Published by: World Tibet Network News, Saturdsay, August 3, 1996

LOS ANGELES, Aug 2 (Reuter) - Exiled Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama, who won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts on behalf of Chinese-ruled Tibet, was given another peace award Friday at a museum dedicated to ending racial and religious hatred.

Movie stars Richard Gere, Steven Seagal and Pierce Brosnan were among the audience as the Dalai Lama was handed the 1996 Museum of Tolerance Peace Award.

The award, which was given last year to Jordan's King Hussein, was presented to the saffron-robed Tibetan religious leader by Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.

The Museum of Tolerance, which is the educational wing of the Jewish human rights organisation, has exhibits on the Nazi Holocaust and endangered peoples such as the Amazon Indians. It is dedicated to ending racism and other forms of discrimination.

Reading the inscription on the award, Rabbi Hier said the Dalai Lama was "a true 'Rodef Shalom' -- a pursuer of peace who has spread the light to the darkened corners of the Earth."

In response, the Dalai Lama said he was honoured and "especially moved to receive this award from a community that has experienced such tragic suffering."

After a tour of the Holocaust display and other exhibits, the Dalai Lama commented: "Although these tragic situations were familiar to me, after having walked through the presentation I got a feeling of urgency."