Dalai Lama Refuses to Condemn Wave of Tibetan Protesters Setting Themselves on Fire: ‘Very, Very Delicate Political Issue’
- Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:00am by
Billy Hallowell
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In this July 4, 2012 file photo, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama listens to a speaker at the inauguration of the Fortis Hospital at Kangra, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Dharmsala, India. (AP Photo/ Ashwini Bhatia, File)
NEW DELHI (The Blaze/AP) — The Dalai Lama said in an interview published Monday that it is best for him to remain neutral about the wave of immolations (protesters setting themselves on fire) by Tibetans in China protesting Beijing’s repressive policies and calling for his return from exile.
The Dalai Lama described the immolations as a “very, very delicate political issue,” and expressed his reluctance to comment on the deaths of Tibetan protesters in China.
(Related: Shocking Photos: Tibetan Exile Sets Himself on Fire in Protest)
The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke of the dilemma he faces in speaking about the immolations in an interview published in The Hindu newspaper.
“If I say something negative, then the family members of those people feel very sad. They sacrificed their life,” he said.
“The reality is that if I say something positive, then the Chinese immediately blame me,” he said in an interview given on his 77th birthday last week.
In contrast, the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile, based in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala, has spoken out more firmly against the immolations. In March, they reminded Tibetans “to refrain from drastic actions.” The Dalai Lama reliquished his role as head of the government-in-exile last year.
China has blamed the Dalai Lama for the self-immolations, which have touched Tibetans emotionally and created an image problem for Beijing.
Around three dozen Buddhist monks, nuns and Tibetan lay people have set themselves on fire over the past year in ethnic Tibetan areas of China. The Tibetans see the immolations as an act of sacrifice to highlight China’s repressive policies on religion and culture.
The Tibetan leader urged China to conduct “thorough research” on what was causing people to set themselves on fire. He called on China to “not pretend that nothing is wrong.”
The Dalai Lama said he advised young Tibetans, who were calling for independence and a more radical approach, that his “Middle Way” of seeking autonomy within the framework of the Chinese Constitution was the “only realistic way” to address the Tibetan issue.
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riker01
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:02pmHeres another example of some useless fricking idiot. Wake me when it’s all over.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:29amHe cannot condemn anything because he does not recognize Sin because he’s another false prophet of a cult. You will know them by their deeds.
Report Post »brother_ed
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:00pm@CHIEFGEORGE
I believe that God is patient.
He will open up the eyes of each nation in His own time.
Christ taught to the house of Israel. The 12 were then charged to carry the message to every nation. This cannot be done all at once.
A man cannot be expected to follow laws he doesn’t know about.
Once every one has had a chance to accept or reject the law they can be judged. Not until then.
Looks like we’ve got a lot of work to do, so we had better get busy!
It may seem like a tall task, but with God all things are possible.
Report Post »MAProg
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:45amFalse prophet of a cult, eh? Last I heard, Jesus is dead (if he ever existed in the first place). At least this guy is trying to affect change in the world. As for the cilt allegation: I’d prefer his “cult” to yours any day of the week. It’s a sad state of affairs that you Christians are so sure of yourselves to the point of arrogance.
Report Post »glennpatstu
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:38pmLol. He is so much more of a Christian than any of you ever have been or will be.
Report Post »glennpatstu
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:39pmWow. So Buddhists are evil now? You f**kin people are so unbelievably ignorant it isn’t even funny anymore.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:17amWhat uses a gallon of gas and doesn’t get anywhere? A Buddhist monk.
Report Post »glennpatstu
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:45pmMighty Christian of ya. Jesus would be proud.
Report Post »floridaborn
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:59amDalai Lama…worthless. What is it this guy believes in? If you lead a good life you get to come back as a cow?
Report Post »MAProg
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:41amThis comment is so ignorant that my body literally had an involuntary reflex of disgust.
Report Post »glennpatstu
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:43pmWow- I know that Glenn’s followers are a bunch of mouth-breathing, often closet, but just as often overt racists, stupid, gullible fools, but still- totally shocked that your level of intolerance actually extends to include Buddhists and enemies of Chinese imperialism and blatant civil rights violations. You really don’t know anything about him and his faith, huh?
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:06amInsanity….thw world is full of it.
Report Post »glennpatstu
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:33pmYeah. Protest and civil disobedience to an unjust takeover of their country is so insane. Thank god nothing like that ever happened here.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:33amHell you might as well set yourself on fire now…
Executive order signed on Friday. FULL CONTROL of all communications….
They now have more control than HITLER did!!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/07/06/executive-order-assignment-national-security-and-emergency-preparedness-
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:08amYou have to tear down the old system in order to prop up the socialist system.
“We will have a world government whether you like it or not. The only question is whether that government will be achieved by conquest or consent.”
Paul Warburg , February 17, 1950, testimony before the US Senate.
“The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer.”
Report Post »Henry A. Kissinger, New York Times, Oct. 28, 1973.
NurseHatchetRN
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:12amWell, I‘ll be a big meanie and say that he’s being a pansy. Doesn’t want to hurt any feelings… For Pete’s sake! If you’re a leader, act like a man.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:23am“If you’re a leader, act like a man.”
“The Dalai Lama reliquished his role as head of the government-in-exile last year.”
Well, looks like you’re fine with his words, then, as he’s not a leader?
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:48amThe chinese government stole their country. It was an unprovoked, greedy theft.
Just like scientologists, they villify and berate their critics because they have no rational defence against their accusers.
And I do accuse them. I accuse them of war crimes, of attempted genocide – both cultural and real, of deceit, and of larceny on the grandest scale.
They have no rational rebuttal and they know it. They stand with their crimes transparently obvious before the free world and they know that,too. Their despicable villainy will live in history for millenia and knowledge of it will continue to grow.
And all they will do to cover their shame is to pile more lies apon the preceding ones.
I am an admirer of the Delia Lama’s, but he should stand openly with his people. If not, he risks being stood with the accused.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:54amDalai Lama*
I can’t believe I called him Delia.
What is wrong with me.
Report Post »DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:35amGod, I hope there’s not a Dalai Lama junior. I’m tired of this goof.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:52amLol. You’re not up with your Buddhism, are you.
The Dalai Lama is continuously re-incarnated.
Report Post »OniMan
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:12amYa someone is dang ignorant!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:37am@nzkiwi
Back in 1990 the Dalai Lama told my teacher that there would not be another Dalai Lama. When my teacher asked him why he responded, “The World doesn’t need another”.
The Dalai Lama’s current position is that he will decide “if” there will be another when he turns 90.
Here’s the link;
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dalai-lama-successor-at-90/1/152551.html
Report Post »mrqstixx
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:51pm@nzkiwi ………… That’s that new stuff they call sarcasm.
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