Heinrich Harrer Will Always Be Remembered by Tibetans: H.H. the Dalai Lama

Amaravati, 10 January 2006 (www.tibet.net) - In a condolence message to the wife of Heinrich Harrer, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, ' I am extremely sorry to hear of the passing away of my friend Heinrich Harrer. I wish to convery you and your family members my deeply felt condolence. I am particularly saddened because Heinrich Harrer was a personal friend and taught me English, an Austrian English teacher!

'When I first met him in 1949, he was from a world I was not familiar with. I learned many things, particularly about Europe, from him.

'I want to take this opportunity to express my immense gratitude and appreciation for his creating so much awareness about Tibet and the Tibetan people through his well-known book Seven Years in Tibet and the many lectures he gave throughout his life. His love and respect for the Tibetan people are clearly evident in his writtings and his talks'.

'We feel we have lost a loyal friend from the West, who had the unique opportunity to experience life in Tibet for seven long years before Tibet lost its freedom. We Tibetans will always remember Heinrich Harrer and will miss him greatly.

'My prayers are with you and your family.'

His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent the condolence message on 10 January 2006 from Amaravati whre he is currently giving the Kalachakra teachings to over 100,000 people.