The "Free Tibet" movement is a separate movement not to do with the Dalai Lama. They say
The Dalai Lama supports a middle way approach of regional autonomy within China following a local democratic process, and autonomy over religion, culture, health, education, economy and ecological and environmental protection.
He also requires that they stop their policies of human rights abuses in Tibet.
In detail:
He is neither a dictator nor a pope, so can't enforce anything on Tibetans.
But has considerable respect amongst them and has said he will do what he can to support this middle way approach, if the Chinese will also do the same from their side.
When you hear claims that China has improved the lot of the Tibetans and that they are much better now than they were before, I think it is important to bear in mind that many were nomads.
Many Tibetans didn't own land in the past because nomads don't own land. So the analogy often made with medieval Europe isn't a good one, better to compare with the Laplanders perhaps. They had animals and tents and so forth, but their possessions didn't include land.
The Chinese government takes away the land from these nomadic Tibetans saying that they can no longer herd their animals over them - and forcefully houses them in modern houses instead of their tents.
This is not progress if done against their wishes. And not necessarily progress. They existed before in a balance with nature.
Tibetan nomads | Free Tibet
Whether there was serfdom and slavery as well in parts of Tibet, and what form it took, is a matter of controversy, with the Chinese saying there was, and others saying there wasn't or not much.
See the Serfdom in Tibet controversy.
And whatever the past situation, modern Buddhist countries such as Bhutan don't have slaves or serfs. Slavery in Bhutan was abolished in 1958. Surely the same would have happened in Tibet - if there ever was true slavery in Tibet that is - which is controversial.
It is surely not a risk for future Tibet and shouldn't be used as a reason for denying the Tibetans autonomy to govern their own present day religious and economic affairs, education, etc.
The Dalai Lama himself has said he is a Marxist - thinks it is compatible with Buddhist teachings, and is interested to explore this connection.
The leader of the Tibetan communist party recently called for return of the Dalai Lama.
Let Dalai Lama return, says chief Tibet communist
It's important to realize though that he is not a pope. He can't issue decrees - nobody can in any of the Buddhist traditions as the Buddha advised not to take anyone else as a religious leader after he left, but to rely on the teachings themselves.
That's why he can't issue an edict to stop Tibetans from setting themselves on fire.
He can talk about the Buddha's teachings. But there are many Buddhist teachers in any Buddhist tradition and they will often suggest conflicting advice, as is natural in complex situations.
He can give more detailed advice to his own students.
But it's to misunderstand how the Buddhist teachings work to suggest that he should issue orders to Tibetans in religious matters.
Any such orders on religous matters would rightly be ignored. That's why you don't have Buddhist popes.
The Chinese sometimes use photographs of the Dalai Lama in ceremonial robes. These are taken during initiations or blessings. The robes are not there to signify anything about himself, but rather whatever it is that he is transmitting, for instance a blessing connection with compassion. Anyone passing on the same transmission would wear the same robes if I understand this right.
At any rate, it doesn't signify an office or political position. They differ from the robes used by a pope in this respect.
"We are here to help end the Chinese occupation of Tibet and to support the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people."
Free-Tibet.org
The Dalai Lama supports a middle way approach of regional autonomy within China following a local democratic process, and autonomy over religion, culture, health, education, economy and ecological and environmental protection.
He also requires that they stop their policies of human rights abuses in Tibet.
In detail:
Without seeking independence for Tibet, the Central Tibetan Administration strives for the creation of a political entity comprising the three traditional provinces of Tibet; Such an entity should enjoy a status of genuine national regional autonomy; This autonomy should be governed by the popularly-elected legislature and executive through a democratic process and should have an independent judicial system; As soon as the above status is agreed upon by the Chinese government, Tibet would not seek separation from, and remain within, the People's Republic of China;
Until the time Tibet is transformed into a zone of peace and non-violence, the Chinese government can keep a limited number of armed forces in Tibet for its protection; The Central Government of the People's Republic of China has the responsibility for the political aspects of Tibet's international relations and defense, whereas the Tibetan people should manage all other affairs pertaining to Tibet, such as religion and culture, education, economy, health, ecological and environmental protection;
The Chinese government should stop its policy of human rights violations in Tibet and the transfer of Chinese population into Tibetan areas; To resolve the issue of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama shall take the main responsibility of sincerely pursuing negotiations and reconciliation with the Chinese government.
His Holiness's Middle Way Approach For Resolving the Issue of Tibet
He is neither a dictator nor a pope, so can't enforce anything on Tibetans.
But has considerable respect amongst them and has said he will do what he can to support this middle way approach, if the Chinese will also do the same from their side.
CLAIMS THAT THE TIBETANS ARE BETTER OFF UNDER CHINESE RULE
When you hear claims that China has improved the lot of the Tibetans and that they are much better now than they were before, I think it is important to bear in mind that many were nomads.
Many Tibetans didn't own land in the past because nomads don't own land. So the analogy often made with medieval Europe isn't a good one, better to compare with the Laplanders perhaps. They had animals and tents and so forth, but their possessions didn't include land.
The Chinese government takes away the land from these nomadic Tibetans saying that they can no longer herd their animals over them - and forcefully houses them in modern houses instead of their tents.
This is not progress if done against their wishes. And not necessarily progress. They existed before in a balance with nature.
Tibetan nomads | Free Tibet
Whether there was serfdom and slavery as well in parts of Tibet, and what form it took, is a matter of controversy, with the Chinese saying there was, and others saying there wasn't or not much.
See the Serfdom in Tibet controversy.
And whatever the past situation, modern Buddhist countries such as Bhutan don't have slaves or serfs. Slavery in Bhutan was abolished in 1958. Surely the same would have happened in Tibet - if there ever was true slavery in Tibet that is - which is controversial.
It is surely not a risk for future Tibet and shouldn't be used as a reason for denying the Tibetans autonomy to govern their own present day religious and economic affairs, education, etc.
DALAI LAMA AND COMMUNISM
The Dalai Lama himself has said he is a Marxist - thinks it is compatible with Buddhist teachings, and is interested to explore this connection.
The leader of the Tibetan communist party recently called for return of the Dalai Lama.
Let Dalai Lama return, says chief Tibet communist
DALAI LAMA NOT A POPE - AS NO BUDDHIST TEACHER CAN HAVE A ROLE LIKE THAT
It's important to realize though that he is not a pope. He can't issue decrees - nobody can in any of the Buddhist traditions as the Buddha advised not to take anyone else as a religious leader after he left, but to rely on the teachings themselves.
That's why he can't issue an edict to stop Tibetans from setting themselves on fire.
He can talk about the Buddha's teachings. But there are many Buddhist teachers in any Buddhist tradition and they will often suggest conflicting advice, as is natural in complex situations.
He can give more detailed advice to his own students.
But it's to misunderstand how the Buddhist teachings work to suggest that he should issue orders to Tibetans in religious matters.
Any such orders on religous matters would rightly be ignored. That's why you don't have Buddhist popes.
The Chinese sometimes use photographs of the Dalai Lama in ceremonial robes. These are taken during initiations or blessings. The robes are not there to signify anything about himself, but rather whatever it is that he is transmitting, for instance a blessing connection with compassion. Anyone passing on the same transmission would wear the same robes if I understand this right.
At any rate, it doesn't signify an office or political position. They differ from the robes used by a pope in this respect.
About the Author
Robert Walker
Writer of articles on Mars and Space issues - Software Developer of Tune Smithy, Bounce Metronome etc.Studied at Wolfson College, Oxford
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