The Dalai Lama has said he thinks Europe could become ‘African or Muslim’ if refugee stay in their adopted countries (Picture: EPA/Reuters)

The Dalai Lama has claimed Europe could become ‘African or Muslim’ if refugees do not return to their home countries.

The 83-year-old, who has been living as a refugee from Tibet since 1959, said he thinks only a ‘limited number’ of people should be allowed to remain in their adopted countries.

He told the BBC that he thought European nations should be obliged to take in those who are fleeing their home countries and need help, but should ultimately be taught skills to return with.

He said: ‘European countries should take these refugees and give them education and training, and the aim is – return to their own land with certain skills.’




When he was asked what should happen to anyone who wishes to stay in the country they have settled in he added: ‘A limited number is OK.

He added that a ‘limited number’ should be able to stay where they have settled (Picture: EPA)

He added that it European nations are obliged to help them (Picture: AP)

‘But the whole of Europe [will] eventually become Muslim country – impossible. Or African country, also impossible.’

The Buddhist spiritual leader has previously said that he thinks ‘Europe is for Europeans’ at a speech last year in Malmo, Sweden.

He said: ‘Receive them [migrants], help them, educate them, but ultimately they should develop their own country. I think Europe belongs to the Europeans.’

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing Lhasa 60 years ago during the Tibetan uprising.

While in exile, he set up a government in Dharamsala in northern India and launched a campaign to reclaim Tibet from China.

Sorry, this video isn't available any more.

He said that although he thinks that refugees should be taught skills to take back to their home countries (Picture: Reuters)

The spiritual leader has been living in India since fleeing Tibet 60 years ago (Picture: Getty)

He said that although India has become his ‘spiritual home’, he still wants to return to his home country of Tibet.

He added: ‘The Tibetan people have trust in me, they ask me [to] come to Tibet.’

The monk also spoke of his wishes for whoever will succeed him as the Dalai Lama.

Revealed: The nine countries where Brits can travel without quarantine or a test

He has previously said that if it were to be a woman then she should be ‘very attractive, otherwise not much use.’

When challenged on this viewpoint, he reaffirmed his belief that beauty should be just as important as brains.

He said: ‘If a female Dalai Lama comes then she should be more attractive.’

The Dalai Lama that if she was not attractive that ‘people would prefer not to see her face.’

Got a story for Metro.co.uk? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page.