"I am just a human being, one of the world’s six billion human beings. I aspire to happiness, as every human being does". The Dalai Lama, invited by the European Parliament to give a speech as part of the initiatives for the Year of Intercultural Dialogue, gives the press and MEPs a "written note", mostly concerning the Tibetan situation. Then he speaks off the cuff from the floor, addressing several topics, including inter-religious dialogue, peace among peoples, women’s role in society. "Every person, from any culture, people, religion, is entitled to a happy life. Yet, I see that in today’s society people attach too much importance to material aspects and too little to spiritual ones. Well, to be happy, we must build peace of mind". The Dalai Lama states: "I see too much stress, too many ambitions, too much greed in this world. Let’s pursue the deep values, those that can be found in religious faiths, and not only there. They also lie in people’s hearts, in solidarity". Then he invites people to trust experience and tradition, scientific research and to "promote religious harmony". (continued) ” “
