The Dalai Lama and Tibet

DHARAMSALA, India, Nov. 23, 2008 — -- He had nothing to say or so he said in his typically modest and often humorous manner, but then His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, proceeded to speak for more than two hours with international media.

He talked at length about his possible retirement (it's not happening) and the possibility that his next incarnation may be a as girl (he said women are more compassionate than men). He also encouraged Tibetans to create strong relationships with the Chinese people.

Earlier in the day, the Dalai Lama addressed hundreds of Tibetan delegates who descended upon this tiny mountain town from around the globe after he summoned them for a conference on Tibet's future.

The Dalai Lama, who has led the Tibetan people for nearly 50 years, was absent from the meeting because he did not want his presence to inhibit the delegates' ability to voice their opinions. He said his plan had worked.

"I'm satisfied they expressed fully what they believed without hesitation," said the Tibetan leader.

The Dalai Lama did not speak directly about the results of the conference, which included a majority decision to follow his "middle way" approach to create an autonomous region for Tibet within China. He did, however, caution his followers that there was great risk if they pushed for independence. He also encouraged them to work with the Chinese.

"My faith in the Chinese people has never been shaken," he said, explaining that he had recently discussed this idea with a group of Tibetans. "We must distinguish between the Chinese government and the Chinese people."

After years of trying to yield more autonomy for the Tibetan region, the aging Dalai Lama recently expressed frustration over the failed situation. China invaded Tibet in 1950.

The self-described "semi-retired" Dalai Lama called for the conference because he wanted the Tibetans-in-exile to learn to lead without him. Some say the 73-year-old has "begged" exiled Tibetans to take a stronger role in Tibet's future.

"His Holiness has always been encouraging Tibetans to start getting ready," said one of the conference delegates, Nima Dorjee, an engineer from Ontario, Canada. "We recognize the situation we face. We recognize the danger of becoming instantly abandoned orphans if we're not ready."