PA News, London, May 8, 1999 - Hundreds of British Buddhists will gather today to hear exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama begin three days of teaching on Tibetan Buddhist writings.

Interest in the event at Wembley Conference Centre has been intense, with all tickets selling out four months ago, the Office of Tibet in London said.

The Dalai Lama's six-day visit to the United Kingdom comes just two months after the 40th anniversary of the crushing of the Tibetan revolt against the Chinese and the Dalai Lama's flight to India.

Public interest in Britain in Chinese-occupied Tibet is said to be at an all-time high.

The Dalai Lama's public talk Ethics for the New Millennium at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening is also sold out, the Office of Tibet said.

All profits from the events go directly through UK-based charity Tibet House Trust to Tibetan refugees in exile.

The Dalai Lama will deliver the 10th Lambeth Interfaith Lecture, entitled Towards A Peaceful World - the Role of Religious Communities at Lambeth Palace on Tuesday evening, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

On Thursday morning he will consecrate an 8ft statue of the Buddha at the Jamyang Buddhist Centre, south London, before opening a Tibetan Peace Garden next to the Imperial War Museum.

The London-based Tibet Foundation built the garden, which symbolises the commitment to peace of the Tibetan people in their struggle for justice and freedom in Tibet, the Office of Tibet said. Leader's Life In Exile May 8, 1999 Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, on a six-day visit to Britain, was today beginning three days of teachings on Tibetan Buddhist writings.

Here are some of the facts behind Tibet and its leader:

:: The Dalai Lama's ninth visit to the United Kingdom comes just two months after the 40th anniversary of the crushing of the Tibetan revolt against the Chinese and the Dalai Lama's flight to India.

:: China invaded the remote mountain territory in 1950 and destroyed the Tibetan army at Chamdo.

:: The Tibetan revolt was crushed on March 10, 1959, and the Dalai Lama fled to India, followed by 80,000 Tibetans.

:: From 1960-2, Tibet suffered from collectivisation and severe food shortages.

:: During the Cultural Revolution, from 1966-9, many monasteries were destroyed.

:: In 1974, Tibetan resistance was forced to abandon its base in Nepal and CIA assistance running to 1 million a year ended.

:: In 1979, Beijing's leader Deng Xiaoping allowed non-Chinese tourists to visit Tibet.

:: Around the same time, China allowed delegates from the Dalai Lama to visit Tibet.

:: In 1989, up to 200 people were killed by police during riots in Lhasa, and China imposed martial law. The same year, the Dalai Lama, who had elaborated a five-point proposal for Tibetan self-government, received the Nobel Peace Prize.

:: Tibetan Buddhism led by the Dalai Lama is not just a religion but defines Tibet's national identity. Beijing regards him as manipulated by hostile foreign interests, but many observers believe that his proposal for self-government rather than independence may offer the best way out of the impasse and prevent a shift from non-violence to terrorism.

:: Many young Tibetans are urging the Dalai Lama to abandon his moderate approach and demand full independence.

:: In March this year, the Dalai Lama confirmed that secret talks between himself and China had broken down, ending 18 months of hopeful informal negotiation.

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Last updated: 7-May-99