By Jeff Bradley

Denver Post Staff Writer

DENVER, June 2 - For a powerless monk exiled from his native Tibet for 38 years, the Dalai Lama demonstrated extraordinary drawing power Sunday, expounding at each stop on the need for "secular ethics" in today's high-tech world.

He also swayed to soul music, frolicked before the cameras with ecstatic high schoolers and ended his weekend visit to Colorado with a celebrity-style appearance before more than 7,000 admirers at McNichols Sports Arena.

Many stopped at refreshment stands and souvenir booths for chili nachos, $24 sandlewood prayer beads or $12 "Free Tibet" Tshirts before the start of an evening that included Tibetan overtone chanting, Tibetan and Native American dancing, songs by the Colorado Children's Chorale and Mayor Wellington Webb making an appearance to declare "The Dalai Lama Days" in Denver.

That was followed by prayers from local leaders of the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Native American faiths, and an eight-minute Tibetan prayer chant by 30 members of Colorado's exiled Tibetan community.

Dressed simply in maroon-and-gold robes, his head shaven and his smile as genuine at 6 p.m. as it was at 9 a.m., the spiritual leader of more than 6 million Tibetans delighted people all day with his impish laugh and sharp sense of humor.

When he was asked at McNichols to reveal his most personal quest in this life, apart from Tibetan freedom, he retorted with a hearty laugh: "That's my secret!" But not wishing to offend the anonymous questioner, he added that he hoped to end his days meditating "in solitude like a wounded animal."

Earlier at Regis University, the man born Tenzin Gyatso spoke sternly about what communist China is doing to his homeland.

"Whether intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of cultural genocide is taking place," the 61-year-old Buddhist leader said of Beijing's policy toward his ancient homeland, which was annexed by the communists in 1950, initially promising religious and social autonomy. Tibetans revolted in 1959 but lost, and the Dalai Lama fled with some 100,000 followers to India.

His high-pitched giggle and cheek-to-cheek smile disappeared when he talked to 2,500 Regis alumni about the struggle to preserve his culture.

"The Tibetan Buddhist culture has great potential to create a happier human society," he said, speaking in broken but good English and only occasionally turning to a translator for help.

The destruction of culture inside Tibet, and serious pollution caused by mining and deforestation, have not resulted from civil war or industrialization but are because "some alien power came and occupied Tibet." Arguing that "the past is past and I'm moving forward," the man considered a god-king by his people said he is willing to compromise by letting China claim Tibet as a part of its territory.

"I'm not seeking Tibetan independence - of course, independence is our historic right - but I'm seeking genuine self-rule or genuine autonomy.

"I cannot see the reason why the Chinese government is reluctant to talk. We have made every effort but have more or less failed to bring about any meaningful dialogue. I think the Chinese government will see eventually that the policy of hard-line thinking is not in their own interest.

"I have good reason to believe that it's only a question of time before things will change." The 14th Dalai Lama, the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner, called on the international community to press China on human-rights abuses and cultural genocide.

He stressed that the high plateau known as Tibet is only one of five regions inhabited by Tibetans - the others are the neighboring Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai and Yunnan, which contain 4 million of the 6 million Tibetans.

"They've divided us in five parts - how terribly harmful for the preservation of Tibetan culture."

The Dalai Lama began his day at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, addressing a Spirituality in Education conference. As he arrived, Sweet Honey in the Rock's stirring rendition of "Down by the Riverside" got the crowd on its feet, singing and clapping.

After chanting a prayer, clearing his throat and offering a simple "Hello," the Dalai Lama commented: "I really enjoyed the beginning when you were singing and seemingly out of control of yourselves." He said such happiness is the purpose of life, a goal made elusive by ignorance and short-sightedness. Education can help, but filling your life with love and compassion is the right path, he said.

"The most important source of inner peace is an open mind or good heart," he added.

It was a theme he raised at each of his appearances over the weekend.

If you act with compassion toward others, "when the last moment comes, you will not have any regrets," he said.

But if you live with hatred, jealousy and greed, however rich you may become, "in that moment (of death) I think you will feel great regret."

Some 200 high schoolers attending a PeaceJam Youth Conference at Regis described the gardens, community centers and other projects they have launched in their communities and posed for photos with the Dalai Lama, who looked like a spiritual Santa Claus, pulling beards, donning hats, blessing scarves and bells and bringing joy into everything he touched.

"He hugged you like you were his family - like I could be his own son," exclaimed 17-year-old Steve Swenson of Centaurus High in Lafayette.

Later, he received an honorary doctor of public service degree from the Rev. Michael Sheeran, Regis president. "One of the privileges of being a president of a university is you can invite your heroes to campus," said Sheeran, who also welcomed Pope John Paul II to Regis during his World Youth Day visit in 1993.