(TibetanReview.net, Oct14, 2016) – Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Oct 12 began a three-day visit to Switzerland, landing in capital Bern where he drove straight to the House of Religions, a project that opened in 2014 with eight religious communities represented under one roof. Mrs Gerda Hauck, the President of the House, welcomed the Dalai Lama and introduced him to the members of the community.
The Dalai Lama had lunch with 60 invited guests which included the Mayor of Bern, Mr Alexander Tschappat. Tschappat recalled that the Dalai Lama had previously planned to visit Bern in 2008 but had to call it off. Since then, he said, that amazing House of Religions had come about. He was particularly happy for His Holiness to see the House.
Following lunch, the Dalai Lama visited several of the places of worship, starting with the Hindu temple, followed by the Mosque, as well as the Buddhist and Christian chapels and paid his respect. He then took part in an interfaith dialogue with the lunch guests who also included people from the Baha’i and Sikh faiths. He said that while the different religions may have their own philosophical views, they all convey the same message of love, forgiveness, contentment and self-discipline.