Haridwar, Apr 2 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama lauded the principle of non-violence, propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, terming it as essential in today''s world.

"The concept of non-violence is relevant in today''s world. Today''s world, where there is lot of division, lot of hatred, including terrorism, in such a world, we really need the concept of non-violence. It is very essential," he said in an address to a gathering of religious leaders here.

The exiled spiritual leader is a great proponent of the principle of non-violence and has been leading the Tibetan freedom movement along the same principle for the past 50 years.

Appreciating the multi-religious fabric of Indian society, the Dalai Lama said, "India is the only country where so many different traditions live together. It has a strong tradition of pluralism, religion and harmony."

After a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959 and set up a Tibetan government-in-exile in India, which has an estimated 80,000 followers.

Tibetans recently celebrated a ''Thank You'' festival aimed to convey their appreciation towards the Indian government and people for providing them shelter since their flight to India in 1959. (ANI)