Helsinki, Finland, 18 August 2011 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Helsinki, capital of Finland, this afternoon following a successful two-day visit to Estonia.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Tartu at the start of his meeting at the Estonian Academy of Sciences in Tallinn, Estonia, on 18 August 2011. Photo/Igor Yanchoglov

His Holiness the Dalai Lama listens to a question from the audienceduring his meeting at the Estonian Academy of Sciences in Tallinn,Estonia, on 18 August 2011. Photo/Jarek Jõepera

His Holiness then responded to questions from the audience as well as taking part in a discussion on the theme of the meeting with contributions from the President of the Academy of Sciences, Professor Richard Villems.

His Holiness then attended a lunch hosted by the Estonian Institute of Buddhism. His Holiness bid farewell to Director of the Estonian Institute of Buddhism Mr. Sven Grünberg and the leader of the Estonian Parliamentary group for Tibet MP Mr. Andres Herkel, the two hosts for the visit to Estonia prior to his departure for Finland in the early afternoon.

Upon arriving in Helsinki, His Holiness responded to a Finnish reporter’s question on the purpose of his visit by saying that he had come to see his many old friends in the country again, to meet new friends, and for the promotion of universal values such as compassion and tolerance, as well as for the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions.

His Holiness’ two-day program in Finland begins tomorrow morning and thevisit is hosted by the Finnish Tibetan Cultural Association and Songtsen, a Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana Community in Finland.