Dalai Lama talks of compassion, but not about Tibet

Seattle: The Dalai Lama has told those attending a conference on compassion that dialogue and respect are the tools for transforming enemies.

He sidestepped a specific question about the turmoil in his native Tibet.

"The only way to transform our enemy to become our friend is dialogue, respect," the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said on Friday. "That's a way of compassion."

A reporter then asked specifically how he can forgive his enemies and remain hopeful about the situation in Tibet.

He responded by talking in general terms about creating better communities and forgiving enemies, and expressing hope that the world will see more compassion with more female leaders.

He said, "Generally, females are more sensitive, there's a greater potential to develop compassion," he said.

Recent protests in Tibet against five decades of Chinese rule have been the largest and most sustained in almost two decades and have fueled protests that have disrupted the global torch relay for the Beijing Games.

China has accused the Dalai Lama of being involved in the uprising. He has said that he wants greater autonomy for the remote mountain region, but is not seeking independence.