I heard the Dalai Lama speak several years ago in Glasgow. He was asked about his view on the Palestinian - Israeli conflict. His answer shocked me - he said that there was little that could now be done to resolve that conflict because events had been set in train that were now unstoppable. Hatred and violence had developed on both sides, and violence fed itself. He said that everyones efforts should be to prevent similar confllicts arising elsewhere. Applying this thinking to Tibet I believe therefore that the right course is non-violence, and avoiding all actions by both sides that will only deepen mutual hatred and violence. This is difficult when we believe clear injustices to have been committed such as the dstruction of traditionalTibetan culture by the Chinese. For those of us who are bystanders we can do little more than pray for all parties to treat each other with compassion and respect, and not to deepen the hatred. There is no other way, naive that this may seem.

Tony , Cornwall , UK

It is very sad to go through these posts and realise that many people don't have the faintest idea of the real situation in Tibet. I am a Tibetan, born and bred in India after my parents fled Tibet during chinese invasion in 1959. Couple of years ago I went to visit Tibet for the first time. From the moment I landed at the Lhasa's airport to visiting my relatives I didn't feel like I was in Tibet. Well, at least not the way I imagined Tibet to be. I felt like I was in China town in NYC.I'm against violence but I also understand why protester did what they did. Imagine what you would do if you have no freedom to speak out and practice your belief in your own country and you were always under the watchful eyes of the oppressor .So sooner or later you will explode all those anger and resentment. I can't even kill a mosquito but when I saw the graphic pics of the dead tibetan at phayul.com I felt so much anger and frustration towards China.I ask everyone to find out the truth first.

pema, NY, NY

Very well put Katherine. Tibetan Culture has many problems and is not a `clean` culture. Where all this conflict will lead is going to be interesting as it holds a mirror to so many failings by cultures around the world and the way they relate to one another. It`s a dear old battlefield planet earth!

Dave Brunskill, Saltburn, England

It's interesting how the Olympic games have brought the plight of the Tibetans to the forefront of World news. No one has had the courage to stir the dragon on this issue, I wonder why?

Magda, Forlì, Italy

The Chinese government is now having to face the reality that , if China wishes to join in with the rest of the world in terms of the global market and such event as the Olympics, the rest of the world willnot stay out of their internal politics. From now to the end of the Games, the international media will turn the spotlight on all matters Chinese. The Chinese governments view that they can promote good news on the international stage,while hiding the bad, as is the case within
China, will not work and is almost a comical notion, given what we know of the press in the west . More bad news is a certainty.

Roy, Ankara, Turkey

What is happening is sad, tragic, but it is not unknown nor unique behavior. Trace the hstory of Tibet. It has been a vicious aggressor and conquered other peoples and lands. No country on earth has clean hands. It is human nature that needs to change, the world over. If there is such a reality of lineage passing, reincarnation, etc. then, perhaps, those with evil and aggressive souls reincarnate as readily, if not more so, than those with peaceful souls. Perhaps the Chinese who are suppressing Tibet now were, in previous incarnations, people who were invaded by and suppressed by Tibetan emperors. The history of Asia clearly shows that its people have been at war amongst one another for thousands of years. Sad, but true. As for 'reincarnation'... why believe in a concept that can easily be argued to be the root of aggression and evil (which seems to reincarnate in humans at a much better rater than souls of peace).

Katherine, Central Virginia, USA

Buy from Taiwan! It is a country, not a province, with increasingly strong democracy and a fondness for America. I was there a week ago and watched peaceful campaigning for hotly contested presidential election. In China or Tibet the opposition would have faced machine guns in the city square.

John, Belont, NC

his holiness the dalai lama has done more for buddhism and peace and non violence than anyone in the last 50 years. men like qingli the brutal chinese dictator of tibet needs to be forgiven by him for his sins. the world can protest chinese hegemony by not watching the olympics .

rob dawson, pittsburgh, pa

@ Richard Cadburry, Hilton Head, USA/ South Carolina

Your attempt to sum up Chinese / Tibetan history shows a poor grasp of the political backdrop. Tibet has not 'always belonged to China.' The Tibetan people are culturally and ethnically separate from China, and will continue to be unless the Chinese government succeeds in its genocide of the Tibetan culture. Have a look at: http://www.friends-of-tibet.org.nz/occu.html for some facts on the issue.

