Wiesbaden, Germany: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was welcomed at the Frankfurt airport this morning by Mr Volker Bouffier, Minister President of Hessen state and the Speaker of the State Parliament.
Mr Volker Bouffier and the President of the State Parliament Mr Norbert Kartmann extended an invitation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this year to visit Hessen State in Germany.
Over 600 Germans enthusiastically waited in the scorching summer sun for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's arrival at Seligenstadt near Frankfurt for the official luncheon. They clapped their hands and welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the motorcade arrived.
After a brief walk with Mr Volker Bouffier in the Seligenstadt Monastery's famous garden, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mr Bouffier addressed the members of the media.
"I am in Germany at the invitation of the Hessen government and am indeed very happy to be here", said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
"We are very happy, honoured and proud that His Holiness the Dalai Lama visit Hessen again", said Mr Volker Bouffier. "His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a person who touches the hearts of people wherever he goes. He advocates non-violence methods for the religious freedom and autonomy for Tibet. He is a role model for others. We wish his efforts to find a solution to the Tibetan issue will be fulfilled."
His Holiness walked towards the waiting crowd of few hundred Germans. He expressed his happiness to see them and his gratitude for their welcome and support.
"I always say supporting Tibet's just case is supporting pro-justices," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
State Cabinet members, President of the Parliament and leaders of the various state political parties attended the official luncheon.
In the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at Frankfurt's Goethe University to speak to the students and faculty members on Leadership and Values.
"It is not often we get to invite such a distinguished guest as His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We are delighted to have you here today. You are the role model for many," said the Vice-President of the University in her welcome address.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama began his speech by addressing the audiences as "brothers and sisters".
"Whenever I give talk or meet people, I usually start my addressing by saying brothers and sisters because fundamentally we are all same human being - mentally, physically and emotionally," he said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama emphasised the importance of moral ethnics based on secularism that is universal. He said that the present educational system should include moral ethnics as a curriculum.
"We must find ways and means to promote moral ethnics not based on religion but on secularism. Through education we can promote moral ethnics," he said.
Secularism does not mean disrespect to religion, he said, adding, in fact, it shows respect to religions.
Speaking on democracy, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said world belongs to humanity not to kings or religious leaders but to the people. Germany belongs to the German people. Democratic system means to rule the people by the people.
Twentieth century has been a century of blood shed. Over 200 million people were killed through violence. He said that we must build this century as a peaceful century. He told the students that this is their century.
Peaceful world does not mean absences of problems. He said we must find ways and means to solve these problems through non-violence. So 21st Century should be a century of dialogue. For dialogue to success, we must have respect for others and take their interest into consideration. This way we can achieve meaningful dialogue.
In concluding his speech, His Holiness the Dalai Lama called on the younger generations and students to think more seriously as to what they want to make of this century.
