China Postpones EU Summit to Protest Dalai Lama Visit

By VOA News, 26 November 2008

China has postponed a summit with the European Union next week to protest plans by EU leaders to meet with Tibet’s political and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

A statement from the EU says Chinese authorities made the decision because the Dalai Lama will be visiting several EU countries at the time of the summit.

Chinese officials signaled out plans by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to meet the Dalai Lama next week. Because France currently holds the rotating EU presidency, Mr. Sarkozy was to have hosted the summit with China beginning on December 1.

No date for a future summit has been set.

In its statement, the EU said it regrets China’s decision. The EU stressed, however, that it plans to continue to promote its strategic partnership with Beijing at a time when the world’s financial situation calls for close cooperation.

Earlier this month, China warned Mr. Sarkozy that his plans to meet with the Dalai Lama in Poland in December would hurt relations.

In Poland, the Dalai Lama and Mr. Sarkozy will attend ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace prize to Lech Walesa, the anti-communist activist who later became president.

The Dalai Lama is also scheduled to visit the Czech Republic and Belgium during his European trip. He is expected to visit the European Parliament while in Brussels.

Dalai Lama May Appoint a Regent to Succeed Him

 Timesonline.co.uk

The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, is considering appointing a regent to lead the Tibetan movement after his death until his reincarnation is old enough to take over.

The idea was discussed this week at an unprecedented meeting of 600 Tibetan exiles in Dharamsala, the northern Indian town where the Dalai Lama set up his government in exile after fleeing Tibet in 1959.

It is the latest proposal intended to ensure a smooth succession after the death of the Dalai Lama, who is 73 and has been suffering recently from ill health. The Tibetan exiles are keen to prevent China from hijacking his reincarnation, as it has tried to do with other of the most senior positions in Tibetan Buddhism.

The most likely candidate for the regency is the 23-year-old Karmapa Lama, the third highest in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy, who was born and raised in Tibet but escaped to India in 2000 in a huge embarrassment for China’s government.

"It’s now being considered at the highest level," said Dr Lobsang Sangay, a Tibetan research fellow at Harvard Law School who put forward the idea at the meeting.

"A lot of people are talking about the Karmapa as regent," he told The Times.

Tenzin Takhla, a spokesman for the Dalai Lama, confirmed that a regency was an option and that the Karmapa could, in theory, take the position, although he said that nothing had been decided yet.

"If we want the traditional way, then usually there’s a regent appointed," he said. "He would be not so much a political leader, as a spiritual leader."

Delegates at last week’s meeting agreed to stick to the Dalai Lama’s policy of seeking autonomy, rather than independence, from China, but many called for a clearer succession plan.

Dalai Lamas are traditionally chosen by senior monks who interpret signals from the last incumbent after his death, search for promising young boys and then set them a number of tests.

The current Dalai Lama — the 14th — was born into a farming family in eastern Tibet and identified at the age of two after passing tests, including identifying his predecessor’s rosary.

However, exiled Tibetans fear that following this process would leave them leaderless while the next reincarnation grows up, and open the door for China to appoint its own rival Dalai Lama.

When the Dalai Lama recognized a young boy in Tibet as the new Panchen Lama, the second highest in Tibetan Buddhism, in 1995, China detained the child and appointed its own candidate.

Last year, China’s government claimed exclusive rights to approve all lamas’ reincarnations.

The Dalai Lama has proposed several alternatives, including holding a referendum among the world’s 13-14 million Tibetan Buddhists on whether he should be reincarnated at all.

"If the majority feels this institution has become irrelevant, then it will automatically cease," he told a news conference today.

If the majority wanted to continue the tradition, he said he would be re-incarnated as a young boy, or a girl. "Girls show more compassion," he said.

He also repeated that he could identify a reincarnation while he is still alive, even though no Dalai Lama has done so before.
Read more »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulates Barack Obama

(The Tibet Post International 6 November 2008) His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulated United States President-elect Barack Obama on his election win in a message sent Wednesday November 5, 2008.

Obama defeated opposing candidate Senator John McCain to become the first African-American elected President of the United States in the election held on Tuesday November 4, 2008.
 
In his message, His Holiness wrote, “I am encouraged that the American people have chosen a President who reflects America’s diversity and her fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to the highest office in the land.  This is a proud moment for America and one that will be celebrated by many peoples around the world.”

