitment to inter-religious harmony whilst meeting with Cardinal Schonborn in Austrian capital Vienna and reiterated his belief in religious tolerance and compassion amongst all of the world's religions.
His Holiness also took the opportunity to visit St Stephen's Cathedral in the Stephansplatz, in central Vienna, and attended Catholic mass as a guest of the Cardinal, where he enjoyed hearing the Cathedral's choir recite Schubert's Missa Solemnis.
The Austrian Chancellor, Werner Faymann, paid a visit to His Hlines later in the afternoon, and with Cardinal Schonborn, the three held a meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern. Later the Cardinal spoke to His Holiness about some of the restoration work presently going on in the Cathedral.
The Cardinal said he was delighted that the Dalai Lama was in Austria and that it was a source of great joy for them. He also mentioned that both he and His Holiness shared a common religious ground as both are monks, albeit of different traditions.
In a prior engagement with supporters of Tibet, His holiness thanked the Austrian people for the support and friendship they have always shown to the Tibetan people, mentioning again his friendship with Austrian mountaineers and adventurers Heinrich Harrer and Peter Aufschnaiter.
His Holiness also met the Mongolian ambassador and other members of the Mongolian community in Austria and commented on the close religious, social and historical links between Tibet and Mongolia, and how both countries have battled authoritarian regimes - with Mongolia gaining freedom, and with Tibet having yet to achieve freedom.
Continuing his interest in the intersection between religion and science, His Holiness next attended a symposium entitled ‘New Models of Reality'. The purpose of the symposium was to add to the production of knowledge on the topic, and to explore the neuropsychological field of 'mind phenomenon' and the ongoing dialogue concerning human emotions - that is, our minds and our subjective sense of happiness. His Holiness added that he was honored and delighted to be invited to this exciting field of scientific exploration as it has been area of interest and fascination for him for all his life.