Jake, Greenfield, MA, USA

USA can provide u help and security!So u can just need few army~~~But,China-who can help us?Who can offer us safety?we can just do anything by myself !!

Bob, Brisbane, Australia

The Chinese government should talk to the Dalai Lama. History shows that, sooner or later, a group who has a separate identity and culture and do not want to be ruled by another will achieve self rule. Examples in recent history are the British Empire, Soviet Union and the Balkans. China is causing unnecessary suffering, harming its image round the World and wasting finances.
Unfortunately, the violence has only hardened the attitude of the Chinese government towards Tibet; they will regard it as loss of face, especially so close to the Olympics

paul todd, london, engand

Get a grip, folks: Mr. Lama is ONLY a man, nothing more. He won't be reincarnating in Tibet or anywhere else. Besides, the Chinese government outlawed unauthorized rebirths of Buddhist monks.

Checkmate!

Tony, Xanadu,

China is a soverign nation, and has the right to enforce policies as they see fit on their territories. The world has no say over this. Stay out of Chinese politics. Tibet land has always belonged to China long before Mao.

China has the right to do as it pleases until the people choose otherwise. 2 million PLA members simply cannot control 1.4 billion citizens.

The Olympics is a money machine and a waste of time anyway. To say it is not a political spectacle is to ask why then the flags of nation-states so proudly displayed? Fang-pi la!

I have lived, worked, and been in China for a long time. I do not agree with their government on much of anything, but I am a guest here. It is what it is. I import goods from American factories and get them to market all over China. A small clink in the massive trade deficit.

There must be, and there always shall be, ONE China. Foreigners can visit but they cannot take the land like at the turn of the 20th century.

Richard Cadburry, Hilton Head, USA/ South Carolina

Yes, boycott the Olympics. Boycott the world's factory house.
Just give 1.3 billion Chinese the proverbial middle finger. All for a bunch of monks in robes. Brilliant.

Then the Chinese will pack their bags and leave Tibet, the Israelis will leave Palestine, The Americans will leave the Middle East and rest of world for that matter, the British will leave Northern Ireland, and the Russians will skip out of Chechnya.

All the while holding hands and singing songs as we gorge ourselves on magical beer and bread that has fallen from heaven, by command of "His Holiness".

Brilliant.

Matthew, Salt Lake City,

I like how the Chinese say 105 people turned themselves into police. It's like those funny mis-translated phrases you hear about. What they really meant to say is 900 people with clubbed with batons....

James, Portland,, OR, USA

"Stop killing Tibetans"? How about asking the Chinese government to stop killing the Chinese?

Roderick, Joannina, Greece

It is very easy to defeat China.
first you read Sun Tzu bean-fa ART OF WAR. Then you apply the formulas.

Here is China's weakness. Exploit it and we shall win.

1. China is a closed country. What is meant by this, many Chinese inside the country only know what is happening because of THEIR press (much like America's) prints what they want to instead of the truth.

a: go on line, meet Chinese people on line, send them links or cut and paste articles what is happening in the real world. Word shall spread by mouth and other means,

2. Chine is one of the worlds greatest suppliers of goods to Europe and Americas.

a. Start to buy from Mexico, India, etc. This will remove the cash flow from China to the other countries. India, I know for a fact is lower priced than China on at least 70% of their goods, and they have the British standards of quality we can insist on.

3. 60 percent of China is not working. They are on the dole. (Welfare) China is able to give these people

Linbao, panama, panama

So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas. A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald... striking. So, I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one -- big hitter, the Lama -- long, into a ten-thousand foot crevice, right at the base of this glacier. And do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga...gunga -- gunga galunga. So we finish the 18th and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consiousness."

So I got that goin' for me...which is nice.

Carl Spackler, Bushwood CC, USA

Time to boycott all Chinese goods and the Olympics. Time for this brutal, totalitarian regime to leave Tibet alone, too. Once the Chinese people get rid of the corrupt junta ruling them, then Tibetans and Chinese alike will reap the rewards.

jon, Shanghai, China

There's suffering everywhere but we can't control it. I think the buddhist idea is we all move as one. If someone's violent we are all violent. One consciousness expressed in 7 billion different ways (more, counting the animals that are not yet extinct).

