SEATTLE — The Dalai Lama arrived in the United States on Thursday for the first time since the recent turmoil in Tibet, serenaded by fellow Tibetans as he prepared to anchor an ambitious conference on compassion.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader will be attending the five-day Seeds of Compassion conference that begins today.
With the Dalai Lama in town, some community leaders said they expected counterdemonstrations from pro-China groups. But all was peaceful when he arrived at a downtown hotel Thursday, telling local Tibetans that he supports non violent demonstrations but was saddened by Wednesday’s protests in San Francisco.
In Tibet, the recent protests against five decades of Chinese rule have been the largest and most sustained in almost two decades. China has accused the Dalai Lama of being involved in the uprising. The Tibetan leader has said that he wants greater autonomy for the region but is not seeking independence.
Earlier Thursday, during a stopover in Japan, the Dalai Lama said he has always supported China’s hosting of the Olympic Games this summer but said Beijing cannot suppress protests in Tibet with violence or tell those calling for more freedom “to shut up.” He strongly denied Chinese allegations he and followers have used the run-up to the Olympics to foment unrest.
“I really feel very sad the government demonizes me,” he said. “I am just a human; I am not a demon.”
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels will present the key to the city to the Tibetan leader, and the University of Washington will present him with an honorary degree.
