The news tonight is full of shock, horror, and gasp at the fact that the Dalai Lama has been refused entry into South Africa. Oh yes, dear reader, people are in a flat spin that a man like the Dalai Lama, whose tireless crusade for a free Tibet, has captured the hearts of Hollywood and its voyeurs, has been denied entry to democratic SA, and it has caused an outrage.
Even our Bishop Tutu, has been dragged into the fray. The implication is that this is a deeply undemocratic act, one that our country has stooped too, on the back of pressure from the evil warlords of China, who seek to suppress freedom in Tibet.
Rubbish I say.
What this little episode in our political lives does illustrate however, is the deeply ignorant way both people and the media respond to public relations.
The Dalai Lama PR machine is good; it must be, for the world media refers to him always, as the “exiled spiritual leader of Tibet.” Oh yes from the New York Times to the Durban Daily News, he is the spurned, humble man, who struggles against the vast and still deeply evil Deus ex machinae of China. He who travels the world like a modern day Siddhartha, preaching peace, tolerance and democracy. Now that poor soul, dedicated as he is to opposing the evil regime in china, as well as the spiritual health of not just his nation, but the world, has suffered a snub, from South Africa.
How very dare we ?
Please!!!!
The Dalai Lama, dear reader, is not just the spiritual leader of Tibet, with book deals and appearances on Oprah, no, he is the absolute ruler of Tibet, in Exile.
Yes, a theocrat, whose beliefs include not only the usual Buddhist stuff, but the absolute right to rule Tibet. He represents one of the greatest historical evils that you can find: Religious Rule.
Oh yes, on a fundamental level, his claim to fame is no more valid than your average jihading Ayatollah.
And the history of Lamas is scarcely better than that, to boot.
Ahh yes, under Dalai Lamas, Tibetans don’t get to vote, no, they get to accept a reincarnated leader, to whom they are absolute serfs. Not just serfs, mind you, but serfs who have, under all so called incarnations of Dalai, lived lives of abject poverty, and supplication to his Holiness, their boss, who occasionally ruled them as a child.
That such rubbish should masquerade in our 21st century under the guise of political right is an indictment upon us all. That it should do so without question from our media is beyond belief.
The First Dalai Lama
What is extraordinary, is that this totalitarian, autocratic, theocracy continued from 1391 - 1959. The current globetrotting, talk show guest, and best selling author is the 14th in a long line of absolute monarchs who ruled a poor country with iron fists, depriving their slaves of freedom, votes, and general rights, with impunity.
Nothing of course like the impunity of the current version, who jets around the world asking democracies to give him back his slaves, in between media appearances, because he is the reincarnated ruler and slave driver of Tibet, under the guise of spiritual leader.
What beggars belief here is that he gets away with this, and has a long line of brainless Hollywood sycophants like Richard Gere, as well as a self help, new age book line.
Of course, the debate is always obscured by the claims against China. And let me say, I am in no way in favour of any undemocratic rule. The simple problem here is that when people campaign for change, people who listen often never ask the simple question, “ What kind of change?”
The people who continually fete his Holiness, never seem to appreciate the simple fact that they play right into the hands of the very thing they hope to avoid.
I am left speechless.
In fact these very same newspapers are running articles about Jacob Zuma speaking at churches. There are side articles about politics and religion, and yet at the mention of a man with a history that makes Iran look like a picnic, with the kind of democratic insights reserved for Robert Mugabe, they all run to supplicate before this twit.
How can people, who speak about democracy, and campaign for human rights, back a man with such a history and philosophy? Can these people who demand that Tibet be restored to an Aristocratic Theocracy of absolute rule be serious. How can they possibly say this with a straight face?
Do they really believe that hundreds of years of dictatorship were implemented without violence and force?
Surely not?
Perhaps they believe the Hollywood idea of poor, selfless Buddhist monks ruling fairly and justly?
Benevolent dictatorship at best?
Perhaps they have never seen the Dalai Lama’s palace?
The House that the Dalai Lama wants back
I suspect they just don’t know their history, and that they believe the outrageous lie that he is the spiritual leader of Tibet.
