Compassion

ANI, "Dalai Lama offers prayer at Ajmer Sufi shrine" - Thai Indian News - Bangkok, Thailand
Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Ajmer: Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama visited the revered Ajmer Sharif shrine in Rajasthan this morning to offer prayers on the occasion of ”Urs”, the 796th death anniversary of Sufi saint, Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti.

The Tibetan Spiritual leader offered prayers at the Dargah Sharif during his two days visit to Rajasthan.

The Dalai Lama said promotion of harmony for lasting world peace has been his life-long commitment.

“All major religions of the world present the same potential to promote wholeheartedness or compassion. Through that way, genuine and lasting world peace can exist. You know for that reason, harmony among different traditions is very essential. This is my life-long commitment,” said the Dalai Lama.

Thousands of devotees congregate at the Ajmer Sharif shrine every year to offer prayers on the occasion of Urs, which began on July 5 this year.

The shrine is a symbol of religious convergence as people of all religions throng here in large numbers with the belief that all their wishes would be fulfilled once they offer prayers at the shrine.

An estimated one million devotees from India and abroad visit the saint’’s shrine during the six-day long Urs. The shrine also brings devotees from neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The annual gathering is considered to be second largest congregation of Muslims at one place after Mecca.

[Picture from Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center Lehigh University: http://www3.lehigh.edu/dalailama/index.html].