&quot;The Dalai Lama is not the head of Buddhism but the head of Tibet, which is a tribe seeking a political state.&quot;<p>The Dalai Lama has abdicated political leadership to the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and only retains a leadership role as head of the Gelugpa sect.  He still speaks to the human rights abuses and political oppression of Tibetans but his proposal is a &quot;Middle Way&quot; which would preserve Chinese rule but give Tibetans some autonomy and representation in governing Tibet.