In its announcement to present the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee said: “His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the leader of the Tibetan people, is a person whose priority is to strive for harmonious coexistence in this world by relying solely on the approach of mutual respect, tolerance, and non-violence. It is on this basis that he has accomplished the admirable results of the preservation of the unique historical and cultural heritage of his people with all their noble qualities. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a person who strives to protect in an effective way the rights and interests of the entire humanity as well as of the world’s natural environment. In addition, he has consistently offered constructive suggestions for the resolution of all types of international conflicts in a peaceful manner.”

And in one of his responses during the award ceremony, His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained that he had at all times adhered to the ideals of compassion, kindness, tolerance, and altruism with a sense of affection towards all other beings. He said that to treat everyone in this world with a sense of respect was the best approach towards ensuring the happiness and well-being of both oneself and others. Besides, His Holiness the Dalai Lama also said that he was since childhood inspired by Mahatma Gandhi of India who had renounced all kinds of violence and who had committed himself to relying solely on the method of non-violence and that he had always admired and praised him for it. I am reiterating these today only for the purpose of stirring the memory of the occasion.