Monks of Zenkoji, a well-known 7th century Buddhist temple in Nagano city, has invited the 74-year-old leader for a special talk on June 20, a Tibetan government-in-exile spokesperson said here today.

Zenkoji temple had received a Buddha statue with prayers for peace from the Dalai Lama two years ago.

The Buddhist leader will meet the two chief abbots and give a public talk to some 7,000 monks and the local residents of the area, he said.

Zenkoji temple caught international media attention two years ago when it refused to host the Japan leg of Beijing Olympics torch relay to protest alleged "religious oppression" going on in Tibet at that time.