Perhaps I am a little too sentimental.When I was much younger I had the honor of meeting the Dalai Lama. I received a blessing from Him along with several tens of others at the Madre Grande Monastery, in the mountains of eastern San Diego, CA (a Paracelsian Order tolerant of all faiths and cultural traditions).
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| Madre Grande Monastery grounds Dulzura, CA Photo |
In the summer of 1989, the Dalai Lama made his second visit to the United States. At that time few understood the circumstances of his exile from Tibet. Mostly, people thought he and his culture were curious; different from us. I listened carefully as he spoke, communicating through a young Tibetan monk who translated for him.
I did not understand much about the details explained, as the translator struggled with the language barrier. However, what I did know for certain was this monk, from a faraway place, was truly Good. Good to the core of His Being. On that day I learned firsthand of the suffering, torture and genocide of the Tibetan people.
The Dalai Lama of Tibet has a similar juxtaposition to Buddhists, as the Pope of the Vatican has to Catholics. The Dalai Lama is a pillar of grace and wisdom for his people. And like the Pope, he is admired and respected across cultures and religions.
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| Pope John Paul II |
Since that day I remain loyal to Tibetan liberty. I made a promise 22 years ago to do whatever was in my power to right this wrong. I was deeply moved by my experience and concluded that a culture with so much to offer the world must be preserved to flourish, for the greater good.
Naturally, there is a religious and political spin on Tibet, which is significant. However, what is most important to understand, in today's context, is our misconceptions about religion affecting government.
Naturally, there is a religious and political spin on Tibet, which is significant. However, what is most important to understand, in today's context, is our misconceptions about religion affecting government.
- Do not assume China's cruelty is a consequence of godless communism.
- Do not fool yourself thinking a godless-world would be cruelty-free, or somehow more righteous; more fair. China has already proven you wrong.
Religion and government are political. But each has its own life, independent of each other. For comparative purposes, Cuba is a religious, communist country while China is a godless communist country. Everything else being equal, would you rather be oppressed in Cuba or Tibet? I rest my case.
China is the same old story of Imperialism all over again. It wants what Tibet has and will not stop until it gets it. That's just old-fashion imperialism. Except with China it's godless communists instead of Western Christian Crusaders! One seems no better than the other.
After thousands of years of documented genocide, worldwide, we still turn a blind eye. The systematic annihilation of an entire people has gone undeterred for generations in Tibet. China is wiping out a culture. Why are we letting this happen? Shame on you! Every world nation that looks away from these human rights crimes of torture and killing, SHAME ON YOU.
How many civilizations will be destroyed before we determine an acceptable loss? When will we make it stop? By 'we' I mean a collective body of humanity.
Where is our humanity? We, the people, are responsible for this existence. We have the capacity to affect change in our world. How can anyone rest in comfort knowing the horrific 'evil' of genocide persists today in the 21st century? Especially deplorable is having a written history to reference and still allowing genocide to continue.
Western history, anthropology, journalists, authors and clergy have documented hundreds of years of genocide. From Native Americans, the Maya and other indigenous people of Mexico and Central America to Serbia, Bosnia, Armenia, Darfur, Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, Congo, Cambodia.
Generally speaking, genocide does not necessarily mean the immediate destruction of a nation, except when accomplished by mass killings of all members of a nation. It is intended rather to signify a coordinated plan of different actions aiming at the destruction of essential foundations of the life of national groups, with the aim of annihilating the groups themselves. (Wikipedia)
Seriously people, listen up. In 1994, for a hundred days, up to 800,000 Rwandans were clubbed and machete-ed to death. A good 'kill day' equaled 10,000 human-beings slaughtered --in their own country. Six million Jews in Germany exterminated? A number some people have the flippin' nerve to dispute. What if it were three million? One? Wouldn't that be enough, for Christ sake?!
