Quote of the day: “We must not take a Western view or standpoint, comment, speculate or call into question any major national project.”

- Translated notes taken from deputy department chief of the propaganda department Li Dongsheng’s speech to Chinese publishing companies (Courtesy RFA)

TIBET

China orders resettlement of thousands of Tibetans - “In a massive campaign that recalls the socialist engineering of an earlier era, the Chinese government has relocated some 250,000 Tibetans - nearly one-tenth of the population - from scattered rural hamlets to new ’socialist villages,’ ordering them to build new housing largely at their own expense and without their consent. The government calls the year-old project the ‘comfortable housing program,’ and its stated aim is to present a more modern face for this ancient region, which China has controlled since 1950…Some Tibetans, including farmers interviewed in the village of Zengshol, say they’re happy to be in better quarters than their primitive, ancestral homes of mud brick. In other villages, Chinese escorts prevented a visiting reporter from speaking with residents.”

Dalai Lama scrubs Belgium trip after Chinese pressure, Tibet activists say - “The Dalai Lama is canceling a planned trip to Belgium this week after China pressured Brussels to bar the exiled leader of Tibet, Tibetan activists said Wednesday. In a statement to be publicly released later Wednesday, the Dalai Lama said he decided not to attend a gathering of Tibetan groups in Brussels on Friday to save Belgium any trouble.” The other report I read said that Belgium had blocked the Dalai Lama’s visa. This seems a bit tamer and less disgusting, but it’s still disgusting that they would ask him not to come in the first place.

The Dalai Lama’s message to the 5th International Conference of Tibet Support Group - “I HAD HOPED that I would be able to join you all at this conference to personally express my gratitude and to share my thoughts on the issue of Tibet, which is of concern to all of us. However, the Belgian Government shared with me their predicament on account of pressure from the People’s Republic of China in connection with the upcoming visit of Belgian trade delegation led by the Crown Prince. At the same time they made it clear that they are a democratic country and if I chose to come I would be welcomed. They further informed me of the continued widespread interest in Tibet in Belgium. Having considered the situation, I have decided not to visit Brussels this time.”

“Free Tibet” Antelope Defects from China’s Olympic Team - “Yingsel, an endangered Tibetan antelope and one of China’s five chosen mascots for the 2008 Olympic Games announced early this morning that she has defected from China’s Olympic team in order to actively campaign for the freedom of her homeland.”Please visit Yingsel2008.org for more information about SFT’s campaign.

ECONOMY

Asian Nations to Pool Foreign Reserves - “The accord highlights moves by an increasingly wealthy Asia to safeguard its future amid bitter memories of the 1997 meltdown, when plunging currencies and austere reforms were followed by slow economic recovery. China, Japan, South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed that a self-managed “pooling arrangement” of the region’s massive reserves would help secure cash in times of need…Today, the region has some $3.1 trillion in reserves — or about 65 percent of the world’s total.”

Iran, China to ink agreement on 10 dam projects - “Deputy Energy Minister Rasoul Zargar said here Saturday that a two-billion-dollar agreement on establishment of a maximum of 10 dams will be signed by Iran and China in two weeks. He told IRNA that foreign investors warmly welcome dam and power station projects, adding that particularly European and Asian countries are keen to invest in Iran.” Well…I don’t know about that, but I’ll take his word for it.

ENVIRONMENT

China plans to divert Brahmaputra waters - “China plans to construct a dam at Yarlung Tsangpo point on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet province to divert 200 billion cubic metres of water annually to the Yellow River threatening a major ecological disaster in Bangladesh within the next few years…Experts and environmentalists fear Bangladesh would turn into a desert in the near future as water flow of Brahmaputra-Jamuna river, which is about 60 per cent of the total water flow, will fall drastically if China builds the dam on the Brahmaputra.”

TRAGEDY

Death toll in southwest China road accident 16: Xinhua - “Quoting authorities in Yunnan Province, Xinhua said a light truck veered off a road following a collision with two other vehicles and ploughed into a crowd of about 60 people waiting for a bus at 8 a.m. on Friday. Fourteen people died on the spot and 45 were injured. Two people died later at hospital and six more are on the hospital’s critical list, the Lincang city government said Saturday.”

Bus accident kills 17 in China - “A bus plunged off a highway in southwestern China Monday, killing 17 people including three children and injuring 24 others, an official news agency reported…China’s roads are among the world’s most dangerous, with one person dying every five minutes in accidents often caused by reckless driving, poor road conditions and overloading of vehicles.”

Death toll in China mine blast rises to 28 - “Rescuers recovered another five bodies trapped by a coal mine blast in northern China, bringing the death toll in the disaster to 28, state media reported on Monday. Another two miners were still missing after the explosion, which ripped through the Pudeng mine in Shanxi, China’s largest coal-producing province, in the latest accident to hit the world’s deadliest mining industry.”

HUMAN RIGHTS

China warns of population rebound as rich avoid controls - “China’s top family planning body has warned that the world’s most populous country could face a ‘population rebound’ because the newly rich are ignoring population control laws and because of early marriages in rural areas, state media said Monday.” I was thinking about population the other day. Is the right to have as many children as you like a fundamental human right? At what point will human population become a major problem for humanity? What if genocide and tragedies like above were necessary to prevent even more massive tragedies? Difficult question.

