The Dalai Lama made no mention of the situation in Tibet during an appearance in Seattle on Friday, instead sticking to the set topic of compassion.

Organizers of the five-day Seeds of Compassion conference said the event was non-political, but the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader's visit came as China condemned a U.S. resolution urging it to begin talks with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

The Dalia Lama greets supporters along a receiving line in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel in Seattle Thursday.
(Stephen Brashear/Associated Press)

It was the Dalai Lama's first visit to the United States since last month's violent crackdown on demonstrations in Tibet, that China says left 22 dead. Unconfirmed reports from within Tibet suggest dozens may have died.

The crackdown and China's human rights record have fuelled protests of the Olympic torch relay as it travels around the globe before the Aug. 8 opening ceremony of the Games in Beijing.

But at Friday's conference, the mood was lighthearted, with the Dalai Lama often joking about his personal life and reflecting on his own parents.

The first event of the conference was a dialogue between scientists and the Dalai Lama about early childhood development and compassion. 

"I'm happy to be spending time sitting with experienced scientists of compassion," he said. "Compassion is the motivation, but the real factor is action to change."

Panellists talked about encouraging parents or caretakers to spend more time with children and discussed how young children's brains are shaped by their experiences and early relationships.

As the Dalai Lama arrived at Seattle's Grand Hyatt hotel on Thursday, Tibetans and their supporters bowed and sang.

During his arrival, the Dalai Lama said he was saddened by the sight of scuffles during the Olympic torch relay and that he favours non-violent demonstrations in support of Tibetan autonomy.

Resolution hurt China's feelings: official

His visit comes the same day a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the country was outraged by a U.S. House of Representatives resolution passed earlier this week calling on China to open talks with the Dalai Lama.

In a statement posted on the ministry's website, Jiang Yu said the U.S. resolution "twisted Tibet's history and modern reality … seriously hurting the feelings of the Chinese people."

"The Chinese side expresses its strong indignation and resolute opposition toward this."

Sponsored by House speaker Nancy Pelosi, the resolution urges China to end its crackdown on "non-violent Tibetan protesters," halt "repression" in the region and open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

Pelosi is a Democrat from San Francisco, which is home to one of the largest per capita populations of Tibetan-Americans. Pro-Tibet demonstrators on Thursday forced Olympic organizers to cut short the route of the Olympic torch relay.

Demonstrators have also scuffled with police during relay stops in London and Paris.

On Friday, the torch passed through the streets of Buenos Aires with relative ease amid a heavy police presence.

With files from the Associated Press