I think that to understand the Dalai Lama's intentions, we have to grow. Reach his level. Then his work is done.

Andrew Corr, Burton On Trent, Staffs, UK

A correction: in my understanding, His Holiness the Dalai Lama did not say he would not reincarnate, he said he would not reincarnate in China, because of the possibility of Chinese manipulation of the situation. The Chinese government has kept the Pachen Lama, currently still a child, & (Tibet's other highest religious), hidden away and unable to preform his religious functions. His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that if it was beneficial, of course he would reincarnate, but elsewhere, not in China, or Chinese controlled Tibetan regions.

The Dalai Lama deeply represents compassionate response & non-violence for many Buddhists & many people of other religious inclinations as well. He wants dialogue. I think that a powerful stand against racist violence is important in our world at this time and I feel that the United States, the United Nations as well as other nations should make clear statements to China in defense human rights and cultural rights for the Tibetan people.

Lesley Grant, San Anselmo, CA,USA

The Chinese should ask the US not to attend because of its invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, but they haven't because the Olympics is supposed to stay away from politics. If we allow politics to intrude here, then why not protest all the 800 US military bases around the world, the US genocide in Iraq, the US attempt to destroy Iran, the US support for Israeli oppression, and on and on we could go.

Dayahka, Aberdeen, USA

I'm shocked that it took these recent events to make the world wake up to what china is really like. Human rights don't exist over there, and haven't for many years.

wiltshire wurzel, swindon,

The Chinese Tibetan monks who are protesting need their spiritual leader with them, it seems to me. The Dalai Lamas presence may encourage the protesters to revert to prayers, instead of rampaging around. On the other hand, the Dalai Lama might not be safe if he returns because of this terrible context of blame which seems to be developing somewhat pre-emptively. Would it be possible for the Chinese authorities to allow the Dalai Lama to return safely for talks? One wonders if a UN volunteer could help facilitate some new way forward.

Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley, Bacup, UK

Stay put - resigning will not help anybody !!!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

There is a People's Congress in Beijing of which Your Holiness has a right to speak. Act now by going straight away to Beijing and demanding that right. The whole world is watching, what have you to fear. Put an end to all hatred and violence by doing exactly what you came into this world to do......Bring peace and love to all men.

Keith Johnstone, Montpellier, France

The U.S. cannot boycott the Olympics because China owns the U.S.

Benjamin, San Francisco, USA

Your Holiness

I sympathize with your frustration over the sad situation in Tibet. But threatening to forego rebirth is not the answer. There are far too few Boddhisattvas in the world at a time when they are most sorely needed. Withdrawing your compassion while most of us still stumble about in Samsara would do more harm than good.

Namaste
craig

J. Craig Hill, Johns Creek, USA / Georgia

Lukas...I suppose there is oil in Israel, Taiwan and South Korea.

Vic, Phoenix, AZ

Thank you, Dalai Lama, that's the right way to stop the brutal violence of the new radical protest generation in Tibet.
I hope Tibet people will follow you and revert to traditional peaceful Buddhism behaviour.
And I hope that China takes the opportunity to reopen autonomie talks with you.
-
You, the Nobel Peace Price Laureate of 1989 and the head of Chinese Gorvernment together in Olympia putting forth your hands to better future of Tibet within China,
that's what the world longing for.

Martin Berger, Köln, Germany

Please do write to your Congressmen regarding Chinesse ongonig Ocupation/ abuses in Tibet!
Aamerica's spirit of true Freedom is to flow to the Blessed lands of Tibet !!...

Carlos Lopez, Boston, Ma

T Mike, Santa Ana

"The USA did boycott the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. That situation was much akin to what is happening now with Tibet and China."

The situation is very different in that China and the US have a great trading relationship, unlike the US and Russia back in the days of the Cold War. It was easy for the US to boycott the Moscow Olympics then...where is the political backbone now?

Money Talks and Bullsh*t Walks!

