The Dalai Lama in Mexico

Earlier this month the Dalai Lama visited Mexico. During his three-day visit to the country he spent time in both Monterrey and Mexico City.

I was fortunate enough to be in the audience for the Dalai Lama’s talk on ‘Hallando La Felicidad En Tiempos Difíciles’, or ‘Finding Happiness in Troubled Times’, during which he shared his message of peace and compassion. The event, which was free and open to the public, attracted a crowd of more than 30,000 people to Mexico City’s Estadio Azul. The event was held on the morning of the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

After a presentation of Tibetan folk music and prayer, actor and activist Richard Gere took to the stage to make some opening remarks. He spoke briefly about the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York City and his memories of that day ten years earlier; then he introduced the Dalai Lama and welcomed him to the stage.

The XIV Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and he has consistently advocated for policies of non-violence. He has visited more than 62 countries, received numerous awards and authored more than 72 books. He first visited Mexico in 1989 and again in 2004.

The Dalai Lama spoke for over an hour and a half and answered questions from the audience. He talked about the universal right to happiness, and how we shouldn’t allow our secondary differences, such as appearance, language or nationality, to create barriers that divide us from one another.

He acknowledged many of the challenges that Mexico is facing and addressed topics of violence and corruption, the educational system and the gap between rich and poor which he believes is the root cause of much of the violence.

The Dalai Lama also addressed the perception of violence in Mexico saying that, “Violence does not reflect the true Mexico” and that, ”Violence is temporary.” He said that there are many positive things in the world, and that Mexico is a part of that.

He suggested that in order to deal with feelings of hopelessness, fear and frustration, one must see things from a broader perspective and find peace and happiness from within. He insisted that the problem of violence can not be solved with more violence. Instead, it must be overcome through understanding and compassion, neither of which are possible when there is prejudice, fear and greed.

The Dalai Lama wrapped up his talk shortly before 1pm and the event ended as a mariachi band performed the traditional Cielito Lindo onstage.

The event was organized by Casa Tibet México.

View more photos from the Dalai Lama’s visit to Mexico here.

México Today, in association with Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my role as a contributing writer for México Today; my opinions, as always, are my own.