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Updated Thursday, March 11, 2010 1:36 pm TWN, By Ashwini Bhatia, AP

Dalai Lama: China aims to annihilate Buddhism

DHARMSALA, India — The Dalai Lama lashed out at China, accusing it of trying to "annihilate Buddhism" in Tibet and rebuffing all his efforts to reach a compromise over the disputed Himalayan region.

China shot back, accusing the Tibetan spiritual leader of using deceptions and lies to distort its policy in the region. The passionate back-and-forth highlighted the distrust, anger and frustration that separates the two sides and leaves little hope for success in recently resumed talks.

Beijing has demonized the Dalai Lama and accused him of wanting independence for Tibet, which China says is part of its territory. The Dalai Lama says he only wants some form of autonomy for Tibet within China that would allow Tibetan culture, language and religion to thrive.

The Dalai Lama spoke Wednesday in an address marking the anniversaries of two failed uprisings against China, one 51 years ago that sent him into exile in India and the other two years ago that was quashed by a government crackdown that is still continuing.

He accused Chinese authorities of conducting a campaign of "patriotic re-education" in monasteries in Tibet.

"They are putting the monks and nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practice in peace," he said, accusing Chinese of working to "deliberately annihilate Buddhism."

The Dalai Lama's remarks reflect frequent complaints by Tibetan monks that required political study sessions and visitor demands are depriving them of time for religious study. The numbers of monks attaining higher Buddhist degrees are believed to have fallen drastically since the crushing of the 1959 rebellion that resulted in direct rule from Beijing and the imposition of heavy government control over monasteries.

The Tibetan leader said that "whether the Chinese government acknowledges it or not, there is a serious problem in Tibet," but that attempts to talk to China about granting limited autonomy to the region had gone nowhere.

"Judging by the attitude of the present Chinese leadership, there is little hope that a result will be achieved soon. Nevertheless, our stand to continue with the dialogue remains unchanged," he told thousands of Tibetan exiles gathered at a temple in Dharmsala, India, where the Dalai Lama leads a government-in-exile.

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March 11, 2010 erwintan@

I used to sympathize with the Dalai Lama but for him to accuse China of annihilating Buddhism is a complete lies and distortions of facts. I visited China 5 times a year for the past eight years for pilgrimage and never in any way felt nor threatened by fear. I hope the Dalai Lama should not mixed religion with his politics.

March 11, 2010 thebeliever@

Another big LIE from DALAI LAMA. Does any one of you believe that MORTALS can annihilate 'BUDDHISM'? Dalai Lama was so desperate now in dreaming to return and reclaim back his throne as a SLAVE MASTER.

March 11, 2010 Shangrilian@

Dalai Lama is saying the truth. There is no freedom to practice Buddhism in Tibet. The Communist party of China is undermining all the rights mentioned in the UN Human Rights Charter.

March 11, 2010 DORJEDAKINI@

I have been in audience of HH The Dalai Lama a FEW times (in USA). Never has he spoken one single word against the Chinese people. China brings the only attention to every single thing HHDL does. HHDL is NOT a liar, nor a fool.
He IS a man of PEACE. He has no "hidden agenda".
Tibetans are NOT happy with the PRC ideals for them. And it COULD be good, but not the way it has been gone about the past 60 years, to date!

March 11, 2010 DORJEDAKINI@

thebeliever@ wrote:
Another big LIE from DALAI LAMA. Does any one of you believe that MORTALS can annihilate 'BUDDHISM'? Dalai Lama was so desperate now in dreaming to return and reclaim back his throne as a SLAVE MASTER.

Dude, NOW the Tibetan people feel they are "slaves" (as you claim). Ask ONE Tibetan, who was there prior to 1950, if they feel that they were a "salve", and that HHDL was a "slave master" (as YOU claim). Do you have ANY idea what you are talking about? I think not.

March 12, 2010 pierocerri@

The Dalai Lama is perfectly right, the Chinese Government has committed and is committing a genocide of the Tibetan people and trying to destroy their most strong believes, Buddhism being the main one.

March 12, 2010 ludahai_twn@

Some people simply can't handle the truth about their beloved tyrannical government on the other side of the Taiwan Strait.

March 12, 2010 hsiehmingyu@

Slave master? Interesting how BLUE supporters who condemn the Dalai Lama for being a 'slave master' can easily forget that the KMT was an authoritarian government that ruled with an iron fist. Yes, KMT changed and now Taiwan is a fledging democracy. For that I applaud the KMT government to undertaking that change. However, when one chooses to criticize the Dalai Lama, it seems to be as very unfair as he himself is a strong advocate of democracy and yes, Tibet was a serfdom but it was also undergoing change - much like how KMT was before. So, I feel it's very unfair to finger-point, especially when you BLUEs seem to love singing to the same song sheet as who were once your mortal enemy - the PRC.

