A spokesperson for the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will miss Nelson Mandela's funeral. Tenzin Takhla gave no specific reason as to why the Dalai Lama won't be there other than saying that "logistically it's impossible at this time."
There are assumptions being made, however, that it was because the Dalai Lama has been unable to obtain a visa to visit South Africa.
It's reported the Dalai Lama was first denied a visa for the Nobel laureates' peace conference in 2009 as the government said his visit would "distract from preparations for the 2010 World Cup." He then withdrew his application for a visa in 2011 after the process was stalled.