His Holiness Dalai Lama returns to Dharamshala

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, left, sits with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, of South Africa, on 15 April 2008 prior to speaking at the University of Washington in Seattle

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama returned to Dharamshala on Saturday after successfully concluding his visit to the United States.

During his visit, His Holiness engaged in a series of conferences and delivered lectures on "Seeds of Compassion" - which includes discussions on scientific research into compassion, business philanthropy, interfaith dialogue and nurturing kindness in children.

His Holiness discussed spirituality and compassion with fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and leaders of different religious faiths.

His Holiness was also conferred with an honorary degree by the University of Washington.

Crucial to his visit, His Holiness was able to express his firm commitment to the Middle-Way Approach in resolving the issue of Tibet and support for Beijing Olympics by meeting in person with various Chinese reporters.

While meeting with Chinese students in Rochester, His Holiness sought to clarify the wrong impression that Tibetans are anti-Chinese. His Holiness underlined the need for more face-to-face meetings between Tibetans and Chinese, rather than staying distant with unnecessary suspicion, negative feeling and harmful atmosphere on both sides.

On 21 April, US Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky called on His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a private meeting at the University of Michigan.

The State Department stated that the meeting was part of their ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government. Such kind of dialogue will resolve many of the outstanding questions, including Tibetan people's rights to practice their religion freely, to observe their cultural traditions freely and to be able to otherwise enjoy some basic civil liberties.

Meanwhile, the office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has announced that His Holiness will confer the Guhyasamaja (sangwa dupa) Initiation, in Dharamshala from 8-10 May.

In order to attend this initiation, one must commit to daily recite the Six Session Guru Yoga along with either the short or long sadhana of Guhyasmaja.