Can CTA be as progressive as the Chinese?

[icy]

The Chinese does not believe in the capability of the Tibetan government even if they had their independence.  The Chinese said Tibetan government is primitive and feudalism will always remain in their system for self-interest.   The Chinese further states that they respected and protected Tibetan culture and and allow freedom of religious belief. This is indeed true as we can see Dorje Shugden practice is fast spreading in China.  Whereas in comparison, the situation in India is the opposite.  The Tibetan Government in Exile in India is prosecuting and banning the practice of Dorje Shugden, instituting a spiritual apartheid on its own people and violating human rights.  Doesn't this prove what the Chinese is saying is absolutely correct?


Xinhua News Agency:
The Chinese government on Tuesday issued a white paper on "Development and Progress in Tibet."

It shows the region's development over the past 60-plus years and the path to a better future for Tibetans.

Progress in modern Tibet comes from its social and historical environment, and has its roots in China's progress in a larger context. The fate of Tibet has always been closely linked to the fate of China, and as part of China, must follow the general pattern of national social reform.

A society of feudal serfdom under theocratic rule will never bring progress, nor will so-called "Tibetan independence."

Believers in the "Shangri-La" myth wish to keep Tibet in a backward primitive state forever. They intentionally distort both the past and present of Tibet due to ideological bias or to serve their own interests.

Six decades of development in Tibet show socialist China, under the rule of the Communist Party of China, has rendered the region prosperous with ethnic unity and democracy. It is the Tibetan people who have benefited most from Tibet's development and progress.

Tibet's gross regional product has grown from 129 million yuan (21 million US dollars) in 1951 to 70.1 billion yuan last year, representing an annual growth of 8.5 percent on average.

Democratic reform lifted Tibet out of theocratic feudal serfdom and put in place systems of people's congress and regional ethnic autonomy, under which people of all ethnic groups have become the true masters of the country, society and of their own fate.

Tibetan culture has been preserved and developed. Freedom of religious belief has been respected and protected. Study and use of the Tibetan language and script are protected by law in China, and bilingual education, with Tibetan as the principal language, is widespread in Tibet.

Moreover, Tibet is one of the world's cleanest areas, thanks to its efforts to preserve its ecological system by limiting grazing and protecting natural resources.

Behind the "Tibet miracle" lies the firm adherence to the China road, which respects Tibetans. Tibet has experienced more than six decades of transformation from the dark ages to modern socialism, a journey that took human society hundreds of years.

The 14th Dalai Lama and his clique in exile continue their separatist activities, sabotaging the development and stability of Tibet, plotting violent attacks and inciting Tibetans to self-immolate. This clique owes the international community an account of the "Tibetan orphans" incident, exposed by a Swiss newspaper that shows their callousness and hypocrisy.

Tibet's miracle over the past 60 years means Tibetans have equal rights to enjoy the achievements of modern civilization, to improve the quality of their lives, and to choose their own way of life.

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-10/22/c_125581840.htm

[icy]

Street vendors around the Barkor area in Lhasa, Tibet are enjoying a relocation to a new building to make way for Buddhist prayers around the holy temple of Jokhang.  Isn't this another sign of progress for Tibetans?  But what have the CTA done for Tibetans thus far?  Instead of being progressive CTA has digressed into banning the religious freedom of Dorje Shugden and fabricating lies about the practice causing much hardship and segregation amongst its people.


LHASA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Street vendors in the old downtown of Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, ended their days of battling the elements on Friday when they moved to a newly-built building.

More than 3,000 vending stands were relocated to Pargor Commercial Building at Pargor Street, making way for Buddhist prayer along streets in the city.

Dawa, a Tibetan who has run a Thangka painting business for 30 years, said, "I will never worry about rainwater getting my Thangka wet again."

Pargor Street is located in the central area of Lhasa's traditional downtown and surrounds the famous Jokhang Temple. Vendors of various ethnic groups, such as Han, Tibetan and Hui, once crowded the street, blocking the way for prayers to the temple.

The relocation not only improved the business environment for vendors, but also helped beautify the environment for downtown residents, said Liu Liang, deputy secretary of Lhasa's Chengguan District Committee of the Communist Party of China.

[diamond girl]

A direct and simple answer is - NO. CTA can never be as progressive as the Chinese.

