Youngsters were delighted when the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, sent a personal message for their school newsletter.

They were amazed when his letter, about the state of the world since the terror attacks on September 11, arrived in the mail alongside pieces from their local contributors.

Parents of pupils at The Dharma School in Patcham, Brighton, had asked His Holiness for a message for their new newsletter.

They also wrote to a number of local celebrities for their thoughts. Mother Marlene Brown said she was astonished when the celebrities said they were too busy.

However, she said everyone at the school felt honoured when the Dalai Lama replied personally from his home in exile in India within ten days.

She said "We were absolutely delighted to get the reply.

"The first thing I did was find the web site for the Dalai Lama and then emailed the web site, explaining our links with him.

"We are a Buddhist school and our children were once granted an audience with him at Crystal Palace in 1996. Our former headteacher is also his bodyguard when he comes to the UK.

"I then managed to get through to the Dalai Lama's personal office and his staff were tremendously helpful and very nice.

"He was away in Norway but within days of him returning he had sent us this personal reply."

The Dalai Lama's message begins: "Today, when there is so much talk on the television and elsewhere of war and violence in distant places, we may sometimes forget that we human beings are part of one great human family."

It concludes: "I believe it is important that issues like working for peace in the world do not merely remain the business of adults and that those of you who are still young should also be involved. The shape of the future is of even greater interest to you, who still have most of your lives before you.

"Even if only a few individuals try to create mental peace and happiness within themselves and act responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will have a positive influence in their community.

"I send my greetings to all of you at the Dharma School and ask you to join with me in praying that all human beings may live in peace and happiness, free from fear and worry."

Mrs Brown said the simplicity of the message belied the depth of the words.

She said the school, which has 65 pupils aged three to 11, would be using the Dalai Lama's thoughts as the basis for a candlelit procession on the last day of term.