Dalai Lama calls for peace through dialogue

By Richard O'Reilly

The Dalai Lama has called on the people of Northern Ireland to think 'objectively and without emotion' in solving the current political impasse.

The Tibetan spiritual leader was speaking in Derry/Londonderry today, in his role as Patron of the charity Children in Crossfire.

"The future of Northern Ireland is entirely dependent on people" said His Holiness "people should think realistically, should not involve emotion, too much emotion you wont see the reality".

He also said the world's disputes should be solved through dialogue rather than violence.

"People still consider force as an important instrument to solve problems" said His Holiness "in reality it's the source of further problems"

"We should create this century, as the century of dialogue" he continued.

The Dalai Lama describes Richard Moore of @ChildreninXfire as 'his hero' pic.twitter.com/IOBM3geMOE

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 11, 2017

^{The Dalai Lama described Children in Crossfire founder Richard Moore as his 'hero'}

He was joined in the City Hotel by Children in Crossfire founder Richard Moore.

Richard Moore was blinded by a plastic bullet during the troubles.  He subsequently set up Children in Crossfire, which offers education opportunities to children in poverty.

The visit of the Dalai Lama is to coincide with Children in Crossfire marking 20 years since its foundation.

"I'm just an ordinary citizen here [Derry] and he has come to support me and Children in Crossfire" said Richard "at the centre of what his holiness is about is to help others raise issues around children which suffer from the injustices of poverty."

.@richardcic of @ChildreninXfire says His Holiness The Dalai Lama is the 'leading light' in creating a better, more peaceful world pic.twitter.com/Rit98nmlgg

— Richard O'Reilly (@RM_oreilly) September 11, 2017

^{Richard Moore says the Dalai Lama is the leading light in creating a better, more peaceful world}

"When we begin to feel the same way towards other children and their plight as we respond to the love  we have for our own children, I believe it will be a better world" continued Richard

"His Holiness is the leading light in that regard".

The Dalai Lama also called for worldwide nuclear disarmament, particularly due to ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

"Unthinkable to use nuclear weapon, unthinkable" said his holiness "now we must seriously make effort step by step, for a nuclear-free world."

The Dalai Lama and Richard Moore on stage at the City Hotel in Derry/Londonderry pic.twitter.com/nmvKZ1QWoS

— Richard O'Reilly (@RM_oreilly) September 11, 2017