Helsinki, Finland, 18 August 2011 - His Holiness the
Dalai Lama arrived in Helsinki, capital of Finland, this afternoon
following a successful two-day visit to Estonia.
|
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama is
presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Tartu at the
start of his meeting at the Estonian Academy of Sciences in Tallinn,
Estonia, on 18 August 2011. Photo/Igor Yanchoglov |
His Holiness’ main program for the day was to
address a meeting this morning at the Estonian Academy of Sciences. The
program at the academy began with the presentation of the Honorary
Doctorate of the University of Tartu to His Holiness by Prof. Alar
Karis, the Rector of the University of Tartu. The Honorary Doctorate was
awarded to His Holiness in 2005 and this has been the first opportunity
for the University of Tartu, based in southern Estonia, to present the
award to His Holiness.
Following the presentation, His Holiness spoke to
the assembled audience of scientists, politicians including five
Ministers from the Estonian government, and other prominent Estonians on
the theme of “Buddhism and Science”.
|
His Holiness the Dalai Lama listens to a question from the audience
during his meeting at the Estonian Academy of Sciences in Tallinn,
Estonia, on 18 August 2011.
Photo/Jarek Jõepera |
His Holiness then
responded to questions from the audience as well as taking part in a
discussion on the theme of the meeting with contributions from the
President of the Academy of Sciences, Professor Richard Villems.
His Holiness then attended a lunch hosted by the Estonian Institute of
Buddhism. His Holiness bid farewell to Director of the Estonian
Institute of Buddhism Mr. Sven Grünberg and the leader of the Estonian
Parliamentary group for Tibet MP Mr. Andres Herkel, the two hosts for
the visit to Estonia prior to his departure for Finland in the early
afternoon.
Upon arriving in Helsinki, His Holiness responded to a Finnish
reporter’s question on the purpose of his visit by saying that he had
come to see his many old friends in the country again, to meet new
friends, and for the promotion of universal values such as compassion
and tolerance, as well as for the promotion of religious harmony and
understanding among the world’s major religious traditions.
His Holiness’ two-day program in Finland begins tomorrow morning and the
visit is hosted by the Finnish Tibetan Cultural Association and
Songtsen, a Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana Community in Finland
