By Jean Torkelson - Sunday, June 01, 1997

Rocky Mountain News Religion Writer

The Dalai Lama showed a Denver audience his trademark mix of compassion and hardheaded realism as he spoke Saturday on the tragedies in Tibet and Oklahoma City.

"It is very hopeless. Time is running out,'' he warned, referring to the Chinese Communists' 38-year grip on his Tibetan homeland.

"Some kind of cultural genocide is taking place. ... I am appealing to the international community please help us.''

The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner, in Colorado to attend several weekend conferences and commune with his fellow exiles from Tibet, spoke first to journalists at Regis University.

At the same time, a mile away, a jury continued deliberations in the case involving the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.

Asked how to regard people who commit such heinous criminal acts, the Dalai Lama counseled people to first fill their hearts with "affection and compassion.''

"Confrontation is no good,'' he said. "If we let out our anger and hatred toward people what's the use? More frustration.

"If you lose your sleep and lose your happiness, your enemy is very happy.''

In the case of individual crimes and political oppression, however, "it is essential to point out the wrongness of their acts, point out the negativity of their acts without losing compassion,'' he said.

"That's more effective for change.''

In his own country of Tibet, millions have died since the Chinese government solidified its occupation in 1959, and 130,000 are in exile.

The Dalai Lama, who would head the government of free Tibet, urged Americans not to forget what he says are China's atrocities, including widespread imprisonment, cultural and religious repression and destruction of the environment.

"The world will not forget they crushed (Tibet) mercilessly,'' he said.

Wearing red robes and red socks, with brogues on his feet and a wristwatch next to his prayer beads, the world-traveling monk proved himself a man with an eye toward the 21st century as well.

He urged Americans to use the Internet and cultural exchange programs to hammer home the idea of democracy to repressive China.

He also called the tradition of cloistered Buddhist monasteries "old-fashioned'' and said his religious tradition can benefit from the Christian instinct toward social action.

With a grin, he said Buddhist monks "come out more lively'' after taking part in exchange programs with Christian monasteries.

Meanwhile, he said, Christians can learn from the Eastern contemplative traditions.