I came across this 2008 Open Letter From The Dalai Lama in an older post on the Forum and a number of things struck me as being odd. The year 2008 being the year of the Tibetan uprising in the Tibetan Autonomous region (TAR). First, do read the contents of the Dalai Lama's letter for context:
Quote from: polartortoise on April 02, 2008, 12:27:55 AM
An Appeal to the Chinese People from
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Today, I extend heartfelt greetings to my Chinese brothers and sisters round the world, particularly to those in the People's Republic of China . In the light of the recent developments in Tibet , I would like to share with you my thoughts concerning relations between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples, and to make a personal appeal to you all.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in the recent tragic events in Tibet . I am aware that some Chinese have also died. I feel for the victims and their families and pray for them. The recent unrest has clearly demonstrated the gravity of the situation in Tibet and the urgent need to seek a peaceful and mutually beneficial solution through dialogue. Even at this juncture I have expressed my willingness to the Chinese authorities to work together to bring about peace and stability.
Chinese brothers and sisters, I assure you I have no desire to seek Tibet 's separation. Nor do I have any wish to drive a wedge between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. On the contrary my commitment has always been to find a genuine solution to the problem of Tibet that ensures the long-term interests of both Chinese and Tibetans. My primary concern, as I have repeated time and again, is to ensure the survival of the Tibetan people's distinctive culture, language and identity. As a simple monk who strives to live his daily life according to Buddhist precepts, I assure you of the sincerity of my motivation.
I have appealed to the leadership of the PRC to clearly understand my position and work to resolve these problems by "seeking truth from facts." I urge the Chinese leadership to exercise wisdom and to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the Tibetan people. I also appeal to them to make sincere efforts to contribute to the stability and harmony of the PRC and avoid creating rifts between the nationalities. The state media's portrayal of the recent events in Tibet , using deceit and distorted images, could sow the seeds of racial tension with unpredictable long-term consequences. This is of grave concern to me. Similarly, despite my repeated support for the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese authorities, with the intention of creating rift between the Chinese people and myself, assert that I am trying to sabotage the games. I am encouraged, however, that several Chinese intellectuals and scholars have also expressed their strong concern about
Since ancient times, Tibetan and Chinese peoples have lived as neighbors. In the two thousand year-old recorded history of our peoples, we have at times developed friendly relations, even entering into matrimonial alliances, while at other times we fought each other. However, since Buddhism flourished in China first before it arrived in Tibet from India , we Tibetans have historically accorded the Chinese people the respect and affection due to elder Dharma brothers and sisters. This is something well known to members of the Chinese community living outside China, some of whom have attended my Buddhist lectures, as well as pilgrims from mainland China, whom I have had the privilege to meet. I take heart from these meetings and feel they may contribute to a better understanding between our two peoples.
The twentieth century witnessed enormous changes in many parts of the world and Tibet , too, was caught up in this turbulence. Soon after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the People's Liberation Army entered Tibet finally resulting in the 17-Point Agreement concluded between China and Tibet in May 1951. When I was in Beijing in 1954-55, attending the National People's Congress, I had the opportunity to meet and develop a personal friendship with many senior leaders, including Chairman Mao himself. In fact, Chairman Mao gave me advice on numerous issues, as well as personal assurances with regard to the future of Tibet . Encouraged by these assurances, and inspired by the dedication of many of China 's revolutionary leaders of the time, I returned to Tibet full of confidence and optimism. Some Tibetan members of the Communist Party also had such a hope. After my return to Lhasa , I made every possible effort to see
Unfortunately, tensions, which began to escalate in Tibet from around 1956, eventually led to the peaceful uprising of March 10, 1959, in Lhasa and my eventual escape into exile. Although many positive developments have taken place in Tibet under the PRC's rule, these developments, as the previous Panchen Lama pointed out in January 1989, were overshadowed by immense suffering and extensive destruction. Tibetans were compelled to live in a state of constant fear, while the Chinese government remained suspicious of them. However, instead of cultivating enmity towards the Chinese leaders responsible for the ruthless suppression of the Tibetan people, I prayed for them to become friends, which I expressed in the following lines in a prayer I composed in 1960, a year after I arrived in India: "May they attain the wisdom eye discerning right and wrong, And may they abide in the glory of friendship and love." Many Tibetans, school children
In 1974, following serious discussions with my Kashag (cabinet), as well as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the then Assembly of the Tibetan People's Deputies, we decided to find a Middle Way that would seek not to separate Tibet from China , but would facilitate the peaceful development of Tibet . Although we had no contact at the time with the PRC - which was in the midst of the Cultural Revolution - we had already recognized that sooner or later, we would have to resolve the question of Tibet through negotiations. We also acknowledged that, at least with regard to modernization and economic development, it would greatly benefit Tibet if it remained within the PRC. Although Tibet has a rich and ancient cultural heritage, it is materially undeveloped.
