Dalai Lama at Glastonbury decries 'unthinkable' violence in Syria, Iraq and Nigeria

The Dalai Lama grabbed a Glastonbury t -shirt to shelter from the rain ahead of his appearance.

IMAGE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

If Kanye West was Glastonbury Festival's most-discussed act on Saturday,declaring himself the greatest living rock star and giving BBC subtitle writers heart palpitations, Sunday saw an entirely different appearance hogging the headlines.

The Dalai Lama, whose appearance at the music festival was condemned by China, used his slot to denounce terrorism and violence. Speaking to some 1,000 people Sunday morning, he specifically singled out the "unthinkable" violence in Syria, Iraq and Nigeria.

"A lot of problems we are experiencing are our own creations," the Buddhist monk said. "Violence is being created this very moment in Syria, Iraq and Nigeria. Humans killing each other in the name of religious faith. Unthinkable. Carry the message of love and tolerance and forgiveness."

"There is nothing wrong with religious beliefs, but some supporters of religions have a lack of moral principle and conviction,"

"There is nothing wrong with religious beliefs, but some supporters of religions have a lack of moral principle and conviction," he added. "Yes, I'm Buddhist and Asian and I am his holiness the Dalai Lama but we are the same human being."

The Dalai Lama also tackled the global education system, inequality and the militarisation of the world during his speech.

The Dalai Lama at the Glastonbury Festival, at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England.

IMAGE: YUI MOK/PA WIRE /ASSOCIATED PRESS

Later on Sunday, the spiritual leader participated in a panel on climate change, where he insisted, "Cars and aeroplanes have negative side effects, but they are also quite useful. But if this planet becomes like a desert, there will be no hope. We can't settle in space, so this is our only hope; we have to take great care of our planet."

He then appeared on the Pyramid Stage, with musician Patti Smith, to hear thousands of audience members sing "Happy Birthday" ahead of his 80th birthday on July 6.