Happy No Losar! Tibet news

In solidarity with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, and Tibetans the world over, I am choosing not to celebrate Losar this year. You can read more about it here. 

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama continues to age and suffer from some illnesses, the question of his successor looms large for Tibetans, Buddhists and lovers of peace the world over. His Holiness himself has said in numerous writings that the 15th Dalai Lama may very well be found in the Tibetan diaspora community -- for example, in the 90s, a reincarnation of a high monk (called a tulku) was found to be reincarnated in a young boy in Seattle. These two articles report that the next reincarnation of His Holiness could be a female, and that installing the Karmapa Lama as regent should hold back Chinese agression while the search for, education and maturation of the new HHDL can be established.

"By naming a young and popular regent now, the Dalai Lama could assure a smooth transition to a figure who has become like a son to him, while dashing Chinese hopes of simply outwaiting the Tibetan exiles. He might also help to head off a full-blown power struggle over succession. As it is, any new leader—or joint leadership—will have to balance sectarian rivalries, win over alienated youth in Dharamsala, mollify the demands of sympathizers abroad and possibly deal with rival claimants to the title of the next Dalai Lama (each with his own powerful tutors and advisers)." 

Read the full article here.

Now the Karmapa Lama is the head of a different, I suppose rival, sect of Buddhism. In a sense, the Dalai Lama is only the head of his own sect, the Gelug-pa (Yellow hats - this is my school) and that groups happens to be the most powerful sect in Tibet. So that might bring up some sectarian fighting. As for female incarnations...

"The Dalai Lama didn't name a successor at the recent gathering of 600 exiled Tibetan leaders in Dharamsala, India, but triggered a wave of speculation by saying that he "may even choose a young girl," noting that he believes women have a greater capacity for compassion. If that happens, experts say it would be the first time a female outside the United States led a major world religion. It also would signify Tibetan Buddhism's capacity to evolve with the times.

While Tibet has never witnessed a female Dalai Lama, scholars say other high-ranking lamas, like the Demmo Lama, have occasionally been reincarnated in female form. Still, while the 14th Dalai Lama's succession ideas are revolutionary (he's also mentioned letting Tibetans democratically choose to abolish the post altogether), it's uncertain whether the tradition-bound population would accept a female leader. Seems there are glass ceilings even on the rooftop of the world."

Read the full article here.

And while we're at it, a few mistakes and misunderstandings in these articles, and in the general Western conception of Asian Buddhism:

- the present Dalai Lama does not "name" a successor, he merely points those who find the new reincarnation in the right direction through mystical statements, his position at the time of death, and so forth. It's not a question of picking or appointing or nominating.

- The high lamas of Tibet (or gurus in other schools of Buddhism) ARE NOT GODS! HHDL is NOT a deity; neither he nor his people see him that way. What these lamas are is living manifestations of buddhas -- that is, enlightened beings who chose to live in samsara to help other sentient beings escape it. There are NO capital-G Gods in Buddhism, as it is NOT a theistic religion. Especially from a standpoint of what we would call "high theology," attachments to a God or gods of any sort is dangerous attachment, bad for karma, and will keep one mired in samsara -- that is Mara pulling the wool over your eyes. In what I call 'folk' or popular Buddhism, the animist gods of the native religions (Bon in Tibet, Shinto in Japan, etc) do play a part in the daily lives of practitioners; Tibet has a particularly vivid panoply of demons, ghosts and gods in their cosmology. But understand that this does not mean HHDL is in any way a living God, or "God-King" as he's often rendered in Western media.

- The status of women is Buddhism is sticky, touchy and not easy to tease apart. Mainly, if women are even allowed to join the Sangha in various Buddhist vehicles, their ordination is more difficult and it is felt they must be re-born as men to acheive enlightenment. That is really food for another blog, but here are many questions over which to ruminate in the meantime...

Voices against an Olympic boycott...

