Dalai Lama to Chinese Students: 'I'm a Marxist

In speaking to a group of students in Minnesota last week, the Dalai Lama cleared up any uncertainty regarding his political views. "...As far as socio-political beliefs are concerned, I consider myself a Marxist," he told the audience.

According to Religion Dispatches, one student questioned this statement, asking if this view of the world contradict the Dalai Lama's philosophy:

The Tibetan leader answered that the Marx was not against religion or religious philosophy per se but against religious institutions that were allied, during Marx’s time, with the European ruling class.

Interestingly, the Chinese government as it currently stands is dominated partially by Karl Marx's theoretical constructs. This isn't the first time the Dalai Lama has professed his belief in Marxism. Below, watch a video of the spiritual leader discuss a variety of issues pertaining to China, his political views, and the like: