Dharamsala, November 20 - "India has a culture and tradition of non-violence and brotherhood and this culture is thousands of years old," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The 74 year old Nobel laureate said he has learned a lot from India, his home since 1959 when he fled Tibet after Chinese occupation.

His Holiness was speaking as a distinguished guest at the 15th Justice Sunanda Bhandare Memorial Lecture on 'Women and Peace' in the Indian capital where he arrived from Italy after attending the 5th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet.

"Women should come forward to play a vital role in world issues and they have that potential as they have more sensitivity towards other's sufferings."

Talking about peace, His Holiness said it cannot come only from words, but it should come from the heart. "Bloodshed is not a solution to any issue."

"Every issue has a solution and should be settled through dialogue only," His Holiness said.

He appealed to the world community to adopt a policy of forgiveness. He gave an example of Japan and Germany, who have suffered the most from the world wars, but were now working with everyone on global issues.

Delhi High Court Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah, Justice Leila Seth, the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court and the first woman to become Chief Justice of a state HC, and Orissa Governor M C Bhandare were also present on the occasion.