Dalai Lama urges World Parliament of Religions to resolve religious conflicts

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has called for the resolution of the long-standing Tibetan issue and urged the World Parliament of Religions to remain active and to solve religious conflicts. Dalai Lama expressed this on the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Expressing concern over religious conflicts, Dalai Lama said that the World Parliament of Religions should try to minimise the clashes. "Occasionally, some international, this sort of meeting, is not sufficient. I think in the name of World Parliament (of) Religions, some sort of active organisation or office, wherever there are religious conflicts, should send some delegation and try to minimise these sort of conflict," the Dalai Lama said. Violence has flared in Tibet since 1950, when Beijing claims it "peacefully liberated" the region. Many Tibetans say Chinese rule has eroded their culture and religion. They are agitating for the Dalai Lama's return from exile in India, and genuine autonomy for their homeland. The Chinese Government denies trampling Tibetan rights and boasts of having brought development and prosperity to the region. Since 2009, at least 121 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in China in protest against Beijing's policies in Tibet and nearby regions with large Tibetan populations. Most were calling for the return of the Dalai Lama. 

As shocking as the first suicides were, the people who chose to burn themselves did so, Tibetan scholars say, in reaction to specific instances of abuse at particular monasteries. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are often under surveillance and subject to raids by Chinese security forces. Beijing considers the Dalai Lama, who fled China in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, a violent separatist. The Dalai Lama, who is based in India, says he is merely seeking greater autonomy for his Himalayan homeland. During the event, Dalai Lama was optimistic that the Tibet issue would be resolved very soon. "There are sort of different policies according to new reality. So, the same communist have the ability to act according to new reality. So, I am hopeful." Since 2009, at least 121 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in China in protest against Beijing's policies in Tibet and nearby regions with large Tibetan populations. Most were calling for the return of the Dalai Lama.

Tensions have mounted between Tibet and China since 2008, after riots that broke out in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Tibetan parts of China, which led to a government crackdown.