China has done very much for the Tibet today on many levels as the attached article as indicated. However, of course we cannot deny that there was force and resistance which must have led to disharmony and deaths. This is normal for any situation with change in government and systems.

In this article from Euronews it does state such grievances. But on the whole it does state that China has been good for Tibet. Please read the link below:

http://www.euronews.com/2013/10/22/china-claims-tibet-is-flourishing-and-its-people-happy-and-healthy/

China says Tibetan people are “happy and healthy” and it will not alter its “correct” policies in the region.

In a lengthy policy paper carried by the official Xinhua news agency, the government said Tibet had achieved a great deal under Chinese rule.

China claims it “peacefully liberated” Tibet and introduced democratic reforms in 1950.

But tensions in the remote region are at their highest in years – 120 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 to protest.

Tibetan exiles and rights groups say China tramples on the country’s culture, religion, language and environment, and has committed grievous abuses to ensure their rule.

China’s policy paper said: “Today’s Tibet is developing economically, making progress politically, has a flourishing culture, a harmonious society and a good environment; its people are happy and healthy.”

It added: “Tibet’s development cannot be separated from this correct path.

“There are some others in the world who intentionally distort the past and present of Tibet due to their ideological bias or out of consideration for their self interests. They created a ‘Shangri-La’ myth, wishing to keep Tibet in a backward primitive state forever.”

China’s policy statement comes as activists protested in Geneva, urging members states to block the election of the Asian superpower to the Human Rights Council in November.

Students for a Free Tibet set four of its members were being held following the protest.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, said: “We are willing to work with other parties in the spirit of equality and mutual respect to conduct human rights dialogue and cooperate in advancing China’s human rights situation.”

China is not currently among the 47 members of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which has a rotating membership.

The Geneva forum was examining its record on Tuesday as part of its periodic review of each UN member state every four years.

Copyright © 2013 euronews

[shugdenpromoter]

CTA can be definitely progressive if they stop chasing their high lama's away such as Trijang Rinpoche, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and etc? In fact, the only asset CTA has at this moment are the high calibre lamas and the backing they have on them. Can u imagine how powerful if CTA could collaborate all the high lamas together and join the resources/skills of each of their organisation?

I don't think that is going to happen anytime in the near future. In fact, some of the high lama's are more well known in the world then CTA themselves.

Anyway, it just a penny of my thought.

[vajratruth]

It is one thing for the CTA not to be progressive but it is quite another thing for it to be damagingly regressive, which in fact describes the CTA's attitude over the past few decades.

China has learned, that even as it maintains a tight-leash policy over Tibetans affairs, that there much to be gained by winning the hearts of the Tibetan people in the autonomous region. And so, along with efforts to improve the lives of the Tibetan people, the Chinese Government has also demonstrated a willingness to respect the people's culture and religion. And the Chinese have done quite a bit in this regard. That willingness to be open and fair is progressive.

In the same time, the CTA is doing quite the opposite. In many of the CTA's policies and in the way they operate, there is still very much unilaterally made decisions, often without considering the interest of the Tibetans in exile.

As China was readying herself to host the 2008 Olympic Games, a sign of her coming of age, the CTA in the meanwhile was officially decreeing government policies to ban a religious practice. This is an attitude more akin to that of a back-ward and shallow-minded government out on a witch-hunt, not that of an open, tolerant and inclusive government. And what is more, that attitude has not changed and the witch hunt has not ceased for all intents and purposes. How can the CTA even be remotely thought of as being progressive as long as this religious ban is not reversed and remedies made to its victims?

[Galen]

The Chinese government has definitely made a huge difference in the development of Tibet. They have poured in money and help build the region they invaded more than 50 years ago. Now the streets of Lhasa are wide and clean with lots of tourist arrival. Monasteries which were destroyed and dilapidated  are being renovated and refurbished to their former glory. The people in Tibet are free to practice their religion and now the Chinese government has also allowed the picture of the Dalai Lama to be displayed in some monasteries. THis is progress.

What has the CTA done for Tibetans? Those living in exile are still living in poor conditions. They do not have a country to return to and most of all they have divided their citizens to go against each other by discriminating Dorje Shugden practitioners.

