China condemns US award for the Dalai Lama

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Tibet: Faith in Exile

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Agency report:

Beijing: China has complained to the
United States over a decision to award exiled Tibetan spiritual
leader the Dalai Lama a US Congressional Gold Medal, a Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India after
failed uprising against Chinese Communist rule in 1959, is branded by
China as a “separatist”.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner says he
only wants greater autonomy for the predominately Buddhist Himalayan
region.

“The Chinese government strongly
opposes the US Congress giving the Dalai Lama a so-called award,”
spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular news briefing.

“We strongly oppose any country or
person who uses the Dalai Lama to interfere in China's internal
affairs. We have already made solemn representations about this to
the US side.”

White House National Security Council
spokesman Gordon Johndroe said last month that the president Bush
would attend the Oct. 17 ceremony at the US Capitol.

China has already chided German
Chancellor Angela Merkel for hosting the Dalai Lama, demanding Berlin
take action to repair damage done to bilateral ties.

China, keen to maintain stability ahead
of a key Communist Party meeting next week, is also questioning the
loyalty of ethnic Tibetan Party members, accusing many of swearing
their true allegiance to the Dalai Lama, according to an internal
memo.

This week, China's state media lashed
out at the Dalai Lama, accusing him of supporting “evil cults”,
such as Japan's Aum Shinrikyo and banned Chinese spiritual group
Falun Gong.

On Thursday, the overseas edition of
Party mouthpiece the People's Daily said the Dalai Lama was involved
in killing people during an uprising in the 1950s, in violation of
Buddhist principles, and he was a liar.

1950: the Chinese invade Tibet

I cannot remember any particular
difficulties in childhood, but certainly the hardest thing was to
take on full responsibility for my role. In 1950, I was 15 years old.
Chinese communists had some ways already encroached on Tibetan
territory before that, but it was in 1950 that they actually invaded.

The responsibility of government filled
me with anxiety. I had not completed my religious education. I knew
nothing about the world, and had no experience of politics. At that
time, the world was focusing on Korea, where an international army
was trying to quell the conflict.

Similar events in far-off Tibet passed
by unnoticed. On 7 November 1950, I sent an Appeal to the UN on
behalf of the Tibetan National Assembly. It was never answered.

The situation continued to worsen, so
the question arose about my coming of age. Opinions differed, so the
authorities decided to consult the oracle. Tension was at its height
when the Nechung oracle moved to where I was sitting and placed a
“kata” (a white silk scarf, traditionally given as a greeting) on
my knees. The kata was inscribed with the words, “His time has
come.” I was only 16, and found myself leading a nation of six
million Tibetan faced with imminent war. It was an impossible
situation, but I had to do everything in my power to avert disaster.

I decided with the agreement of the
religious authorities and the Kashag, to send delegations abroad,
visiting the United States, Great Britain, Nepal, but also China.
Their aim was to negotiate a Chinese withdrawal. The only delegation
that actually arrived was the one sent to China. All the others were
refused an audience. This was a cruel disappointment. Had the
Americans changed their minds about our status? I remember my sadness
when I realized what this meant: Tibet would have to face the power
of communist China all alone.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Leni
provides a large variety of astrological services, workshops,
readings and is an accomplished lecturer and writer, in both English
and Italian. She has appear on television and radio, and is much in
demand for the both traditional and soul centered astrology.

Leni
Sibilio

http://.astrominds.com

leni@astrominds.com