As a United States Senator and Presidential candidate, Obama has repeatedly voiced his support for the Dalai Lama and the struggle of the Tibetan people for greater human rights in Tibet. In a statement following the uprisings in March of this year Obama said, “If Tibetans are to live in harmony with the rest of China’s people, their religion and culture must be respected and protected. Tibet should enjoy genuine and meaningful autonomy.”

The President-elect and His Holiness last met at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee event in 2005. During the Dalai Lama’s July 2008 visit to the United States they corresponded through telephone and post but were unable to meet face-to-face due to Obama’s tight campaign schedule.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile also sent their congratulations to the new President-elect. In their  congratulatory message, Speaker Karma Chopel wrote, “During the course of the electioneering, we have noted with satisfaction your interest in the Tibetan issue and your growing support for the Tibetan cause. Your distinguished predecessors, irrespective of their party affiliations, have supported the Tibetan issue strongly and have had a close and friendly relationship with our leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We hope that you will not only maintain the tradition but give an added thrust in view of the strong resentment shown openly by our people living under the Chinese rule in Tibet,”

Full text of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message to President-elect Barack Obama:

November 5, 2008

H.E. Barack Obama
President-elect of the United States of America
Washington, DC
U.S.A.

Dear President-elect Obama,

Congratulations on your election as the President of the United States of America.

I am encouraged that the American people have chosen a President who reflects America’s diversity and her fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to the highest office in the land.  This is a proud moment for America and one that will be celebrated by many peoples around the world.

The American Presidential elections are always a great source of encouragement to people throughout the world who believe in democracy, freedom and equality of opportunities.

May I also commend the determination and moral courage that you have demonstrated throughout the long campaign, as well as the kind heart and steady hand that you often showed when challenged.  I recall our own telephone conversation this spring and these same essential qualities came through in your concern for the situation in Tibet.

As the President of the United States, you will certainly have great and difficult tasks before you, but also many opportunities to create change in the lives of those millions who continue to struggle for basic human
needs.  You must also remember and work for these people, wherever they may be.

With my prayers and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

THE DALAI LAMA

Dalai Lama stresses on Gandhian values

Express India, November 09 - “India and Tibet share a teacher-disciple relationship, and if a disciple suffers, the teacher is responsible for it,” observed Dalai Lama, Tibetan leader.

The Dalai Lama was in the city on Saturday to inaugurate the Gita Mandir at Sadhu Vaswani Mission. He also attended the concluding day of the 42nd Sarvodaya Samaj Sammelan.

Speaking at the Mission’s function, he spoke about human relations to politics. The spiritual leader said that Tibet changed into a civilised society only when India’s message of love reached there. “Teachings of Buddha gave direction to the life of Tibetans. So, even if China has substantial control over our land, the people there look up to India for support and love,” he said.

He urged that while supporting the cause of Tibet’s liberation, ecological, cultural and humanitarian grounds should be given more importance than politics. Stressing on a friendly India, China relationship, he said, “Genuine friendship between India and China will not only make the world a safer place but also help in Tibet liberation.”

“People have had a century of bloodshed and killing and now they have realised the importance of peace. World peace will be achieved only when one practices inner peace.”

The disarmament may also mean to practice forgiveness and spiritual reconciliation. “Dialogue can help us avoid many conflicts at home and also beyond borders,” he said.

While felicitating the Dalai Lama on the occasion, J P Vaswani said, “The Dalai Lama is humble yet strong enough to stand against a mighty nation like China.”

At the Sarvodaya Samaj Sammelan, the Dalai Lama highlighted India’s long history of non violence and tolerance. “India should strive to spread these values throughout the world,” he said.

The Dalai Lama spoke about his two-point programme that should be emphasised upon — the first one is Ahimsa and the second one is promotion of religious harmony. He said, “It is gladdening to see that even after so many years, Gandhiji’s values, ideology and principles are deep rooted in the Indian way of life. It is nice to see that in India people continue to practice non-violence despite many hardships and struggles.”

The three-day long Sammelan had several Gandhian followers from India and around the world as speakers.

The Meaning Of OM MANI PADME HUM

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

It is very good to recite the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM, but while you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and vast. The first, OM is composed of three letters, A, U, M. These symbolise the practitioner’s impure body, speech and mind; they also symbolise the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha.