[kris]

@Galen, no doubt China has progressed very fast in the past 50 years. Not only China is fast compared to CTA, it is fast compared to many many other countries. I think there are a few key reasons for this. CTA though claimed to be democratic, it is still very much backwards in terms of political views. Most of the citizens are still happy that HH Dalai Lama would rule the country, rather than a democratically elected government. China has the resources as well as the mass to support their economy which is not the case in CTA, so we are kind of like comparing an apple with an egg, which, in my opinion, is difficult to compare...

[lotus1]

From what I observe, CTA cannot be as progressive as the Chinese. The CTA is still very much out-dated and not open to what has been happening to the world. They just talk about wanting to free Tibet, but do not do any positive and constructive actions to that direction such as to take care of the welfare, economy, social, education, development and unity of Tibetan. What they are doing is just blindly holding on to HH Dalai Lama to save and promote them to the world. This also including actively pro on the ban and supporting self-immolation. In this way, how could they be as progressive as the Chinese?

[bonfire]

I don't know about the CTA's doing and non-doing except for the support of the ban and the ostracism that arose from it.
If I had to judge from that only, I would not think too much of the CTA's capacity to fill in for a bigger role.

As a counter example, the Chinese government has shown that it could turn challenges into opportunities, as explained in the posts above.
Still today, the government looks at what has been done and embraces change, the labor camps are being abolished, the sometime police practice of getting "confession under harsh conditions" is being banned totally and officially, and plenty other reforms to ensure a path for China to lead the world in this 21st Century, not only economically, but on other fields too, such as the environment.

For the Chinese government to face their past actions and laws and take decisions to correct things or take adjusting measures takes GREAT COURAGE and forward constructive thinking too.
This very week, the Chinese government has issued a series of new measures that will be implemented, and so they are showing this courage, they are taking corrective measures, they are adjusting the politics, they are thinking forward.

So, again, I don't know about the CTA's doing and non-doing, but I have not heard about the CTA having this courage, at least not over the ban on Dorje Shugden.

[dondrup]

It is biased to say that Tibetan  Autonomous Region (TAR) has progressed based solely on the white paper issued by the Chinese government.

Was there any independent or third party involved to verify or substantiate the progress made by the Chinese government as reported in the white paper?

There may be a lot of physical changes in the last sixty years from the old Tibet to the present TAR; but what about the mental aspect of the change?  Are the Tibetans within the TAR really happy with their lives under the Chinese government's rule?

Based on the white paper, China appeared to have achieved much  compared to Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). In total contrast, CTA has nothing to show because it does not have the TAR to govern never mind the Tibetans in Exile!

Furthermore CTA is more willing to divide the Tibetans with the ban on Dorje Shugden and let its own Tibetans suffer than to unite the Tibetans and ensure the progress in their lives!  The worst thing is that CTA does not even recognise Tibetans who practise Dorje Shugden!

Irrespective of the type of government in the world today, how many government is truly selfless and care for its citizens' welfare? The reality is no government in the world today be it China or CTA is really selfless and caring. One simple and logical explanation is that governments are run by individuals who are still controlled by their ignorance, attachment and aversion!

Isn't it an irony that CTA (who is more Buddhist than the Chinese who is Communist) cannot adopt the principles of Dharma like love, compassion, equanimity, etc towards the Tibetans who are Dorje Shugden practitioners?  The Chinese government had treated the Tibetans who practise Dorje Shugden better in China instead!

[DharmaSpace]

If CTA was progressive they would not need to impose feudalistic ban on Dorje Shugden.

In all fairness China have their own agenda too, but at least they are improving the infrastructure of the place. Thats something, if we look at the past colonies around the world, the Brits were the best in setting up the infra and education and so forth so many countries like Hong Kong they thrived under British rule.

If I was the Tibetan I would take advantage of better roads and facilities and make myself better. Tibet should not descend into the chaos that is happening in the Middle East. Tibetans should really do away with the CTA once and for all, ineffective and hat progress have they made, except for antagonising Tibetans who rely on Dorje Shugden.

CTA does not have any hold on the Tibetan Homeland not even a square mile of tibetan soil and how long have haye been fighting? 

[bonfire]

If CTA was progressive they would not need to impose feudalistic ban on Dorje Shugden.

Interesting remark indeed, because what China says is that the Chinese army entering into Tibet in the late 50's was actually modernity and freedom liberating the Tibetan region from feudalism.
And when you look at the actual ban on Dorje Shugden endorsed and applied by the CTA, a "modern" governing body, it looks more feudal than anything else, doesn't it?
Thus how does that help in showing that feudalism is gone from Tibetan governing habits?
In a way it proves a point that the Chinese authorities have asserted for years.

