Tenzin Phuntsog – a Buddhist monk in his forties from the Monastery of Karma – set himself on fire this week as an act of self- immolation. He is the twelfth Buddhist monk to attempt self- immolation this year, an observance that the Chinese Communist government describes an act of terrorism. Tenzin Phuntsog survived his voluntary religious ceremonial act of setting his body on fire, now he is identified by the Chinese government as a terrorist. Self- immolation is an expression of prayer in self- sacrifice intended to spread the message that the ideals of Buddhism are being brutally suppressed by the government of China.
Americans heard more about the problems in Tibet when George W. Bush was in the White House because repression of the Tibet religion and culture weighed heavily on the mind of First Lady Laura Bush. She constantly released reports that she was in touch with the people of Tibet and aware of how distraught they remained due to the presence of troops in Tibet representing the “People’s Republic of China”.
Earlier in the week two former self-immolates were detained by Chinese Security. The monks and nuns who have demonstrated their religious beliefs in this way are classified as former clergy of now defunct religion in the region of Tibet.
The Chinese government says that self- immolation is being encouraged by the Dalai Lama government which fled to India in 1959 eight years after the People’s Republic of China began their occupation of Tibet. The take over and control of Tibet in 1951 followed a military conflict.
Tibet is north east of the Himalaya Mountains; the plateau is one of the highest regions on earth. The economy in Tibet is one of subsistence agriculture. The Tibet form of Buddhism is still a primary influence on art, music, and festivals.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenizen Gyatso, is still the spiritual leader of Tibet; he describes himself as a “simple Buddhist monk”. Since 1959 when he fled from Tibet he has won more than 84 awards, honorary doctorates, and prizes. He has authored more than 72 books expressing a message of peace, non-violence, understanding, universal responsibility, and compassion. He has authored two constitutions for the day when the people of Tibet become able to choose their own form of government. You might recall that when Nicolas Sarkozy traveled to Asia for the Olympics being held in China, he made a point of stopping to visit with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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