EXCLUSIVE In his most detailed comments yet on the protests, which have brought fresh security restrictions across many Tibetan areas in recent months, the Dalai Lama, in an interview with The Hindu, described the self-immolations as "a very, very delicate political issue."
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said it is best for him “to remain neutral” on the issue of more than 40 Tibetans setting themselves on fire in the Tibetan areas of China over the past year, amid allegations by Beijing of a plot and concerns among some Tibetans about the spreading protests.
In his most detailed comments yet on the protests, which have brought fresh security restrictions across many Tibetan areas in recent months, the Dalai Lama, in an interview with The Hindu, described the self-immolations as “a very, very delicate political issue.”
“Now, the reality is that if I say something positive, then the Chinese immediately blame me,” he said. “If I say something negative, then the family members of those people feel very sad. They sacrificed their… life. It is not easy. So I do not want to create some kind of impression that this is wrong.”
In an appeal, some Tibetan writers and poets have called for the self-immolations to stop, arguing that Tibetans needed “to cherish life regardless of the magnitude of oppression.”
The Dalai Lama said that for him, “the best thing is to remain neutral.” He called on the Chinese government to “carry thorough research” and “not pretend that nothing is wrong” with its policies.
In a wide-ranging interview in his residence in this hill station on July 6, the day the Tibetan community here grandly celebrated the widely revered exiled leader’s 77th birthday with prayers and songs, the Dalai Lama spoke of the new challenges being faced by the Tibetan movement.
The Dalai Lama, who relinquished his political role last year, said he had expressed to younger Tibetans who were calling for independence and a more radical approach that his “Middle Way” of seeking meaningful autonomy, within the framework of the Chinese Constitution, was “the only realistic way” to address the Tibetan question.
He said he would address the issue of his succession when he turns 90, but cautioned China against “trying to take responsibility for the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.” “If the Dalai Lama becomes 100 per cent pro-Chinese, then Tibetans will not respect the Dalai Lama.”
He said he perceived “a more realistic position” adopted by the Indian government than in the past on the Tibetan issue, as evinced by its decision to allow the Dalai Lama to visit Tawang, in Arunachal Pradesh, in 2009, despite strong Chinese protests.
The article is a serious contribution to the Dalai Lama debate. It shows the Tibetan leader
trying to reach out to China. Also reveals the difficult balancing act a leader of a largely poor,
less educated community is forced to perform.
The last line in the interview about Panchen Lama is a real treat. Great journalism Ananth.
I believe I may be the only Westerner to have witnessed a self immolation, that of
Thubten Ngodup in 1998 in New Delhi. After a hunger strike by Tibetan refugees
appealing to the United Nations to honour resolutions on Tibet. Thubten was an
attendant during the strike. At the early stage of the strike His Holiness visited the
strikers. On camera he said, "Violence, even violence on the self creates more
violence so I do not agree". He was right. Though I agreed with His Holiness & was
not pro a hunger strike, I felt that if they were going to go on strike, at least people
should know. I used my media skills to tell the press. The self immolation image &
footage spread across the world. Personally, I have the utmost respect for the
difficult political & personal position of His Holiness but I still believe, violence, even
violence on the self creates more violence. I feel that His Holiness's message of non
violence can be broadcast into Tibet & I pray of no more tragic, self immolations
Dinoop, Please don't teach Dalai Lama Buddhism. "Self-immolation is a
grave violation of the principle of Buddhism": who taught you this? In
Buddhism, everything depends on your motivation. (2) Yes, until
recently, Dalai Lama was the political and religious leader of Tibet.
Since he has devolved all his political reponsibilities to the elected
leadership, he is now only a spiritual leader. (3) China and its
lackeys have been harping about Dalai Lama's refusal to condemn the
self-immolators only because they desperately need his help in
diffusing the deepening crisis in Tibet. Just a few words from Dalai
Lama will suffice where the juggernaut of Chinese military has failed
so miserably.
Dalai Lama is a political leader than a spiritual one. But he do not
wish to admit it in open , that is why he is being diplomatic here. If
he feels life of the tibetans are important and self immolation is not
the way ahead then he should speak out for it, regrdless of what
happened in the past. Or if he thinks such sacrifices are required for
the freedom of tibet then he should make his point clear. Finally
buddhism preaches to respect ones life as he respects others , so self
immolation is a grave violation of the principle of Buddhism.
His Holiness The Dalai Lama cannot be wrong about the frustration of
many Tibetans on the Chinese Rule in Tibet and lack of freedom.This
is something which the United Nations should Address.There is
naturally a strong undercurrent of "this is my land and no foreigner
can be supreme and I would rather die than live under such
conditions."That is something The Chinese should agree requires more
Tibetans to sit and guide.The Chinese indoctrination and their
modernisation should be muted and The monks should be allowed to do
things their traditional way.The Chinese should restrict themselves
to defence and protection of their country and avoid cultural damage
to the Tibetans.
For his Holiness to be concerned about negative response from the Chinese ... “Now, the reality is that if I say something positive, then the Chinese immediately blame me” ... is totally a non issue. When there is evil, either policy or action by government, there is no other alternative but to speak out against it.
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