Not seeking independence but meaningful autonomy for Tibet, says the Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday said more and more people in China are beginning to realize that he is not seeking independence but meaningful autonomy and preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist cultureAdvocating resolution to all disputes through dialogue he asserted that all human beings are equal and they need to rise above the narrowminded approach of my nation my ideology which is the main trigger for fights among peopleThe Dalai Lama arrived here to a warm welcome by his followers who turned up in large numbers despite heavy rains This was his first visit outside Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh in the last two years He is likely to visit Ladakh on FridayAlso Read Dalai Lama Pay more attention to ancient Indian knowledgeSome Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist and a reactionary and always criticize me But now more Chinese are realising that the Dalai Lama is not seeking independence and only wishing China to give meaningful autonomy to Tibet and ensure preservation of Tibetan Buddhist cultureiquest the 87yearold spiritual leader told reportersAsked about Chinas objection to his visit the Dalai Lama said This is usual The Chinese people are not objecting more and more Chinese are showing interest in Tibetan Buddhism Some of their scholars are realising that Tibetan Buddhism is very scientific Things are changingThe Dalai Lama whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and is feted worldwide for his advocacy of independence for Tibet and other causesEarlier this month Beijing criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for greeting the Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday saying India should stop using Tibetrelated issues to interfere in Chinas internal affairs However India rejected Chinas criticism and asserted that it is a consistent policy to treat the Dalai Lama as an honoured guest of the countryThe spiritual leaders visit to Ladakh where he is likely to spend over a month is expected to rile China further as it comes amid the lingering military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at several friction points in eastern LadakhI am leaving for Ladakh tomorrow Friday to take part in some programme The weather did not cooperate the Dalai Lama saidHe expressed displeasure over the prevailing crisis in Sri LankaMy main message to the people is that we all are brothers and sisters and there is no point in fighting the fight is triggered by narrowmindedness when they start thinking things like my nation my ideology he saidHumanity demands that we live together whether we like it or not There might be some problems like in a family which can be solved through talks the Dalai Lama addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever