Dalai Lama "Very Happy" With Obama Meeting

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(Pete Souza)

The Dalai Lama met privately Thursday at the White House with President Obama, telling reporters afterward that the visit left him "very happy."

"I feel great honor seeing president of the greatest democratic country," said the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. "Since my childhood I always admire America – not economy but mainly as a champion of Democracy, freedom, human value, human creativity, these things."

The White House released a statement following the meeting indicating that Mr. Obama "stated his strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People's Republic of China."

"The President commended the Dalai Lama's 'Middle Way' approach, his commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government," said Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. "The President stressed that he has consistently encouraged both sides to engage in direct dialogue to resolve differences and was pleased to hear about the recent resumption of talks. The President and the Dalai Lama agreed on the importance of a positive and cooperative relationship between the United States and China."

(AP)

The Dalai Lama told reporters that he discussed with the president "the promotion of human value in order to bring a peaceful world, peaceful family, peaceful individuals," and that Mr. Obama was supportive.

In his wide-ranging comments, he called women "biologically more sensitive" than men. He said that each person's religion is primary but that tolerance of all major religions is necessary for "genuine harmony."

The Tibetan spiritual leader also lauded Mr. Obama for "always showing genuine concern" about Tibet and other issues.

Though it has become a tradition in the past two decades for American presidents to meet with the Dalai Lama, Mr. Obama's decision to welcome the Dalai Lama angered China, which views the Tibetan as a rogue separatist. Relations between the United States and China have been strained on some matters over the last year.

Both the Dalai Lama and President Obama, who met in the Map Room, are Nobel Peace Prize winners. The Dalai Lama won the prize in 1989, following the Tiananmen Square crackdown. The president won last year.

The Dalai Lama plans to answer questions from reporters later Thursday afternoon, following a State Department meeting.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by travis123abc March 19, 2011 7:09 PM EDT: it is tough because america is so deeply commected to china, it is hard to support tibet, here is a funny joke I saw about the Dalai Lama retiring, http://ponderingstuff.com/2011/03/19/dalai-lama-retires-groupon/; Reply to this comment


by arthurmedicineeagle February 19, 2010 9:01 AM EST: In my culture Women are revered as the life givers.; Reply to this comment


by lexern February 18, 2010 2:32 PM EST: I'm not a religous man but there is no other person on earth that I would want to spend time with more than his Holiness the Dali Lama. Do you actually think the president was going to miss the opportunity of a lifetime. The universal knowledge and understanding of life that you could learn from a short visit is invaluble. I'm sure Obama will be a better human being from this meeting forward.; Reply to this comment


by Empire-George- February 18, 2010 2:27 PM EST: by Carvin82604 February 18, 2010 2:15 PM EST

Maybe you didn't actually read the article. The meeting was in the White House.
________________

oops....My apologies....I didn't read the article

I take it back, sorry; Reply to this comment

by Empire-George- February 18, 2010 1:59 PM EST

In light of the economic situation....what was the pressing need for Obama to make a trip to Tibet ?

He needed another vacation to tour the Great Wall ? what ?

This was a monk, not the leader of China.

So, please.....someone...tell me why it was necessary to incur this expense ?

Reply to this comment


by Carvin82604 February 18, 2010 2:15 PM EST: Maybe you didn't actually read the article. The meeting was in the White House.

by TVO1CITW February 18, 2010 1:53 PM EST

Why is there always a comment about women being something extraordinary compared to men. "Can't we just get along?"

Reply to this comment


by calgal4 February 18, 2010 2:37 PM EST: Because women ARE biologically more sensitive than men and more willing to try to understand before taking sword in hand.