The Dalai Lama says Beijing needs to thoroughly investigate the causes behind self-immolations by Tibetans protesting Chinese rule and blamed "narrow-minded Communist officials" for seeing Buddhist culture as a threat.   The Dalai Lama also called on foreign media and members of parliament to visit Tibet to see that what is happening there does not go ignored. The Tibetan Buddhist leader was speaking on Tuesday before Japanese lawmakers in Tokyo.

Eight self-immolations have been reported over six days in the Tibetan region. China has long accused the Dalai Lama and his supporters of inspiring such acts, despite his condemnation of all forms of violence.