Situated on the roof of the world, Tibet is the source of many of Asia 's major rivers, therefore, protection of the environment on the Tibetan plateau is of supreme importance. Since our utmost concern is to safeguard Tibetan Buddhist culture - rooted as it is in the values of universal compassion - as well as the Tibetan language and the unique Tibetan identity, we have worked whole-heartedly towards achieving meaningful self-rule for all Tibetans. The PRC's constitution provides the right for nationalities such as the Tibetans to do this.
In 1979, the then Chinese paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping assured my personal emissary that "except for the independence of Tibet , all other questions can be negotiated." Since we had already formulated our approach to seeking a solution to the Tibetan issue within the constitution of the PRC, we found ourselves well placed to respond to this new opportunity. My representatives met many times with officials of the PRC. Since renewing our contacts in 2002, we have had six rounds of talks. However, on the fundamental issue, there has been no concrete result at all. Nevertheless, as I have declared many times, I remain firmly committed to the Middle Way approach and reiterate here my willingness to continue to pursue the process of dialogue.
This year the Chinese people are proudly and eagerly awaiting the opening of the Olympic Games. I have, from the start, supported Beijing 's being awarded the opportunity to host the Games. My position remains unchanged. China has the world's largest population, a long history and an extremely rich civilization. Today, due to her impressive economic progress, she is emerging as a great power. This is certainly to be welcomed. But China also needs to earn the respect and esteem of the global community through the establishment of an open and harmonious society based on the principles of transparency, freedom, and the rule of law. For example, to this day victims of the Tiananmen Square tragedy that adversely affected the lives of so many Chinese citizens have received neither just redress nor any official response. Similarly, when thousands of ordinary Chinese in rural areas suffer injustice at the hands of exploitative and corrupt local offi
I had hoped President Hu Jintao's recent statement that the stability and safety of Tibet concerns the stability and safety of the country might herald the dawning of a new era for the resolution of the problem of Tibet . It is unfortunate that despite my sincere efforts not to separate Tibet from China , the leaders of the PRC continue to accuse me of being a "separatist". Similarly, when Tibetans in Lhasa and many other areas spontaneously protested to express their deep-rooted resentment, the Chinese authorities immediately accused me of having orchestrated their demonstrations. I have called for a thorough investigation by a respected body to look into this allegation.
Chinese brothers and sisters - wherever you may be - with deep concern I appeal to you to help dispel the misunderstandings between our two communities. Moreover, I appeal to you to help us find a peaceful, lasting solution to the problem of Tibet through dialogue in the spirit of understanding and accommodation.
With my prayers,
Dalai Lama
March 28, 2008
Note: translated from the Tibetan original
Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa
Representative of H. H. the Dalai Lama
The Tibet Bureau
Place de la Navigation 10
CH-1201 Geneva
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T +41 22 738 79 40
M +79 533 93 10
F +41 22 738 79 41
[email protected] / www.tibetoffice.ch
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(The Tibet Bureau, Geneva is the sole official agency of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in- Exile in Dharamsala , India for
Central and Eastern Europe)
It is obvious from the letter that the Dalai Lama was firm on not pursuing Tibet's outright independence and had no intentions of dislodging Tibet from China. The Dalai Lama's tone was conciliatory (and yet provocative in parts) and he appealed to the Chinese people to co-operate with him to find a workable solution to the China-Tibet crisis.
The first thing which I find odd is that, if the Dalai Lama's stance is not to pursue full independence as of years ago, why are factions within the CTA today still demanding a fight for full Tibetan Independence which something contrary to the Dalai Lama's wish? That to me is a sure sign that things are not well within the Tibetan leadership. Has the CTA been working with or against the Dalai Lama? Anyway, the CTA recalcitrance is not my main point here although it is something we need to examine closer.
