Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Switzerland on Wednesday for a five day unofficial visit. While in the country he plans to deliver several speeches thanking the Swiss for their hospitality and support in welcoming Tibetan exiles to their country for 50 years. The first Tibetan refugees in Switzerland were a group of 20 children who moved to the Pestalozzi Children's Village in Trogen in 1960.
There are currently around 4,000 Tibetans living in Switzerland, the third largest Tibetan population in the world outside of China. During his visit, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit Rikon, which is home to the oldest Tibetan monastery in the West. He will also attend the first European Tibetan Youth Parliament, taking place in Zurich, with 150 participants from 11 countries.
For the final days of his visit, he will participate in the Mind and Life Institute's Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems conference, along with other leaders from scientific and social fields. His Holiness co-founded the Institute in 1987 to promote a dialogue between modern science and current contemplative religions.
His Holiness will meet with Pascale Bruderer, the speaker of the Swiss National Council, and the highest ranking Swiss official who consented to officially meet with him during his visit.
