Dalai Lama calls for unity amid euro crisis

The Dalai Lama spoke out in defense of the European Union on Sunday, describing it as a model the rest of the world can emulate.

In a speech to several thousand supporters in the German city of Wiesbaden, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism he said he hoped Asia and Africa would follow Europe's example.

Marking the beginning of a three day visit to the state of Hesse, he highlighted how conflict between France and Germany had eventually turned into friendship with the forging of economic and political ties following World War II.

The visit is part of celebrations to mark the spiritual leader's 80th birthday, which was last Monday.

Acknowledging the current euro crisis, the Dalai Lama hoped that an agreement would be reached between all parties soon, suggesting that the deadlock was essentially about money.

Greeted by angry protests

His visit was once again marred by protesters from a fundamentalist Buddhist group shouting waving banners describing him as the "False Dalai Lama" as he left his hotel to give his speech.

Members of the International Shugden Community have accused him of marginalizing their organization amid accusations that their faction of Buddhism is a cult. Their rally was backed up by a social media campaign.

During his visit, the Dalai Lama will visit Frankfurt and meet with Tibetan exiles living in Germany.

The spiritual leader is also expected to meet current state Premier Volker Bouffier and members of the state parliament.

The Dalai Lama has visited several German cities many times during his lifetime and has built a significant spiritual following in the country.

He is a popular figure across the United States and Europe, among Buddhists and non-believers alike. His public events draw thousands of fans, including prominent supporters from politics and culture.

Birthday celebrations

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate celebrated his 80th birthday as the guest of honor at a spiritual gathering in southern California during a visit to the United States.

To mark his octogenarian decade, pro-Tibet activists in Germany even ordered a commemorative stamp from Deutsche Post. Although not an official German stamp, it can be used to send letters.

Last month, he appeared at the UK's Glastonbury Festival, where he gave a talk to festivalgoers.

China has ruled Tibet since 1950 after the Chinese government sent its People's Liberation Army to occupy and annex the region.

In 1959, the Dalai Lama led a failed uprising against the Beijing rule in Tibet and was forced to flee the country.

Since then, he has lived and governed in exile in the northern hill town of Dharamsala, India.

Beijing has rejected several attempts to create an autonomous region that would allow him to return and lead Tibetans.

Tensions with the Chinese government continue to run high in the territory, with more than 140 Tibetans having set themselves on fire in protest in recent years.

Last year, the current Dalai Lama stoked uncertainty over the future of the position of spiritual leader after his death, when he told the German paper "Welt am Sonntag" that he should be the last to hold the role.

"We had a Dalai Lama for almost five centuries. Let us then finish with a popular Dalai Lama," he said, adding that a weak leader would disgrace the position.

mm/sms (dpa, Reuters)