TAIWAN

Taiwan’s ruling party picks candidate - “A former Taiwanese premier who has pushed for better relations with rival China was the surprise winner Sunday of the first phase of the ruling party’s presidential primary vote. The witty, sharp-tongued Frank Hsieh still needs to win a second round of voting to clinch his bid to be the Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate in next year’s election. But Sunday’s victory nearly guarantees him a place on the ticket…Many believe Hsieh might be more flexible and pragmatic with China than President Chen Shui-bian, who has been unable to forge a breakthrough in relations with Beijing during his eight years in office.”

SOCIETY

China cracks down on spitting, litter - “Beijing has fined more than 50 people for spitting in the past week’s holiday, a report said on Monday, as Beijing steps up a campaign to ‘civilize’ the city before the 2008 Olympics…China also has an official etiquette watchdog, the Spiritual Civilization Steering Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, which aims to curb uncivilized behavior…Among the initiatives, the 11th day of every month is now ‘voluntarily wait in line’ day, designed to stamp out pushing and shoving in favor of orderly queues.” What about all the foreigners who spit? Will they be punished during the Olympics?

RELIGION

China criticizes U.S. report detailing abuses of religious freedom - “Beijing criticized a U.S. advisory panel on Tuesday for taking “potshots” at China’s religious situation, after the committee accused the Chinese government of using imprisonment and torture to curtail religious freedom…China is officially atheist. Christians, Buddhists, Taoists and Muslims are allowed to worship, but only in churches, temples or mosques run by state-monitored groups.”

This morning I woke up at 6:00 to volunteer at His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama’s talk at Smith College.

The hall where he would be speaking was surrounded by local and state policemen, F.B.I., ambulances, bomb squads and bomb-sniffing dogs, and secret service agents. My seat was near the stage, about five rows back and in the front of the large indoor track and field center at Smith, which had about 5,000 seats. The 5,000 seats were for Hampshire and Smith College Students, the Tibetan Association of Western Massachusetts (TAWM), and friends and guests of these groups. There was local media broadcasting the event from a platform behind me, and two large screens to the left and right of the stage to enlarge the stage for the audience farther back. On the stage there were 2 seats on the left, a lectern with two microphones in the center, a larger, plush red chair for His Holiness, and a smaller one to his right for his translator, Dr. Thupten Jinpa-la. Yesterday during rehearsal they had a custom-made chair for the Dalai Lama, but I could not find out why it was switched with the relatively normal one they had today.

The security was tight. At the volunteer entrance there were 6 security guards for one door with a metal-detector. At the main entrance there were at least 25-30 security personnel, and I believe 6 metal-detectors. My job was to usher people to seats. Other volunteers and I were relatively useless. People tend to find seats on their own. When I told people to move closer or move in to the middle of the rows, I generally got somewhat nasty looks, or excuses about why they had to sit where they were. I just told them I was doing my job. Some people obviously made up excuses, i.e. brain damage, claustrophobia, leaving early (in particular, one person was clearly lying when she told me she had work in an hour, so she wanted the end seat to get up, when the program was scheduled to start in an hour and a half).

The program started at about 10:00. When everyone had taken their seat, some piano music started playing. His Holiness walked in, accompanied by the president of Smith College, Carol Christ, the president of Hampshire College, Ralph Hexter, and Thupten Jinpa, the Dalai Lama’s translator and president of the Institute of Tibetan Classics in Montréal, Canada. It was a very silent entrance. His Holiness the Dalai Lama had on the black cap and robes that college students where at graduation, overtop of his usual maroon and yellow monks robes. The audience stood up and welcomed him, some with clapping, some with folded hands, and some Tibetans, with access to the aisles, with full traditional respects. He had a small microphone around his ear, and when everyone sat down he started giggling. The audience laughed with him.

The Dalai Lama speaks at Smith College May 9 (Courtesy AP, Boston Herald)

There were several speeches. Both college presidents gave small speeches praising the Dalai Lama and the Buddhist studies program that our universities have in conjunction with Tibetan Institutes in India. Thondup Tsering, head of the TAWM, gave the best speech. He expressed his gratitude for the Dalai Lama’s emphasis on education for Tibetan exile community, for coming to Western Mass., and for his work preserving Tibetan culture and Tibet itself. Smith College gave an honorary degree and an undisclosed donation to the Dalai Lama, and Hampshire College gave a citation (they don’t have honorary degrees) and an ambulance bicycle, made by a former Hampshire student. The Smith College chorus also sang, and there were two fantastic Tibetan dances from TAWM students and other members. The whole time His Holiness, much to the audience’s delight, acted very human. He was fanning himself with his hat, scratching his nose, and so on.

Then, finally, His Holiness got up to speak. He thanked everyone. Unfortunately, I was in too much awe to have full remembrance of his speech, but I will try to write to the best of my abilities. He said he was grateful for the acknowledgement that the colleges gave for his “small contribution to the welfare of humanity and the upliftment of all beings” and made a joke about how easy it was for him to get a degree without even studying.

