The Dalai Lama at Glastonbury: the atrocities of Isis are 'unthinkable'

The 80-year-old spiritual leader denounced the current violence in Iraq, Syria and Nigeria in his speech at Glastonbury's Stone Circle

The Dalai Lama takes to the stage at Glastonbury Festival Photo

The Dalai Lama has publicly criticised the violence and murder carried out by Isis in Africa and the Middle East. Speaking at the Glastonbury festival on Sunday, the 80-year-old spiritual leader said, "A lot of problems we are experiencing are our own creations. Violence is being created this very moment in Syria, Iraq and Nigeria. Humans killing each other in the name of religious faith. Unthinkable. Carry the message of love and tolerance and forgiveness.

"There is nothing wrong with religious beliefs but some supporters of religions have a lack of moral principle and conviction.

"Yes, I'm Buddhist and Asian and I am his holiness the Dalai Lama but we are the same human being."

A crowd of more than 1,000 festival-goers gathered at the Stone Circle on Sunday morning to hear the Dalai Lama speak. As His Holiness arrived on stage, a spontaneous rendition of Happy Birthday rang out across Worthy Farm - even though it was not the Dalai Lama's birthday. 

^{The Dalai Lama shelters from the rain at Glastonbury} 

The Dalai Lama joked that he didn't get a great deal of pleasure from music but was enjoying his experience of Glastonbury nonetheless.

"Brothers and sisters, I noticed when I came in the car so many people, old and young, full of joy. My friend asked me to come to this festival of people, not necessarily a festival of government or politicians. This is about people.

"The very purpose of our life is a happy life. Nobody knows what will happen but hope is the basis of our life. Some individuals have lost hope but this mental attitude will shorten their life.

His pacifist address included a plea for an overhaul of the global education system saying that the "long-term solution to problems is introducing into education the message of warm hardheartedness and care."