Dalai Lama joins singer Patti Smith on Glastonbury stage

“I think this is truly a great festival of people, not politicians or the government”, the Dalai Lama said, as the crowd erupted into cheers. That’s the source of problems.

The Nobel Peace Prize victor added there should be secular principles, which don’t give preference to one religion over another, and can be implemented at all schools.

“Yes, I’m Buddhist and Asian and I am his holiness the Dalai Lama but we are the same human being”.

Glastonbury regular Merle Hansen described the speech as “absolutely wonderful”.

“It was in fact real enjoyment”, said Lauren Lindsay, that had better her Ritchie strikes at a competition newspaper-organized “rush gang” specifically to the judgement some time more quickly.

“It was very touching and very moving”.

News that the abrasive singer was given the slot had received a mixed reaction from fans, some of whom felt strongly that it was too much of a departure from the traditional Glastonbury roots while co-organiser Emily Eavis received online abuse over the move.

Prior to addressing the crowd, Smith presented the exiled Tibetan leader with a birthday cake before leading the crowd in a rousing version of “Happy Birthday”.

Last week, a Foreign Ministry spokesman addressed his plan to visit Glastonbury by saying that “China resolutely opposes any country, organization, body or individual giving any kind of platform to the 14th Dalai Lama to engage in anti-China splittist activities”.

The Dalai Lama on stage at the Stone Circles at Worthy Farm in Somerset during the Glastonbury Festival in Britain.

Before and after the Dalai Lama’s interlude, Smith’s anger and passion burned as brightly as ever in a show that included “Beneath the Southern Cross” and ended with “My Generation” by Sunday night’s headliners, The Who.

This year’s festival revellers will tonight watch English rock band The Who take to the main stage as they draw the iconic event to a close.

After a dramatic opening appearing crouched under a low-level panel of lights, the multi-award-winning Grammy star was left thrown when comedian Lee Nelson ran on stage holding a microphone just minutes into the set.