Glasgow welcomes Dalai Lama

The visit of the Dalai Lama to Glasgow was welcomed by leaders of the city's Christian community.

Rev Douglas Scrimgeour (United Free Church), Rev Mary Buchanan (United Reformed Church), Archbishop Mario Conti (Roman Catholic Church), the Dalai Lama, Rev Christine Jones (Methodist Church), Br Stephen Smyth (GCT Ecumenical Officer).
Picture: Georgina Cranston, Office of Tibet, London.

Glasgow Churches Together presented the Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader with a formal letter of greeting welcoming him on "your historic visit to our city."

"We recognise your significant role and standing in the promotion of spiritual and religious belief and practice in our contemporary world. We welcome your visit as an opportunity to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all peoples, faiths, cultures and societies," said the letter, which was signed by representatives of the Church of Scotland, Methodist Church, Roman Catholic Church, Scottish Episcopal Church, United Free Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church.

The Archbishop of Glasgow, Most Rev Mario Conti, told the Dalai Lama that just as he has learned about Christainity during his life in exile, so have they learned about Buddhism and Tibet, thanks to his being in exile.

He said the tragedy that has befallen Tibet has given them the opportunity to learn more about Tibet, the Tibetan culture and Buddhism.