Tel Aviv, July 29 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama acknowledged today the importance of the Candle for Tibet (CFT) campaign for Freedom in Tibet and for all mankind.

"We hope your Candle for Tibet campaign will inspire the Chinese authorities to appreciate the value of freedom of all mankind and the importance of the Tibetan Buddhist culture that is benefiting millions of people and has the potential to serve humanity as a whole, including the Chinese people," said Tsering Tashi representative of HH the Dalai Lama.

The CFT action, called "The Greatest Light Protest on Earth," will start on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 9:00 p.m., when at least 100 million people all over the world are expected to light a candle in public, with friends, or at their homes.

The event will then continue with world-wide light shows performed by light artists.

CFT organizers also encourage all freedom lovers in the world to drive their cars with headlights on during the entire day of Friday, August 8th, 2008—the day of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony—in appreciation of their own freedom.

CFT is additionally calling on all people attending the opening ceremony in Beijing to light candles, lighters, flashlights and cell phones at the moment the Chinese delegation enters the Olympic stadium.

Synchronized with the beginning of the opening ceremony, teams from "Sad Smoky Mountains" will flare the skies with red smoke from skyscrapers, monuments and major buildings in major cities internationally, and from the summits of more than 100 mountains on three continents. (For more information on Sad Smoky Mountains, visit www.sadsmokymountains.net/.)

"Like you, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile is not against the coming Olympics to be held in Beijing," added Tsering Tashi. "We are also not against the Chinese people, who also do not enjoy genuine human rights and freedoms that the people in the free world take for granted."

"We are elated to have the blessing of His Holiness," said David Califa, who created the Campaign for Tibet four months ago. "It strengthens the values on which our non-violent action is based."

For more information visit www.candle4tibet.org.