Dharamshala: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave a public talk Monday, August 15, in Toulouse, France. According to Tibet.net, His Holiness spoke to an audience of over ten thousand about the importance of ethics.
Speaking from a secular perspective in order to reach a wide audience, His Holiness said that it is wrong to do wrong at others' expense.
He emphasized that actual physical well-being can be harmed by fear and stress, and that inner peace and calm are essential for both a healthy body and a healthy mind.
Secular ethics can be understood by everyone, His Holiness said. While no religion is applicable to everyone, everyone can appreciate and be trained in warm-heartedness.
The next century, according to His Holiness, should be a century of dialogue instead of a century of violence. Change comes through action, he said, urging the audience to work on changing corruptions such as bloodshed and the unequal distribution of wealth.
In meetings Monday morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with several mayors from different areas in France. The mayors had each adopted Tibetan villages in an effort to preserve Tibetan language and culture.
Expressing his thanks, His Holiness asked the mayors to expand their campaign to include the whole European Union.
His Holiness also met with French parliamentarians and held an audience with representatives of the Danielle Mitterand Foundation.
While meeting with the parliamentarians, His Holiness briefed them on the current political and ecological situation inside Chinese-ruled Tibet.
During the audience, he told representatives of the foundation that the new generation has a great responsibility and opportunity to shape the future in a positive way.
His Holiness, now in Estonia, will hold a free public talk on A Call for Universal Responsibility at Liberty Square in Tallin. The talk is organized by the Estonian Institute of Buddhism. He also plans to meet with government officials during his time in Tallin.
