Hundreds Greet Dalai Lama in Perth

June 6th 2007

Perth, Australia, 5 June 2007 (The West Australian) - Hundreds of well wishers turned out to greet the Dalai Lama when he arrived in Perth today for the first leg of his 2007 speaking tour.

The spiritual leader of Tibet met members of Perth's Buddhist community, many who brought katak scarfs, which he blessed.

The Dalai Lama also greeted 12 week old Kyle Edgar, whose parents Catherine and Craig had waited at the airport to meet him.

It is the first time in 15 years the Dalai Lama has visited WA.

Up to 35,000 West Australians are expected to hear him speak during three separate events tomorrow, before he flies out on Thursday to Melbourne.

He is set to meet Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd on June 12, after Mr Rudd initially expressed hesitation at a meeting for fear of upsetting China, which rejects the Dalai Lama's authority and Tibet's push for autonomy.

At last report, Prime Minister John Howard was still struggling to find time in his diary to arrange a similar meeting. He has been accused of kowtowing to China's communist government in refusing to meet the monk.

At Perth airport today, the Dalai Lama told the crowd he was very happy to once more be in Australia, which he described as a 'strange continent'.

He said wherever he went he worked for the promotion of human values and religious harmony.
 
 

Latest News

Teachings on the ‘Heart Sutra’ and ‘Eight Verses for Training the Mind’ at Quang Minh Temple
June 19th 2013
Melbourne, Australia, 19 June 2013 - This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove about 12 kilometres out of Melbourne to the Quang Minh Temple, a centre for the Vietnamese Buddhist community, overlooking the Maribyrnong River. He was invited by Geshe Sonam Thargye, Director of the Drol Kar Buddhist Centre, to give an explanation of the ‘Heart Sutra’ and ‘Eight Verses for Training the Mind.’

Ethics for a Whole World with the Sydney Peace Foundation and Compassion: the Foundation of Well-Being in Melbourne
June 18th 2013

Young Minds Conference, Lunch at Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant and a Visit to Westmead Hospital
June 17th 2013

Concluding Teachings, Public Talk on Ethical Mindfulness in Everyday Life and Addressing a Gathering for Tibet in Sydney
June 16th 2013

Second Day of the Jewel Lamp Teachings in Sydney
June 15th 2013

Explore