Which aspects of the Dalai Lamas reputation are assumed in this exchange between the Dalai Lama and a Tibetan questioner?

In his answer the Dalai Lama uses the term philosophical, which again makes us consider his reputation as someone possessing a deep universal understanding over materialistic savvy. Word choice is all important and the Dalai Lamas response is carefully limited to a reply within the parameters of what he may term knowledge to be. I also feel it may be of worth to note that the Dalai Lama does not attempt in any way to embellish the truth of his studies, or regale any ideas of not having had to learn in the way every other person would, attributing in part his capacity for understanding to his spiritual connection with the thirteen earlier Dalai Lamas. This particularly projects a sense of the humility Tenzin Gyatso is known for around the world….(short extract)