Tibet [Images]'s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama [Images] on Friday arrived on a 13-day trip to the United States, his first since the crackdown in Tibet that has sparked protests worldwide.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner arrived in Seattle, Washington for a series of lectures, but meetings with political leaders could also be on the cards.

The US House of Representatives and Senate passed resolutions on Wednesday condemning the Chinese crackdown in the Himalayan region, urging Beijing [Images] to begin talks with the Dalai Lama. The resolution has evoked a harsh and critical response from China.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to participate in the 'Seeds of Compassion' conference in Seattle and is expected to draw in large crowds.