DHARAMSHALA, June 13: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today left his exile home of Dharamshala for a fortnight’s visit to Europe to give a series of teachings and public talks in England, Scotland and Italy.

The 76-year old Tibetan leader is scheduled to begin his engagements with a public talk to the youth on ‘Stand Up and Be the Change’ at the Manchester Arena, in Manchester on June 16.

The Dalai Lama’s UK representative Thupten Samdup had told reporters earlier that the Tibetan spiritual leader believes it is essential to inspire ordinary citizens, especially the youth.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama believes it is essential to inspire ordinary citizens - especially young people - to find meaning and purpose in their lives,” Samdup said. “The talk will introduce principles of non-violence, compassion and the resolution of disputes through dialogue to a young audience.”

Famous British comedian Russell Brand will be the compere the event.

His Holiness will wrap up his Manchester visit with teachings on June 17 - 18 on Geshe Langri Thangpa’s ‘Eight Verses of Training the Mind’ (lojong tsik gyema) and Nagarjuna’s ‘In Praise of Dhammadhatu’ (choying toepa) and a public talk on ‘Real Change Happens in the Heart’ on June 17.

In London, where the Dalai Lama last month met British Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Cleggy, the Tibetan leader will give a public talk on ‘Real Change Happens in the Heart’ on June 19 at the Royal Albert Hall.

His Holiness will then head to Scotland for a three city tour at the invitation of a group of city councils, inter faith groups and educational organisations.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to give a public talk in Edinburgh on June 22 on ‘Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World’ as part of the 20th Anniversary of The Edinburgh Lectures at Usher Hall followed by another public talk in Dundee on ‘Education of the Heart’ the same day at the Caird Hall.

Before heading on to Italy, the Tibetan leader, on June 23 will give a public talk in Inverness on ‘Be the Change’ at the Eden Court Theater.

In Milan, His Holiness will give teachings on Tsongkhapa’s ‘The Three Principal Aspects of the Path’ (lamtso namsum) and confer the Avalokiteshvera Empowerment (chenresig wang) on June 27 – 28 at the Milano Forum organised by Ghe Pel Ling Institute for Tibetan Studies.

In his last public talk before returning to India, the Dalai Lama will speak on ‘Happiness Beyond Religion’ in the afternoon of June 28 in Milan.