KYOTO -- The 21st century should be a time of effective dialogue to bring the conflicts of the world to an end, the Dalai Lama said here April 7.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader was speaking at the First World Buddhist Propagation Conference, which has been running in Kyoto since Friday. He had been invited to attend the event by a Japanese religious group.
The Dalai Lama also said the gathering was significant because participants came together although they are from different Buddhist sects. The conference, attended by high-ranking Buddhist leaders from 13 Asian countries and regions, adopted a joint communique saying efforts should be made to maintain and keep up eight Buddhist holy places and that participants will try to restore the glory of Buddhism in countries where it once flourished.
The organizers said the occasion is not aimed at promoting political activities. China had urged Japan not to allow the visit by the Dalai Lama, who fled to India from Chinese-occupied Tibet in 1959 and has been calling for Tibetan autonomy and the protection of his country's culture.
Participants included Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara of Thailand, whose appearance at an overseas conference as a Supreme Patriarch was the first in the country's history, the organizers said.