His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits Birmingham

Hello Birmingham!

The Dalai Lama is regarded as an international human rights activist, religious figure and the exiled leader of Tibet. He visited Birmingham from October 24-27, in conjunction with Birmingham's Human Rights Week.

In the U.S., the Dalai Lama is widely associated with his stance on human rights and a non-violent independence campaign for the Asian country of Tibet, which was invaded and has been occupied by China since 1950.

The Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans later fled to northern India and formed a government in exile, where he remains.

The visit is significant, as Birmingham works to showcase its history on a national and international stage.

"With our shared legacy of human rights, Birmingham continues to establish herself as the cradle of human rights for the United States," Mayor William Bell said. "The peaceful protest model first established here has been used around the world to enact real and significant change. The Dalai Lama has mentioned Dr. King's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'  as a significant inspiration of his."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greets My Bell.

The Dalai Lama places a prayer shawl on Mayor Bell,

His Holiness engages the audience

His laughter is contagious.

He delivers a message of peace and compassion.

It was hot ...

More laughter ...

Wearing his towel hat, His Holiness the Dalai Lama waives farewell.

The Dalai Lama called on young people to carry forth his message of peace. "In order to make this century a century of peace, we must make this a century of dialogue," he said. "It is your responsibility to make a peaceful world." 

Mayor Bell asked the Dalai Lama about the civil rights movement, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and King it has influenced him in his struggle for human rights. The Dalai Lama said he had visited the place where King was shot in Memphis. "I'm one of the admirers of the late Martin Luther King," the Dalai Lama said. "Although he's no longer alive, his spirit is still very much relevant, very much alive. We must keep his spirit alive. Different places, still discrimination. His spirit is very much relevant."

To view the complete photo gallery, which includes images of protesters and fans alike, click the link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bisforbonnie/sets/72157646689882694/