Paul, Esher,

Why does the United States stand up so much for Taiwan, yet they let peaceful Tibet be persecuted & occupied by these bastard Chinese?

The United States is funding it's own demise with it's political & economic support of China.

Boycott the China Olympics.

Mike, Fort Wayne, Indiana

It's excellent the lama is denouncing violence and it's excellent he is saying live side by side with China and independence is out of the question, however he sent mistrust and the wrong message to both sides and the world over, when the lama accepted awards from the US and President Bush and he cooperated in the Media stunt, US & Bush administration used the lama for propaganda against the Chinese authorities, and the lama did also for his own agendas.

US administration and CIA etc, love to interfere in foreign policies & sovereign countries either covert, media and diplomatically, to confuse, divide, create chaos, to conquer. Also to propagate their agenda and so call world domination, one world order cloaked in democracy. Connect the dots people!

Thunderer, Whycocomagh, Mi'kmaq 1st Nation - Canada

I am ashamed as an American that our government has not yet stood up and promised a boycott of the Olympics. Tibet my heart is with you. What is wrong with this world? Every nation should be taking a stand! It is time that the world stood up to this sham government! The Chinese communists are a disgrace to humanity.

David, Chicago, IL

I love the Dalai Lama's threat that he won't reincarnate if this silliness keeps up. The legal history between China and Tibet is very, very murky. The position of Dalai Lama was established by the Chinese to rule Tibet ages ago. This complicated history, I believe is acknowledged by H.H. when he asks for the old Chinese stance of non-involvement in Tibet rather than sovereign independence outright.

In America, we believe freedom comes before peace. However, in the Tibeten Buddhist religion, there is no peace or freedom in manipulating the world to our liking - only in learning to show compassion to those who we'd be quick to call our enemies.

If the exiled population of Tibet wants independence, even if by violent means, H.H. is right to resign as leader of the government. It means he has lost touch with his people's desires, and that his people, thanks to 50 years of Chinese oppression, have finally lost touch with their ancient culture.

Azlan, Boulder, Co

Let's be realistic: the West isn't going to lift a finger to do anything or even protest the Chinese massacre of the Tibetans. This is the green light for China to be as brutal as they please.

mike burns, tucson, AZ

I hate to admit it, but Mike is right. The Dalai Lama is correct as well. The protesters are in their rights as well. What a world, what a world...
Pray for the Tibetans. Pray for the Chinese. Pray for America.
Pray for the World.

Namasté

Michelle, Frazier Park,

"the world step in"

what do you sugest? march your army to China?

Lee, Bath, Somerset

Unless and until the word "serve" outlaws the word "rule", humans will not be humane again as they were before they became humans, no matter what nationality in no matter what nation, the "rule" is .oppression and suppression. KEKSI.

Lalit K., Queens, NY

To Jeb in Los Angeles,

The USA did boycott the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. That situation was much akin to what is happening now with Tibet and China.
Or, are you only referring to the present when you state that the USA would not intervene with China/Tibet except for financial reasons?

Mike, Santa Ana, CA

After travelling through Tibet 4 years ago, I was shocked to see the state the Tibetans were living in. People being beaten in the Jokhang, undercover chinese monks, red guards everywhere, landscape and nature ruined, depletion of all minerals and resources.
I agree that "The Dalai Lama doesn't want sovereignty over their region, he just wants the ability for his people to practice their beliefs with out fear and control....to live in peace". But this won't happen without getting rid of the chinese. I have never seen so much agression and corruption in my life and I have been around.
Unfortunately no country dares to take on China, which should have been done 50 years ago, as they are such an important economic power, but what does a 'Nobel Peace Prize' help for example.
A lot has changed, to a certain extent people have freedom of religion, but we are not there yet.
And I wonder whether Tibet will ever get it's peace and freedom back.

Madeline, Amsterdam, Holland

Having been in China, I have seen the new economic growth over the last decade. It will have a tremendous influence on situations like those in Tibet.

Economic reforms of the last twenty years have changed the Chinese way of life. It has modernized to become a competent trading partner with the West. The lead paint comments are pedestrian. The government likely fixed that company's problem in a very quick and unpleasant way, and I don't mean they fired the CEO.

