You can't believe the propoganda coming from the Chinese government-controlled media.  HH The Dalai Lama is adamantly opposed to violence, but many Tibetans are fed up with passive opposition.  I am uncertain whether monks are actually engaging in violence.  I would bet that it is mostly the more secular Tibetans who are engaging in violence rather than the monks, but when people have been oppressed for so long, you can't blame some for becoming more active--it's just human nature.  I'm not condoning or promoting the protests (when I see Tibetans beating up Han Chinese in the street, it doesn't exactly promote sympathy), but I am certain the Dalai Lama himself is not promoting the use of violence.  In fact, he is often criticized for being too passive by those who are passionate about Tibet.  His role is that of a religious leader as well as a leader of the Tibetan people, so it is complicated.
--Angela