Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton and other leaders in 84th United States Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis
New York, July 1, 2016 ( Raj Gogna):
Gurinder Singh Khalsa of Khalsa Bliss represented the Sikh Community of the United States at the 84th United States Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis. Joe Hogsett, mayor of the host city, extended the special invitation.
Khalsa’s remarks signified first time a Sikh faith leader was able to address the Conference of mayors and he was able to share diverse Sikh values and culture to more than 250 mayors of major cities in the Untied States.
In his address, Khalsa requested mayors to visit houses of worship of different faiths and cultures to bring religions harmony to society and awareness of minorities including Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. Diversity makes this country great, let us lend our hand for interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Khalsa reaffirmed his commitment of Sikh’s patriotism in the United States and shared the history of Sikhs as great soldiers and stories of their sacrifices and valor during both Word Wars.
Khalsa concluded his address by saying, “There is only one supreme religion of all religions and that is a religion of love, kindness, compassion and selfless service to humanity, and there is only one race — and that is a human race.”
Dalai Lama & Lady Gaga stressed the need of compassion, love and kindness instead of hate and violence. During the conference, Khalsa was blessed to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama. During their meeting, the Dalai Lama humbly blessed Khalsa by accepted his three-generations-old iron prayer beads. Khalsa also kissed the forehead of the Dalai Lama, an extremely sacred and rare moment.
Later that evening, Khalsa got the chance to meet US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Khalsa praised her efforts for outreach to minorities and immigrant communities in America. Mrs Clinton reaffirmed her promise of stronger gun control and economic development.