I heard the Dalai Lama speak at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool a few years back and was impressed by his loving and gentle call for peace and reconciliation. We have to remember that this man has been exiled from his own country for nearly 50 years. Recent documentaries have reminded us of the situation in Tibet. I wonder if I might interest you in signing a petition to encourage the prime minister to meet with the Dalai lama in May. The petition has been signed by over 5,000 people - perhaps this quotation might encourage you...
"For once there is good news for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet.
Since 1959 world leaders have not met with His Holiness publicly because the Chinese Government makes scary threatening phone calls and warns the country concerned that they consider meeting H.H. 'interference in Chinese domestic affair' and that HH is a 'dangerous splittist, terrorist, separatist etc' And for years every country in the world has been scared and done as China demands in order to safeguard their relations and economic interests.
But this year, in the run up to the Olympics, some world Governments have said 'Actually no - HH is talking about non-violence, peace, human rights and reconciliation and we think it's time you listened to him.'
The German Chancellor met him publicly, then Australia and Austria, then the US gave him the Congressional Gold Medal (for more info on this and for links to watch his acceptance speech see the latest blog onwww.isabellosada.com) Canada is expected to be next.
Britain, of course, lags behind. To our shame, Blair refused to meet the Dalai Lama in 2004 and instead rolled out the red carpet, literally, forthe Chinese visit. Gordon Brown now has an opportunity to show that he has more guts. Next year, His Holiness will visit Britain again. It is time that the UK joined those countries showing support for His Holiness. Obviously it is in China's best interests to allow The Dalai Lama back into Tibet and to grant Tibet genuine autonomy."
Isabel Losada, author of 'For Tibet,With Love' and 'A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World'
Please sign the petition to the Prime Minister to make an official announcement that he will meet with the Dalai Lama when he visits the UK in May 2008. - on the No 10 petition page.
Those of you on facebook there is a group (of the same name) that you can join to show your support. The quotation here was taken from this group.
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3 comments:
You are making your judgement based on one-side story.
Dalai Lama is not ONLY a spritual leader, he is a politician.
Tibet has been part of China for centuries, I am not sure if you have ever taken History lesson or not. But it seems you never studied Chinese History before you made your judgement. The condition in Tibet was far worst in Dalai Lama's time than what it is today. If you truly want to find out what is the situation, then stop reading what you've been told to read, buy an airticket and go visit Tibet yourself. See the place with your own eyes and make up your own judgement.
Chinese government is not denying Dalai, as long as he remains to be a spritual leader not an politican. So stop accusing China for what you biased told by the western media.
YOU DON'T KNOW the true story of Tibet
unless you are prepared to share you name I am afraid I will have to delete your comments. Please post a name. It also might be helpful to share some evidence of your views...thanks
despite the comment above being annoyingly anonymous and unpleasantly aggressive I have decided to leave it here so anyone reading this can decide for themselves what they think about these comments. Also, do take their advice and look at other sites and see what you think about the situation. I just want to point out one thing though - The Dalai Lama has ALWAYS been a political as well as a spiritual role. It isn't just this Dalai that has taken this approach. Traditionally the Dalai takes on this dual responsibility. These roles have never been separated so why should this change now. The reason he is exiled is because he is the Dalai and as such represents Tibetan people as both political and spiritual leader whether Tibet is a Chinese province or not.
Also, I have made no judgment about conditions in Tibet 50 years ago compared with today. That was not my point. I was simply making the point that it is absurd that our PM doesn't meet with him. As Gordon Brown is my PM and it is my democratic right to protest and petition him to act I have done so. I guess it is his right to ignore these requests...xxx
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