HAMILTON -- People arriving for a sold-out talk by the Dalai Lama are being met by two groups protesting the appearance by the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

A large group of Tibetan monks and a smaller group of China supporters have gathered outside the field house at Colgate University, where the Dalai Lama is to speak Tuesday afternoon.

The monks from the Western Shugden Society say they're upset that the Dalai Lama has banned them from practicing some of their sect's prayers.

The pro-Chinese group says it wants to inform people attending the event that China is more tolerant and progressive than it used to be.

Nearly 5,000 people are expected at the talk by the Dalai Lama, who took part in private gatherings on campus earlier in the day.