By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 4: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, currently in Mundgod Tibetan Settlement, on Sunday expressed his grief over the passing away of fellow Nobel Peace Laureate and activist Elie Wiesel at age of 87.
According to his family, he passed away peacefully in New York yesterday after a lengthy illness.
In a letter to his widow, Marion Wiesel, the Dalai Lama wrote, “Among his many qualities he was a steady friend of the Tibetan people. I offer prayers on his behalf and my condolences to you and the members your family at this sad time.”
Recalling the Romanian-born Holocaust survivor’s contributions in promoting universal understanding and a peaceful world through dialogue, the Dalai Lama said that his compassionate, broadminded contribution to their discussions would be missed.
“He had lived a meaningful life and the best tribute we can pay in his memory is to dedicate ourselves to promoting the values he held dear in a spirit of understanding, friendship and brotherhood,” the 80-year old wrote.
The Author of Night, his memoir during the time of Holocaust, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. The Dalai Lama had bestowed the ICT’s Light of Truth Award upon Wiesel in November 2005.
The Tibetan spiritual leader today took full ordination vows for 81 monks from various monasteries.
