Buddhists here in Syracuse and internationally are as usual continuing to gain guidance in their impressions of China and dealings with China from the Dalai Lama. Phayul.com, http://phayul.com, has recently published an article "Dalai Lama: Chinese Censorship 'Immoral'".
The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, said at an Emory University news conference while visiting Atlanta on Sunday that Chinese government censorship of the media is immoral. The Dalai Lama also commented "One-point-three billion Chinese people have every right to know reality. One-point-three billion Chinese people also have the ability to see what's right, what's wrong. Under that circumstance, global censorship is immoral. We must create an open China."
Mr. Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, who is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, accepted an appointment as an Emory Presidential Distinguished Professor in 2007. At this time Tibet is governed by China. Although Communist China has embraced free enterprise in recent years Beijing still maintains strict control over its citizens and the media. After a 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule the Dalai Lama went into exile in India. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in recognition of his efforts to preserve Tibetan culture and promote Tibet's liberation from China.
This year another Chinese dissident, Liu Xiaobo, won the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Liu is now serving an 11-year prison sentence for his pro-democracy efforts. The Dalai Lama has called for Mr. Liu's release and has commended his work to build a freer China. The Dalai Lama has said "I believe in the years ahead, future generations of Chinese will be able to enjoy the fruits of the efforts that the current Chinese citizens are making towards responsible governance."
During his recent visit to Atlanta, the Dalai Lama called China a "great nation" and economic power but also said maintaining a closed society hurts the country globally. He said "That creates more suspicion, more distrust." The Dalai Lama feels a closed society stifles the creativity of Chinese citizens. He has also commented that China, "has to go along with world change" and grant its citizens greater personal freedoms. Without utilization of individual creativity, there is stagnation."
Buddhists here in Syracuse and elsewhere have taken note of the Dalai Lama's comments on Chinese censorship during his recent visit to Atlanta and they will be praying with the Dalai Lama for positive changes in China in dealing with such human rights issues.
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
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