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 on Saturday 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 on Saturday.
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.
However, the Dalai's speech was more focused on spiritual matters, ranging from inner peace to successful marriage.
Everybody wants a "happy life. These goals entirely depend on our inner peace," he said.
"Making your face beautiful is good, but in the meantime you must pay more attention about your inner beauty. With inner beauty you will find good companion. Without paying much attention to inner beauty, only (looking at) external beauty, you will find some sort of companion, some partner but it may not last long," the Dalai said.
"Try to create calm mind, peaceful mind, then that creates (peace) within our own family, within our own community. That is the way to change our society," he said.
Since stepping down in March as leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala, the Dalai has focused on his role as a spiritual leader.
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