Can impure body, speech and mind be transformed into pure body, speech and mind, or are they entirely separate? All Buddhas are cases of beings who were like ourselves and then in dependence on the path became enlightened; Buddhism does not assert that there is anyone who from the beginning is free from faults and possesses all good qualities. The development of pure body, speech and mind comes from gradually leaving the impure states and their being transformed into the pure.

How is this done? The path is indicated by the next four syllables. MANI, meaning jewel, symbolises the factors of method, the altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassion and love. Just as a jewel is capable of removing poverty, so the altruistic mind of enlightenment is capable of removing the poverty, or difficulties, of cyclic existence and of solitary peace. Similarly, just as a jewel fulfils the wishes of sentient beings, so the altruistic intention to become enlightened fulfils the wishes of sentient beings.

The two syllables, PADME, meaning lotus, symbolise wisdom. Just as a lotus grows from mud but is not sullied by the faults of mud, so wisdom is capable of putting you in a situation of non-contradiction whereas there would be contradiction if you did not have wisdom. There is wisdom realising impermanence, wisdom realising that persons are empty of being self-sufficient or substantially existent, wisdom that realises the emptiness of duality - that is to say, of difference of entity between subject and object - and wisdom that realises the emptiness of inherent existence. Though there are many different types of wisdom, the main of all these is the wisdom realising emptiness.

Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of method and wisdom, symbolised by the final syllable HUM, which indicates indivisibility. According to the sutra system, this indivisibility of method and wisdom refers to wisdom affected by method and method affected by wisdom. In the mantra, or vajrayana vehicle, it refers to one consciousness in which there is the full form of both wisdom and method as one undifferentiable entity. In terms of the seed syllable of Akshobhya - the immovable, the unfluctuating, that which cannot be disturbed by anything.

Thus the six syllables, OM MANI PADME HUM, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path that is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha. It is said that you should not seek for Buddhahood outside of yourself; the substances for the achievement of Buddhahood are within. As Maitreya says in his Sublime Continuum of the Great Vehicle (Uttaratantra), all beings naturally have the Buddha nature in their own continuum. We have within us the seed of purity, the essence of a One Gone thus (Tathagatabarbha) that is to be transformed and fully developed into Buddhahood.

Is the dream of independence for Tibet now a lost cause?

By Andrew Buncombe, The Independent

Why are we asking this now?

Over the weekend, his Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet’s Buddhists and the man who has been at the centre of efforts to highlight the Tibetan cause for decades, explained that he “had given up” his struggle. “I have been sincerely pursuing the middle-way approach in dealing with China for a long time now, but there hasn’t been any positive response from the Chinese side,” the 73-year-old told an audience at Dharamsala, the Indian Himalayan town that is the headquarters of the so-called Tibetan government-in-exile. “As far as I’m concerned, I have given up.”

Does that mean the Dalai Lama is retiring?

Karma Choephel, the speaker of the parliament in-exile, told reporters that the Dalai Lama used to say that he was semi-retired and that now he believed he was was almost completely retired. However, a senior aide to the Nobel laureate last night dismissed speculation that he would start taking a back seat in Tibet’s affairs. “Because of the lack of response from the Chinese we have to be realistic. There is no hope,” said Tenzin Taklha. “His holiness does not want to become a hindrance to the Tibetan issue, and therefore has sent a letter to the parliament regarding what options he has.”

Is there a possibility that he may continue his work?

Talk of retirement may be a little misleading. Last year, Tenzin Gyatso, who is the 14th Dalai Lama, made clear that he wished to reduce some of his political duties and have the elected Tibetan parliament-in-exile take a more active role. However, when a crisis broke out this spring – as the Chinese authorities cracked down aggressively on a number of uprisings across Tibet – the Dalai Lama placed himself at the centre of efforts urging restraint from both sides. He even offered to personally travel to Beijing to negotiate with the Chinese leadership over the issue. One position from which he cannot retire is his role as a living god. Having been anointed the 14th Dalai Lama when he was just two years old, he will retain that position until death.

How have the Chinese authorities responded to the Dalai Lama?

