The Dalai Lama has said he will stop talking to Chinese leaders about allowing autonomy in Tibet.

The Religion News Service recently reported that the exiled Tibetan leader made the statement from his home in Dharamsala, India.

“As far as I’m concerned I have given up,” the Dalai Lama, 73, told The Associated Press.

He said a new advocacy plan must now be created by Tibetans. For years, the Buddhist leader has urged China to create a ” diplomatic approach,” under which Tibet is ruled by China but has space to continue its ancient Buddhist culture, the RNS reports.

“There hasn’t been any positive response from the Chinese side,” the Dalai Lama said, according to the AP.

Meanwhile, several news outlets have reported that Tibetan-Chinese talks are planned in the near future. Tibetan Buddhists’ efforts to gain religious freedom under Chinese rule was highlighted during the the summer Olympics in China when several peaceful protests — some sparked online — occurred around the world.

According to the U.S. State Department, religious freedom in Tibet has been sharply curtailed since Communist Chinese forces invaded the country in 1950.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor