Washington-November 08-Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has begun a 10 day stay in Washington.
He was received by a crowd of more than 100 people who gathered to greet him on his arrival here earlier in the day.
While in Washington, the Dalai Lama will meet with lawmakers. He is also expected to meet with President Bush.
Before his arrival in the capital, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington accused the Dalai Lama of trying to raise support for an independent Tibet.
But a representative responded that he does not seek independence. Instead, the Dalai Lama would like China to grant Tibet greater autonomy and to respect Tibetan culture and religion.
