Gaya, Jan. 4: The messenger of peace, the 14th Dalai Lama, was conferred the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation today for following in the footsteps of the Father of the Nation to usher in harmony across the world.

On the occasion of the ongoing Kalchakra Puja, the spiritual leader laid emphasis on his dream to transform the world into a global village with no place for violence.

He said the dream could be achieved only by working together with a positive thought.

The Dalai Lama was addressing a large gathering of followers from different countries at Kalchakra Ground in Bodhgaya, the venue of the puja.

He said: “Lord (Gautam) Buddha is our master, teacher and philosopher. He taught non-violence about 2,600 years back and it is relevant even today. By following the path of non-violence one can develop compassion, which is the most effective tool to spread brotherhood and harmony.”

In the second session that started at 12noon, Gandhi Development Trust (GDT) founder Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, conferred the spiritual leader with the award.

The trust was founded in the memory of the Father of the Nation, who had started his socio-political career in South Africa and struggled ceaselessly for peace and reconciliation.

The award was conceptualised in 2003 to mark the centenary year of a newspaper published by the Mahatma in South Africa. The trophy is awarded to those individuals who promote the Gandhian philosophy.

After receiving the award, the Dalai Lama, who is also a recipient of the Nobel peace prize in 1989, said it is Mahatma Gandhi who had adopted the path of non-violence to free India from the British.

The spiritual leader stressed on demilitarisation and disarmament in the world to usher in peace.

On the occasion, Ela Gandhi said: “The world today is racing to collect more and more lethal weapons. This should be stopped. The Dalai Lama is struggling for autonomy in Tibet by following the path of non-violence shown by Mahatma Gandhi.”

After the award ceremony, the Dalai Lama continued with the teaching session for the lakh-plus devotees. Those who could not secure a place at the Kalchakra Ground were seen sitting on the roads outside the venue.

More than 1.5 lakh devotees, mostly from Tibet, the UK, the US, Italy, Russia, France, Australia and other states of India have arrived in Bodhgaya to participate in the prayer service.

Hollywood actor Richard Gere, too, was present at the congregation today.