The Tibetan Buddhist leader addressed about 300 employees at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he underwent a routine physical exam.

In a speech titled "Compassion in the Face of Suffering," he said negative emotions like hatred, anger and jealousy can contribute to physical ailments while love, forgiveness and tolerance can aid the body in healing and maintaining health.

Mayo employee Debra Haugstad said she's Lutheran, but believes the Dalai Lama has a lot to offer people of all faiths. She noted that dealing with suffering is a part of daily life at the clinic.