Dalai Lama - Tibetan Buddhism - Essay Example

China has been resisting other countries for having a relationship with Dalai Lama. China accuses Dalai Lama of following a separatist movement. The recent news is that China warned the United States on Thursday [Oct 18, 2007] for supporting Dalai Lama and taking steps to repair ties. It was a protest against the Congress’s decision to award Dalai Lama, its highest civilian honor; Personally, it was given by President Bush in a ceremony on Wednesday.

Dalai Lama is praised in much of the world as a figure of moral authority. But China abuses him as a Tibetan separatist. The 72- year –old monk and Nobel Peace Prize laureate said in Washington that he wants "real autonomy" for Tibet, not independence. Both China nor U.S. are not able to solve the issues related to Iran's nuclear program and democracy movement. Friction also persists over trade and Taiwan. It was a setback for Beijing because of the U.S. support for the spiritual leader, who remains popular among Tibetans despite fleeing into exile 48 years ago after a failed uprising.

Dalai Lama gave a speech when he got the Noble Prize. he said, "I accept the prize with profound gratitude on behalf of the oppressed everywhere and for all those who struggle for freedom and work for world peace. I accept it as an attribute to the man who founded the modern tradition of non-violent action for change - Mahatma Gandhi whose life taught and inspired me. And, of course, I accept it on behalf of the six million Tibetan people, my brave countrymen and women inside Tibet, who have suffered and continue to suffer so much. They confront a calculated and systematic strategy aimed at the destruction of national and cultural identities. The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage, and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated”.

He also said, “With the ever-growing impact of science on our lives, religion, and spirituality have a greater role to play reminding us of our humanity. There is no contradiction between the two. Each gives us valuable insights into the other. Both science and the teachings of the Buddha tell us of the fundamental unity of all things. This understanding is crucial if we are to take positive and decisive action on the pressing global concern with the environment “.

Human rights groups accuse China of maintaining a suppressive rule over the Himalayan region, and monks or other people who express support for the Dalai Lama are routinely beaten or jailed. The other news says that the Dalai Lama's Berlin trip was just one of several recent encounters with world leaders that have angered China. China's political counselor SunLushan said, "It is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs" [SignOnSanDiego.com]. Read More