Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on Thursday (14th April) has addressed over 3,000 people at an event at the University of Limerick, on the second and final day of his Irish visit. During his 90-minute address Tibetan spiritual leader said the ultimate source of happiness is nner peace. Describing religious harmony as one of his life-long commitments, he said all religions were dedicated to the same principles of love, contentment and compassion. Arriving by helicopter, His Holiness was greeted by UL President Prof Don Barry after landing on the ‘Sports Bowl’ beside the Arena. The 76-year old Nobel Peace Laureate was accompanied by his friend Richard Moore, director of the charity Children in Crossfire, who organised the visit to Limerick. According to Irish newspaper 'Limerick Leader,' a large contingent of invited dignitaries and guests were among the audience including former UL president Roger Downer, Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell, Cathaoirleach Richard Butler, Shannon Development chief executive Vincent Cunnane and the Mayor of Limerick, Maria Byrne, as well as former Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's Visit to the University of Limerick for a special address on the theme of Forgiveness. His Holiness was again accompanied by friend Richard Moore, founder of the charity 'Children in Crossfire,' of which His Holiness the Dalai Lama is patron.
The event included a number of special performances prepared and rehearsed by performers from the Irish World Academy based at the University, as well as the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Monks of Glenstal. "Think more of others, extend your sense of concern, not only to your friend, but to strangers, and then to your enemy or troublemaker. Then that compassion is genuine compassion, unbiased, limitless, infinite, that we can do," His Holiness told the audience.
His Holiness spoke about the power of compassion, love and forgiveness, and described religious harmony as his life-long commitment. "I'm a Buddhist but I shouldn't develop too much of an attachment to Buddhism because if you have too much attachment to your own faith then your mind becomes biased. You should be faithful to your own tradition but you must have an open mind to others," His Holiness said.
"The ultimate source of a peaceful mind is not money, power or status," His Holiness added. "One of my friends may be a millionaire but as a person he is a very unhappy person. Money fails to bring inner peace . . . Stress will not bring real inner joyfulness or peace. The heart really brings inner strength. Trust brings friendship. We are a social animal," His Holiness continued.
According to Irish Times, the husband of murdered woman Michaela Harte was among a number of victims of violence who attended an address by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the "Power of Forgiveness" held in Limerick yesterday. John McAreavey and his father-in-law, Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, also joined more than 3,000 people at the University Arena to hear the Tibetan spiritual leader.
