Daily Buddhists here in Syracuse have been anxiously monitoring developments in the relations between China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A recent report that China has called for a renewed fight against the Dalai Lama has been discouraging. YC Dhardhowa has reported for The Tibet Post International "China Calls for Renewed Fight Against His Holiness the Dalai Lama", http://bit.ly/eS2NRR.
The Chinese state controlled media, Xinhua, has reported a top Chinese Communist Party official, Jia Qinglin, has called for a renewed fight against Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama's influence. The Chinese Communist Party has also called for strengthened controls over Tibetan Buddhism. China has blamed His Holiness the Dalai Lama for fomenting the disturbances on March 14, 2008 which saw protest against Chinese rule, in Tibet's capital, Lhasa. However, the protesting Tibetans, including Buddhist monks from the Jokhang Temple of Lhasa, have told the world media that the Nobel Peace Prize-winning His Holiness Dalai Lama and exiled government were not behind the mass demonstrations that spread to all parts of Tibet.
Jia Qinglin has said "The fight against the Dalai Lama clique must be continued and deepened while each task in maintaining stability must be circumspectly deployed and issues related to Tibetan Buddhism must be handled well." Jia went on to say officials must "create a positive environment for development" in Tibet and Tibetan regions of the four neighboring provinces. Jia has gone on to claim that the 'enhancement of ethnic unity, improved social management, and maintenance of social harmony' were also reasons for the proposed crackdown.
The Tibetan side of this dispute says one of the fundamental points that the Chinese officials fail to acknowledge is the fact that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been sincere and serious in his efforts to find a solution within the framework of the People's Republic of China, through his Middle Way Approach. Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, Special Envoy of H.H. the Dalai Lama, has said "The Middle Way Approach is a way to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet and to bring about stability and co-existence between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples, based on equality and mutual co-operation." However, China continues to accuse His Holiness the Dalai Lama of seeking to separate Tibet from China.
There is deep concern among Buddhists about the renewed fight against the Dalai Lama by China and what this could mean for the well being of the Tibetan Buddhists. Buddhists here in Syracuse will be praying and working hard to gain international support to persuade China to take a more humanitarian approach towards dealing with the Dalai Lama.
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
