Tibet is ethnically, linguistically and culturally different to the Han Chinese. Before 1200AD, Tibet was an independent country for hundreds of years. At one point they even invaded China and the capital at that time Xian.
The Chinese government have oppressed the Tibetan people denying them their culture, religion and language. They are trying to dilute the Tibetan way of life by mass emigration of the Han Chinese (offering them economic benefits by moving to Tibet). The Chinese authorities even shoot and kill Tibetans, who over the years have tried to flee Tibet and visit their spiritual leader. As previous apartheid systems and suppression of different ethnicities has proven, time and time again throughout history, people will eventually stand up and rightfully rebel against this inequality.
The latest riots started after peaceful hunger strikes by Buddhist monks. The monks were assaulted by Chinese police/army. This inevitably led to rioting as violence unfortunately breeds further violence!
It is unbelievable the tyrannical Chinese government can even dare blame the Dalai Lama for the recent violence.
It is not difficult for an educated person to make an informed decision on whom to trust - a Nobel peace prize winner who preaches Holy, Spiritual and non-violent values or a government who has historically proven to have no respect for Human rights and often uses torture and violence!