Dalai Lama speaks during an interactive session

KOLKATA: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said on Thursday that Tibet did not seek independence from China but greater development.

Speaking at an interactive session hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here, he said, “We are not seeking independence... We want to stay with China. We want more development.”

He added, “Tibet has a different culture and a different script... The Chinese people love their own country. We love our own country.”

He said, “From Yangtze to Sindhu rivers, major rivers ... come from Tibet. Billions of lives are involved. Taking care of the Tibetan plateau is not only good for Tibet but for billions of people.”

He also lauded India’s “spirit of religious tolerance”, adding that there were “problems sometimes because of politicians trying to manipulate that”.

He took a dig at the average Indian’s laziness as well — describing them as “lazier than the Chinese”.

"I think Indian people are lazy but that may be due to the climate. But India is more stable and can play a role in the world stage," he added. "India has a tradition of living together. (It is) a living example of different traditions being carried together," the Buddhist monk said, adding: "I can proudly state the same about Tibetan culture."

India should combine modern education with basic human values rooted in its traditional teachings, he said. "This could pave the way for peace in the 21st century after the violence that has prevailed in the last 100 years," said the monk. "Religion, too, has become a lip service and failed to bridge the divide between humans," he added, blaming politicians for often using it in a wrong way.

"India is rich in traditional teachings. These, rather than just religion, can help bring people together. If modern India can combine newage education with lessons on inner values in a secular way, then the country can head in the right direction. Modern education is a bit too materialistic," he said.

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