MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Dalai Lama paid tribute to his mother on Mother’s Day as he spoke at the University of Minnesota, crediting her kindness for giving him a sense of security.

Speaking to a crowd of around 8,000, the Tibetan Buddhist said all people have the potential for happiness because they all come from mothers. He recalled how he would ride on his mother’s shoulders when he was a young boy and pull on her hair to try to direct her, not always successfully.

“If mother not follow me, then I cry,” he said to much laughter from the Sunday afternoon audience, his second of the day at the nearly sold-out Mariucci Arena.

The theme of his visit to the university was “One Heart, One Mind, One Universe.” Tsewang Ngodup, president of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, told the crowd it was “good karma and an auspicious sign” that the Dalai Lama’s visit came 10 years to the day after he last spoke on campus.

The topic of his afternoon talk was billed as “Peace Through Inner Peace,” and he stressed the themes of kindness, compassion, nonviolence and respect for people of all beliefs.