March 12, 2010 daniel505037145@

達賴喇嘛說的是事實，我現在就在大陸，其實現在的大陸人生活和心理都很矛盾，一方是天朝的獨裁統治（洗腦的方式變化多端）另一方卻是資本主義的初始形態（現在在大陸“錢”早已不是一種符號而是一種精神，誰說大陸人沒信仰——現在都姓錢了。這都是大陸政府常年迫害所致的“畸形心態”.其實大陸人民比朝鮮人民更痛苦。明知被騙但也沒辦法。

March 13, 2010 carltanong@

Dalai Lama. You have violated the teachings of BUDDHA "THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH" and disregarded all the BUDDHA teaching as a MONK should be.
Next time, don't use or apply the name of BUDDHA"BUDDHISM" as a tool to deceive the peoples mind into hatred and incite violent.
A friendly advice for you: Go to the temple and served BUDDHA. That's the paramount responsibility and HOLY DUTY as a MONK. Don’t mix religions with politics.

March 13, 2010 lyncs101@

It's simple to understand for yourself who is distorting the truth. Read the books written by the Dalai Lama and see for yourself what he teaches. Visit Tibet for yourself and also see if you can get away - as a foreigner - and communicate with the local Tibetans about their way of life. Also talk to the Han Chinese in Tibet and you will get a good idea of why Tibetans feel that their rights and cultural expression have been stifled. Do these things for yourself and there will be no need to unfairly accuse anyone of lying, since you will learn the facts. One may not have a right to free speech or democracy in China, but the official policy is still to provide equal welfare to all its citizens. Visit Tibet and you will see that there is not the equality promised by the government.

March 15, 2010 thebeliever@

DORJEDAKINI@ wrote:
Dude, NOW the Tibetan people feel they are "slaves" (as you claim). Ask ONE Tibetan, who was there prior to 1950, if they feel that they were a "salve", and that HHDL was a "slave master" (as YOU claim). Do you have ANY idea what you are talking about? I think not.

As long as Dalai Lama was wearing the ROBE of Buddhism as a Monk. DL should stay in the temple and pray. If DL wishes to wonder around the world. DL should spread the Word of Buddha. Unless DL are willing to UnROBE the symbol of Buddhism as a Monk. Then DL can make a Big LIE to the whole's world.

March 15, 2010 hsiehmingyu@

//Don’t mix religions with politics.//

Er. Tell that to the PRC then. Why did they abduct the true Panchen Lama and put in place a communist-approved replacement?

You people are so bloody (and deliberately) naive!

March 15, 2010 carltanong@

@daniel
You can’t fool everyone by saying you are now living or over staying in China as a living witness. I've traveled a lot to China from the South to the North doing business. My sister was in Beijing studying mandarin. And my uncle and my aunt was living in Taipei. And I know better than you do, not only in R.O.C and P.R.O.C., even in USA. EU, Japan and other developed and developing countries consist of upper class income earners, middle class income earners and lower class income earners and of course even jobless people. It’s not being caused by any system of government. It should depend on oneself through hard work, wisdom and luck. If you are comparing between P.R.O.C and NKOR, then you are so childish and like the Dalai Lama, always speak with a Big Lie.

March 16, 2010 ludahai_twn@

@carltanong -- but of course, it is ok for those pro-KMT Buddhist monks to keep spouting their politics, right? Typical Blue hypocrisy... Love how you cut and run after our last discussion...

March 16, 2010 carltanong@

@ludahai_twn
I didn’t cut and run in our last discussion..... I'm waiting for your response since you stopped our arguments. Besides, I understand your statements are somewhat irresolute without any basis.
Hope you initiate the posting in our discussion there and continue.

Hoping on #6 don’t include your beloved wife as your shield to defend your arguments.
Hoping on #7. Don’t include your 7 grader to prove your point.

Because a man should stand Firm of his own conviction in arguments. How can I suppose to argue against your woman and those little school kids. Because your wife and 7 grader are all innocent.... See you soon in that articles and let’s continue as a MAN. And #6 and #7 suppose to be about CONFUCIUS...

March 16, 2010 hsiehmingyu@

hallelujah ludahai_twn!!

March 22, 2010 evan@

Paragraph two: Tibet, which China says is part of its territory.
This should be modified as follows: Tibet, which is part of Chinese territory.

It is unnecessary to insert "China says", because it is the fact.

April 3, 2010 cloggedwithguts@

To be quite frank, we have to admit that despite Beijing's heavy-handed approach in Tibet, the situation wasn't any better before 1959. Tibet was nothing but a theocracy run by a group of feudal monks.

As for the Dalai Lama, he's nothing but a hypocritical celebrity who exploits the whole "Tibetan Issue" for his personal gain (and fame).

April 6, 2010 paddynair@

Why is China so frightened of such a humble man? It is the moral authority aspect. No tanks can suppress this. They will eventually have to come to terms with the Dalai Lama.

September 21, 2010 reinbridge@

The reason the Chinese Government is driven crazy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is because he represents a form of religion that rather than anesthetizing the masses, awakens them. For such a religion to exist runs contrary to the core of Chinese communist beliefs. Truth cannot, MUST NOT, come from any religion, but only from pre-approved authoritarian sources. Anyone who believes otherwise, is villainized and if possible, punished with the utmost severity.

November 8, 2011 family11111@

You have absolutely no right to accuse anyone of lying. You have no idea what these Tibetans go through every single day!!!!

Dalai Lama: China aims to annihilate Buddhism

The Dalai Lama smiles as he prepares to deliver his annual address from exile in India, marking the 51st anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in Dharamsla, ...

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