Taipei, March 26 (CNA) The charisma of the Dalai Lama has not only overwhelmed local Buddhist followers and members of the Taiwan public, but has also impressed many resident foreigners with no Buddhist beliefs.

Carlos A. Mendoza, Panama's ambassador to the ROC, lauded the Dalai Lama as a a "progressive thinker" after listening to him speak at Catholic Fu Jen University and the Taoyuan Domed Stadium on Tuesday. Mendoza said that the Dalai Lama surpassed other religious leaders by "light years".

Mendoza, who has no commitment to any religion, said that unlike other religious leaders, the exiled god-king believes in truth without confining himself to Buddhist doctrines. He cited the Dalai Lama as saying that if scientific research proved certain Buddhism teachings to be incorrect, he would agree that the teachings should be changed accordingly.

"When the Tibetan spiritual leader told the audience in a peaceful and calm voice that the executioner of his fellow Tibetans and the Tibetan victims of Persecution deserve the same care, I was really touched", Mendoza said.

Daniel Edgardo Milla V, Honduras' ambassador to the ROC, described listening to the Dalai Lama's speech as a "wonderful intellectual and spiritual experience", and said he was moved by the message of love, compassion and tolerance brought by the Buddhist leader.

"The Dalai Lama's assertion that all religions should respect, tolerate and learn from one another, and furthermore should work together to help humans lead a sound and healthy life was very meaningful and up-to-date", Milla said.

Milla, himself a Catholic, said that the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner has a good sense of humor and is modest, easy-going, natural and wise. "Seldom have I seen such a peaceful, natural person", he added.

Louis Gendron, vice president of the Catholic Fu Jen University, while saying he did not agree that "the Dalai Lama is much superior to other religious leaders", expressed surprise that the exiled Buddhist leader knows so much about Catholicism.

Gendron expressed admiration for the Dalai Lama's natural charisma, remarking "how nice it would be to be a person like the Dalai Lama."

Gendron said the Dalai Lama's visit to a Catholic university signified the exiled Buddhist leader attached much importance to religious exchanges.