Receiving Smith College’s honorary degree

He talked about the importance of education and right education. He said it was important to learn but knowledge can be used for destructive purposes, and we must develop kindness and compassion so that knowledge can be used to uplift humanity. “Education gives us guidance,” he said, but it is not only education, and wealth, and success that bring happiness, there must also be loving-kindness. The Dalai Lama said that one way to look at compassion was to examine mothers of newborn children and see the love they have. If you could take that love and compassion and spread it over a lifetime, His Holiness asserted that it might just lead to true happiness. He also said that anger, hatred, and jealousy destroy the peace of the mind, and he thinks it is very important to have a calm mind. He made three main points, I think the first being that of education, the second compassion, and the third was about his moral responsibility to the Tibetan people. He did not make any political references, just stated that it was important to preserve the culture and the “precious environment” of Tibet, and continue education. He also stated that while he was in semi-retirement now (as of setting up the Tibetan Government in Exile, I think he was referring to), in a few years, he will retire completely.

Throughout the speech he spoke fairly good English, with occasional help from his translator. His Holiness was always with a smile, some humor, and humbleness, and overall it was very impressive. He was not reading from any sort of script. He received a standing ovation at the end for several minutes as he returned to his seat.

After his speech there were some questions that his translator had for him, I guess submitted from students, although I do not recall getting any notice about that. Most of the students I talked to liked his question and answer session better than his speech. It was much more personal, humorous, and frank.

The first question was about how to reconcile his view of inter-faith unity and the possibility of multiple truths with the view that some religions take where there is only one truth or one way to God, and specifically Christianity was mentioned. This seemed like a tough question, but he handled it very well. He said that for different illnesses, there are different medicines, different cures, and not one that will cure all of them. In the same way, different people have different “mental dispositions” for which they need different understandings. Some people have a very strong faith in a creator God, and he said that if that attitude would develop compassion and happiness in that person, then that was the best religion for them. He said that he Christian friends who told him he was a good Christian, and Muslim friends who told him he was a good Muslim. His translator suggested to him that they could have just been flattering him, and he laughed. (I think this may have actually been during the speech). He added that humans need diversity in food for the physical body – and they might very well need diversity as well for the mind.

Another question was about successes combining modern science with Buddhism. His view is generally that if something in modern science can explain something better than older Buddhist scriptures can, then they should go with science. He told an interesting story from his youth in Tibet. When he was little he had a telescope that he often used to look at the moon. In some Buddhist scriptures, it says that the moon gives off its own light. He had observed how light shifts during the day from one side of the world to the other, and also how the craters in the moon would look different depending on where the moon was. He surmised that the craters were shadows from mountains, and so the light must be coming from the sun and reflecting off the moon. He showed his teachers who saw it too and agreed that he was right. He said that it was “one instance where the stupid student had the right answers instead of the teacher.” Actually, it is quite brilliant and remarkable that a young student would make that kind of observation.

A third question was about how to solve some of the world’s big problems, such as global warming, economic inequality, and wars. His Holiness answered “How to solve these problems? The truth is, I don’t know.” Everyone laughed along with him, and then clapped. He then said that he wanted to add one more problem to the list, which was population. He said that the population should stay between six and seven billion or it will become a problem in the future. He said to continue educating, and making sure the education also taught compassion and kindness, and then the problems might go away. He also said that when solving the gap between rich and poor, it shouldn’t be that the rich live poorer, but the poor should live more like the rich.

The fourth question was “What advice would you give to a young couple raising a child?” His answer was “I’m the wrong person to ask,” and he laughed. He said that if he was allowed to marry, and then have children, then maybe he would have something to say. That was followed by an answer about the importance of parenting. He said that the most important thing was for especially the mother to give “maximum affection” for the child growing up. He said he also liked for a little harsh treatment by the parents sometimes to “manipulate the fear” of a child to do the right thing. He told us a story about his teachers. While most of the time his teachers were very respectful, “because I had the name Dalai Lama,” he joked, they had two whips, one for his brother, and one for him. His was a yellow one, and his teachers called it the “holy whip” for the holy child. He suggested that they had used it on him to cause “holy pain,” but it was not holy at all, and it hurt just like any other pain.

The last question I can remember was “What is the most important thing to have in mind in life?” His Holiness the Dalai Lama answered again, to laughs, “I don’t know!” He said that it was “a typical Western question” and “way of thinking” to say “What is the most? The best?” and in some cases, “What is the cheapest?” His real answer was that at different times there are different “bests,” for example, if you are a businessman, then you want to make the most at the cheapest cost, and if you are a student, then you want to “get the best marks with the least work.” For each person and each situation there are different “best” things to have in mind and be focused on. Everything should be done with a calm mind, however.

After the questions were done, there was another standing ovation, and there were the presentations of gifts from the Smith student body president and my friend Yangzom, a Tibetan international student from Hampshire. He exited the room with his humble and humbling bows and folded hands to different directions of the room.

Yangzom presents the Hampshire College gift (Courtesy The Boston Globe)

I think everyone feels very lucky and blessed to have sat in his presence today and heard his wisdom. It’s easy to read about him and see pictures and such and wonder about what kind of person he really is – I can say that there is much more to him than can be described by words. He really seems to appreciate every single thing. His smile is not false; it is full of a lifetime of compassion for all beings. He has an undisputable radiance about him; you can’t help but smile in his presence, and feel enamored by him. Whether he is a living Buddha or not, he is definitely a type of man that is rare to find in the history of this world. I have eternal gratitude for everyone who set this visit up, and especially His Holiness for coming. Thank you!

After his speech:

The Dalai Lama exits a hall at Smith College (Courtesy Dawa Yangzom)

Child in awe of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Courtesy Dawa Yangzom)

There were apparently be an archived version of the webcast available of the event online tomorrow at Smith College’s website.

