Dalai Lama visits Nagano's Zenkoji Temple

The Dalai Lama has visited the well-known Zenkoji Buddhist temple in the central Japanese city of Nagano to express his gratitude.

The temple withdrew from being a starting point of part of the Japanese leg of the Olympic torch relay for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, citing concerns about the Chinese government's response to Tibetan issues at the time.

After a prayer for peace, the Dalai Lama told a news conference that he feels very blessed to be able to visit such a holy place for the first time.

Referring to the temple's withdrawal from the torch relay, he said he is very thankful for its understanding of Tibetan issues.
The Dalai Lama will give a lecture in the city on Sunday ahead of his departure on Monday.