His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama broke his regular schedule, normally planned seven years in advance, and accepted an invitation from the global Muslim community to discuss the most momentous issue of our time -- how to mitigate religious intolerance and promote understanding and compassion among Muslims and peoples of all faiths.

Source: A Gathering of Hearts Illuminating Compassion·

His Holiness pointed to Tibet's long history as an example of the exemplary relationship between Muslims and Buddhists and said, "Personally, I can tell you that in Tibet Buddhists and Muslims have lived together for more than four centuries. Very gentle, very peaceful; no reports of quarrels," he said.

The summit convened today in San Francisco marked the first time the global Muslim community has engaged the Dalai Lama in the effort to address religious extremism.

"The Dalai Lama's historic gesture of solidarity with his Muslim brothers and sisters will resonate throughout the world," said Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. "This meeting was a reaffirmation of and a commitment to using the wisdom of our traditions as a means to help one another overcome suffering through the core teaching of compassion, and to condemn the perversion of religion that causes so much human suffering. This unifies us all."

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