Genocide Watch, The International Alliance to End Genocide, keeps a mindful eye on the countries in current crisis. The website has a downloadable list of the peoples in danger.
Genocide is ugly. Nobody wants to look at it. Do it ANYWAY. Let it move you. Feel disgust with your privileged life as you complain about how difficult life is here in fat, first world.
China is the same old story of Imperialism all over again. It wants what Tibet has and will not stop until it gets it. That's just old-fashion imperialism. Except with China it's godless communists instead of Western Christian Crusaders! One seems no better than the other.
After thousands of years of documented genocide, worldwide, we still turn a blind eye. The systematic annihilation of an entire people has gone undeterred for generations in Tibet. China is wiping out a culture. Why are we letting this happen? Shame on you! Every world nation that looks away from these human rights crimes of torture and killing, SHAME ON YOU.
How many civilizations will be destroyed before we determine an acceptable loss? When will we make it stop? By 'we' I mean a collective body of humanity.
Where is our humanity? We, the people, are responsible for this existence. We have the capacity to affect change in our world. How can anyone rest in comfort knowing the horrific 'evil' of genocide persists today in the 21st century? Especially deplorable is having a written history to reference and still allowing genocide to continue.
Western history, anthropology, journalists, authors and clergy have documented hundreds of years of genocide. From Native Americans, the Maya and other indigenous people of Mexico and Central America to Serbia, Bosnia, Armenia, Darfur, Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, Congo, Cambodia.
Generally speaking, genocide does not necessarily mean the immediate destruction of a nation, except when accomplished by mass killings of all members of a nation. It is intended rather to signify a coordinated plan of different actions aiming at the destruction of essential foundations of the life of national groups, with the aim of annihilating the groups themselves. (Wikipedia)
Seriously people, listen up. In 1994, for a hundred days, up to 800,000 Rwandans were clubbed and machete-ed to death. A good 'kill day' equaled 10,000 human-beings slaughtered --in their own country. Six million Jews in Germany exterminated? A number some people have the flippin' nerve to dispute. What if it were three million? One? Wouldn't that be enough, for Christ sake?!
Genocide Watch, The International Alliance to End Genocide, keeps a mindful eye on the countries in current crisis. The website has a downloadable list of the peoples in danger.
Genocide is ugly. Nobody wants to look at it. Do it ANYWAY. Let it move you. Feel disgust with your privileged life as you complain about how difficult life is here in fat, first world.
Shame on us all for letting this happen again and again and again.
I do not know what liberation for Tibet will look like. I only know our collective efforts must make it happen. We cannot knowingly allow China, big as it is, to wipe out an entire culture. Simple people whom we can learn a great deal, tirelessly and against their will, fighting for their lives with almost no help at all. This is wrong.
Universal standards are already in place for human rights. What good is the United Nations if they are not going to uphold their own criteria for fair, humane treatment. There can be no fair treatment of any people when one group seeks to oppress and dominate another.
Wrapping this up, I'd like to request that we not call ourselves civilized, progressive, modern or, God forbid--Christian, when we continue to look away from the human horror of genocide. Don't think about the children who are enslaved and violated, who starve to dead and suffer of curable disease. Just turn away and go on with your day. What else can you do?
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| TIBETANS |
This existence is our responsibility. We are the miracle. We are the way.
One mind changing at a time, evolving to a higher mind; a better quality of life. A life with far less focus on the material, and intense focus on loving, giving, and healing ourselves and each other.
Be the change. Be the example. Be the Good. Shout out for Tibet. Free Tibet on Facebook
Please note disclaimer: I have no ill feelings toward the Chinese people. Governments are not people. Chinese culture is rich and long-standing in the world. Inventions, ingenuity, cultural cohesiveness all commend respect. Their problems-solving skills have developed an efficient system for their way of life. They are not at all intimidated by outside influence. Efficient, however, does not mean effective. The world has something to teach China. We want them to participate in a global community. It serves the greater good. Peace will prevail.
