A message from the Dalai Lama:
March 18, 2008
I have no idea where the truth is in this. I'm sure the Tibet of 50 or 60 years ago was not perfect. I'm sure the Chinese feel they have every right to do as they wish in their own country. Every time Canada speaks up about this, the Chinese point at Quebec and say it's the same thing, look what you're doing in Quebec!! which is complete and utter nonsense. There is no similarity. I don't want ties to China. I don't want, and will not support anything Chinese. Stop exporting to China. Stop all imports from China. Make Human rights part of any trade negotiation. When their ruling party sees human rights as a priority, maybe.
This is from the Dalai Lama's website, (today's date):
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to world leaders and the international community for their concern over the recent sad turn of events in Tibet and for their attempts to persuade the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the demonstrations.
Since the Chinese Government has accused me of orchestrating these protests in Tibet, I call for a thorough investigation by a respected body, which should include Chinese representatives, to look into these allegations. Such a body would need to visit Tibet, the traditional Tibetan areas outside the Tibet Autonomous Region, and also the Central Tibetan Administration here in India. In order for the international community, and especially the more than one billion Chinese people who do not have access to uncensored information, to find out what is really going on in Tibet, it would be of tremendously helpful if representatives of the international media also undertook such investigations. Whether it was intended or not, I believe that a form of cultural genocide has taken place in Tibet, where the Tibetan identity has been under constant attack. Tibetans have been reduced to an insignificant minority in their own land as a result of the huge transfer of non-Tibetans into Tibet. The distinctive Tibetan cultural heritage with its characteristic language, customs and traditions is fading away. Instead of working to unify its nationalities, the Chinese government discriminates against these minority nationalities, the Tibetans among them. It is common knowledge that Tibetan monasteries, which constitute our principal seats of learning, besides being the repository of Tibetan Buddhist culture, have been severely reduced in both in number and population. In those monasteries that do still exist, serious study of Tibetan Buddhism is no longer allowed; in fact, even admission to these centres of learning is being strictly regulated. In reality, there is no religious freedom in Tibet. Even to call for a little more freedom is to risk being labeled a separatist. Nor is there any real autonomy in Tibet, even though these basic freedoms are guaranteed by the Chinese constitution. I believe the demonstrations and protests taking place in Tibet are a spontaneous outburst of public resentment built up by years of repression in defiance of authorities that are oblivious to the sentiments of the local populace. They mistakenly believe that further repressive measures are the way to achieve their declared aim of long-term unity and stability. On our part, we remain committed to taking the Middle Way approach and pursuing a process of dialogue in order to find a mutually beneficial solution to the Tibetan issue. With these points in mind, I also seek the international community’s support for our efforts to resolve Tibet’s problems through dialogue, and I urge them to call upon the Chinese leadership to exercise the utmost restraint in dealing with the current disturbed situation and to treat those who are being arrested properly and fairly. Dalai Lama Dharamsala March 18, 2008This is from a CBC story, this morning: "The Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan government in exile, said on Tuesday that he will step down if violence continues in his homeland. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama speaks to the media in Dharmsala, India, on Tuesday. (Gurinder Osan/Associated Press) Urging Tibetans to show restraint, he said that if things spiral out of control, his "only option is to completely resign."
His statement follows comments made Tuesday by China's Premier Wen Jiabo, who accused the Dalai Lama and his followers of lies and hypocrisy..."
2 Comments
1. Anna Marie Sewell had this to say: Mar 20, 2008 ~ 17:02 ~ #
Hiya, Thomas. Always admire that you’re for peace. Me too. Two questions:
1) When people compare Quebec to Tibet, why let that stand when you know who the Tibetans of Canada are?
2) Will you also boycott Vancouver Olympics?
(Or what would it take? Would the indigenous nations of BC have to go all Gustafsen Lake, Dudley George, Oka, take responsibility for taking the initiative of public stridency to merit boycott? What, for you, makes this summer’s games need something beyond recognition of the hypocrisy inherent in the hoopla of Oympics in general in these times of global crises on so many levels?)
I am seriously always wondering how Canadians who care for Tibet see that situation in comparison to issues of sovereignty, settlers, cultural genocide, civilizing savages, etc, here. Here’s a golden opportunity to ask an engaged, articulate voice –
So, how do you see that?
all blessings of this time of renewal
namaste
mitayuke oyasin
ams
p.s. the sorbets continue to inspire
2. thomas had this to say: Mar 20, 2008 ~ 22:03 ~ #
Anna,
As I was writing this, I was thinking about North America….about the the first people (that we know of)...the land and life that was taken. That is a direct parallel to Tibet. The parallel is painfully obvious. So, guilty as charged. There are many ways to do violence to a people. Tibet is in the news. Maybe I’m projecting. I think this 14th Lama has wisdom.
Watching a large, dictatorial monster rape a small more-or-less innocent is never easy — though it has happened so many times throughout our short history on this planet. Ergo, my useless letter to god.
I begin to understand and appreciate the idea of atheism.