Today I was blessed and fortunate enough to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he arrived at his hotel nearby my school. Tomorrow morning I will get up early to volunteer at his talk and I will once again be blessed and fortunate enough to see him for a teaching.

Quote of the day: “It is outrageous that China is using the very symbol of international unity and brotherhood to further grind down the Tibetans and the Taiwanese who simply want to live their lives without interference from Beijing.”

- Representative Tom Lantos to Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte on the “genocide Olympics”

DALAI LAMA

Apple tossed at Dalai Lama during S.F. visit - “The San Francisco Police Department reported that it took a man into custody after he lobbed an apple at the Tibetan Buddhist leader during his appearance, at which he spoke on ‘creating positive change.’”

PIRACY

EU, Mexico seek to join WTO talks over product piracy in China - “Mexico also is requesting to join the dispute as a so-called ‘third party,’ the WTO said.” Good. Canada, Japan, EU, Mexico + United States makes a pretty good case.

EXPORTS

Chinese firm dodged inspection of pet food, U.S. says - “A Chinese company accused of selling contaminated wheat gluten to pet food suppliers in the United States failed to disclose to China’s export authorities that it was shipping food or feed to the United States, thereby avoiding having its goods inspected, according to U.S. regulators. Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development, one of two Chinese companies at the center of the massive pet food recall after thousands of animals were killed and sickened, had shipped more than 700 tons of wheat gluten labeled as “nonfood” products earlier this year through a third party, a Chinese textile company.”

TAIWAN

Taiwan restores ties with St Lucia, angers China - “Taiwan announced Tuesday that it had re-established relations with the Caribbean state of St Lucia in a diplomatic victory which immediately drew anger from rival China…’We can form a constructive partnership with St Lucia and we welcome China continuing to be St Lucia’s partner. We hope for a win-win situation for all and we do not mean to engage in zero-sum games with China,’ he said… Liu urged St Lucia to rethink the decision or ‘be responsible for the consequences incurred.’” Hu Jintao: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooo ANYTHING BUT ST. LUCIA! NOOOOOOOOOO!!! Good will to St. Lucia.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

U.S. House members blast China - “U.S. Congress members rebuked China on a range of issues, criticizing Beijing’s test of an anti-satellite weapon, its military buildup, its policy of forced abortion, its support of ruthless regimes, and its repatriation of North Korean refugees in violation of international law.” It’s amazing when you think how many crimes the Chinese government has committed. I guess they didn’t have enough time for Taiwan issue, Tibet issue, Uighur issue, political jailings, piracy, unfair trade practices, spying, censorship, environmental policy…Doesn’t anybody see?

TIBET

Liechtenstein Parliament passes Tibet resolution - “During a three-day session that concluded on Friday, 27 April, the Liechtenstein Parliament adopted a resolution on Tibet, despite the Chinese government’s solemn representation…It further urges the ‘Government of People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama to resume and continue the dialogue despite their differences on certain substantive issues without preconditions and in a forward-looking manner that allows for pragmatic solutions which is in accord with wishes of the People’s Republic of China’s territorial integrity and takes into account the aspirations of Tibetan people.’”

Quote of the day: “Chinese people are not programmed robots. They actually form their own opinions, and they don’t believe they are stupid. It is not enough to learn the language; you must listen to their perspective and respect them as fully formed human beings who believe it sincerely. If all you do is harass them about being genocidal maniacs and mindless Communist zombies, they won’t listen to it. Because you’re being a jerk, and they don’t deserve personal blame for the actions of their government.”

- Chinese blogger Mutant Palm, on how to engage Chinese people in the Tibetan cause

OLYMPICS

China expels 5 American protesters - “China said Friday it has expelled five Americans who staged a protest against the Olympics on Mount Everest to challenge Chinese rule over the mountainous region.”

Tibet Olympic protesters “intimidated” in detention - “Five Americans detained and deported by China for demonstrating for a free Tibet and protesting against the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the base of Mount Everest said on Saturday they feared for their safety while in custody…The Americans, who arrived in the Nepali capital late on Friday after being detained by the Chinese for more than two days, said the guards detained them in freezing conditions, initially without food or drink…’It was a perfect, crazy Chinese interrogation,’ said Tenzin Dorjee, the Tibetan American.’They asked us ‘who did you talk to in Tibet, where did you stay and eat’, basically they were trying to find out the local Tibetans who came in touch with us,’ Dorjee, wearing a Tibetan prayer scarf, said.” Perfect, crazy Chinese interrogation? What a quote. These guys are real heroes.

China Reveals Olympic Route; Taiwan Objects -”Taiwan wanted the torch to enter and depart via nations other than China. China would like Taiwan to be part of the domestic route.”

Games ‘catalyst for China abuses’ - “China is using the 2008 Olympic Games as a catalyst for suppressing dissent in the name of stability, Amnesty International has said.” So…all the human rights groups are picking up on SFT’s work linking the Olympics with Human Rights. They better pay us back with some Tibet activists in Beijing…

ACTIVISM

China releases Mass.-based activist - “A U.S.-based Chinese activist has been released after serving a five-year prison term on charges of spying for rival Taiwan and entering China illegally, his lawyer said Saturday. ..The U.S. government had appealed to Beijing to free Yang Jianli, who was detained in 2002 while traveling around China meeting with activists and laid-off workers..Yang founded the Foundation for China in the 21st Century, which advocates political change in China. Communist authorities view such groups as threats to their monopoly on power. The espionage charges appear to stem from four $100 grants given to student researchers. Chinese prosecutors alleged the grants were funded by someone in Taiwan’s government. The island split with China in 1949 and the two spy actively on each other…They said Yang was forced to do so because he was banned from China after participating in the 1989 pro-democracy protests centered on Tiananmen Square.”

