VICTORY TO THE GODS
and/or www.mantra.com/jai
By Claude Arpi
Editorial
The Pioneer
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Just a couple of days after the 'historic' meeting between US
President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama (I don't consider it as
truly historic as previous American Presidents have also met the
Tibetan leader), a photo appeared on the Internet. It was taken by an
AFP photographer and was apparently released by the White House. One
sees a smiling Dalai Lama coming out from what is said to be the
kitchen door of the White House, with piles of garbage on the side. A
pro-Tibetan group based in India commented, "Orphans of the Cold
War!"
I don't know about the Cold War, but the Tibetans are certainly
'orphans' today. Even nations and leaders who pretend to stand for
human rights, democracy or free speech are panicky about China's new
might. As a result, these countries only pay lip service to human
values.
Even if Mr Obama had planned for a low-key encounter, the Dalai Lama
should have been given a decent exit. Sadly, the most powerful nation
of the world chooses today to bow to the economic rise of the Middle
Kingdom. Even before seeing this picture, my first reaction to the
long-awaited meeting was: It is only good for Obama's karma.
Will it have positive results for the Tibetans? I am not sure.
Several friends told me that it is better to meet the US President
than not to meet him; they are probably right, however, at the same
time, I don't think one can expect miracles from the Dalai Lama's
Washington visit.
Most of the media covering the event emphasised on Mr Obama's
courage: He dared to defy Chinese anger (or diktats?) to meet the
Tibetan leader. Well, it is probably the minimum that the new Nobel
Laureate could do. How could he refuse to receive the Tibetan leader
when his predecessors have met him?
Before the event, Lodi Gyari, the Dalai Lama's special envoy had set
a conciliatory tone: "His Holiness will be asking the President to
help find a solution in resolving the Tibet issue that would be
mutually beneficial to the Tibetan and Chinese people."
On their side the Chinese Government had as usual requested
Washington to cancel the meeting which would 'damage' Sino-American
relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu declared:
"China resolutely opposes the visit by the Dalai Lama to the United
States, and resolutely opposes US leaders having contact with the
Dalai Lama."
So, Mr Obama 'discretely' met the Dalai Lama in the Map Room of the
White House where American Presidents usually stage hush-hush
meetings.
The Obama Administration termed the encounter as a "private call" and
though White House spokesman Robert Gibb declared that the President
supported "the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and
linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans
in China", it is not clear how the US will practically translate this
on the ground for the Tibetans.
The meeting was certainly good for Mr Obama's image since his
popularity is tumbling fast (mainly due to domestic policies and his
position on Afghanistan). A recent survey pointed that about 52 per
cent Americans believe that Mr Obama does not deserve a second term
in office. In another CNN opinion poll, released on the eve of the
meeting in the Map Room, nearly three-quarters of the Americans said
that Tibet should be an independent country, (even if the Dalai Lama
does not ask for independence anymore).
The strong feeling of Americans was an important factor in the
decision by the Obama Administration to brave Beijing's ire. But what
will it bring to the Tibetans? The Chinese leaders today are too
arrogant to listen to anything coming out of Washington. In fact,
they strongly resent any advice from the West. Moreover, the US is
deep in debt. What can a country with such a huge debt towards China
impose on the Rising Dragon?
The Tibetan issue is extremely complex and the present leadership in
Beijing does not possess the courage or the charisma to take the
plunge and offer a genuine solution acceptable to the Tibetan people.
This is a pity because the Dalai Lama is the only person who could
help sort out the present contradictions of China. It is, however,
true that a genuine solution would bring about tremendous changes
inside China and perhaps the collapse of the present system under a
totalitarian Communist regime.
Another aspect of the problem appeared in an event which took place
in north-eastern Tibet (outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region).
Thousands of Tibetans demonstrated in Ngaba County of Amdo Province.
It was not like in March 2008 to express their anger against the
Chinese, but to show their joy: Their leader had met the most
powerful man in the world.
The website Phayul.com reported: "The mournful atmosphere of the
Tibetan New Year was replaced by jubilation with people bursting
firecrackers in the streets and celebrating." Crowds from nearby
villages gathered near Ngaba Kirti monastery for a purification
ritual; they burned incense and erected wind-horse prayer flags.
Thousands marched in the streets and shouted "ki ki so so lha gyalo"
(victory to the gods) while throwing tsampa (barley flour) in the
air. Apparently the Chinese security forces did not know how to react
to the incense-burning. The Chinese police eventually confiscated the
firecrackers from the Tibetans and extinguished the ritual fires.
The day after Mr Obama met the Dalai Lama, I happened to attend a
dance performance by a group of Tibetan students who were perhaps 13
to 14 years old; they were not professional dancers, just students
who, during their holidays, had learned some steps and songs. But
they were really good. Their eagerness to preserve their ancient
culture was quite touching. Interestingly, most of the youngsters
were born in Tibet and had only come recently to India to learn about
their own tradition.
I believe this is one of the greatest achievements of the Dalai Lama:
More than 50 years after having fled his country, the culture of the
Roof of the World is still very much alive in India. The preservation
of the age-old culture will certainly one day make a difference. In
the meantime, if you visit China, do a Google search for Tibet -- you
will get a blank screen. Let us hope that Mr Obama will do something
to change this. Half of the Dalai Lama's problem would then be
solved.
http://dailypioneer.com/238252/Victory-to-the-gods.html
More at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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