WASHINGTON – Ngawang Sangdrol was jailed and tortured when she was 14 years old for staging a protest in Lhasa for Tibet’s freedom. She said during the worst of her 11 years in prison — when she suffered in solitary confinement from fear, hunger and the cold — she imagined the Dalai Lama at the top of her head.

“This was the only thing that gave me some strength to live,” said Sangdrol, who now lives in Boston.

The Dalai Lama renounced his political authority as head of the Tibetan government in exile in March. However, he retains a powerful influence on the Tibetan people that isn’t likely to diminish despite his reduced political role, panelists at a congressional roundtable on Tibet concluded Wednesday.

When the Dalai Lama stepped down, he cited his belief in democracy and in the separation of religion and government. He also said he would focus on spiritual matters. In May, Tibetans around the world elected a new prime minister, Lobsang Sangay, a former fellow at Harvard Law School, to head the government in exile currently located in India. Tibet has been under China’s rule since 1951.

Bhuchung Tsering, vice president of the International Campaign for Tibet, said the centuries-old historical bond between the Dalai Lama and Tibetans wouldn’t change. He cited the protests against Chinese rule that erupted in 2008.

“One of the words we heard there was a reference to his holiness,” Tsering said. “That will continue even now and into the future.”

Still, the elected government, Tsering said, would have to assume more responsibility, and not be seen as relying on the Dalai Lama.