In short, pretty badly. Either directly or else via their proxies, Beijing has routinely dismissed and demonised the Tibetan spiritual leader and his supporters. In the spring, during the worst crisis in Tibet for two decades, the head of Tibet’s hardline Communist Party, Zhang Qingli, said of the Nobel laureate: “The Dalai is a wolf in monk’s robes, a devil with a human face but the heart of a beast. We are now engaged in a fierce blood-and-fire battle with the Dalai clique, a life-and-death battle between us and the enemy.” At the time, the Dalai Lama insisted that the uprisings that broke out across the Tibetan plateau had not been orchestrated or organized from Dharamsala. He urged a peaceful solution to the problem.

What impact would the Dalai Lama’s retirement have on the movement for Tibetan independence?

In regard to the high-profile campaign to gather support around the world, if the 73-year-old decided to stand down it would be a huge blow. Since he fled to India 1959, the Dalai Lama has worked to spread the word of his homeland’s fate, courting both politicians and Hollywood celebrities such as Richard Gere and Steven Seagal. Charming, ebullient yet convincing, he has been more responsible than anyone for gaining supporters to the cause. On the other hand, not all Tibetans support his tactics. For many years the Dalai Lama has promoted a “third way” in regard to Tibet, calling for meaningful autonomy rather than full independence and arguing that he wants to protect Tibet’s people and culture. Even during the spring crisis earlier this year, he refused to give his backing to calls for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics.

What has been the response of young Tibetans to the retirement?

Many younger Tibetans say that while they respect the Dalai Lama and venerate him as a living god, his tactics are wrong. Groups such as the Tibetan Youth Congress have demanded full independence for Tibet and led a far more outspoken campaign to achieve it. The group’s president, Tsewang Rigzin, said yesterday: “I think the statement by his Holiness is an eye-opener for the Tibetan people. “We are not against the middle-way approach of his Holiness, the fact is that China is not sincere and has never been sincere in talking about the middle way.”

Who might fill the sandals of his Holiness?

The Dalai Lama has said he wishes the elected Tibetan government-in-exile to take on some of the work he currently does. However, some observers believe that an unofficial, transitional political successor might be Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is one of candidates for position of the Karmapa, or spiritual head of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. Ogyen Trinley Dorje – who is from a different school of Tibetan Buddhism to the Dalai Lama and who cannot inherit his title – is just 23 years old. His escape as a teenage boy to India from Tibet via Nepal – he arrived in 2000 – has become the stuff of legend. Earlier this year, the young man made his first visit to the United States, triggering much talk that officials might be preparing him for a bigger role. At the time, even the Dalai Lama himself said: “There are now spiritual leaders who are young, energetic and well educated. They can assume the role of spiritual leadership, as the political role is played by a democratically elected government.”

What difference would any of this make to China?

Perhaps very little whatsoever. At the time of the crisis this spring, China reacted swiftly, aggressively and with seeming little regard for public opinion. Travel to Tibet was suspended and the ban then remained in place until the Olympic Torch had been run through the region. As soon as the demonstrations had been put down, journalists were flown in for special tours by the Chinese authorities. An unknown number of people were killed and hundreds were arrested. China insists that Tibet has officially been part of the Chinese nation since the mid-13th century and that it should continue to be ruled from Beijing. China is anxious about encouraging separatist movements in other parts of the country, such as in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang province. As a result, it has refused to discuss any loosening of its control over Tibet, which it invaded in 1950.

What will happen next?

The Dalai Lama has already called a special meeting of Tibetan exiles for next month in Dharamsala to discuss both the spring crisis and the future of the movement. This will undoubtedly be surrounded by speculation that he could use the event to stand down. The conclave, which is due to begin on November 17, is apparently only the third such meeting of its kind in the past 60 years. The Dalai Lama is expected to address the six-day meeting of delegates from non-government organizations, politicians, monks and intellectuals and lay out his views about the way forward.

Is the Tibetan independence movement now likely to fail?

Yes…

*The Dalai Lama appears to be running out of patience and without him the movement would lose an irreplaceable campaigner.

*The Chinese show no intention of offering any kind of autonomy to Tibet.

*The rest of the world is unwilling to upset China.

No…

*There is a new generation of highly motivated activists who are ready to continue the struggle and who back a more direct approach.

*Across the world, the Tibetan cause wins new supporters every day.

*Should China move towards democracy, Tibet’s fortunes might look very much brighter.