[AnneQ]

Based on results like the increase of self-immolation incidents since 2009, religious intolerance towards its own people, discrimination and persecutions on the rise due to the ban on a practice that once serve the Dalai Lama so well, and the destruction of holy statues/deities in monasteries due to the bad conduct of monks etc., how can the CTA's governing ways claim to be as progressive as China? Where Tibetan culture and infrastructure have flourished under Chinese rule? The only way CTA can ever be progressive is to practice religious freedom and tolerance, to lift the ban that is causing so much misery and repression, and to work towards uniting Tibetans instead of dividing and causing hatred among them.

[icy]

We applaud the Chinese for having allocated huge amount of fund to restoration and renovation of a big number of monasteries in Tibet.   But CTA has allocated a huge amount of fund to the destruction of an authentic and traditional practice.  See the difference in their attitude and mind set?  We see the degeneration of CTA through the years.  What a shame!

LHASA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Workers have completed half of a 12-century-old Tibetan Buddhism monastery renovation project, the first of its kind in Tibet.

Renovation of the Sanyai Monastery, about 200 kilometers southeast of Lhasa, will cost 76.97 million yuan (12.72 million U.S. dollars) and take about five years, according to the temple's administrative committee.

The project involves reinforcement of its 12 buildings, improvement of fire and flood control systems and maintenance of sewage treatment facilities. It is expected to be completed in two years.

The monastery remains open to pilgrims and tourists during the renovation.

Built in the late 770s in Zhanang County of Shannan Prefecture, the monastery features a blend of traditional Tibetan, Chinese and Indian architecture.

The first floor of its main hall is Tibetan in style. Its second floor is a traditional Chinese quadrangle with houses on four sides with an Indian pagoda-like top.

As one of Tibet's biggest heritage renovation projects under the 11th Five Year Plan (2006-2010), work began in September 2010.

China launched a 570-million-yuan (94.21 million U.S. dollars) project in 2008 to preserve 22 historical and cultural heritage sites in Tibet, including the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the Jokhang, Ramogia and Samgya-Goutog monasteries.

The move came after a 330-million-yuan preservation project on the Potala Palace, Sagya Monastery and Norbu Lingka Palace.

[dsiluvu]

I think if the CTA could be as progressive as China... they wouldn't have lost their country in the first place?

As I read more and learn more... I begin to learn that throughout the History of Tibet... even when after these "barbaric" nomadic people are given the Dharma, they still are human and not a holy as the foolish american media has portrayed them to be. Political agendas in the spiritual world of Tibetan Buddhism has always been there since day 1. So yes you could say, they've been at each other's necks since back in those days. And if they had not and paid more attention to really what's pressing, they'd probably could have saved their country from being invaded. And lets not forget how it was Dorje Shugden who advised to form an army and who also advised on how to stop the invasion... but as usual due to disharmony internally, they did not listen and well lost the country. So don't go blaming Dorje Shugden when it is we all know the real reasons for why Tibet was lost. Point the finger back at yourself CTA/Tibetan Govt in exile for their stubborn, power hungry minds.

it is also not uncommon that inside these so called holy grounds and monasteries, monks... sanghas are literally jealous and greedy of power. Like we all know of those serving His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama at that time was extremely jealous, probably due to greed, that Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen fame was equal and if not more than of the 5th... so their insecurities and fear of the Dalai Lama being the 2nd and not the 1st popular Lama, they plot the murder of TDG and hence created the conducive conditions for Dorje Shugden to manifest less we forget.

So you see throughout History... Tibetans are damned... they damned themselves due to the simple fact... they do not apply the Dharma hence the causes created to self destruct... don't be surprise soon there will no longer be a Dharamsala... they will fight amongst themselves for power and the fortune of His Holiness after His passing... i can already imagine. In a way it's good the ban separated the pure lineage from those that are beginning to be corrupted and polluted in to some mambo jambo mixed up situation... and then we hear of this weird lineage called Remey... Like whatsup Dalai Lama, your own you cannot uphold and ensure everyone practices proper, now you want to spread Remey ideologies? Sounds like Buddhism is getting more and more watered down....