Two people I respect immensely, Fareed Zakaria and HH the Dalai Lama, on reasons NOT to boycott the Beijing Olympic games -- let me know what you think? Zakaria may be right that a boycott of the opening ceremonies, and not the Games overall, would be more effective. Others have pointed out this is unfair to the athletes, that punishing them does nothing constructive. I say Yes and No to that -- athletes are grossly over-paid, over-worshipped and over-congratulated in our society, so why do they need a multi-billion dollar celebrations of their accomplishments? It's the same way I feel about the Oscars, a bunch of overblown, self-congratulatory bullshit. There will just be more doping and corruption scandals anyways, so don't tell me it's about harmony between nations. Why don't teachers get an Olympics, people who actually help the world and deserve a parade? Sure, these world-class athletes have talent, dedication and drive, working on their craft; but so do all my friends in the arts, and for them, perfecting their craft is reward in itself. I went to one of the best universities on the planet, and none of my professors are being celebrated for their contributions to humanity. Why can't you just be an amazing long-jumper and go quietly about your business, why bring super duper ego into it?
Anyways, I am deeply contemplating what FZ and HHDL have to say, regarding my position about boycotting, so read the whole articles from the website, what do you think?

Don’t Feed China’s Nationalism
Public humiliation does not work nearly as well on the regime in Beijing as private pressure. Fareed Zakaria
“At first glance, China's recent crackdown in Tibet looks like a familiar storyline: a dictatorship represses its people. And of course that's part of the reality—as it often is in China. But on this issue, the communist regime is not in opposition to its people. The vast majority of Chinese have little sympathy for the Tibetan cause. To the extent that we can gauge public opinion in China and among its diaspora, ordinary Chinese are, if anything, critical of the Beijing government for being too easy on the Tibetans. The real struggle here is between a nationalist majority and an ethnic and religious minority looking to secure its rights.

In these circumstances, a boycott of the Olympics would have precisely the opposite effect that is intended. The regime in Beijing would become only more defensive and stubborn. The Chinese people would rally around the flag and see the West as trying to humiliate China in its first international moment of glory. (There are many suspicions that the United States cannot abide the prospect of a rising China.) For most Chinese, the Games are about the world's giving China respect, rather than bolstering the Communist Party's legitimacy…”


SEATTLE — The Dalai Lama said yesterday that he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Asked on NBC "Nightly News" whether he wanted the world to boycott the Olympics this summer, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader replied, "No." When the network asked whether he wanted the leaders of the U.S. and other nations to boycott the opening ceremony in support of Tibet and as a statement against China's recent crackdown there, the Dalai Lama replied, "That's up to them."

"It is very important to make clear, not only just the Tibet case, but in China proper" also, he said, adding that the human-rights situation in China is "poor ... very poor." Asked what his message to China was, he said: "My main point is: We are not against you. And I'm not seeking separation."

Please help Tibet today!

(from 10 March 2008)

http://www.march10.org/

One World, One Dream: Free Tibet

March 10th 2008, marks the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising when tens of thousands of Tibetans rose up against China's illegal invasion and occupation of their country. Despite China's best attempts to destroy the Tibetan spirit, Tibetan resistance has continued for nearly half a century inside Tibet and in exile communities worldwide.

This year, with all eyes focused on the Olympics in China, Tibetans and supporters worldwide are protesting the Chinese government's use of the Olympics as a political tool to legitimize its illegal occupation of Tibet.

Join the Global Uprising for Tibet! Help us draw attention to the worsening human rights situation inside Tibet. Help us use the Olympics spotlight to shame and embarrass the Chinese government and show them that until Tibet is free, China will never be never be accepted as a leader on the world stage.

TIBET WILL BE FREE

HH the Dalai Lama and nonviolence

(from March 28)

The Dalai Lama threatened Tuesday to step down as leader of Tibet’s government-in-exile if violence committed by Tibetans in his homeland spirals out of control.

Demonstrations in Tibet turned increasingly violent last week, and the Dalai Lama, speaking to reporters, urged his countrymen to show restraint.

He said that “if things become out of control” his “only option is to completely resign.” While much of the violence in Tibet has been directed against protesters, there have also been reports of Tibetan demonstrators attacking shops and burning cars.

Later, one of his top aides clarified the Dalai Lama’s comments. “If the Tibetans were to choose the path of violence he would have to resign because he is completely committed to nonviolence,” Tenzin Takhla said. “He would resign as the political leader and head of state, but not as the Dalai Lama. He will always be the Dalai Lama.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23686441