Dalai Lama speaks to Lady Gaga: 'Hope is essential to keep the world going'

INDIANAPOLIS, June 27 (UPI) -- Lady Gaga spent 20 minutes with the Dalai Lama on Sunday speaking of the compassion and meditation the two are known to practice. Joining them in the conversation: a billionaire investor.

Both known for spreading the message of tolerance and kindness, they sat together at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, with the Dalai Lama answering questions Gaga posed to him about dealing with the world's injustices, USA Today reported.

"Now, the time has come that America should be the leading nation in the promotion of human compassion, human love in order to achieve compassionate world," the Dalai Lama said. "I think in my lifetime we can achieve that. But effort must start now."

"What's on my mind at this very moment is how unlikely this trio is sitting here. You have the leader of one of the world's great religions. You have a world-class entertainer. And then you have this obscure businessman," entrepreneur and philanthropist Philip Anschutz, said, referring to himself, IndyStar reported.

"And it's unlikely that we're discussing kindness, of all things," Anschutz went on.

Gaga tweeted on the meeting, quoting the Dalai Lama: "Hope is essential to keep the world going."

In answering Gaga's question, the Dalai Lama spoke of the injustices in the world. . "We are a social animal, so individuals' future depends entirely on the community," he said. "Once (a) tragic situation happens, not avoid-- look at more deeply, widely. Many positive, happy things are there if you look (from a) wider perspective. If you look real closely, it appears unbearable. But if you look widely other positive things there."

Often making fun of his own broken English, the Dalai Lama also joked with the politicians in the room. "Mayor, you know best," he said several times.

He also spoke seriously on world issues.

"I think eventually, enemies can be best of friends," he said.

"These so-called terrorists, they also received love from their mother. They also give love to their mother or friends. Seed of kindness, seed of compassion (is) already there."