The Chinese people are industrious and wonderful. Their biggest fault is also their greatest strength. They are patient. They do not hunger for freedom like we did in the 1700's. Tianenmen notwithstanding. Their culture is ancient and so is their mindset. They put up with their troubles. The Tibetens are not so patient. I don't blame them.

Communism has been in charge since 1949. By Chinese standards, that's about a week. Change must come from within. No matter how much we want it to happen.

Mike

Indy USA

Michael Duke, Indianapolis, USA / IN

Before reading my comment you have to leave your prejudices and approach with a free mind
firstly i feel after going through news history people of tibet that now there are two school of ideas in tibet people:
one is that large faction of tibet people living in tibet and outside really want "FREE TIBET" and want to approach it aggressively as
they are totally frustrated with chinese policies till now but holding
their resentment due to thier political-spirutal leader's middle way policy which has not giving any result(and CPC are loving that).
second is the group of tibetian people who still believes in His Holiness DALAI LAMA s idea of not demanding independence but greater autonomy(which i feel is almost impossible under chinese communist party) but % of these people are decreasing day by day.
i think DALAI LAMA must also notice the feelings of these group and not carry on the Gandhian ideology(i am an indian)
as " Idea is never the Truth"

jitu, raipur-chhattisgarh, india

In 1950 Tibet was medieval and feudal. It was ruled by monks who forced boys into the monastery to be little more than house slaves while studying for the priesthood for 15 years. The monasteries demaned taxes-in-kind from the surrounding villages and demaned corvee labor for work on the monastery building and in monastery agricultural operations.

JB, Seabrook, USA

Tibetan culture and way of life is too strong and resilient to be crushed by the Chinese authorities. The international community must raise its voice and strongly protest the way China is behaving and trying to undermine the locals right to freedom. While the Dalai Lama is correct in discouraging any effort to boycott the Olympics, as individuals we could register our own protest by deciding to boycott products made in China.
China's approach towards Tibet reeks of hegemony and is reminiscent of the colonial attitude that was rampant in the 19th century.

Gautam, Kolkata , India

Humans are the least evolved of the animals on our planet in that they kill not only for survival , but for the accumulation of excess wealth. The Chinese are only continuing the human pattern, which has existed for centuries, of treating the earth and its inhabitants as a commodity to be plundered through the use of violence. Each instance of this pattern is treated as a major event. Why?

gwen dejong, Rydal, New South Wales, Australia

Steve, apparently you aren't hearing correctly. If you truly support the cause of the Tibetans and their religious oppression, but completely disregard the religious standards on which His Holiness is basing his stance, you are just as bad as the Chinese.

Ali, State College, PA

While touring Bali 20 years ago I came across a Womens Art Gallery in Ubud. I was fascinated by a tapestry which depicted a hermaphrodite, with breasts and penis, at the top of a pyramid. Spreading out to the base of the pyramid were the Hindu characters usually depicted. As I studied the tapestry a young woman came over to stand beside me. She said it was made by her grandmother and asked why I was interested. I answered that I had researched many aspects of ancient history and had concluded that the "Dominance/Competitive Paradigm" , which exists today, is a successor to the "Balance/Co-operative Paradigm". The Hindu figures in the tapestry reflected gender balance - the basis, I thought, for the B/CP. She agreed, saying that the original Hinduism was based on the B/CP. The "Original Ancestor" at the top was neither and both genders, and embodied the ideal of balance between genders and all the other forces which eminate from that balance. Where and when did the change happen?

gwen dejong, Rydal, New South Wales, Australia

We in the West have to realize that not all things can be made right by military intervention and having our fellow citizens fight and die for Tibet freedom. No country is stupid enough to fight with China. Western intervention will cause more bloodshed decimate Tibet. Dialogue must happen between in China and the Dalai Lama to see if there is a way they can co-exist together and in that co-existence be free to practice their beliefs.

Lulu, Toronto, Canada

BOYCOTT the olympics to show China that human rights matter. This is not an issue we can gloss over or set aside.

China is wrong now, they have been wrong for decades and something must be done. Just because our governments sweep human right under the rug to carry on trade does not mean we should do the same.