LABOR

China miners risk deadly disease - “An average of 17 miners are killed in mining accidents each day, the official People’s Daily newspaper reports. Independent labour groups believe the death toll is much higher…He also said that 621 of the pneumoconiosis cases reported last year involved workers under the age of 18.” WHY ARE THERE STILL KIDS UNDER 18 WORKING IN COAL MINES?

FOREIGN RELATIONS

China Names New Foreign Minister - “China named a new foreign minister Friday, picking a polished diplomatic operator with fluent English and broad experience in dealing with the United States. The ascension of Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, 57, to replace Li Zhaoxing as China’s top diplomat was considered unlikely to bring major foreign policy changes. Important foreign affairs decisions traditionally have been taken in senior ranks of the Chinese Communist Party; the foreign minister is assigned to carry them out…His elevation was viewed as a sign of Hu’s emphasis on keeping ties with the United States as friendly as possible.”

Quote of the day: “The child you mentioned is growing up like other teenagers and enjoys free life like other children in China.”

- Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao, when asked to comment on the whereabouts of Gendun Choekyi Nyima

TIBET

China criticizes foreign lawbreakers after ‘free Tibet’ protest - “Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said, ‘Whichever foreign citizen comes to China, it is their duty and responsibility to abide by Chinese laws. They certainly should not engage in activities that harm another country’s sovereignty and unity.’” Only because native citizens can’t…see the two posts below this for more coverage of SFT’s activists.

Tibet’s Panchen Lama turns 18 in custody - “The Dalai Lama’s choice as Tibet’s second most important spiritual figure turns 18 on Tuesday after almost 13 years in Chinese custody amid signs of worsening repression, a rights group said.” Yesterday we wished him happy birthday at the nearby library with some cakes, a petition, and information about him.

Chinese, atheists denounce plan to fly Tibetan flag for Dalai Lama - “China’s ruling Communist Party and the largest atheist group in the United States are criticizing a plan to honor the Dalai Lama by flying the Tibetan flag over City Hall during his visit next week to the Wisconsin capital.” Oh, give it a break. The Tibetan flag is not a religious flag. It has no relation to Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai Lama is a widely recognized Human Rights activist and an important figure in the world. He has received the Nobel Peace Prize and he is also being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor this year. Let them fly the flag for a few days as a show of support.

Chinese scholars accuse Dalai Lama of “sowing seeds of violence” - *STATE MEDIA PROPAGANDA WATCH* “Song Guoyou, a Ph.D student with the International Affairs Studies Institute in Shanghai, said the Dalai Lama’s criticism of the railway was based on incomplete statistics that show that many Chinese from other parts of China ride the railway to Tibet and stay there… According to Di, ‘non-violence’ and ‘dialogue’ are tricks the Dalai Lama uses to deceive the international community. ‘Does the image of a benevolent monk preaching tolerance and compassion tally with the reality?’ questioned Di.” Non-violence and dialogue are tricks? In answer to Di’s question, yes, actually, it does tally with reality. People’s Daily Online is really going after H.H. the past few days.

Tibet policies enrich region’s development - *STATE MEDIA PROPAGANDA WATCH* The Dalai Lama named himself ‘the spokesperson of all 6 million Tibetan people’ and peddled his idea of ‘greater autonomy’ in Tibet and the Tibetan habitats in provinces neighboring the Tibet Autonomous Region. The Dalai Lama is playing with words by adding the modifier ‘greater’ to ‘autonomy’ in an attempt to mislead people. It is actually another word for ‘Tibet independence’ sought by the Dalai Lama over the last decades.”

TAIWAN

Taiwan says it would win war with China - “A computer simulation projected that China could land forces on rival Taiwan, but they would be repulsed after two weeks of fierce fighting and harsh losses to both sides, Taiwan‘s military said Tuesday.” I wonder what happens if they take into account U.S. support…

HUMAN RIGHTS

China’s Rapid Growth Threatens Minorities - “China’s rapid growth is not only marginalizing the minority groups but it is also not benefiting them and also threatening their indigenous cultures and languages, according to a new report published by the Minority Rights Group International and Human Rights in China. The report also said that the main ethnic minority groups, the Uighurs, Mongols and Tibetans are not benefiting from China’s booming economic growth and in places where they are seeing development, the impact is often damaging.”

TRAGEDY

Oil Brings Price In Blood For China - “A 37-member Chinese oil exploration team guarded by more than 100 Ethiopian soldiers at a site near the Somali border was attacked in the early morning Tuesday by more than 200 ethnic Somali rebels armed with heavy weapons. Intense fighting lasting for nearly an hour claimed the lives of 74, including nine Chinese workers. The rebels also kidnapped seven Chinese workers. One Chinese worker was found missing.”

Bodies of 11 trapped miners recovered in China - “Rescuers have recovered the bodies of 11 miners trapped in a state-run coal mine in north China when a burst of gas and rubble on Friday blocked the way out, Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday…Rescuers were still searching for the eight miners missing in another accident, also in Handan, which killed nine others on Thursday, the agency said…In neighbouring Henan province, 33 coal miners were feared dead after a gas blast last week left the Wangzhuang mine ‘a sea of fire’.”

