In a statement, the White House says the president commended the Dalai Lama's commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government. It said the president and Dalai Lama agreed on the importance of a "positive and cooperative" relationship between the United States and China.
The Dalai Lama told reporters he spoke with President Obama about the promotion of religious harmony and human values, as well as the increased role of women in leadership roles.
The talks took place in the Map Room of the White House, and not in Mr. Obama's official office, the Oval Office.
The meeting has drawn angry comments from China, which said it "firmly opposes" it. China last week called on the U.S. to "immediately withdraw" the invitation.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with the Dalai Lama later Thursday.
The White House meeting was closed to the press, but the administration is to release an official photograph.
A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said last week the meeting could further damage U.S.-China relations, which have recently been strained by a planned U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan, disagreements over China's currency exchange rate and U.S. concerns over Chinese Internet censorship.
The Dalai Lama was in the United States last year, just before Mr. Obama traveled to China. But the president decided not to meet with him until after that trip.
Previous U.S. presidents have received the Dalai Lama, including George W. Bush, who presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. He says he is not seeking independence for Tibet, just greater autonomy. China considers him a separatist.
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