Kathy, Cleveland, USA

why china need olympic? people in xizang can do whatever they want. but some people just don't want them do it peacefully. maybe it is a big mistake for china to apply for olypmic. the price is not for chinese people it si for all people over the world. I like the way 'resign'. this guy is too cunning for doing things like that.

Xi Zang, shanghai,

USA will not intervene in any way, other than statements that China "exercise restraint" when dealing with Tibetans. Sadly USA wouldn't do anything unless they had something to gain...I mean financially (OIL,etc.)

Jeb, Los Angeles, CA

Why do we buy so much from China? We should buy from Taiwan or South Korea or Japan or India or some other country! Yes, Taiwan is a country! We should stop supporting this stuff with our Dollars, like when the US boycotted South Africa during Apartheid.

David Powell, Ocean City, New Jersey, U.S.A.

The Olympics should be boycotted. it is a disgrace they should be held in a country that holds little to no regard for human and animal rights. This is a country poisoning our children with lead paint, and poisioning our animals through the food they make. This is a country that rounds up and culls dogs and cats to appear more "clean." This is a communist country that has forcibly and violently occupied a peace loving country since 1959. This is a country that should be shamed, and it is tragic that the world is allowig them not only to participate but also host the so-called peaceful Olympic Games. Disgraceful.

Ashli , Marshall, Texas

The silence from the Worlds Self Proclaimed Policemen is deafening. Bush knows theres no oil there. Or perhaps China is more frightening than Serbia? (Not that the Serbs deserved what happened to Kosovo any more than the Tibetans deserve this). The West are self interested cowards. I am digusted.

Lukas Tatek, London, UK

At first, China should freely open Rasa to the foreigner journalist.

Atsu, Tokyo, Japan

The desire for freedom transcends faith. If H.H. resigned, do you think the yearning for freedom from tyranny will end? Of course not. The Dalai believes that living in peace is more desirable than freedom, it seems. The problem is, that you cannot have true peace without freedom...the perception of peace in Tibet comes from the heavy hand of Beijing. Only politburo arrogance would assume that there is a conspiracy, and that moreover, the world should stay out of Chinese internal affairs...we are humans before we are nationals....and so, we have every right to be concerned about the oppression of humans in any border. China lives in a fantasy if they believe that the world community will welcome them with open arms as "modern" simply for hosting the Olympics. We will be soon reminded of Berlin c.1936. Beijing has been gilded for the world, while the rest of their country suffers under brutal oprression, Tibet included.

David, Washington, DC

The Lama himself may be innocent, but this stinks of an operation carried out by another country (OURS) to discredit the Chinese (Not always a BAD idea). Why else would people be running around with signs in ENGLISH

Mike17, Hibbing, Mn USA

This is all an illusion.

jd, Florida, USA

Please do NOT suggest that USA should intervene. If it does, the world will say it is intervening. For once let it just say what it thinks and leave it there. Let the rest of the world do what it thinks best in this situation.
WHY?
Well, whenever USA takes a certain side, any side, the other side says USA is bullying and acting like a world police. As the member of the world, USA will simply let the world know how it finds the situation to be and leave it there.

Henceforth.
A suggestion.

any takers?

Arch, Fremont, USA

It's not his Holyness that should resign but the chinese to get out of a place they have no right to be in in the first palce.

BOYCOTT the olympics and chinese products.

Steve, London,

Tibetans have been oppressed for almost fifty years because of Chinese rule. Something needs to be done now and the world needs to step in. The Chinese Government have kept a lid on the abuses in Tibet for many years. The Tibetans are not free if they constantly live in fear of Chinese soldiers and the government controlling everything they do and what they can't do. Just because the government doesn't recognize religion doesn't mean that they can force it out of the Tibetan people. The Dalai Lama doesn't want sovereignty over their region, he just want the ability for his people to practice their beliefs with out fear and control....to live in peace.

Heather, Houghton, USA

he will not resign. His supporters is now doing something to help in other cities of China. There are many pictures about this events on a tall dating site Tallkiss.com, a member on that page said that he just came back from China on 17th. And he uploaded many photos he took in many cities of China.

Sally, NY, USA