Smoking May Kill One-Third of China’s Middle-Aged Men by 2030 - “Tobacco-related diseases may kill a third of middle-aged men by 2030 in China, where smoking habits resemble those of America in the 1950s, researchers found.”

ENVIRONMENT

China Passing U.S. as No. 1 Polluter - “China will pass the United States as the world’s biggest source of greenhouse gases this year, an official with the International Energy Agency said…China is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol on reducing greenhouse gasses, but is exempt from its restrictions because it is a developing country.”

China delays climate change plan indefinitely - “China has delayed indefinitely its national “action plan” on climate change, which was due to be released on Monday after exhaustive consultations among ministries in Beijing and provincial and local governments. No explanation was given for the move, although global warming is causing increasing international concern about the country’s high-speed economic growth model.”

PIRACY

Canada asks to join WTO talks on China piracy - “Canada has asked to join a U.S. challenge of Chinese piracy and counterfeiting as a third party in World Trade Organization consultations, Trade Minister David Emerson said on Wednesday… He said Japan would also likely join the case but was not sure if the European Union would.” Yes, Canada, yes you can. I give you permission.

DEMOCRACY

China vows government transparency, within limits - “China unveiled rules on Tuesday promising to expose its secretive government to greater transparency in an effort to fight graft and misrule — but within strict limits. The regulations, signed by Premier Wen Jiabao, will empower citizens to demand information about government finances and economic plans, statistics, land development, environmental regulations and many other policies. But in a sign that the ruling Communist Party does not want a free-for-all, the rules offer a broad opt-out for officials, saying that information released ’should not harm state security, economic security or social stability.’” So…if a trees falls down in the middle of the forest, and nobody is there to hear it…

JAPAN

China is Japan’s biggest trade partner in 2006 - “CHINA replaced the United States as Japan’s biggest trading partner in fiscal year of 2006, Japanese Finance Ministry has said. The total trade value between the Japan and China rose to 25.43 trillion yen (US$214.62 billion) for the year through March, up 9.6 percent from the previous fiscal year, according to Finance Ministry figures.”

CENSORSHIP

MySpace launched in China - “MySpace announced its launch in China Thursday, following months of speculation about the Rupert Murdoch-controlled social networking site’s plans for the nation’s 137 million Internet users.” Check it out at MySpace.cn. It seems that you have access to the entire contents of MySpace Int’l…try looking up Tibet in the search engine.

The Olympic torch route through Taiwan and Tibet was approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today:

The head of Taiwan’s Olympic Committee, however, said it would not participate in the relay, because it “downgraded” the island’s sovereignty. At a Beijing ceremony attended by senior members of China’s ruling Communist Party and the International Olympic Committee, organizers said the route would cover 85,000 miles, last 130 days and reach Mount Everest. “It will be a relay that will cover the longest distance and be most inclusive and involve the most people in Olympic history,” said Liu Qi, the head of Beijing’s Olympic organizing committee. The relay is the latest grand plan associated with an Olympics that organizers and IOC officials have said should set a new standard for the games. But it also takes the games into politically tricky terrain. Stops in Taiwan and Tibet, where Mount Everest towers, have generated controversy ever since Beijing telegraphed its intentions to include them on the route years ago. Taiwan has resisted Beijing’s overtures—and sometimes threats—to unify after splitting amid civil war while China’s often harsh 57-year rule over Tibet has been widely criticized. Four American activists were detained by Chinese authorities Wednesday on Mount Everest after they unfurled a banner calling for Tibet’s independence. “Organizers for the 2008 Beijing Olympics announced Thursday what will be the longest torch relay in the history of the games, tracing a route that covers five continents and makes politically sensitive stops in Taiwan and Tibet. “

From SFT HQ:

“More than twenty four hours after they were detained at Mt. Everest base camp for an unprecedented protest against the Beijing 2008 Olympics, four American Tibet activists remain missing. One American eyewitness to the protest has arrived safely in Nepal. Tenzin Dorjee, the first known exile Tibetan to stage a protest inside Tibet, was detained along with Kirsten Westby and Laurel Mac Sutherlin for unfurling a banner, which read “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008.” Shannon Service, who was videotaping the action, was also detained.

“We call on the Chinese government to immediately release Tenzin Dorjee, Kirsten Westby, Laurel Mac Sutherlin and Shannon Service. If Beijing wants to deserve the honor of hosting the Olympic Games, it must play by the rules of the international community, that includes tolerance of free speech and expression,” said Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet from Kathmandu. “We also call on the IOC, and Jacques Rogge specifically, to stop denying their obvious involvement in the politics of China and use their leverage to pressure the Chinese authorities to release the activists.”

The activists were last heard from soon after being detained by Mt Everest security and before being handed over to Chinese police. It has now been over twenty four hours since they have been able to make contact. The Chinese government has so far denied the US government officials access to or information on the detainees. A Xinhua statement issued this morning said “Authorities of Tibet said it was a serious incident in which foreigners seriously violated Chinese laws and were engaged in an activity not in line with their status when entering China.”

The protest coincided with a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Beijing to discuss the planned route of the Olympic torch relay and a trial Olympic torch ascent of Everest by a Chinese mountaineering team. The IOC is expected to approve of China’s planned torch route in a press conference today. Tibetans see the proposal to run the torch through Tibet as a political move by China aimed at gaining international endorsement for its control over the region.”

