There has been concern among Buddhists here in Syracuse and internationally about what will happen if China appoints a new Dalai Lama. The Buddhist Channel, http://www.buddhistchannel.tv, has answered these concerns with a report "The world may see a second Dalai Lama".
In the 1970s the Dalai Lama met with Deng Xiaoping who promised the leader of the Tibetans that any question, with the exception of Tibet’s independence, may be discussed. The Dalai Lama had proposed to discuss autonomy. However, in response to this the Chinese leadership called him a secessionist and retracted Deng’s promise. Still, communication with Beijing continues. And the Dalai Lama believes that reaching an agreement with China is possible.
The Dalai Lama has not urged his compatriots to oppose this the removal of natural resources from Tibet by Beijing. Otherwise, he feels the request for independence would be unrealistic. And it appears the more popular Buddhism becomes in the world, the stronger will be the pressure of the global community on Beijing. And all along the Tibetan exiled government will do everything possible to help those suffering under the yoke of the Chinese government.
The Dalai Lama has said “I presumed that if China allows us to keep our culture and Buddhism, then Tibet will be able to receive financial benefits, by remaining in contact with China. But later, in connection to suppression of the democratic movement on the Tiananmen Square, China’s position became more rigid. Chinese officials started calling me a secessionist and even a devil.” Still, under the leadership of Jiang Zemin, talks between Chinese officials and the Dalai Lama’s messengers resumed. And after the violent clashes in Tibet in 2008, China’s leader, Hu Jintao, said that he plans to have a meeting with representatives of the Tibetan government in exile. But, this meeting never took place.
Nevertheless, hope to reach an agreement remains. There will be a new leadership in Beijing in a few years. And the new leadership may have a different approach to negotiations, especially because Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao spoke about the need for political reforms. Also there has been a revival of Buddhism in China. At this time it is estimated there are 200 million Buddhists in the country. Many Chinese come to Dharamsala, India where Tibet’s spiritual leader resides, to listen to his sermons. These Chinese Buddhists generally become convinced that the middle way approach, which the Dalai Lama advocates, corresponds to the morals of the Buddhist teachings, while censorship and total control, which are practiced by Beijing, are amoral.
The Dalai Lama is an entertaining orator. When asked if the next Dalai Lama could be a woman he has smiled and said tt very well may happen. The Tibetan high priest is 75 years old. And Tibetans are, of course, concerned about what will happen when he steps into another world. The Dalai Lama has been preparing his faithful followers for this event. The institution of the Dalai Lama has now existed for a few centuries. It will be the elected representatives of Tibet who will decide what to do with the institution of the Dalai Lama.
Meanwhile the Dalai Lama says that he is half retired. Still, because 98% of his compatriots trust the leader, he feels a sense of great responsibility before them. The Dalai Lama has been asked what will happen if China appoints its Dalai Lama? Nothing terrible will happen, he answered with a smile. Perhaps, he said, there will be two Dalai Lamas. And so the Syracuse Buddhist community along with Buddhists elsewhere will continue to watch what happens to the institution of the Dalai Lama with interest.
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
