May visit China, Tibet: Dalai Lama

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 14

Over 60 years after he came to India, the Dalai Lama today said there was a possibility of him visiting China and Tibet in near future.

“It is very possible. Within the next two or three years,” the religious leader of Tibetans said, adding that India would remain his permanent place of residence as it offered freedom while there was ‘no freedom’ in China.

Speaking to mediapersons, after he was conferred with a honorary doctorate of literature at Chitkara University in Rajpura, the Dalai Lama said he could visit China and Tibet in the next two or three years. He said, “India is a democratic country while China is governed by the party (Communist Party of China). There is no proper rule of law. But I love China, particularly the Buddhists there, and I want to visit and help them.”

Referring to the message of non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi, he said India could lead in spreading the message of ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) and ‘karuna’ (mercy). He said, “Dependence on military forces is outdated and the present generation needs to spread the message of non-violence and peace. In India, people of all religions live together.” The Dalai Lama also called for efforts towards the global warming issue. “We should plant more trees, rather than killing each other,” he said.