DHARMSHALA, Dalai Lama today strongly rejected  Chinese claims that he has called for Tibet to be split from China during a speech  at the Sanford Fieldhouse a Colgate University, he made it clear that  Tibet is only seeking autonomy to preserve its centuries-old culture and traditions,disclosed this a spokesman of the His Holiness at Dharmshala.

He said, Tibetan spiritual leader's 75-minute speech to a capacity audience of more than 5,000 people inside Sanford Fieldhouse avoided the growing tensions generated by the Chinese government's recent crackdown in his country. Instead, the Dalai Lama explained "The Art of Happiness," urging his audience to find inner peace, live a compassionate life and help others.

"The whole world knows we are not seeking separation as the Chinese accuse us, Dalai Lama said. We are only seeking autonomy but genuine autonomy under the Chinese constitution," the Dalai Lama said. The recent protests all over Tibet have not only contradicted but also shattered the People Republic of ChinaÇås propaganda that except for a few "reactionaries", the majority of Tibetans enjoy a prosperous and contented life. These protests have made it very clear that Tibetans in the three provinces of Tibet, U-tsang, Kham and Amdo, harbor the same aspirations and hopes. These protests have also conveyed to the world that the Tibet issue can no longer be neglected. These protests highlight the need to find a way to resolve the issue through "finding truth from facts". The courage and determination of those Tibetans who have, for the greater interests of Tibetan people, demonstrated their deep anguish and hopes by risking everything is very commendable as the world community has acknowledged and supported the spirit of these Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama's U.S. visit comes amid rising calls from world leaders for Beijing to discuss the accusations that its hard-line policies in Tibet are destroying the region's traditional Buddhist culture.