His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented with the Gandhi Mandela Award 2022 on Saturday at the at his official residence, Tsuglakhang, in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, northern India, for his outstanding contribution to world peace and harmony.
Himachal Pradesh governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar bestowed the award on the Tibetan spiritual leader, noting that the Dalai Lama was “perhaps the most deserving person in the world today” and describing His Holiness as a “universal ambassador of peace.” (The Times of India)
The awarding organization, the Gandhi Mandela Foundation, said that the Dalai Lama was chosen from among 500 nominees for his continued commitment as an advocate for world peace and harmony.
Receiving the award, the Dalai Lama observed that non-violence and compassion were essential values if the world is to achieve peace, noting that these principles had been ingrained in Indian culture for thousands of years.
“Any problem cannot be solved by war but through dialogue and peace,” His Holiness said. “For world peace, we have to adopt nonviolence and compassion as these are the guiding force for existence.” (The Times of India, The Tribune)
Headquartered in New Delhi, the Gandhi Mandela Foundation is a registered trust that promotes individual freedom, civil liberties, and human rights across the globe. The foundation instituted the Gandhi Mandela Awards during the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi to celebrate those who have carried forward the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The Gandhi Mandela Awards is an international award given annually, with nominations invited from heads of the state of Asian and African countries, and leading international figures. The foundation states:
Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela have been two prominent and inspirational world leaders of 20th century who fought hard to remove social evils like racism and colonialism. Both are considered the father figures in their respective nations. They helped shape democracy in their countries. The Gandhi Mandela Awards aim at furthering the legacy of the two great leaders.
By giving this award, we intend to honor those who have been inspired by the ideas and ideals of the two great men. This will go a long way in promoting individual freedom, civil liberties, and human rights across the globe.
(Gandhi Mandela Foundation)
The first-ever Gandhi Mandela Peace Prize was awarded to Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh on 11 July 2019. The award was presented to the Ahimsa Trust Sangha and members of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing. Family members of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were present at the ceremony.*
* Thich Nhat Hanh Honored with 2019 Gandhi Mandela Peace Medal (BDG)
See more
Gandhi Mandela Foundation
Gandhi Mandela Award for Dalai Lama (The Tribune)
Dalai Lama receives Gandhi Mandela Award, says any problem can be solved through dialogue and peace (The Times of India)
Dalai Lama conferred Gandhi Mandela award (Phayul)
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Thich Nhat Hanh Honored with 2019 Gandhi Mandela Peace Medal
