Dalai Lama gets Gregorios award 

The Times of India

November 26, 1997

New Delhi: His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented the Paulos Mar Gregorios Award for 1997 for his contribution to interfaith dialogue at function held here on Tuesday. His Holiness the Catholicos of the East, head of the Orthodox Church in India, presenting the award, paid rich compliments to the Buddhist leader for his qualities of the heart and work towards religious harmony. He also recalled the great scholarship and contribution of Paulos Mar Gregorios in various fields.

The Dalai Lama in his acceptance speech stressed that along with material advancement it was necessary to promote spirituality so that man consisting of body and mind could have inner peace as well. Religion, by nurturing values such as love, tolerance and compassion, should strive to eliminate divisions and conflicts in society.

The award comprising a medal, citation and a cheque for Rs 1 lakh has been instituted by Sophia Society, founded by Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios (1922-1996), first Metropolitan of the Delhi Diocese and founder of the Delhi Orthodox Centre.

Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, head of the Divine Life Society, in his address, pointed to the oneness of all existence and one indwelling spirit creating a human family. People all over experienced the same hunger and pain and the aim of every one ought to be to add to the joys of the human family.

Prof. A Rahman, renowned scientist, complimented the Dalai Lama for setting a rare example by launching a non-violent struggle for the rights of the Tibetan people. He lamented the fear and hatred that were being spread in the name of religion and wanted steps to foster elements of plurality and diversity both in nature and society.

A press release issued on the occasion said the Dalai Lama has been moving across the continents in his quest for peace and reconciliation, even while looking after the interests of the exiled Tibetans. He had held dialogues with heads of different religions as well as presidents and prime ministers towards his vision of a peaceful and compassionate human family.

The award is intended to honour those who had contributed to peace, justice and wisdom, ideals for which Mar Gregorios lived and worked . The fields chosen for the biannual international awards are interfaith dialogue and cooperation, education, holistic health practices and community self-renewal. The theme and the award "are a celebration of the oneness of the human family as well as a call to persons of goodwill to express their spirituality through individual and collective ethical action."

A modern interpreter of Eastern Christianity, Paulos Mar Gregorios "clarified its ethos as a quiet life of prayer and work.."
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