Tibet - the ‘biggest prison in the world’

By Kevin Thomas - Chicago Tribune
October 24, 2008

There have been many impressive documentaries on Tibet and the plight of its people, but none like Francois Prevost and Hugo Latulippe’s “What Remains of Us.” Kalsang Dolma—a Tibetan born in exile in India who immigrated to Canada—visited her ancestral land for the first time in 1996, accompanied by Prevost and Latulippe. She carried with her a portable video player carrying a five-minute message from the Dalai Lama, who has been unable to speak directly to his people for more than half a century. There’s a cruel irony here: His voice, strong and distinctive, whether he is speaking in English or his native language, is familiar the world over—except in his own land.

At great risk, Dolma and the filmmakers visited the homes of numerous Tibetans, some deep in the region’s interior. The Dalai Lama offers a message of hope in the face of hardships and the specter of genocide under long-oppressive Chinese rule, which has cost the lives of an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans, with 200,000 more forced into exile. Within Tibet, thousands of ancient monasteries and sacred places have been destroyed, and the land has been exploited and polluted. “This is the biggest prison in the world,” Dolma observes.

The Dalai Lama explains that Tibetan spirituality and compassion, deeply rooted in Buddhism, have become an inspiration for the world, that these values must be cherished and passed along, and that any resistance must be nonviolent. Behind the closed doors of their homes, the Dalai Lama’s audiences are moved to tears and speak openly of their virtually total lack of freedom. Yet as one nun, no longer allowed to wear her habit, says, “We live on faith and hope. That’s all we have.”

Dalai Lama prays for Tibet quake victims

Dharamsala, October 7: Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today offered prayers and condolences in a message posted in his official website to those affected by Tibet earthquake on Monday.

6.6-magnitude earthquake hit villages in Tibet’s Damshung County at 4:30pm on Monday that left at least nine people dead, 19 others injured and many homes toppled.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and property as a result of the earthquake that struck Damshung county and neighboring areas west of Lhasa,” the 73-year old Tibetan leader, who is currently in New Delhi for a routine medical check-up, said in the message.
“Our prayers go out to those who have lost their lives in this tragedy and offer condolences to their families and those affected by this natural disaster,” the Dalai Lama added.

The 1989 Nobel Peace laureate also said he was exploring ways to extend assistance to those affected by the quake.

“I am exploring avenues to extend assistance as a token of my deep concern and solidarity with the people devastated by this earthquake,” the Dalai Lama said.

By Phurbu Thinley

Switzerland to Host 1st Europe Tibetan Congress

The 1st Europe Tibetan Congress will take place in Basel, Switzerland from 11-12 October 2008. The Congress will provide a platform for Tibetans living in Europe to discuss political responsibilities and challenges, as well as how Tibetan religion and culture can be preserved and practiced in Exile in Europe among the Tibetans.

Over 125 Tibetan delegates from 14 European countries will attend the 1st Europe Tibetan Congress. The large numbers of delegations demonstrates the importance the Tibetans in Europe attaches to this Congress.

The Congress which was initially to be inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama will now be presided over by Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche. His Holiness the Dalai Lama due to his health condition had to cancel his Europe tour. The absence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is deeply regretted by the Tibetans in Europe.

“Nevertheless, in view of the very critical time that the non-violent freedom struggle of the Tibetan people is facing presently, the Steering Committee of the 1st Europe Tibetan Congress has decided to continue to convene the Congress as planned,” said Chugdak Koren of the Steering Committee for 1st Europe Tibetan Congress.

“We are most fortunate that Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche (the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile) has graciously accepted our invitation to be the keynote speaker at the Congress, as initially planned,” says Mr. Karma Pangring, the President of Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein as well as the President of the Steering Committee for the Congress.

Sourse: www.phayul.com

Thubten Jigme Norbu passed away

The body of Thubten Jigme Norbu, eldest brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is being cremated at Sept. 11 in Bloomington, Indiana. Norbu, known to Tibetan Buddhists as Taktser Rinpoche, died Sept. 5 at the age of 86 (87 by Tibetan reckoning). Among his many other accomplishment, Norbu began one of America’s first Tibetan studies programs, at the University of Indiana.

Thubten Jigme Norbu and Dalai Lama

Thubten Jigme Norbu also was known for being more militant than his younger brother regarding the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Norbu took a hard-line approach, favoring independence for Tibet rather than autonomy.