Long-term happiness comes from a sense of service to others’ well-being and everyone has the potential to be like Blessed Teresa, according to the Dalai Lama In a lecture on Blessed Teresa in Kolkata yesterday, he said a genuine sense of concern for others and “warm heartedness” comes not from prayer but through “analysis and removal of negative feelings allowing no room for lies or cheating.” Therefore it is essential that all major religions emphasize self-discipline, forgiveness, love, compassion and well-being of others, especially for the poor and downtrodden. Noting that Blessed Teresa practiced and implemented what Jesus Christ taught, he said everyone has the same potential. Dalai Lama said he has visited Missionaries of Charity centers and was very impressed by the sisters’ work. “Although Mother Teresa was not physically there, her spirit was very much alive,” he told the gathering. Calling himself a “son of the soil”, he said since 1959 he had made India his home which taught him religious harmony. West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayan, addressing the gathering, said: “Humanity craves for peace and the world is fortunate to have such great apostles like Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther-King, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. “We are rich to still have the Dalai Lama with us," Narayan said. Responding to China’s objection to his visit, the Dalai Lama said: “It is a routine thing. Anywhere in the world I go to deliver a lecture, I receive this kind of special blessing from the Chinese.” The lecture was organized by Missionaries of Charity co-worker, Sunita Kumar, a renowned artist, and her husband, former tennis player Naresh Kumar. MC Superior General Sister Prema was the chief guest.