I think it is lovely that the Dalai Lama's wise approach towards engaging the Chinese are finally bearing fruit. But I would like to pose this question, if the Chinese were to seriously considering returning the control of the Tibetan Autonomous Region back to the Tibetans, would they be confident that the Tibetans wouldn't make a mess of things and start recreating the ban and other undesirable and archaic rules and regulations. Hence, the CTA would be wise to lift the religious ban now or the Chinese would never even come close to think of returning Tibet to its people.
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Chinese intellectuals appreciating our approach, says Dalai Lamahttp://tibet.net/2013/01/15/chinese-intellectuals-appreciating-our-approach-says-dalai-lama/January 15, 2013 10:32 am
The Times of India, 14 January 2013
VARANASI: “Many intellectuals in China have started appreciating our middle way approach,” Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said while talking to reporters at Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS), Sarnath, on Sunday.
He said that since 2008, thousands of articles have been written by Chinese people in which they were supportive of the middle way approach and have criticised the policies of the government. People in China are now critical of their leaders against their vision for Tibet, he added.
On being asked if he would see Tibet’s freedom in his lifetime, he said: “There are voices of discontentment among people in China, particularly intellectuals. I am hopeful. The value of truth always remains, power of gun is short.” He added that has retired from his political leadership two years ago.
Talking about Delhi gangrape and murder case, he said, “Such cases happen everywhere even in small cities like Varanasi and often go unnoticed, the Delhi incident got attention. Incidences like these show that the world is lacking moral principles. Secular ways should be adopted to follow secular ethics.” He said that all the religions teach love and compassion and have common ground. Promotion of such values has become the need of the hour.
When reporters asked him how he manages to laugh and behave like a child despite having so many responsibilities on his shoulders, he answered: “Children do not differentiate between rich and poor. They treat every body as equal. A lot of problems of the world can be solved by following that approach in life.”
Central University of Tibetan Studies – a centre for research on Tibetology
After a week-long stay in Varanasi, Dalai Lama left for Delhi on Sunday. He remained busy signing books and posters for his followers and Buddhist devotees. He also visited the library of the university and chatted with the staff. He hugged SP Bairagi, a fourth-grade staffer of the library.
Library incharge RK Mishra said that Dalai Lama knows almost all staffer of the library.
Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS) registrar Deo Raj Singh said that Dalai Lama’s association with the university is as old as the university itself. The university was established on the joint initiative of late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Dalai Lama in 1967. The objective was to take care of the cultural and educational needs of the Tibetan youth in India and those of the Himalayan regions, who earlier had the opportunity of being educated in Tibet but this discontinued in the wake of the Chinese occupation. The university became a centre for researches on Tibetology, restoration of texts and imparting the knowledge of four Sampradayas of Buddhism in Tibet and ancient and indigenous religion. The university has a status of deemed university and is funded by the Central government. It has a five star accreditation as an education center, Singh added.
The teachings that Dalai Lama gave to the Buddhist followers during his discourse in university were based on religion and Buddhist philosophy. A Kala Chakra puja was also performed. The faculty members said Dalai Lama comes to the university every alternate year and performs prayers for world peace, apart from preaching Buddhist philosophy.
Mishra said that the university draws students from Tibetan communities in India and the Himalayan regions. Besides, scholars from the western countries visit the university in connection with academic inquiries and studies. There goes on a programme of annual educational exchange of graduate students from colleges in the US and Australia. The university library, named after the celebrated author Shantaraksita, houses a precious collection of books and manuscripts on a variety of dimensions of Buddhist lore. A collection of books on history, culture and philosophy is also present. The library has a wing for audio and video recordings of the teachings and lectures by celebrated persons.