Surely not?
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[...] Unminds Must Fear placed an observative post today on The Deeply Undemocratic Dalai Lama or How PR made a despot into aHere’s a quick excerptThere are side articles about politics and religion, and yet at the mention of a man with a history that makes Iran look like a picnic, with… [...]
The CCP, in the run up to the 50th anniversary of the uprising against their rule, has been in a frenzied attack on the Tibetans and their history to justify their illegal occupation of Tibet.
But then the Tibetans have been systematically denigrated, from every conceivable angle, at every conceivable opportunity by their Han Chinese occupiers.
In order to achieve this the CCP completely fabricated and reinvented Tibetan history, add to this their arrogance and delusions and a complete lack of any conscience, plus the most massive mind control and propaganda lies machinery plus intimidation and threat of economic repercussions if there is a mere mention of Han Chinese atrocities in the west.
Indeed, the Han Chinese Communist occupiers would want to have it both ways.
On the one hand they claim that they “owned” Tibet all along, controlled it, and was “part” of “china”, and on the other they claim it was “feudal, barbaric and backward”.
Some elucidation to this.
Why was this “barbarism” allowed to go on if they “owned, governed and controlled” it?
Was this feudal past as abhorrent as is made out by such infamous luminaries as Parenti, Nebe, et al?
It is a painstakingly assembled collection of some factual incidents, hearsay, embellished rumours, out of context accounts and outright fabrications on part of the originators: the now infamous authors AL Strong, I Epstein, S& R Gelder, AT Grunfeld which are now widely cross referenced – but most often not credited!
Yet, which nation could proudly proclaim to be free of just such a past, even if you have to go back a bit further into history?
Similar cases could almost certainly be concocted for most every nation by selectively choosing infamous events and unsavoury behaviour by individuals and making a blanket case for the nation in question.
And remember, Tibet was a closed off society, ‘behind the times’, and in most part oblivious of development in the rest of the world.
Has anyone ever asked the people in question, the Tibetans, about their own history? Their version certainly does not congeal with such exaggerations, embellishments and for the best part outright fabrications.
Has the Dalai Lama denied that there was a form of feudal structure in the past?
In fact he is the first to acknowledge that Tibet had its share of inequities and proclaimed that the current oppression and misery visited upon Tibet is the “result of our feudal past”.
Does it follow that a less than ideal past completely negates the right to self determination by the Tibetan people?
International law certainly is on the side of the Tibetan cause.
To suggest that Tibet is undeserving of self determination and would revert to these invented old ways, and is now so much better off under Han domination, well, that reads just like yet another nauseating emanation from the CCP in the form of a ‘white paper’ and a never ceasing stream of propaganda which is incessantly flooding the world’s news market!
As for today’s situation in Tibet – well ,,,,,!
In summary, the Free Tibet movement has their aims and motives right, and anyone with the intent of muddying the issue by throwing muck had better get their facts right first.
Of course the Han Chinese are very much victims themselves in this and are hostage to a regime who has used them for their own malevolent ends.
The incessant propaganda and the lack of alternative viewpoints would render any population unable to discern, and discriminate propaganda from truth.
Freedom for all the peoples who’s minds are not free to roam, not free to choose and not free to express themselves!
But don’t just take my word for it
The right to self determination is not in question here, what is, is the Idea that a Despot can represent such. There was no form of feudal structure in the past to which the Dalai lama has admitted. He was part of it. He participated in it. Its not ancient history, its his history. Why on earth is criticism of one man a criticism of an entire peoples right to self determination? Its a criticism at the idea of an unelected, ex despot, who claims the right to do so. Facts, yes, which ones have I wrong ? None. This rubbishy mish mash new age religious leader come monarch is nothing more than that. How dare you campaign for an autocracy…?
Let me add, that I feel deeply for any people who are denied their freedoms. Including Tibet. This is not a mouthpiece for China. I just don’t buy into the Dalai Lama, or any other religious leader who uses religion to do that very thing, oppress!
