Washington: 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 yesterday 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. (PTI)