The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

Thursday, 15 November 2007, 5:00 p.m.

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeted by Japanese monks at the inauguration ceremony of Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Indraprastha Park in Delhi on 14 November

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama unveiled the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda) at the inauguration and dedication ceremony, marked by traditional Japanese prayer for world peace by Japanese monks and nuns in Indraprastha Park in Delhi yesterday.

While addressing the occasion, His Holiness said it would go a long way in promoting human values, peace and brotherhood among people across the globe.

His Holiness said, it is not the image but the message contained in the sculptures that is more important.

His Holiness holding relics of Buddha

His Holiness felt the teachings and quotations engraved in the pagoda should be translated in different languages, so that many people can read and understand Buddha's teaching.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit described the monument as a new landmark of Delhi, which would promote peace and human values.

The 30-metre high white pagoda is an initiative of the Shanti Stupa Society in cooperation with the Delhi Development Authority.

His Holiness at the inaugural ceremony of the Satyagraha Centenary International Conference at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi on 13 November

The plan for building a Shanti Stupa was initially proposed by late Indian prime minister, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru. Nichidatsu Fujii, a leading Japanese Buddhist leader had donated his entire award money from the Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for this project.

The pagoda with a 37-meter diameter has a ramp to facilitate the visits of physically challenged individual on wheel chair. The monument would be surrounded by a beautiful Japanese style rock garden.

Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche with other dignitaries at the Satyagraha Centenary International Conference

M.C. Bhandare, Orissa governor, Haryana governor A.R. Kidwai, and Delhi Lt. Governor Tejendra Khanna, Shri Dinesh Rai, Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority, and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani were among others who were present during the inaugural function.

On 13 November, His Holiness inaugurated the Satyagraha Centenary International Conference on the theme of ''Globalisation of the Gandhian way: Sociology, Politics and Science of Satyagraha'', held at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, attended by participants from 17 countries.

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)