Pope Francis snubs Dalai Lama - again

[vajralight]

Pope Francis has not invited the Dalai Lama to a religious conference later this month in what some believe is an attempt to improve the Vatican's relations with China.

The Pope has been involved in sensitive negotiations about the future of the Catholic Church in the country as he seeks to bring an end to persecution of Chinese Catholics.

http://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Pope-Francis-snubs-Dalai-Lama-again


vajra

[Rinchen]

This is really powerful. I believe that it is true as well. In order for China to be on the Vatican's side, They cannot have communication with the Dalai Lama as China is still afraid that a through the Dalai Lama's command the Tibetans that are in Tibet will go against the Chinese government there. Thus, even with all the strict rulings of not having any images of Dalai Lama, restricted access of the internet and information, China still keeps a very close eye towards the Tibetans that are in Tibet.

Although one can argue that what China is doing is inhumane and that the Tibetans in Tibet do not have human rights on freedom, but to think of how violent Tibetans can be, the restriction that is in place makes logical sense. Just think of it, even with all these restrictions and heavy watching over the Tibetans, the Tibetans are self-immolating to show protest against the Chinese Government and CTA supports the self-immolations. Also, even though that Dalai Lama's name and images are banned in Tibet, China, but Dalai Lama is still highly respected. His words are still taken as command by the Tibetans.

Just take the ban on Dorje Shugden for an example, with this ban, the Tibetans do not bring tourist to Dorje Shugden temples/chapels even when they request. It shows that the ban is strong. I believe if it was not for the heavy watching from the Chinese government, the Tibetans would harm those Tourist that they think is Dorje Shugden practitioners. To me, it is because of the Chinese government that is why the Tibetans that are in Tibet are able to freely practice Dorje Shugden. Otherwise, they would be facing the same problem of oppression that is happening in mainly India and Nepal.

It is only right for the Vatican to try to be on the side of China. If they meet the Dalai Lama and be close to the CTA, it does no economical benefits to them. The CTA is really cheapstake and they are corrupted. So with all that under table money that they are taking, there will be no chance that there will be helping others at all. If the CTA is really capable, with all these time that they are in India, they would have benefitted India's economy. They do nothing but to enforce the ridiculous ban on Dorje Shugden.

But if the Vaticans get close to China, it will be able to help boost their economical stance greatly. I can only say that it is very smart choice of the Pope to not meet with the Dalai Lama now due to the tension between China and H.H. Dalai Lama.

[SabS]

Ah nothing new now. I think its the trend now to snub the Dalai Lama in favour for agreements with China. He has become an expense that can be easily overlook whenever the other countries wishes to be in China's good book. It is a sad reality with I feel the Dalai Lama's government had created from a long time ago. CTA had chosen to antagonise the Chinese government using propaganda methods. CTA knowing the loyalty of Tibetans within and outside Tibet towards the Dalai Lama, they induced schism and hatred which caused ill-will towards the Chinese government, despite Chinese pouring in money to lift the Tibetans out of poverty and serfdom.

If the CTA had maintained a cordial relationship with China, the Dalai Lama and Tibetans-In-Exile could have by now have been given access to return to Tibet. After all it is understandable that every government would wish to have harmony within their country and with the current CTA management, who would trust them to be peaceful. Look at how CTA handled the ban on Dorje Shugden practice. All that sufferings to their very own people whilst claiming to act on the Dalai Lama's wishes. As it is, I see the Dalai Lama being snub again and again in the future. CTA, time to change your tune!

[grandmapele]

The Pope is a very sensitive and aware person. He is seeking too bring an end to persecution of Chinese Catholics. He sees the parallel here in the persecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners. Surely, he wouldn't want to be seen with anything remotely associated with religious persecution of any kind. The Pope is no man's fool.

Why would the Pope want to be seen with the Dalai Lama who is not welcomed in China?
Why would the Pope want to be seen with someone who is associated with persecution? Persecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners just like the Chinese Catholics are?

Of course, the Pope is avoiding the Dalai Lama like the plague now. The Dalai Lama should just come out and lift the ban clearly. 

[Tenzin Malgyur]

This is not surprising news indeed. The world community have seen how the Tibetans have been divided up into two factions- the Shugden practitioners and non-Shugden practitioners. This illegal ban on Shugden practice have been imposed by the Tibetan government and much time, effort and resources have been spent to add on hardships to the already difficult life of the Tibetan-in -exile. Surely the Pope would not want to be host to a government who persecute their own citizens because of their religious choice.

[ShugdenProtector]

I guess the Pope is trying not to anger China at this crucial point when they need create a strong good relationship with China to further expand. Like it or not it's economics man and China has just become no.1 as the the world’s largest economy, beating America. So I guess it's pure simple facts, if you got the world's no.1 super power backing you up, if give your mileage to expand and grow to, whether it is in business or spirituality, growth is what everyone wants.

So I guess it is safer not to irritate China, which is not much we can say about the Tibetan leadership, who cannot seem to control their people better and ask them to stop all this "Tibetan Independent" protest. Face the fact, it is not going to work and everyone is in need of China's help now, no leaders are going to back these Tibetans up. What more His Holiness is not getting any younger, they know.

Even if they do get Tibet back, how will they be able to handle it when they cannot even handle a few exile Tibetans now. To tell them to stop self-immolating, stop creating and bring your people "together". Instead of always relying on HH the Dalai Lama, when will the CTA ever grow up? And well, HH the Dalai Lama is not going to be around forever! So they better shape and make peace before even India snubs them and kicks them out! Where will they go next?

[pgdharma]

I think even though the Pope has high regards of the Dalai Lama, he is trying not to jeopardize his relationship with China as now he is in negotiation on the future of Catholic churches in China; knowing that China will react angrily when foreign dignitaries meet the Dalai Lama. It is very obvious that many foreign dignitaries are avoiding the Dalai Lama. Even country like Sri Lanka, a Buddhist island, has denied visa for the Dalai Lama. (https://www.tibetsun.com/opinions/2016/07/11/sri-lankas-hostile-attitude-towards-dalai-lama). The discrimination and segregation of Dorje Shugden practitioners has caused more harm than good. It is time that the Dalai Lama and the CTA consider lifting the ban.

[grandmapele]

Tibetan spiritual leader cancels Cape Town trip after being refused entry to South Africa for third time in five years - Sept 4, 2014. The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/04/dalai-lama-denied-south-africa-visa-nobel-summit

So, Sri Lanka and The Vatican are only the latest on the ban wagon snubbing the Dalai Lama. South Africa denied the Dalai Lama 3 times by 2014. South Africa wanted to keep on the good side of China so they played it safe. And, now China's economy has overtaken the United States'. And, it is still growing. The CTA better wake up and find a peaceful solution to the ban on Dorje Shugden. They won't want to stay on the wrong side of China for too long. China is being progressive and supporting religion especially Buddhism. It is even supporting the practice of Dorje Shugden, maybe in retaliation against the Dalai Lama? Maybe that is a good thing for the practice though i can't help but feel sorry for the poor Tibetans living in India who have to suffer the persecution imposed by CTA.

They can disagree about the practice of Dorje Shugden but the Dalai Lama should ask his follows and students to be real Buddhist and stop the persecution of the Dorje Shugden practitioners. After all, Buddhism is a peaceful religion with basic tenets in loving kindness, mindfulness and forgiveness.

[kris]

In many occasions, HHDL has appeared with other religious leaders as an effort to create harmony between religions. Why is HHDL not invited this time? Is it because of China? Or because Pope thinks HHDL do not qualify to represent peace?