Secondly, The Dalai Lama's letter spoke of peace and how important it is to maintain harmony between the Chinese and Tibetan people. Yet the date of the letter was 28th March 2008, which means that it was issued almost a entire month after the first sparks of uprising in TAR in late February 2008. There was every opportunity for the Tibetan leaders to call for cessation of unrest but by the time they took action, Chinese tanks had already rolled in and a de facto curfew imposed. It was already too late. The 2008 uprising led to massive crackdowns by Chinese forces and as security tightened, the Tibetan people's movements were even more restricted than before. This affected all Tibetans including those who did not participate in the riots.
Why was the letter issued so late and only after the damage had been done? By the date the letter was issued, the situation had already gotten out of hand as angry Tibetans randomly attacked Han and Hui Chinese and their businesses. Understandably, the Tibetans were frustrated but understandably also, the PRC army had to respond with violent force and a lot of unnecessary lives were lost. Not only that, but the relationship between the Chinese Government and the Tibetans in TAR took a few giant steps back.
The Tibetan government in exile should have responded early and issued a communique to calm the situation down at the very first signs of unrest. If the CTA had wanted to return to Tibet peacefully, surely such an unrest would ruin their chances as indeed it did. The CTA has historically failed to advice and support the Dalai Lama's hard work towards an amicable settlement with China. There was hardly any statements issued by the CTA to diffuse the exploding anger within TAR and instead they made remarks that provoked even greater outrage from the Chinese government who clamped down even harder on the Tibetans.
We see the same situation today with the self-immolations and the CTA still not doing enough to stop its own people from creating tension, which as history has shown will definitely result in a fierce Chinese response. If the CTA is sincere about returning Tibetans to their homeland, surely one of the most critical factors to have is a complete absence of any incidents that may have the effect of provoking Chinese wrath, driving them away from meaningful dialogue. And yet we see Dr. Lobsang Sangay telling the Tibetans that it is their sacred duty to support acts of protests.
The CTA seems to be in the habit of using its own people as pawns in a no-win game and it is it's attitude and stupidity that is really keeping Tibetans away from their dream to return home, not the Chinese Government.Next, why was the letter addressed to all Chinese people in the world? To be fair, it was the Tibetans who were rioting, not the Chinese population. Why weren't similar letters appealing for peace sent to the Tibetan population in TAR? That would have clearly indicated to the Chinese government that the CTA and Dalai Lama had no part in inciting the uprising and were truly seeking peaceful means to reconcile their issues. Again we see the CTA's failure to provide good counsel and options to the Dalai Lama. The CTA failed to initiate the necessary measures to settle things down, and finally when the Dalai Lama had to personally respond, they wrote to the wrong audience as if to explain why the riots had to happen. It was a finger pointing exercise as much as an appeal for calm.
Nothing has changed today and the CTA has not learned anything for over half a century of letting its people's hopes die. Since 2008, China has taken a lot of initiatives to improve the lives of Tibetans in the autonomous region. But now, the sparks are beginning to fly again and like before the CTA is not doing nearly close to what it can to stop the self-immolations. This has created a potentially explosive situation which will again set back any progress made by both the Chinese and the Tibetans in TAR for peaceful coexistence. It is as if the CTA is eagerly waiting for the next fireworks which will again be to the people's great loss.
Finally, the forceful actions of the CTA in the Dorje Shugden matter continue to betray the Dalai Lama's utmost priority that is for the preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist culture as His Holiness himself said in the letter. What the leaders have been doing to Shugden practitioners and lamas have in fact threatened Tibetan Buddhism culture as it has so severely split the monastic community. Had it not been for the strong resolve of the Shugdenpas to practice tolerance and forgiveness a lot more damage would have been done for sure. If the Dalai Lama is true to what he said, then the CTA should now support the Dalai Lama's objective and find concessions to work WITH the Chinese government who has done much for the preservation and spread of the Dharma based on the Tibetan lineage.
It would appear that in the event the Tibetans in exile get to return to their motherland together with the Dalai Lama, it would not be because of the CTA but in spite of it.
