Too Many Refugees, Germany Can’t Become an Arab Nation: Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama. (Photo: AP)

In Dharamsala, the de facto capital of Tibet’s exiled government, the Dalai Lama spoke to German reporters and said that “too many” refugees are seeking asylum in Europe.

“Europe, for example Germany, cannot become an Arab country”, he said with a laugh, adding that “Germany is Germany. There are so many (refugees) that in practice, it becomes difficult.”

Given the number of Tibetan refugees around the world, this is a rather uncomfortable position for the Dalai Lama to take.

Tibet’s spiritual leader has often spoken about the need for humanity to acknowledge its ‘oneness.’ He is himself a refugee.

From a moral point of view, too, I think that refugees should only be admitted temporarily.

Dalai Lama

He added that the refugees must return and help rebuild their countries. The Dalai Lama said that he hoped to return to Tibet one day.

(With inputs from AFP)