No, as Newsweek explains, this is not an Onion headline:
In one of history’s more absurd acts of totalitarianism, China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission….
At 72, the Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since 1959, is beginning to plan his succession, saying that he refuses to be reborn in Tibet so long as it’s under Chinese control. Assuming he’s able to master the feat of controlling his rebirth, as Dalai Lamas supposedly have for the last 600 years, the situation is shaping up in which there could be two Dalai Lamas: one picked by the Chinese government, the other by Buddhist monks.
So, while reflecting on our precious right to freedom of religion, I ask BMG: if you had the power to ban any of the following from reincarnating themselves, who would you choose? Feel free to say why in the answers.
I am probably one of the few posters here who has met the Dalai Lama, more than once. I helped found the Wayne State University International Law Society in 1979 [I know, my age is showing] when I was a 30 year old law student there.
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Our International Law Society was one of the sponsors of his first visit to the United States, and I still have documents from those heady days. Imagine yours truly driving around Detroit city with a carload of Tibetan diplomats doing advance work.
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The Dalai Lama is extraordinary – I can say that without being a buddhist. If he says he won’t be reincarnated in Tibet, I believe it.
…”pi” equals exactly 3.0?
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At some point things like this get to be ridiculous.
Of course Beijing’s bureaucratic meddling in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people is nothing new.
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Besides the very obvious repression of religion since the invasion of 1959, in 1995 Beijing also trumped the Dalai Lama’s recognition of the 11th Panchen Lama by “disappearing” then six year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and recognizing their own Panchen Lama, Gyancain Norbu, in his stead.
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There’s a very interesting interview in the current issue of Tricycle with Arija Rinpoche, who was in the thick of the controversy over the recognition of the Panchen Lama, and who subsequently escaped to the United States.
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Aside from the human suffering involved it’s very interesting — although not at all surprising — to see the Chinese government trying to manipulate the Tibetan socio-political structure to suit its own ends.
Of course Beijing’s bureaucratic meddling in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people is nothing new.
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Besides the very obvious repression of religion since the invasion of 1959, in 1995 Beijing also trumped the Dalai Lama’s recognition of the 11th Panchen Lama by “disappearing” then six year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and recognizing their own Panchen Lama, Gyancain Norbu, in his stead.
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There’s a very interesting interview in the current issue of Tricycle with Arija Rinpoche, who was in the thick of the controversy over the recognition of the Panchen Lama, and who subsequently escaped to the United States.
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Aside from the human suffering involved it’s very interesting — although not at all surprising — to see the how exactly the Chinese government tries to manipulate the Tibetan socio-political structure to suit its own ends.
Of course Beijing’s bureaucratic meddling in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people is nothing new.
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p>
Besides the very obvious repression of religion since the invasion of 1959, in 1995 Beijing also trumped the Dalai Lama’s recognition of the 11th Panchen Lama by “disappearing” then six year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and recognizing their own Panchen Lama, Gyancain Norbu, in his stead.
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There’s a very interesting interview in the current issue of Tricycle (available online only with subscription, unfortunately) with Arija Rinpoche, who was in the thick of the controversy over the recognition of the Panchen Lama, and who subsequently escaped to the United States.
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Aside from the human suffering involved it’s very interesting — although not at all surprising — to see the how exactly the Chinese government tries to manipulate the Tibetan socio-political structure to suit its own ends.
Of course Beijing’s bureaucratic meddling in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people is nothing new: in 1995 Beijing also trumped the Dalai Lama’s recognition of the 11th Panchen Lama by “disappearing” then six year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and recognizing their own Panchen Lama, Gyancain Norbu, in his stead.
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There’s a very interesting subscription-only interview in the current issue of Tricycle with Arija Rinpoche, who was in the thick of the controversy over the recognition of the Panchen Lama, and who subsequently escaped to the United States.
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Aside from the very obvious human suffering involved it’s interesting — although not at all surprising — to see the how exactly the Chinese government tries to orchistrate the Tibetan socio-political structure to suit its own ends.
I’m growing more and more intrigued by Buddhism, and used to be a big fan of the Dalai Lama (he’s so cuddly!) Though I do not have any affection for the Chinese occupation of Tibet, I am not a fan of the Lama’s varying enthusiasm for India’s nuclear weapons programme. Though he has called for a ban of all atomic weaponry, he has also given some positive statements on India’s joining of the nuclear club (which was partially in reaction to Pakistan’s nuclear programme, supported by the Chinese partially in revenge for India’s granting of asylum to the Dalai Lama).
… Is one of the main teachings of Buddhism — regardless of which “flavor” one happens to follow. I think you just provided a wonderful illustration of it at the macro level!
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On a personal level, I’d encourage you to indulge your curiosity and check out one of the local Buddhist centers or practice groups and see if it’s really for you. Again, there are many flavors and you may find one better suited to your tastes than another.
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As the Buddha himself is said to have said: Ehipassiko, come and see for yourself!
You (and others) might find this book interesting reading:
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Mindful Politics that came out last year.
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From Wisdom Publications