The protest is getting a lot of attention from media(475 articles at this time, probably more). I am conflicted between hoping that Tenzin Dorjee and the others are safe, getting food, water, not being tortured, and getting out as soon as possible, and hoping that they are detained for longer so that the press builds up around the issue and their action is made valuable a hundred-fold.

Tibetan-American Amongst those Detained in High Altitude Protest

Kathmandu – Three Tibetan independence activists, including one Tibetan-American, were detained by Chinese authorities today after demonstrating and unfurling a banner reading “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008” in English, and “Free Tibet” written in Tibetan and Chinese, at Mount Everest’s main base camp in Tibet.

The protest was held on the eve of the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the final Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay route and as a Chinese team of climbers prepared a trial ascent of the mountain. If approved, China will take the torch over Mount Everest and through Tibet, a move that Tibetans and their supporters decry as offering international approval to China’s brutal occupation of Tibet.

…

According to an eyewitness report, Chinese authorities detained the three activists, including Tenzin Dorjee, a Tibetan-American, who was wearing a t-shirt that read “No Torch through Tibet.” Prior to his detention, he lit a symbolic torch of Tibetan freedom and sang the Tibetan National Anthem. Tenzin Dorjee is the first known exiled Tibetan to stage a protest inside Tibet. At least one other American has also been detained in conjunction with the protest.

Read the full report here.

We hope Tenzin Dorjee is safe. Some of you know him, like myself. We are very excited about this.

Here is a video that SFTHQ has released of Tenzin Dorjee speaking while holding the banner:

A few days ago I said I would have a post on justifying the ends with the means. I made a quick reference to what might happen when the Dalai Lama passes away, particularly if it was the result of an assassination. I would like to talk about this for a moment. The following verses are from the Kate Crosby and Andrew Skilton’s translation of Śāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra. This text is one of the most influential texts in Mahāyāna Buddhism, and is often quoted by H.H. Dalai Lama. It is definitely a recommended read if you have any interest in Buddhism.

These verses are from the 6th chapter on the Perfection of Patience (Forbearance in this translation). Patience is the anti-dote to anger and hatred. It is from this chapter that the philosophy of loving your enemies arises from, referenced frequently in the Tibet movement.

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104. If one thing does not exist without another, and does exist when that also exists, then that other thing is really its cause. How can that be called an obstacle?

105. After all, a person in need who turns up at a suitable time is not a hindrance to generosity, nor can it be called a hindrance to going forth when one meets someone who has gone forth!

106. Beggars are easy to find in this world but those who will cause harm are not, because, if I do no wrong, no one wrongs me.

107. Therefore, since he helps me on the path to Awakening, I should long for an enemy like a treasure discovered in the home, acquired without effort.

108. Both he and I, therefore, receive the reward of this forbearance. It should be given to him first, since the forbearance was first occasioned by him.

109. If an enemy deserves no honour, because he did not intend you to achieve forbearance, then why is the True Dharma honoured? It too is the unconscious cause of achievement.

110. If an enemy is not honoured because his intention is to hurt, for what other reason will I be patient with him, as with a doctor who is intent on my well-being?

111. In that case, it is really dependence upon his malign intention that forbearance is produced, and in that case it is really he that is the cause of my forbearance. I must worship as the True Dharma.

…

114. The greatness of the intent comes not from itself but rather from its effect…

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Śāntideva’s basic argument here is that the perfection of patience can only arise when anger exists, and because an enemy brings these feelings and allows one to overcome them, the enemy should be worshiped as a way to enlightenment. The enemy’s intention does not matter, only the ultimate end.

He uses two examples to prove his point, one being the lack of good intention in the True Dharma (Buddhism), and the other being the respect we have for a doctor’s work rather than intention.

The problem is that both of these examples are flawed using his own logic, and thus leave his point unproven and probably untrue. The idea of intentions having no importance besides their result can also have drastic effects on activity in the world.

The second example of the doctor is easier to break down. First, we do indeed respect doctors for their good intentions. A doctor without intentions for our well-being would be a doctor nobody would visit, and if nobody visits that doctor, then they aren’t really a doctor. Our respect is only increased when that doctor’s good intentions manifest into healing or some other process. Plus, we can imagine a doctor who has malicious intents to show the importance of intent. A doctor with malicious intents could easily bring great harm to someone. Once we have entrusted our bodies to them, they could surely kill us, poison, inflict more damage, charge ridiculous prices, and so on. The whole purpose of intent is that it motivates into action. Good intent leads to good action, and vice versa.

His first example with the True Dharma can be shown as flawed using verse 104, which says “If one thing does not exist without another, and does exist when that also exists, then that other thing is really its cause. How can that be called an obstacle?” Let us use the True Dharma with this quotation. The True Dharma does not exist without achievement (spiritual attainment), and does exist only with attainment. That means that attainment is really the cause of the True Dharma. Where did this attainment come from? The original attainment was that of Śakyamuni Buddha, who aspired to this attainment through his intention to uplift suffering. The attainment would not exist without the positive intention, and vice versa, therefore - yup - it is positive intention that causes True Dharma, and therefore when we worship it, we worship also it’s pure intentions.