Look at it this way, the CCP is on a frenzied drive to vilify the Dalai Lama to cover their own abhorrent atrocities and illegal occupation.
Not just in the run up to the 50th anniversary or the uprising, but for the last 60 years the Han CCP has systematically denigrated the Tibetans as inferior, barbaric and a vassal creed to the Han Chinese for the last two millennia.
They’ve obviously been successful to a discernable degree, as a lot what they have disseminated has filtered into popular belief and has become gospel amongst those who claim to take an ‘independent’ and ‘sceptical’ viewpoint.
Yet, the Dalai Lama was born into his position, just as the Queen was and royals are still today, and he was only in his early teens before he was confronted with the burden of office, and the Chinese invasion.
Some reforms had already been made before the invasion on the initiative of the current Dalai Lama.
The thirteenth Dalai Lama before him had banned the Death Penalty, making Tibet one of the first countries to do so, and regulated corporal punishment.
Born in 1935, the current, fourteenth Dalai Lama, then still a teenager, also made many reforms in the short time he had before the invasion.
He quashed the practice of Debt Inheritance, breaking the chain of debt from one generation to the next and thus exonerating the entire peasantry of any bondage and debt burden which may have encumbered them.
He also established an Independent Judiciary among many other reforms undertaken by him, while he was still a minor of less than 16 years.
On the agenda was a major land reform which would have seen the large estates of the wealthy gentry becoming government owned and thus immediately freeing any bonded serfs, however the Chinese occupation terminated such efforts.
All this was undertaken with the limited knowledge available to him of the world at large and also Tibet itself.
The Dalai Lama has made it clear that he does not intend to be part of any government if Tibet should ever be able to form such, and he also insisted on the provision on a draft of a Tibetan Constitution that the Dalai Lama can be removed from his religious position by popular vote.
The vilification of the Dalai Lama may currently be a fashionable pursuit of so called self-styled ‘free thinkers’, but a bit of contemplation of factual history would shed some light on the mendacity of the CCP’s 60 year long propaganda drive.
You seem to miss the point, that he was a teenage ruler is sufficient critique, your defense of child rulership on the basis of benevolence has no merit me thinks. You keep talking about factual history, yet you provide none. Your entire view of this is Chinese vs Tibet. Alomng with this you heap excuse upon justification for the Dalai Lama’s past excesses and abuse. Your argument seems to be that only you, have the “true” history, and shame, the poor Dalai Lama did his best, now he wants democracy. Rubbish man. This is not an argument. And as for self styled “free thinkers” , well its evident that you too, like his past Holiness have no time for dissent. This has nothing to do with Chinese propaganda…. how can you defend a child ruler in the 20th Century?
Thanks so much for your reply to my ever so incoherent rant, which evidently left you completely befuddled.
Contrast this to your incisive and most pertinent argumentation. I doff to your lucidity.
You are quite right of course, and you’ve become the best advocate versus your own cause – and on this salutary note I shall leave you and your blog, for no seed will ever grow on barren soil.
再见 Zai Jian
Barren Soil ? Growing seeds? Doffing ? I rest my case, I think.
First of all, I AM a Tibetan, my grandparents and parents escaped into exile and I WAS Born in exile and I DO still have family in Tibet.
I am amazed at your cheap shot at the Dalai Lama…this is the stuff the CCP has been spinning out for age’s and to think those who champion freedom, democracy and self-determination would take the very side of the people who they advocate against is plain hurtful.
As mentioned by eudid, the Dalai Lama did try to change the “feudal” system before China decided to liberate us from our barbarism…white-mans burden/yellow mans burden (same bull). He has admited to Tibets past as being feudal and when He was in the midst of changing the old system CHINA decided to kill my people and colonize the whole of us.
In the last 50 something years, the Dalai Lama has done nothing but work towards a peaceful solution for us living inside and outside Tibet. He has done nothing but to work tirelessly on behalf of the 1.6 million Tibetans living in this world today. How can a man working towards peace not on behalf of just us, but the world, be trying to plot for a feudal therocracy in Tibet?…do you think your own Bishop TUTU would be so as blind as to supporting a man who wants just that?
