Dalai Lama preaches world peace at Salve Regina University

The Dalai Lama advocated for world peace and praised the values of human compassion in a speech at Salve Regina University.

Tibet's spiritual leader addressed an audience of several thousand people, including many students and faculty, and took questions after his roughly 45-minute lecture Thursday.

"I think in our daily experience, daily life, when we develop strong emotions, then you can't see the reality," the Dalai Lama said in a sold-out speech that took place inside a tent.

He also urged the audience against overly being self-centered or narrow minded.

Before his lecture, he met with his friend, former Rhode Island Sen. Claiborne Pell, and his wife.

Appearing under a heavy security presence, the Dalai Lama was also given a blue "Salve Regina" baseball cap to mark his appearance on campus. The audience cheered when he put on the hat.

The Dalai Lama, a Buddhist spiritual leader revered by many Tibetans, fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in the territory. He now keeps an office in exile in the Himalayan town of Dharmsala, India.

The Dalai Lama, who spoke in Washington, D.C., last week, received the Nobel Peace Price in 1989. He was expected to travel to Scotland after his Newport visit.

Salve Regina president M. Therese Antone declared Thursday a day of peace and reflection on campus, reported AP. P.T.