"We appeal to you: help us." - The Dalai Lama

"The Dalai is not a pure religious figure but a political exile under the cover of religion who has long been engaged in activities aimed at splitting the motherland and national unity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters in Beijing.

Not unlike the bully on the playground who complains when the kid who he stole lunch money from asks for it back, the Chinese Government persists in their vapid regurgitations regarding their authority over Tibet. "It was yours. We came and took it. Now it is ours." "We are bigger and stronger than you. So shut up, what we did was for your own good." And, "Stop complaining. Your activity is criminal. We have a right to defend that which we have stolen rom you."

In an AP story appearing this morning, The Dalai Lama, from Rome, is quoted as saying that "China is taking an increasingly harsh stance on Tibet", and he has appealed for international help.

"Our right hand has always reached out to the Chinese government," the Dalai Lama said. "That hand has always remained empty, so with our left hand we appeal to you: help us."

The AP story went on to note that:

The spiritual leader was at the end of a 10-day visit to Italy that, like most of his recent international trips, has drawn criticism from China.

China condemned the visit, saying it opposed any country supporting or sympathizing with the exiled spiritual leader.

•Read the entire story at the AP Web site.
•Related: "China condemns Dalai Lama's visit to Rome" (USA TODAY)

Calling all Tibetans to vote for the next Dalai Lama

Not quite yet, but the Dalai Lama seems to be seriously considering breaking with tradition regarding his successor. The first step would be to hold a referendum among all traditional Tibetan Buddhists, including those living in China-occupied Tibet, to decide whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not.

"When my physical condition becomes weak, and there are serious preparations for death, then this event should happen," said the 72-year-old, adding "... according to my regular medical checkup, I am good for another few decades."

In a move that must be a surprise to no one, China condemned the referendum proposal. "The Dalai Lama's statement is in blatant violation of religious practice and historical procedure," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement faxed to The Associated Press.

You may recall that late last summer that China announced a ban on reincarnation that occurred without approval from the Chinese government. As unbelievable as this sounds, it takes the recognition of reincarnated lamas away from the Buddhists. The fear of Tibetan Buddhists is, of course, that China will control the search for a successor once the Dalai Lama dies.

The Dalai Lama, who believes he is the 14th reincarnated Dalai Lama, acknowledged his death would be difficult for many Tibetans.

"If I die today there will be some setback to the Tibetan struggle," he said "But the Tibetan spirit will not go away with my death."

• Read the entire article on the AP web site

Dalai Lama may name successor before death

An AP article found this morning on the International Herald Tribune and other web sites:

Report: Dalai Lama may appoint successor before he dies, a break from centuries of tradition

The Dalai Lama has said he may appoint a successor or call democratic elections before his death instead of relying on reincarnation, a Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday, following recent orders that China must approve Tibet's spiritual leaders.

The exiled leader also accused Chinese authorities of stepping up persecution of Tibetan monks and civilians, and called the region's relations with the central Chinese government "the most tense in recent years," according to the Sankei Shimbun, a national daily.

"The Tibetan people would not support a successor selected by China after my death," the Dalai Lama was quoted as telling the paper during a trip to Japan.

"If the Tibetan people wish to uphold the Dalai Lama system, one possibility would be to select the next Dalai Lama while I am still living. Among options being considered are a democratic selection by the high monks of Tibetan Buddhism, or the appointment of a successor by myself," the leader was quoted as saying.

For centuries, the search for the reincarnation of religious leaders, known as lamas — including Tibet's spiritual head, the Dalai Lama — has been carried out by Tibetan monks following the leaders' deaths.

But a recent order by China that Beijing must approve all lama appointments have lead to concerns that the central government may forcibly select a pro-Beijing leader once the current popular Dalai Lama is dead.

China has ruled Tibet with a heavy hand since its Communist-led forces invaded in 1951, and it has accused the Buddhist monk of defying its sovereignty by pushing for Tibetan independence.

Additional reporting from AFP:
• China, which sent troops into Tibet in 1950, recently issued rules that Tibetan living Buddhas needed permission from the officially atheist government to be reincarnated.

• In 1995, China detained a six-year-old boy the Dalai Lama had picked for the second-most important figure of Panchen Lama. China picked its own Panchen Lama who has been paraded around to promote Beijing's rule in Tibet.

• The current Dalai Lama, who is the 14th, was born as Tenzin Gyatso to a farming family. Legend holds that when he was two years old, a search party received signs he was the Dalai Lama's reincarnation and confirmed his identity after he identified prayer beads and other relics of a previous Dalai Lama.

• The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 amid a failed uprising against Chinese rule. Beijing has denounced his frequent travels overseas including his current trip to Japan, saying he should focus on religion rather than politics.

• Read the entire article on the International Herald Tribune web site.
• Related: Dalai Lama may name successor before death: report (AFP)

Dalai Lama visits Japanese Shrine, lectures on religious harmony

Noticed today on the Phayul.com web site

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Japan’s holiest Shinto Shrine in Ise City, Mie Prefecture this morning as part of his commitment to promote religious harmony by paying respect to religious holy places around the world.

The Tibetan spiritual leader bowed at the main shrine and offered prayer.

His Holiness on Saturday said “promotion of religious harmony” was one of his key commitments in his life during a press briefing ahead of attending a religious forum at Kogakkan University here.

"Wherever I go, if time permits, I always pay my respect or pilgrimage to all different religious temples," His Holiness said.

Stressing on the need of religious harmony, the Dalai Lama today said promotion of unity and closer understanding among different religious faiths is extremely important.

"Religious faith can sometimes create problems and divisions due to lack of understanding. But all religions carry potentially same universal message of love and compassion,” the Dalai Lama told the gathering.

Taking his own case, the Dalai Lama said, “If humanity is happy, I get maximum benefit. If humanity (is) not happy, then I also suffer”. “The responsibility for our future lives lies on our own shoulder. That is clear,” His Holiness said. “So we must think, (and) think on this,” His Holiness added.

Read the entire article at the Phayul.com web site

Members of Indian Cabinet absent from event for Dalai Lama

Noticed on the VOICE OF AMERICA web site:

The central government ordered all Cabinet ministers to stay away from a Saturday event congratulating the Tibetan spiritual leader for receiving the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal.

A letter to ministers called the event "not in conformity with the foreign policy of the government." That was a polite reference to avoiding a diplomatic upset with China, which considers the Dalai Lama a separatist leader.

At his first appearance in India since receiving the U.S. congressional honor, the Dalai Lama reiterated his position that the Chinese occupation is causing "cultural genocide" in Tibet.

Read the entire article at the VOA web site.