Dharamsala : The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama spoke to a crowd of 30,000 Sunday in Mexico’s Mexico city on ‘Finding happiness in troubled times’.
He began his talk saying, “We’re all equal,we all want to have a happy life, and we all have a right to be happyâ€.
The nobel peace prize winner spoke for more than an hour standing, as the enthusiastic crowd of 30,000 people listened attentively despite the strong Mexican sun.
Later he also took questions from the audience.Noted hollywood actor Richard Gere, a long time friend of Tibet and follower of the Dalai Lama introduced the Tibetan leader to the crowd.
When asked to comment about Mexicans carrying the Tibetan flag, he said in 1954 when he visited China and met chairman Mao Tsetung, he was told by Mao that Tibet had its own flag and Tibetans should use it.
So if people complained about displaying the Tibetan flag, the Dalai Lama said they should not since even Mao had no objection to displaying the flag.As he spoke these lines all the people carrying small Tibetan flags raised them in the air.
As he ended his talk, the crowd recited in unison in Spanish a popular longlife prayer for the Dalai Lama.
This was followed by musicians of traditional Mexican songs, ‘Mariacha’ coming up on the stage and playing an emotional farewell song along with the crowd for the Tibetan spiritual leader.
After completeing his three day visit to Mexico, the Dalai Lama leaves Monday to Buenos Aires capital of Argentina on a two day visit.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
