SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The 14th Dalai Lama said in San Diego Wednesday that China's muted response to his U.S. visit was not an indication the sour relations that have forced him to live in exile were improving.
The Dalai Lama, named Tenzin Gyatso, visited UC San Diego to discuss climate change and was set to appear at the University of San Diego to talk about cultivating peace through justice.
Both public events were sold out, as was an address at San Diego State University on Thursday, but all his speeches were being broadcast via the Internet.
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and a symbol of independence from China. Because of the tensions, the 76-year-old lives in exile in India.
Asked at a news conference before the UCSD event if a lack of protest from the Chinese government over his visit to the United States meant relations were improving, he said no. China, which considers Tibet to be a province, has protested previous visits with U.S. government officials.
"The world belongs to humanity and each country belongs to its own people, not rigid leaders," the Dalai Lama told reporters.
The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner discussed climate change with UC San Diego professors Veerabhadran Ramanathan and Richard Somerville before an attentive audience of 4,200 at RIMAC Arena.
"This blue small planet is only our home, no other planet so far," he said. "This is our planet, our home. We have to take care of it."
The Dalai Lama, who endeared himself to the audience by donning a "UCSD Tritons" visor when he took the stage, also took questions from the audience. One question was how society could shift its perspective from conflict to cooperation.
"Big building, big house, a big car and big salary -- that's the meaning of life -- no certainly not," the Dalai Lama said, drawing applause.
Thursday's SDSU presentation will be on upholding ethics and compassion in challenging times.
The Dalai Lama has asked the Chinese government to investigate the deaths of more than 30 Tibetans, mostly Buddhist monks and nuns, who have set themselves on fire over the past year.
THIS IS A STORY UPDATE. For an earlier version, read below.
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The 14th Dalai Lama said in San Diego Wednesday that China's muted response to his U.S. visit was not an indication that the sour relations that have forced him to live in exile were improving.
The Dalai Lama, named Tenzin Gyatso, was visiting UC San Diego to discuss climate change and the University of San Diego to talk about cultivating peace through justice.
Both public events are sold out, as is an address at San Diego State University on Thursday, but all his speeches will be broadcast via the Internet.
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and a symbol of independence from China. Because of the tensions, the 76-year-old lives in exile in India.
Asked at a news conference before the UCSD event if a lack of protest from the Chinese government over his visit to the United States meant relations were improving, he said no.
China, which considers Tibet to be a province, has protested previous visits with U.S. government officials.
"The world belongs to humanity and each country belongs to its own people, not rigid leaders," the Dalai Lama told reporters.
Security at the three events in San Diego will be tight.
The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner was discussing climate change with UC San Diego professors Veerabhadran Ramanathan and Richard Somerville at RIMAC Arena. The talk is titled "The Global Impact of Climate Change: Balance Through Universal Responsibility, Compassion and Human Consciousness."
Thursday's SDSU presentation will be on upholding ethics and compassion in challenging times.
The Dalai Lama has asked the Chinese government to investigate the deaths of more than 30 Tibetans, mostly Buddhist monks and nuns, who have set themselves on fire over the past year.
University of California, San Diego
The Global Impact of Climate Change: Balance Through Universal Responsibility, Compassion and Human Consciousness
RIMAC Arena
9:30 a.m.
University of San Diego
Cultivating Peace and Justice
Jenny Craig Pavilion
1:30 p.m.
San Diego State University
Upholding Universal Ethics and Compassion in Challenging Times
Viejas Arena
9:30 a.m.
**All events are sold out.