New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Displaying his sense of humour, the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that he was a hypocrite because he had done what he should not have: combine spiritual and political duties.
"Religious and political institutions should be separate but I combined the two myself until now... so I was a hypocrite," he said to laughter at an event organised by the National Commission for Minorities here.
He went on: "I was 16 when I took the responsibility (as leader of the Tibetan people), and now I am 76. I have the right to retire!
"I have to make preparations for my next life. I am now fully committed to spreading awareness on spirituality and focussing on human values."