Highest spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism
If I had remained in Lhasa, even without the Chinese occupation, I would probably have carried the ceremonial role in some orthodox way.
In most cases, my visits to the West are for promotion of human values and religious harmony.
I always believe the rule by king or official leader is outdated. Now we must catch up with the modern world.
I think there's every reason this 21st century will be much happier.
I always tell people that religious institutions and political institutions should be separate. So while I'm telling people this, I myself continue with them combined. Hypocrisy!
Today different ethnic groups and different nations come together due to common sense.
I consider myself as a free spokesman for the people.
It is difficult to violently suppress people in the long run, as the example of the Soviet Union and the Eastern European countries has shown.
Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.
The Tibetan people will need to determine who the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is.