Buddhist leader visits Manila, meets Lim

His Holiness Sakya Trizin, whose rank in the Buddhist religion is equivalent to that of a Pope for Catholics, visited Manila City Hall Tuesday to bless the city and Mayor Alfredo Lim before carrying out charity work and religious activities in the country.

MANILA, Philippines — His Holiness Sakya Trizin, whose rank in the Buddhist religion is equivalent to that of a Pope for Catholics, visited Manila City Hall Tuesday as part of the series of religious activities and charity works he has lined up for the country.

Trizin, who arrived here Monday, blessed Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, before proceeding to his charitable works and other activities in other parts of the country.

In his short message, the 66-year-old Buddhist leader said he wanted to propagate friendship, love and respect among different religions and beliefs.

“I believe that all different religions, all different people, by coming together and knowing each other and by sharing the love, joy together . . . we can propagate peace and harmony in this word,” Trizin said.

He said their group, who visited Philippines for the first time, will go to Cebu in the next few days also to  carry out charitable works and feed spiritual needs to people.