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For centuries, millions of Tibetans have made the arduous pilgrimage to the holy mountain of Kailas, walking 35 miles around its base in a single day to wash away the sins of the world in a symbolic re-enactment of the wheel of life.

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, said that despite intense opposition from mainland China, he will continue to visit Taiwan, although he has no intention to talk about political issues during his trips.

Just after 11, as the sirens began to wail in the distance, a lone drummer started to tap out the rhythm of a Tibetan welcome. A group of men, wearing white masks and headdresses, began to perform an ancient Tibetan opera dance

Students began lining up soon after midnight to get their tickets for the Dalai Lama's talk on Sept. 15. Jeff Yip plays catch, while Neil Mehta and August Dietrich (all class of '06) try to nap. (Staff photos by Stephanie Mitchell)

"The early bird catches ... the Dalai Lama" might have been the motto of the hundreds of Harvard students who turned out as early as 1 a.m. Friday for tickets to the Tibetan leader's Sept. 15 appearance at the Memorial Church.

Chinese environmentalists are hoping to promote Tibetan antelope protection by recommending the endangered animal as the mascot for the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Beijing.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and beloved Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, was greeted by hundreds of supporters Friday in several Massachusetts communities.

The Dalai Lama gestures as he speaks during a news conference Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, in Boston, on the scientific study of the brain during Buddhist meditation. The Tibetan spiritual leader said that Western scientists and practitioners of Buddhism have much to learn from each other. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)

Hundreds of people bearing prayer wheels, incense, flags and flowers greeted the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan head of state, as he arrived in Massachusetts Friday to pray with fellow Buddhists, meet with scientists and address devotees.

The Dalai Lama says he believes resolving the status of Tibet within China will help achieve genuine stability and unity for the whole country.