His Holiness the Dalai Lama sends birthday greetings to Archbishop Desmond Tutu

DHARAMSHALA, India: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today sent his warm greetings to Archbishop and fellow Nobel Laureate, Desmond Tutu, on his 80th birthday.

In a video message posted on his website His Holiness said: “Since you retired, on few occasions when Nobel laureates gathered I always feel some wonderful person is missing. I am very very eager and looking forward to see you personally as this is one of the opportunity. I just waited till day before yesterday, but then there was a clear sign. My representative in New Delhi approached the Africa mission there, but till even last day there was no answer. So then I felt this is a clear sign that your government feels very inconvenient. Therefore, I canceled my visit.

“I am very sad and very much hoping this time to see Nelson Mandela, who is now very old. So now I doubt whether I can have another occasion to meet him.

“You, Mr Tutu, my brother, although 80, because of your spirit and firm moral principle, always carry the message of love, compassion, peace, and non-violence. So you are truly man of god. So I am hoping for another opportunity to meet you.

“On this special and significant occasion of your 80th birthday, with this scarf and my folded hands, I want to express my greetings on your happy birthday.

Unfortunately it is quite rare on this planet to have people like you who carry hope. I usually describe our generation as the generation of 20th century. Our century is now already gone and we are almost ready to say bye bye. People like you can be of certain impact on this new 21st century, which I am always telling and hoping that this should be the century of peace, dialogue, compassion and more humane way. So you are one of the important person who really showing proper and right way from your own previous experiences. Please take care of your health and I will pray for your long and healthy life, and may you can continuously carry on your affectionate activities,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in his message.

His Holiness has accepted a proposal from Archbishop Tutu to have a worldwide live video conference on Saturday (8 October) via the internet. “In principle, yes, His Holiness has accepted the proposal, and from our side, we are in the process of arranging the video link,” Phayul.com quoted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s secretary Chime Rigzing Choekyapa as saying.