Compassion Over Confrontation: Is Tibet’s Exile Government Going Softer on China?

DHARAMSALA, 10 Dec: ”At a time when our world is shrouded in the darkness of conflict, hatred, and fear, the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of peace, rooted in compassion, wisdom, and a profound sense of universal responsibility, has illuminated a viable path toward genuine and lasting peace,” the Kashag (Cabinet) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said in its official statement today at the courtyard of Tsug-lag-Khang, the main temple in Mcleod Ganj, to mark the 36th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and International Human Rights Day.

The Kashag further stated before hundreds of Tibetans and supporters gathered that they “hope that the Government of the People’s Republic of China, driven as it is by hatred, greed, and ignorance in its pursuit of eradicating Tibetan national identity and destroying Tibet’s environment, will soon encounter the companionship of compassion, kindness, and wisdom.”

The Kashag’s statement highlighted 1.2 million Tibetans killed by the Chinese, Beijing’s ongoing genocide and complete eradication of Tibetan nationality, and China’s continued destructive policies in Tibet. Yet despite acknowledging these atrocities, the statement adopted a moral high ground rooted in Buddhist philosophy. Its language calling out China remained vague: “may it [China] cease these destructive policies and turn instead toward a peaceful resolution.”

The tone should at least leave heads scratching, provided the Kashag is an administration and not a clergic office. 

Here’s my question: Can you imagine any other government facing occupation responding this way?

Would Ukraine say: ‘We hope Russia, driven by hatred and greed, will encounter the companionship of compassion’?

Would Palestine say: ‘We hope Israel will gain a sense of right and wrong through understanding’?

Comparatively, the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile’s (TPIE) statement took a somewhat more assertive approach. Even though the Parliament’s statement made no mention of International Human Rights Day in its title and devoted most of its content to honouring the Dalai Lama and his philosophy of non-violence, it did “emphatically appeal to the United Nations Organization to ensure a proper implementation of the provisions of this international law in Tibet by means of exerting pressure as well as providing encouragement to the government of China.”

The Parliament accused China of preventing “any truthful investigation of the real situation” in Tibet and spreading “distorted information about it, devoid of any truth.” 

The dignitaries at the ceremony include an international parliamentary delegation from Fiji, Czech Republic, Republic of Chile, Australia, New Zealand and the President of the CTA Penpa Tsering, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, representatives of the three pillars of the Tibetan democracy as well as members of TPIE and officials of CTA.

Reflecting on the delegates’ private meeting audience with the Dalai Lama minutes before the official function, Hon. Virendra Lal, Member of Parliament, Fiji said, the Dalai Lama spoke about the importance of being a good human being. 

“We have to become a good human being. If you are a Christian, become a good  Christian. If you are a Muslim, become a good Muslim. If you are a Hindu, become a good Hindu, but become a good human being and follow the religion of humanity.” 

He further added that even as the nonagenarian Tibetan Nobel laureate “faces the limitation of age and health, his vocie has remained steady in calling for compassion, the foundation for a peaceful world.”

Hon. Greg Fleming, Member of Parliament, New Zealand, reflected on the promises of the 1814 Māori British treaty and their struggles for indigenous rights, self-determination, and cultural preservation against colonial powers for over 130 years, he said and added that 50 years ago things turned in New Zealand, the tide turned and for the last two and half generations, their language and culture has become even stronger. Today their language and culture now begin to thrive. 

To the Tibetans, he said, “Your light and the great wisdom that guides you will continue to shine and the darkeness  will never overcome it.” 

“Hold to your language, hold to your culture, hold to your faith, and you and your land will prosper forever.” 

Describing herself as someone inspired by the Dalai Lama’s message of compassion, nonviolence and universal responsibility, Hon. Samantha Cazebonne, Member of Parliament, France, said, “My presence is in support of His Holiness and for the Tibetan people. “ I support the peaceful aspiration of the Tibetan people. Your culture, resilience and spiritual strength enrich our shared humanity.”  

The Chilean Parliamentary support group for Tibet read their official statement on the 36th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Dalai Lama, supporting the Dalai Lama’s stand and statement over his reincarnation -entrusting it solely to the Ganden Phodrang trust- calling out “China for its illegal occupation of Tibet” and systematic destruction of Tibetan culture and national identy, human rights abuses, religious freedom, and repression and the Chinese state-run boarding schools and their support for the nonviolent and middle-way approach of the Tibetans to solve the Sino-Tibet conflict. 

“We have a universal responsibility for one another and our beautiful planet which we must fight for together. Australians stood against apartheid in South Africa, and for human rights in Cambodia, and we will continue to support across political parties for the millions of Tibetans living in oppression, unable to speak out or protest the occupation of Tibet without the fear of arrest or torture,” said Hon. Barbara Pocock, Senator, Australia ,assuring the Australian support for the Tibetan people and the movement.