New Delhi, 31 December 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists, has appealed to people's compassion and inner peace as a prerequisite for a better world at the turn of the year.

"Despite the many challenges that we are facing today, I feel optimistic that with a growing appreciation of how interconnected we all are in the oneness of humanity, we can all work to lead more meaningful lives and create a better world," the 88-year-old wrote on the social media platform X on Sunday.

"I also firmly believe that we can find peace in the world only when we find peace within. Every human being has the potential to cultivate inner peace, and by so doing to contribute to the peace of our global community."

Wars in the Gaza Strip, Ukraine and Syria along with terrorist attacks in Israel, Africa and Pakistan have blighted 2023.

"We must try to cultivate compassion and inner peace, regardless of our nationality or religion, we can contribute to the well-being and happiness of all mankind," he added.

"If the last century was the century of violence, it is our responsibility to make this century the century of dialogue."

In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled the Chinese Communists in the Tibetan highlands and went into exile in India.

He has since travelled around the world preaching reconciliation. The Nobel Peace Prize winner resigned from his political duties with the Tibetan government-in-exile in 2011.

Photo: X