By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 24: The largest pro-Independence organization in exile, Tibetan Youth Congress, is currently holding a two-day conference on ‘Relevance and Significance of the Dalai Lama institution’ in Dharamshala from August 24-25 to deliberate on the future prospects of the Dalai Lama institution and the importance of continuing the age-old reincarnation system of the Tibetan spiritual leader. The President of the Central Tibetan Administration, known also as the Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering attended the inaugural ceremony of the conference on Wednesday.
The conference, funded by the US-based Tibet Fund, is led by the TYC President Gonpo Dhondup with participation from over 200 representatives from over 40 regional chapters. The chief guest Sikyong Penpa Tsering underscored the importance of unity among different Tibetan entities working towards the same goal, “The differing ideologies and views amongst Tibetan organizations must not damage the collective struggle of resolving Tibet cause,” noting that the CTA’s Middle Way Approach is the only way forward, but explained that the policy does not limit other ways of resisting the Chinese propagandist narrative.
“As the head of TYC, we categorically reject the continuous defamation by the Chinese government on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s name at every opportunity, and we stand by the Tibetan administration’s resolve to work against these forces. China has no role whatsoever in participating in choosing the next Dalai Lama, as it is crucial to note that only the Tibetan people will be in the centre of this decision-making process,” TYC representative Gonpo Dhondup said in his address.
The CTA President in a recent interview to ABC news channel said that the Dalai Lama is the sole authority when it comes to the matter of his reincarnation along with the will of the Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet. “[Dalai Lama] is in human form, so there has to be degeneration of his body. According to the information we have received, the Chinese have already planned huge processes in place [for the reincarnation], and it is a huge cause of concern,” Sikyong Penpa Tsering said earlier this month.
One Response
Except for the clerical community, the ordinary Tibetans are ignorant of the importance of the Dalai Lama institution. The ordinary Tibetans are mostly devout but they know very little about Buddhism itself. Those who see the importance of Buddhism are the only people who see how incredibly important is the institution. This is because the Dalai Lama has proved himself to be an extraordinarily noble human being who has mesmerised millions with his kindness, his affability and infectious smile! He has single handedly brought immense interest in Buddhism in general and especially Tibetan Buddhism in the last five decades.
In the bad old days, owing to communist China’s negative propaganda and ignorance, many Theravada tradition followers gave a cold shoulder to Tibetan Buddhism believing it to be an concoction by the Tibetans. However, owing to the Dalai Lama’s scholarly dissemination of the Buddha’s teaching and his own squeaky clean image as a perfect Buddhist monk of unparalleled serenity and holiness has won the hearts of many Japanese, Taiwanese,Thai, Sri Lankan and Burmese monks who started attending his teachings around the world. He has been a magnet to attract disciples around the world including Mongolian, Indians, Chinese, Singaporeans, Koreans and Vietnamese! All those people across the world who have had the fortune to meet, listen and watch him are perhaps the most lucky beings! He has been truly a beacon of hope and joy.
As a result of his high profile on the international stage, the Tibet issue enjoyed unimaginable publicity and international scrutiny of communist China’s brutality in Tibet. The awarding of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, demonstrated the height of international interest in the Tibet issue. His announcements about the status of Tibet Strasburg in 1988 and his address to the US Congress in 1990, have galvanised rock solid support for Tibet from politicians of all persuasions across the parliaments of the world.
While there are countless accolades that can be heaped upon him, for him, the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism is his first priority. He has shown meticulous interest in the great Buddhist universities of Sera, Drepung, Ganden and Tashi Lhunpo in the Geluk tradition and has encouraged other traditions to embrace debate on the scriptures rather than accepting them at face value. He has tirelessly attempted to highlight the legitimacy of the Buddhas teaching by discussing its scientific contents with western scientists. His greatest contribution would be debunking the spurious myth created by the Chinese communists against Tibetan Buddhism and uninformed Theravada practitioners bias against the Mahayana School.
The present Dalai Lama ranks among the great Dalai Lama’s like Gedun Drub, the great fifth Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso and the great thirteenth Thubtan Gyatso both in Buddhist practice, scholastic knowledge and political acumen.
Since, the Dalai Lama commands unquestioned loyalty from the Tibetan people, communist China is salivating to enrol him in their image as a loyal CCP tool. This is the greatest challenge for the Tibetan people in general and especially the Tibetan exile community. The successful recognition and enthronement of the 15th Dalai Lama by the exile community is absolutely crucial for the flourishing of the holy Dharma, unity of Tibetan people and future trajectory of the Tibetan independence Movement. Without the leading and unifying figure like the Dalai Lama, there is the danger of disunity among the exiles and in turn causing disillusionment inside Tibet for the Tibetan cause. As long as we have the genuine Dalai Lama safely ensconced among the exile community, it can be safely said that the Tibetan Movement will remain a vibrant force that will finally turn the tables on the Chinese communists.
Communist China is today the enemy of the world. It has no friends except strange bedfellows. It’s economy will dwindle even further in the next decade and with it, it’s military built up and peoples livelihood will be threatened. This will result in social upheaval and instability in communist China. Tibetans must prepare for military manoeuvres when the opportunity offers itself. India’s support for Tibet will only grow as the two countries are torn apart by the convulsions of geopolitical competition and strategic compulsions. Tibet will have its day, when we will find ourselves propelled into the life and death struggle for hegemony in Asia. India will seek to use its age old connection bound by cultural ties with Tibet as an ace to hedge Chinese aggression and expansionism. India will be supported by the US and its allies to discredit Chinese occupation of Tibet in order to win India’s support for the western agenda of containing communist China. Tibetans will be thrust into this quagmire of competing powers and unless we have the military muscle to back up our claims, nobody is going to give Tibet on a platter. In order to save the Tibetan people and nation, all means must be used for self-defence. The future Dalai Lama must not play any role in politics. The present Dalai Lama has devolved power to the elected leader in 2011 and this should remain as the guiding spirit of the Dalai Lama’s role in the future. He will be spiritual Head of Tibetan Buddhism in order to preserve and propagate the Tibetan Buddhist faith. This is indeed the true wish of the present Dalai Lama and he has made no secret of it. The future Dalai Lamas should also follow suit. This will prolong the Dalai Lama’s role of Tibet’s Spiritual Leader and also protect the institution from political mud slinging and protect the sanctity of the person of Dalai Lama and its high office.