Dalai Lama:
This is purely education. Not political. Of course the political side, there
are groups, and some are very critical about my stand. Among our supporters
there are some who are very critical about my approach, that is the ‘Middle
Way,’ not seeking independence. I am trying to find a solution according to
the Chinese constitution. And the reason: Tibet is a land-locked country and
materially very very backward. Spritiually of course, very rich. But stomach
is only filled by material, by matter, not by spiritual elements. So
therefore, I think every Tibetan wants modernization of Tibet. So for that
reason if the Chinese government provide us meaningful autonomy that is a
guarantee for the preservation of Tibetan culture, Tibetan language, Tibetan
spirituality and Tibet’s delicate environment. So if these are fulfilled
then we can remain within the People’s Republic of China. As far as material
development is concerned, we might get greater benefit. Therefore I’m not
seeking independence

So some of our supporters want complete independence, including the Tibetan
Youth organization. So they are very critical of me, er, our approach. Since
the last five years, we already have elected political leadership, so my
position is something like semi-retired. I’m acting like senior advisor.
Like that.

So a final decision is not in my hand, but His hand. Truly, like that. I
feel very happy.

Question:
How will you decide whether this trip has been a success or not?

Dalai Lama:
I don’t know.

I just go different places and meet friends, and discuss, listen, to their
ideas, their views. And also share my views. That’s my usual pattern. So no
seriousness. If some good result come: Happy. If not, Okay. Just talk, go,
meet more people, more talk, like that.

Question:
With more and more people able to visit Tibet with the new Tibetan Railway, do you think traditional Tibetan culture will be destroyed by these
outsiders, little by little?

Dalai Lama:
Since, I think, quite some time, the population of Tibet is around 300,000.
Two hundred thousand are Han Chinese. About 100,000 Tibetan. That means we
have already become a minority. As a result those Tibetans in the town, in
their daily life, they use Chinese language more, in shops, in restaurants,
in addition to the government official language. On every occasion they have
to speak Chinese. And then, music, songs, also now more Chinese. Also, I’ve
heard that Tibetans are very fond of Indian popular songs. So their way of
life and also their [cuisine] eventually their mentality, their way of
thinking: these are changing. There are differences.

In Tibet, in bigger towns, where there are more Chinese, and countryside
where there are no Chinese or [fewer] Chinese. There are differences. So the
people in Lhasa, for instance, more modern way of life, plus more Chinese
sounding, so their cultural heritage, their way of life is changing.

So usually I call it, whether intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of
cultural genocide is taking place. So already, we notice Tibetans born and
grown up in India, and Tibetans inside Tibet, there are differences.
Tibetans born and grown in India in the Tibetan community, these look more
like Tibetans. Tibetan youth from Tibet, in these bigger town, are less sort
of Tibetan.

But generally speaking, the Tibetan spirit is very very strong.

So future is difficult to say. Now, the completion of the railway link, I
think it has been already over two months. According to some information,
between 5,000 to 6,000 Chinese daily reach Lhasa. And many of them prefer to
remain, at least for time being, in Lhasa. So bigger number, coming;
returning, smaller number.

And then the environment issue. Now this is serious issue. Not political,
but just environment, Tibet’s environment. Because of the high altitude
and dry climate and very delicate. If something goes wrong, some damage
happens, it takes a longer period to recover. So we need a special care:
number one. Number two: Tibet people call the Roof of the World. So major
rivers that cover from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,
China - major rivers come from Tibet. So if the environmental situation
inside Tibet has a big change: already scientists are predicting global
warming. I myself, now over 70 years, I myself have noticed the amount of
snow in Tibetan Himalayan range in my lifetime is much reduced,

So some old Tibetans feel these are bad omens, but I myself, I don’t know.
But in practical terms, the amount of melting snow is increasing.