Peaceful conflict resolving only long term solution: Dalai Lama on refugee crisis

Dharamsala: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said that seeking peaceful solutions at the source of the conflict would lead to long term solutions, even though he felt it was wonderful that many nations would be taking in refugees who fled their countries following conflicts.

"It's wonderful that several countries will be taking refugees in, but in the long run, we have to find a peaceful solution to the conflicts in the countries they come from," said a statement quoting the Nobel Peace laureate on his official website on Saturday.

Replying to a question from a reporter in Cambridge on Friday, he said: "We must make an effort to bring about peace."

Asked if violence was ever justified in the name of religion, he replied: "Never."

And as to whether war was ever justified, he said: "It's difficult to say. The Second World War defeat of Nazism was beneficial and the Korean War saved South Korea, but it would be hard to say the same about the Vietnam War."

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan administration in exile is based in this hill town in Himachal Pradesh.

(IANS)