The Economist on China Usurping Reincarnation

August 22nd, 2007 Posted by Lhasa Rising


The Economist took a critical look at the Chinese government’s ridiculous claim that it has the right to control reincarnations in Tibetan Buddhism:


Now the government wants to control the process, arrogating to itself the right to approve incarnations. Bizarrely, Order Number Five even provides or“livingBuddha permits”… Reincarnation, moreover, is banned in … Xining and Lhasa, the capital of what is now the “Tibet Autonomous Region” of China.


The Economist recognizes that China’s ”apparent determination to control religion in Tibet is especially intense, because Buddhism is so bound up with Tibetans’ identity and nationalism.” As we previously discussed (here and here), this is all a political power-grab by the Chinese government.

The Economist rightly concludes that the Chinese government is likely to install its own illegitimate candidate as Dalai Lama when the current 14th Dalai Lama passes away.

However:

The Dalai Lama has said he may not be reincarnated at all, or, if Tibet is not free, he may be reincarnated in exile. It seems unlikely that China could install a Tibetan leader who also commands the loyalty of Tibetans.


The article ends on a chillingly perceptive note. The current Dalai Lama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, has held Tibetans together and insisted that the freedom struggle be nonviolent. After His Holiness, there is likely to be splintering and violence:


And the death of the present Dalai Lama—a robust man, but in his 70s—would remove the most powerful force restraining Tibetans from violent resistance to Chinese rule. Of course, China could crush an armed uprising easily. But it might be a bloody business.


China has declared war on Tibetan civilization by trying to usurp control over reincarnations. The best hope of avoiding bloodshed is to work toward a political solution in Tibet now, before the key factor in Tibetans’ nonviolence is no longer with us. Most countries say they oppose violence and terrorism, and support peaceful initiatives – now let’s see some action.



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