Dalai Lama still hopeful of returning to Tibet

Washington, Jul 10 (PTI) Voicing optimism that China will
allow greater freedom, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the
Dalai Lama has said he still hopes to return to his Himalayan
homeland.
"Oh yes, things are always changing," the 76-year-old
Buddhist monk said on Saturday at an event organised on the
West Lawn of the Capitol Hill, when asked if he hoped to
return to Tibet after 52 years in exile in India.
"Certainly, I think the voice of freedom, democracy, rule
of law, more and more voice(s are) now coming," he said at the
event where thousands of people had gathered to hear him
yesterday.
The Dalai Lama, who is here for an 11-day religious
'Kalachakra' programme related to his birthday celebrations,
referred to the call of political reforms given by Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabo in recent years.
26-year-old Karmapa Lama, considered possible spiritual
successor of the Dalai, was also present at the packed event.
However, the Dalai's speech was more focused on spiritual
matters, ranging from inner peace to successful marriage.
Everybody wants a "happy life. These goals entirely
depend on our inner peace," he said.
"Making your face beautiful is good, but in the meantime
you must pay more attention about your inner beauty. With
inner beauty you will find good companion.
"Without paying much attention to inner beauty, only
(looking at) external beauty, you will find some sort of
companion, some partner but it may not last long," the Dalai
said.
"Try to create calm mind, peaceful mind, then that
creates (peace) within our own family, within our own
community. That is the way to change our society," he said.
Since stepping down in March as leader of the Tibetan
government-in-exile in Dharamshala, the Dalai has focused on
his role as a spiritual leader. PTI LKJ
DBR