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It is tempting to switch off the mind and tune in the spirit when you enter Tashilumpo monastery, the home of one of Tibet's great Buddhist orders and the empty seat of one the world's most politically controversial religious leaders.

Tibetan monks watch visiting journalists at Tushilumpo Monastery, the headquarters of Shikatse Prefecture in Tibet on August 23, 2003. (REUTERS/Guang Niu/File Photo)

In the sun-soaked courtyards and cobblestone paths of Buddhist Tibet's Tashilhunpo monastery, an ageing monk sings the praises of 13-year-old Gyaltsen Norbu.

The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is visitng Washington. He was received Monday by the Capital Area Tibetan community and other Tibetan supporters. The Dalai Lama he will be in the capitial for three days.

It had been almost two decades since Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) last toured Ladakh - once Tibetan satellite State, now Indian territory.

A Chinese woman visits the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, which is 3.6 km (2.2 miles) above sea level, on August 26, 2003. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of th invasion by British troops, led by adventurer Francis Younghusband, who reached Lhasa in 1904. (REUTERS/Guang Niu)

Trade agreements snubbed. Letters to the Dalai Lama returned with unbroken seals. Mounting fears the Russians were gaining ground in Tibet. By mid-1903, Britain's Viceroy of India had had enough.

All India Tibet Support Groups concluded with great success. The Inauguration was held under a specially constructed canopy marked as "Lhasa Nagar" and the meeting Hall was named as PadmaSambhava Hall where 227 participants from 15 states

The Dalai Lama arrives at his hotel in Washington, Monday, Sept. 8, 2003 on the start of his three-day visit. On Tuesday, he will give the keynote address at Congressional Human Rights Caucus 20th Anniversary Celebration on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Terry Ashe)

His Holiness The Dalai Lama (R) escorts former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali off stage as they prepare for a ceremonial Planting of World Peace Tree in front of the Chamtse Ling Temple in Bloomington, Indiana, September 7, 2003. Earlier in the day, The Dalai Lama blessed the Temple. (REUTERS/Frank Polich )