U.S. lawmakers meet Dalai Lama

WASHINGTON, July 8 (UPI) -- The Dalai Lama was welcomed by U.S. lawmakers in Washington, with House Speaker John Boehner praising the Tibetan spiritual leader's tireless work.

"Wherever he goes, the Dalai Lama makes his tireless dedication to the values that we all cherish," Boehner, R-Ohio, said, the Voice of America reported. "He makes them apparent and he makes it a bit contagious."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who has been a longtime supporter of the rights of Tibetans, echoed Boehner's sentiments.

"I am very proud of the fact that we have come together under the dome of the Capitol a number of times to honor His Holiness," Pelosi said.

The Tibetan visitor, who lives in exile in India after the 1959 failed uprising by the Tibetan people against Chinese rule, met with other Democratic and Republican lawmakers, his first such meetings since voluntarily giving up political power this year.

He said he was duty-bound to meet with his "old friends" to explain his new role, the report said.

China has always maintained the Dali Lama is seeking independence for Tibet, but the Tibetan leader says he only advocates political autonomy for Tibet.

"I believe the country ruled by kings or queens or religious leader -- they are out of date and, in fact, religious institutions and political institutions must be separate," the Dalai Lama said while explaining his recent action, the VOA report said. "So now, our small organization in exile community is a fully democratic institution. So we really feel very, very proud," he said.

The Dalai Lama's current U.S. trip was for the Buddhist Kalachakra mediation meeting in Washington. U.S. President Barack Obama might hold a quiet ceremonial meeting with the Dalai Lama during the current trip, analysts told VOA.