Tibet isn't seeking independence from China: Dalai Lama

Guwahati: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today made it clear that Tibet was not seeking freedom from China but said the cultural heritage of his native land was in danger due to "some hardliner Chinese Communists".

"A non-violence method cannot have one side victory and one side defeat. Then confrontation will come, leading to violence. With this belief we (Tibet) are not seeking independence from the Peoples Republic of China," he said while delivering the First LBS Founders' Commemorative Lecture on 'A Human Approach to Peace and the Individual' here.

Dalai Lama, however, said the cultural heritage of his native land was in danger due to some hardliners of the Chinese Communists. "Tibetan culture is really facing danger. Some hardliners of Chinese Communists... are only concerned about power, how to control...their ignorance....They are simply putting a lot of restrictions on Tibetan culture," he said.

"Even if there is a word that simplifies Buddhist culture, they (Chinese) prohibit it. They have put a lot of restrictions on language. So therefore, I express (that) one ancient nation with very unique cultural heritage is now dying," the spiritual leader said. The Dalai Lama, however, said Chinese common people were gradually getting more concerned about preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage.

"Of course nowadays in China, a huge number of Chinese are really showing interest in Buddhism in general, and particularly Tibetan Buddhism. Buddhist population in China (is) now between 400 million and 500 million. They are really showing concern about Tibetan Buddhist traditions," he said. He said creating more awareness about Tibetan culture was very relevant for the society as "it is a culture of peace, harmony, knowledge and compassion."

The Dalai Lama called for dialogues for solving the problems of violence in the world and said the causes of violence should be solved through talks. "Look at the European Union. The people there are more mature and think according to reality. Their partners earlier fought each other. But now they developed the idea about EU," he said.

"I tell my African fiends that their future depends on unity. North and South America can also solve their problems through human ways", he said. On the impact of global warming in Tibet, the Dalai Lama said, "the Chinese government is paying attention to it and has taken up scientific methods to control the situation".