His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits Swiss Parliament

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Swiss Parliament’s Tibet Group members
(Ms Maya Graf is 4th from left) – File Photo of April 2010
GENEVA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit the Swiss Parliament at the official invitation by the President of the National Council, Ms. Maya Graf, on 16 April afternoon. Ms. Graf will receive His Holiness on arrival at the Parliament, which coincides with the one-day special session of the Parliament.

Ms. Maya Graf is a long time friend of Tibet and members of the Tibet Group within the Swiss Parliament. She visited Dharamsala in late March 2003 to see the situation of Tibetans in India and workings of the exile democratic institutions.

On his arrival in Switzerland today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will address the European Tibetan Buddhist Conference organized by Geneva based Tibet Bureau at Forum Fribourg. Over 80 delegates will attend the one-day conference. Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay who arrived in Switzerland on 10 April will also address the conference.

From 13 to 14 April at the invitation of International Buddhist Community Rigdzin, the FPC-Tibet Foundation and the Swiss Foundation FPMT, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give Tibetan Buddhist teachings and public talk at Forum Fribourg. There will be translations in French, German, English, Italian, Spanish and Russian. Over 8,000 people will attend the two days event, which will be live webcasted in English, French and German on www.dalailama2013.ch

The University of Lausanne will host a one-day Dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and scientists on “LivingandDyinginPeace: Cross-ViewsontheElderly” on 15 April. The dialogue will be live webcasted onhttp://goo.gl/0H7Dw

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will address the students of University of Bern on 16 April morning. He will speak on “Towards a Sustainable Future: The Dalai Lama in dialogue with students”. This address will also be live webcasted on http://goo.gl/pswac

On the occasion of His Holiness’ visit, the university is holding series of events to highlight the political and religious history of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism and its art, but also the challenges of Tibetan refugees in Switzerland.

On the final day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Switzerland, His Holiness will visit Rikon Tibetan monastery on 17 April morning. This is the oldest Tibetan Monastery in Europe.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama first visited Switzerland in 1974 and this is the 24th visit.

On 17 April afternoon His Holiness will fly to Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

 — with Jean Haerinck.