Dalai Lama more at liberty now to ward off political queries

New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Having relinquished political role voluntarily, Tibetan spirtiual leader the Dalai Lama today said he enjoyed "more freedom" now in refusing to answer queries with politicial connotations. He said political activities and queries related to the Tibetan Government-in-Exile will have to be handled now by the elected government headed by Oxford-educated Lobsang Sangay. "I am already retired. I voluntarily and happily retired and handed over political powers to the elected government. Some days back, someone asked me about Chinese objections to my activities but I simply said it was a political issue. Now I have more freedom," he said after delivering the 5th Penguin Annual Lecture here. "If I want to, I answer the question or otherwise I say it is for the political leadership to say," he said, pointing his fingers towards Sangay, who was seated in the front row. He was answering a query on whether he was not interested in replying to political questions. The Nobel Laureate said he was reminded of the 1959 Tibetan uprising in March, 2008 during the Chinese crackdown on protesters in Tibet. He said it left him feeling "helpless" and overcome by "anxiety and fear". "I visualised the people from other side, their anger and gave my forgiveness. It will not solve the problem, but I will be more calm and compassionate," he said, delivering the lecture on 'Art of Happiness'. Though he lost freedom at the age of 16 and became a refugee at 26, the Dalai Lama said his "mind was quite peaceful" notwithstanding the "turbulent" path he travelled along all his life. "I lost my small home (Tibet), but I got a big home (India). Mental peace is important. If you maintain that there will be no darkness in your life," he said. Contending that Indians are a "very religious people", the Dalai Lama also said a country like India should not contradict its own principles by praying to god and indulging in corruption at the same time. The Dalai Lama also pitched for a campaign to promote vegetarianism among people. PTI Pic for caption: Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama with Andrew Phillips, CEO and President, Penguin India, at The Penguin Annual Lecture function in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI Photo