(TibetanReview.net, Jan14, 2015) – Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Jan 12 visited the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by the late Mother Teresa. He was received at the Mother House, a place of pilgrimage dedicated to the memory of Mother Teresa, by the Superior General of the Order, Sister Mary Prema Pierick, and the Archbishop of Kolkata.
Hundred of sisters and guests welcomed him, gathering around the Mother’s tomb. They sang hymns of praise as the Dalai Lama and Sister Mary Prema paid their respects before an image of Mother Teresa.
Recalling the Dalai Lama’s previous visit in Sep 2005, the Superior General remarked: “What a joy it is to have His Holiness amongst us once more in the Mother House.”
And the Archbishop of Kolkata, Thomas D’Souza, exclaimed how providential the Dalai Lama’s visit to the Missionaries of Charity was, calling it a true gift for Christmas and the New Year. He called the Dalai Lama “a perpetual apostle of peace” and thanked him “for bringing your peace to us.”
In his address the Dalai Lama recalled the one brief occasion of his meeting with Mother Teresa and described her as an exemplary person, who revealed to others the true practice of love through her charitable activities. “Her spirit lives on as does the spirit of Jesus Christ and Buddha Shakyamuni,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Dalai Lama met with a group of some 150 Tibetans doing business in Kolkata, including some 30 Tibetan Muslims from Srinagar. He praised the Muslims for their strong adherence their Tibetan culture along with their Muslim faith.