Extolling Mahatma Gandhi's message of harmony, peace and brotherhood, the Dalai Lama has urged followers of all religions to show tolerance, understanding and respect for all faiths and follow the path of non-violence.
Receiving the prestigious Peace Pilgrim Award, instituted by the Gandhi Foundation of the US, the Tibetan spiritual leader called upon people to not to forget that the Mahatma had won freedom for his people by treading the path of truth and non-violence.
He also stressed the importance of leading simple life, pointing out that Gandhi had done that despite being a leader revered by millions.
"I have always considered myself a follower of Gandhi," he said, recalling that when he was young, he met Gandhi one night in his dream.
More than 3000 people applauded as the Dalai Lama accepted the award bestowed on him for "endowing his life to dispel the misery of the world by inspiring the promoting the spirit non violence, social justice and mutual respect for enduring peace and happiness of the humanity".
Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, presented the award and plaque to the Dalai Lama at the First Emory University Summit on Religion, Conflict and Peace held at the spacious Woodruff Physical Education Centre at the Emory Campus in Atlanta, Georgia, this weekend.
The Dalai Lama who reciprocated the honour by presenting 'Khatas', Tibetan ceremonial scarves to the office-bearers of the foundation. The Dalai Lama participated in a panel discussion where Hindu, Christian, Jewish and Muslim scholars discussed various aspect of their religions and stress the need for harmony, peace and tolerance.
Rajmohan Gandhi, who has been a very close friend of Dalai Lama over many years, made a passionate appeal the international community to help Dalai Lama return to his beloved land and home in Tibet.
"Dalai Lama has not been able to go home for 48 years. This man without a home is loved in millions of homes. This man without a country is honored in country after country. This is no ordinary man yet for this universal pinnacle of
happiness, returning home has been denied to him," he added .
Rajmohan then spoke about Mahatma Gandhi and Hindu religion. "In India, Hinduism comes to you from the atmosphere. In America, it has to be articulated. In India, you assume you are a Hindu. In America, you ask yourself why you are a Hindu and share the reasons with others."
The Founders of the Gandhi Foundation pioneered the installation and dedication of the life-size bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site on January 24, 1998 under the leadership of the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA).