Dalai Lama ready to give up political power

[Cmdr Sheppard]

(CNN) -- The Dalai Lama announced Thursday his plan to retire as political head of the exiled movement, according to his website.

"Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people, to whom I can devolve power," the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said in a statement. "Now, we have clearly reached the time to put this into effect."

He said he will formally propose amendments to the Charter for Tibetans in Exile to make the change at the upcoming session of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile that begins Monday. If the changes are made, leadership of the group would be passed to an elected leader.

The Dalai Lama told CNN in October that he would like to retire at some point.

Read more: Dalai Lama ready to give up political power - CNN.com

Kind of sad to see such a great and respected leader going into retirement.

 

[Sky Dancer]

(CNN) -- The Dalai Lama announced Thursday his plan to retire as political head of the exiled movement, according to his website.

"Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people, to whom I can devolve power," the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said in a statement. "Now, we have clearly reached the time to put this into effect."

He said he will formally propose amendments to the Charter for Tibetans in Exile to make the change at the upcoming session of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile that begins Monday. If the changes are made, leadership of the group would be passed to an elected leader.

The Dalai Lama told CNN in October that he would like to retire at some point.

Read more: Dalai Lama ready to give up political power - CNN.com

Kind of sad to see such a great and respected leader going into retirement.

He's a monk, he's getting old and wants to prepare for dying. He wants to do retreat. He's always been pro-democracy. He was born into the Dalai Lama position. It's time for an elected leader and the end of the Dalai Lama tulkus.