Have you not heard since the 1980s, the Dalai Lama has declared a democratic way of choosing our own government-in-exile heads? A government for the people chosen by the people? Even though majority of the Tibetans did not want anyone but only him to be our one and only leader? He officially gave up the seat of the Head of our gov-in-exile regardless of the majority of Tibetans asking him not to….he forced us, into taking responsibility of our own path by setting up a democratic system. I am guesing you have not looked into that fact.
I am baffeled and hurt you, of all people, on the side of the colonized and have experienced the results of colonization would defend THE COLONIZERS. White or Yellow…they colonized my people and my land and you are defending exactly their actions with your support of their “justification for colonization” propaganda against the Dalai Lama.
Next time I would suggest you do your research that isn’t just one sided. I would suggest looking into the very subject that would be affected most (us, the Tibetan people).
Don’t hate the Dalai Lama because rich white people are obsessed with him, we didn’t ask them to romanticize and exotify our Leader. But don’t insult us as a people by insulting the person who is most dear to us. The Dalai Lama (translated, Precious Jewel).
-A Tibetan’s Voice.
A Tibetan
My critique of the Dalai Lama is consistent with my critique of colonialism, and of autocracy, and theocracy.
I am not in favour of Chinese occupation, but that does not mean I must accept the Dalai Lama.
Tibet deserves better.
IF Bishop Tutu portrayed himself as my spiritual leader by virtue of right, I would write him a broadside too.
I am sorry, I believe in your right to self determination but, this pseudo religious crap has got to go.
Ps What makes the Dalai Lama your leader ?
and
How does that grant him legitimacy.
“Why on earth is criticism of one man a criticism of an entire peoples right to self determination?”
This quote in generall speak VOLUMES about the lack of understanding and knowledge you have about the Tibetan people. Just because we don’t adere to something you don’t understand and you don’t practice do not mean you have the right to JUDGE our beliefe system just because you don’t get it and it doens’t exist in your world. It is no surprise to me that you don’t understand by insulting the Dalai Lama, you simultaionously insult all Tibetans who regard him as our spiritual teacher and leader for centuries apon centuries. WHO are you to judge us and our beliefs?
Don’t spew your “White man knows better because I’m from the new world” bull here. If you don’t understand it, do your research, that doesn’t mean reading a few biest leftist/racist/neo-colonialist articles. To understand his role and meaning for the Tibetan people and Tibetan history takes a read into understanding Tibetan Buddhism.
I will say this only ones…I reiterate. Yes, he did admit to the wrongs created in the past which wasn’t just controlled by his doing…if you really want to get down to history, pick up a book on Tibetan history and how the Monasteries used to control the system…several of the reincarate Dalai Lama’s were assinated throughout history in order for the Monastery (in particular, specific schools) to take over. The Dalai Lama if anything in the past centuries have been the one fighting off the Monastery and trying to bring about change…including aboloshing the Death Panelty, the first nation in the history of the world to do so…
But this is not about defending the Dalai Lama…this is about your ignorance on the situation but the need to speak on it anyways. Something I’m guesing you’ve picked up from the White man…speaking about something you have not a clue on, yet need to have an opinion on.
You need to target those who are actually creating the ills in this world, like the Market and who controls it rather then pick on an easy tarket with your narrow and ignorant view of my peoples leader and his tireless efforts in doing his best for his people.
We are already colonized peoples, you don’t need to re-colonize us any further in the minds of others regarding our Leader. Unless you want to spend substancial time and energy researching exactly why the we rever the Dalai Lama and his leadership and your thoughts on the feudal system (that the Dalai Lama already admited n condemened)…Please refrain from further re-colonizing us as a backwards barbaric group of people puting our belief into a man who will put us back in a “autocracy”.
And don’t you “HOW DARE YOU” me. How DARE YOU disrespect our belief and who we choose to believe as a people.
What rubbish.
“To understand his role and meaning for the Tibetan people and Tibetan history takes a read into understanding Tibetan Buddhism.”
Which is my point exactly. This rubbish does not belong in the politics.
JP