So now we see that in both of Śāntideva’s examples, there is certainly a difference between a positive intention and a negative one. Does that mean that loving your enemy is flawed? I would say yes. If we do believe we should, we would be forced to throw away things like the Tibet freedom movement, fighting Human Rights violations in China, and even simply any wish that those subject to great suffering should be uplifted. The fact remains that tragedies do not occur to create heroes, and occupation does not exist to create a freedom fight. If the Dalai Lama agrees with Śāntideva, then he would probably have to support his own assassination. I cannot support that, however, if even Śāntideva himself could not make a proper argument for it.

Quote of the day: “Oh, that is wrong! Tibetan freedom is very much linked with the Tibetan Buddhism. Without Tibetan freedom, the Tibetan Buddhism cannot survive.”

- H.H. Dalai Lama, on Western Buddhists apathetic regard for the Tibet conflict

HUMAN RIGHTS

Yahoo sued for informing China on dissidents - “A human-rights group sued Yahoo Wednesday on grounds the U.S. search company assisted China’s communist government with torture by revealing information that led to the arrest of dissidents…The lawsuit cites federal laws that govern torture and other violations of international law. Plaintiffs included jailed dissident Wang Xiaoning and his wife, Yu Ling, who was visiting San Francisco this week as part of the group’s campaign.”

China sentences Canadian activist to life in prison - A Canadian human rights campaigner jailed in China after allegations that he was linked to terrorism was sentenced to life in prison…Celil, a member of the Uighur minority group from the western Xinjiang region, was born and raised in China and drew the attention of authorities by campaigning for the rights of his people. He was arrested in China and tortured, but escaped from prison in 2000 and fled to Uzbekistan and Turkey before reaching Canada, where he was given citizenship…His extradition has been a point of contention between Canada and China, which does not recognize Celil’s Canadian citizenship and says his case is not subject to consular agreements.”

DEMOCRACY

In China, Talk of Democracy Is Simply That - “Communist Party journals and the state-run news media have published a stream of commentaries by retired officials and academics on ‘political system reform’ and the need for ’socialist democracy,’ including a bold-sounding call for China to mimic Switzerland’s worker-friendly democratic governing style…China is not embracing Western-style democracy, even in theory. But by permitting a relatively open round of political discussion, President Hu Jintao and other top leaders have sought to cast themselves publicly as progressives who are open-minded about ways to improve government practices and reduce corruption, party officials and political experts say.” Interesting article. The fact that talking about democracy is a way of gaining support from the party means that obviously democracy is something many of these officials would like to see.

CENSORSHIP

Cartoon police to ‘patrol’ all Web sites in China - China plans to expand its use of animated police figures into a virtual force symbolizing the government’s monitoring of all major Web sites and online forums…The government believes the floating images of male and female police officers have proved successful during trials in the southern city of Shenzhen…Web sites in Shenzhen have been patrolled since last year by the uniformed Jingjing and Chacha, two smiling male and female cartoon figures who float astride surfboard-like keyboards. Thousands of technicians, censors, chatroom monitors and real police help to maintain control of the Internet in China.” These are disgusting psychological games that the government plays. Portraying censorship in a humorous, and innocent fashion is inappropriate given the seriousness of the action.

There are rumors on the street that Myspace.cn will be launching this Thursday with a press conference…see our first post on Myspace.cn and censorship.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

China and Pakistan sign 13 agreements on cooperation - “China and Pakistan on Tuesday signed 13 agreements on cooperation in fields such as space, telecommunications, education and legal assistance, vowing to raise the strategic partnership ‘to a new level.’” This certainly has something to do with India, and Tibet.

China, Russia, South Africa oppose UN sanctions on Sudan - “China, Russia and South Africa on Wednesday voiced opposition to US and British plans to push for UN sanctions against Sudan at a time when Khartoum is cooperating with the United Nations on Darfur.”

PIRACY

EU: Europe could file complaint on China - “Europe could join the U.S. in filing a World Trade Organization complaint about China’s patchy record on tackling intellectual property piracy unless Beijing takes more action, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said Wednesday.”

ENVIRONMENT

Beijing plans big umbrella for athletes during Olympics - “Beijing will use aircraft, missiles and cannon in what could amount to a massive umbrella over the city to keep athletes dry during next year’s Olympics…No details were released on exactly how the plan will work but artificial rain is normally created by seeding clouds with chemicals such as silver iodide spread by rockets and planes. China claims a successful record of influencing the weather by artificial means. Earlier this year official media reported that snowfalls had been artificially generated by cloud seeding in the north of the country. This week the media reported that China had successfully created artificial snowfalls in the mountainous region of Tibet, raising hopes of a man-made solution to drought and melting glaciers there.” Well…that’s one way to go about it. Generally the other method would be to make the stadiums with roofs, and sell umbrellas and raincoats.

China: Yangtze Is Irreversibly Polluted - “China’s massive Yangtze river, a lifeline for tens of millions of people, is seriously polluted and the damage is almost irreversible…The Yangtze accounts for 35 percent of China’s total fresh water resources, the report said.”

TRAGEDY

China bus crash kills 24 - “A bus plunged 20 meters (65 feet) off a highway overpass in southwest China on Monday killing 24 people, state media said, the day the country launched a week-long road safety campaign…A pile-up of 52 vehicles, mostly trucks, killed five people and injured 36 on a Chongqing highway on April 13.” I see a lot of these types of stories every day. I’m going to report them more frequently now to give some perspective on the tragedies that befall America and other places more familiar to us.