US hails Dalai Lama as leading figure of religious authority

WASHINGTON: Hailing the Dalai Lama as a leading figure of moral and religious authority, the US Senate in a resolution has greeted the Tibetan spiritual leader on his 80th birthday.

In a unanimous resolution passed this week, the Senate recognised the Dalai Lama for his lifelong commitment and outstanding contribution to the promotion of non-violence, human rights, religious tolerance, environmental awareness, and democracy.

The resolution also recognised the Dalai Lama for using moral authority to promote the concept of universal responsibility as a guiding tenet for how human beings should treat one another and the planet that all human beings share.

The resolution said for over 50 years, the 14th Dalai Lama has significantly advanced greater understanding, tolerance, harmony, and respect among the religious faiths of the world.

He has led the effort to preserve the rich and unique cultural, religious, historical, and linguistic heritage of the people of Tibet while working to safeguard other endangered cultures throughout the world, the resolution said.