Goodness Incarnate

How much more of an assurance could the Chinese government conceivably demand than that which the Dalai Lama proffers time and again. He asserts that he has no wish to seek separation, sovereignty for Tibet. He seeks respect for Tibetan Buddhism, for Tibetan culture, for Tibetan traditions, for ethnic Tibetans. He begs for autonomy for his country, not separation.

He has, over the years, time and again appealed to the Chinese to engage in dialogue for the purpose of arriving at a peaceful and mutually useful outcome. One that will respect the need of the Chinese to claim Tibet as a part of China, and one that will respect the need of the Tibetan people to endure, to ensure the longevity of Tibetan culture, religion, language, customs. Is that too much to ask for?

It would Appear so, since China, adamant about her right to claim Tibet as an integral part of her territory, aggrieved over international condemnation over what China terms an internal problem of dealing with insurrectionists, is steadfast in her accusations against the Dalai Lama. That he has deliberately encouraged rebellion, that he seeks to split the country.

Yet it is the survival of the Tibetan people that concerns him, solely. The Dalai Lama has been outspoken in his support for the Beijing Olympics, so dear to the heart of the Chinese, so fundamentally needful to the Chinese government, to prove to itself and to the world at large that it has arrived as an international, political, economic and cultural powerhouse.

The Dalai Lama does fearlessly point out that his people have been exploited, they have suffered grave injustice at the hands of corrupt officials; their legitimate complaints are set aside or met with aggressive resistance. But he also points out that these grievous human rights violations have been visited equally upon the Chinese population, particularly in rural areas.

In his address to the Chinese nation, he points out he is but a fellow human being, someone "prepared to consider himself a member of the large family that is the People's Republic of China. In this respect, I appreciate and support President Hu Jintao's policy of creating a "harmonious society", but this can only arise on the basis of mutual trust and an atmosphere of freedom, including freedom of speech and the rule of law.

"Chinese brothers and sisters - wherever you may be - with deep concern I appeal to you to help dispel the misunderstandings between our two communities. Moreover, I appeal to you to help us find a peaceful, lasting solution to the problem of Tibet through dialogue in the spirit of understanding and accommodation."

This Tibetan spiritual leader who holds the respect of the world at large, and the spiteful disregard of the Chinese government, had no hesitation in expressing concern for the Chinese residents of Lhasa injured and killed by his followers. Going so far as to threaten resignation of his secular duties if that level of violence against Chinese people continued.

Consider that in the light of the horrendous misery visited upon Tibetans by the Chinese, where the International Commission of Jurists judged the attacks against Tibetans in 1949 by the forces of Mao Zedong, to have constituted genocide. One in every five Tibetans died of starvation or through direct violent encounters with the Chinese.

Tibetans, particularly the young, are tired of waiting for China to recognize their human rights. They are tired of being persecuted, their rights constantly violated. They want the return of their spiritual leader to their homeland. They want to be treated equally and fairly. They insist on respect for their ancient culture and traditions, that they be permitted to practise their religion in peace.

China will be worthy of world respect when she comes around to understanding that it is incumbent upon her to extend respect to those whom she governs, equally, fairly. In so doing, she will finally answer the prayers of the Dalai Lama. And the expectations of the rest of the world, as behaving in a manner that behooves a leading country of the world.