Rev. Danny Fisher

The Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University offers a new podcast today entitled “Tibet’s Future…Does It Have One?”

As we enter the 50th year of China’s occupation of Tibet and the Dalai Lama’s exile, American policymakers and legislators should consider Tibet’s future and whether it has one. Tibet has been the subject of experiments in cultural and demographic engineering projects that raise serious questions about Beijing’s intentions for the region’s future. In addition to human rights concerns, policymakers must also consider how China’s proprietary interests in Tibet now include irredentist territorial claims on “the whole of what you [Indians] call the state of Arunachal Pradesh,” as the Chinese ambassador to New Delhi bluntly put it in November 2006. Is China’s relentless territorial pressure on India designed merely to expel the Dalai Lama, or does China really have more expansive territorial gains in mind?

Specialists on Tibet’s modern history, culture, and religion will look at the prospects of Tibet’s future, Beijing’s unwavering campaign against the Dalai Lama, and whether the preservation of Tibet as a cultural, religious, and political entity remains important to mankind. Is there any other fate for Tibet than to become a quaint Chinese Disneyland for tourists? Is that a bad thing? If so, what can anyone do about it?

The specialists assembled include John Kenneth Knaus, Amit A. Pandya, John Tkacik, and the great Robert Thurman.

Download the podcast here.

The major news about the Tibet situation today is that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that he will resign as political leader of the Tibetan government if violence worsens. The Associated Press reports:

The Dalai Lama, speaking to reporters, urged his countrymen to show restraint.

He said that “if things become out of control” his “only option is to completely resign.”

Later, one of his top aides clarified the Dalai Lama’s comments.

“If the Tibetans were to choose the path of violence he would have to resign because he is completely committed to nonviolence,” Tenzin Taklha said. “He would resign as the political leader and head of state, but not as the Dalai Lama. He will always be the Dalai Lama.”

The recent protests in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, led by monks, began peacefully March 10 on the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. But they grew increasingly violent, culminating Friday with widespread street violence. Chinese officials say 16 people were killed, but the Tibetan government-in-exile put the toll at 80.

While the situation inside Tibet remains unclear, much of the violence appears to have been committed by Tibetans attacking ethnic Han Chinese, the majority ethnicity in China. In the days since then, worries have grown that Chinese troops trying to reassert control over Lhasa were exacting retribution against the Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama also called on Tibetan exiles beginning a six-month march from India to Lhasa to stop their march at the border.

“Will you get independence? What’s the use?” he said.

The Guardian also offers an excellent timeline of events. And the Washington Post has a spectacular photo gallery of protest and crackdown images from Tibet, China, India, and Nepal.

In addition, my friend Georgios sent me this video of Greek police breaking up a Tibetan demonstration in front of Ancient Olympia in Southern Greece.

Finally, Avaaz.org is circulating a petition to Chinese President Hu Jintao about the situation. The text of it reads:

As citizens around the world, we call on you to show restraint and respect for human rights in your response to the protests in Tibet, and to address the concerns of all Tibetans by opening meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Only dialogue and reform will bring lasting stability. China’s brightest future, and its most positive relationship with the world, lies in harmonious development, dialogue and respect.

You can add your name to petition here.

This courtesy of By My Hand and Heart Alone…: Beastie Boy Adam “MCA” Yauch (the one on the far right), who is married to Tibetan activist Dechen Wangdu and was himself instrumental in the creation of the Tibetan Freedom Concert, has a message and urgent action about Tibet posted at the Beastie Boys’ official blog. The action, from Students for a Free Tibet, involves urging your local member of Congress to support Tibet.

In horrific late breaking news, Radio Free Asia is now reporting that up to 80 or more Tibetans have been killed in today’s violent clashes with Chinese military. Chinese authorities responded with brute force today to ongoing protests in Lhasa and across Tibet. Supported by tanks, thousands of armed troops have sealed off the three major monasteries where nonviolent protests were initiated on Monday. Chinese police have fired live ammunition into crowds of unarmed Tibetans and unconfirmed reports from eye-witnesses in Lhasa say that 26 Tibetans were gunned down outside Drapchi prison. While the international public and media have been appropriately horrified by China’s clampdown, the U.S. has made only very weak statements. White House Spokesman Tony Fratto said, “We believe Beijing needs to respect Tibetan culture. They need to respect multi-ethnicity in their society. We regret the tensions between ethnic groups and Beijing.”

Please contact your Congressional Representatives now and urge them to support Tibet by calling on the U.S Government to strongly condemn China’s actions.

You can find out who your local member of Congress is here. Take action by following this link.