The leader of Tibetan Buddhism, in exile since 1959, has made an "informal" request to the Chinese government to return to pray on sacred Mount Wutai. According to the spiritual leader, "some of my friends [. . .] are also showing their genuine interest or concern," including "some Chinese officials". However, for one Chinese scholar it is all a publicity stunt.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - After nearly 50 years of exile from China, the Dalai Lama could enter the country as a pilgrim to travel in prayer on Mount Wutai, considered sacred by Tibetan Buddhism.

The religious leader mentioned the idea in an informal manner with some "friends," including members - current or retired - of the Communist Party who will consider it and let him know.

"It's not finalised, not yet, but the idea is there," the 79-year-old said in the northern Indian hill station of Dharamsala, where he lives.

"Not formally or seriously, but informally [. . .] I express[ed], this is my desire, and some of my friends [. . .] are also showing their genuine interest or concern," he said.

"Recently, some Chinese officials, for example the deputy party secretary in the autonomous region of Tibet, [. . .] also mentioned the possibility of my visit as a pilgrimage to that sacred place."

Mount Wutai is one of four sacred mountains in Chinese Buddhism, as well as shrine in Tibetan Buddhism.

It is considered a place where the bodhisattva (incarnation) of knowledge takes place. Manjusri (Wenshu in Chinese) can appear in the mountain in the form of a pilgrim, monk, or even five coloured clouds.

For Tibetan Buddhists, pilgrimages on the four mountains are considered a higher form of devotion.

However, Lian Xiangmin , a research fellow at the China Tibetology Research Centre, said he did not see the possibility of a breakthrough on the issue because Beijing does not want to change its policy towards the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

"I don't see any sign that Beijing will make any changes on its stance towards Tibet and the Dalai Lama," he explained, because for Chinese leaders the Dalai lama remains a separatist.

• tibet
• china
• dalai
• lama
• pilgrimage
• mount
• wutai