Is he disappointed not to meet David Cameron on this visit? The Dalai Lama has made fewer official visits in recent years, as heads of state begin to calculate the political costs of upsetting Beijing. He was pronounced the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1937, and spent a lonely childhood studying, assuming the role at 15, as the Chinese army marched into Tibet.
"A limited number is OK, but the whole of Europe will eventually become Muslim country, African country – impossible," he said. When we discuss Brexit he tells me that he is "an admirer of the European Union" pointing out that global partnerships have been key in avoiding major conflicts. He highlights the vice-president's support for the Tibetan people and the backing he has enjoyed from politicians in both houses of Congress. Despite being open to a meeting with President Donald Trump, the Dalai Lama told me that Mr Trump, who is close to China's Xi, had never asked for one.
According to Buddhist belief, the current Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past lama who decided to be reborn again to continue his important work, instead of moving on from the wheel of life. Ex NKT followers, by contrast, are frequently silenced by legal threats and anonymous defamations when we have simply tried to clarify what we know to be our own valid experience. They do not display any fear in stating their views even though they say that speaking out puts them at risk. Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition, a modern, western Buddhist group, first encouraged his students to attack and defame His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his views on the Tibetan protector worship known as ‘Shugden’ in 1997. He now lives in Dharamsala in India, travelling the world to seek support for more rights for Tibetan people. The meeting "seriously interfered with China's internal affairs, undermined China's core interests, and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people", said the foreign ministry in a statement.
- “If you sincerely practise, then all the major religions are the same.
- To which end, he reveals himself as a supporter of the European Union, a potential poster-boy for the “in” campaign.
- “Now that it is a factor for division and killing, we have a responsibility to promote religious harmony … killing in the name of religion is totally wrong,” he said, sitting cross legged in front of well-wishers.
- Prior to his visit China warned “strongly against” his invitation to Worthy Farm, Somerset.
The trip also includes private meetings and conferences. The highlight of the trip is a public talk at the O2 in London on 19 September. The Dalai Lama is currently in the midst of a nine-day visit to the UK. And because we are essentially the same, physically, mentally and emotionally the same, I think it’s possible that people may find my experience useful to them too.” Scattered cloud interrupted views of London as his flight came in to land.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
China warned earlier that relations would not be restored until the UK "stops supporting anti-Chinese forces". Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion “This systematic campaign against the Dalai Lama and deepening oppression threatens the very survival of Tibetan religion and cultural identity.” The International Campaign for Tibet believes that the Shugden group’s tactics play into the hands of the Chinese government and a couple of counter-demonstrators referred to the ISC supporters as “Chinese dogs”. “The UK Buddhist organisations signed up to this statement express their respect and support for his holiness’s stance on promoting wider religious harmony between the religious traditions and on promoting mutual respect and admiration between the Buddhist traditions,” it said. ISC supporters have organised noisy demonstrations outside his speaking engagements across North America, Europe and Australia.
'Middle way'
Earlier today the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism took to a small wooden stage in front of the Tibetan flag in the King's Meadow to share a message of "love and tolerance and fairness" with his supporters. The Dalai Lama has also at times been the subject of international controversy, most notably in 2023 when a video showed him telling a child to suck his tongue. Along the way he attracted support from Hollywood celebrities such as Richard Gere, Martin Scorsese and Lady Gaga. He visited the late Pope John Paul II on several occasions and co-authored a book with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. When Lhamo Dhonduba was two, Buddhist officials recognised him as the reincarnation of the 13 previous Dalai Lamas When he was two years old, a search party of Buddhist officials recognised him as the reincarnation of the 13 previous Dalai Lamas and he was enthroned before he turned four.
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“Now that it is a factor for division and killing, we have a responsibility to promote religious harmony … killing in the name of religion is totally wrong,” he said, sitting cross legged in front of well-wishers. In front of a small audience, who had pressed forward eagerly with cameraphones as he arrived, the Dalai Lama said all religions were sources of forgiveness and tolerance. Fresh from an appearance at the Glastonbury music festival, where he spoke about the need for action on climate change, the Tibetan spiritual leader strongly condemned those who justified killing by using religion. The Dalai Lama visits a new Buddhist community centre in Aldershot, Hampshire. Prior to his visit China warned “strongly against” his invitation to Worthy Farm, Somerset.
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As he turned 90 in June 2025, he confirmed that there would be a successor after he dies, putting to rest doubts about the continuation of his 600-year-old Buddhist institution. Now, after a lifetime spent at the centre of China's fraught relationship with Tibet, the Dalai Lama is focusing on the future. Beijing continues to view him as a dangerous separatist, though he has said his goal is for Tibetan autonomy rather than independence. As the Dalai Lama turns 90, he has confirmed that he will have a successor when he dies
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader will visit the Somerset site on Sunday, although no timing has been announced. Glastonbury festival has confirmed that the Dalai Lama will make a special appearance at the festival. The Dalai Lama's visit to the UK will also take in Aldershot, which has a large Nepalese Buddhist community His aide is gesturing to me that I have time for one more question. At that time, a Christian organisation was providing immense help to us. To which end, he reveals himself as a supporter of the European Union, a potential poster-boy for the “in” campaign.