MASQUERADER

Dalai Lama sans dilemma

Anoop Kohli, 09 February 2010, 09:04 AM IST

There is tremendous opportunity for the US to tap in the coming meeting of two Nobel peace laureates. One, in exile, but quietly preserving a rare philosophy that gives another dimension to life. The other, a historic first black US president, with African, Islamic and Catholic roots, trying to negotiate a swift end to a war he inherited, but also the first who might make universal health care possible, besides his pronouncement for a ‘nuclear-arms free’ world. Buddhism came as ‘enlightenment’ to Prince Siddhartha, in search of a more meaningful theme to life than all the affluence of his time. Its propagation across the world came as a nemesis to Emperor Ashoka, when his armies wiped out the kingdom of Kalinga, because he was too arrogant to stand anyone who would defy him, or tolerate anyone undefeated before his armies. In victory he was a defeated man who would not attain his esteem till he spread the message of his guilt and realization to the rest of the world. To that end, he unlocked his treasury and sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra abroad to propagate Buddhism.

The political undercurrents spell another confrontation between China and the US. China has its declared intentions about Tibet. But it would be myopic to allow the meeting to be interpreted as such. Any war, finally is not the terrain or climate conquered. Finally it has to connect to the people – there where the armies went, and there where reside nonpartisan observers. This is the time to catch up to eastern ideologies, though much was missed in such terms in West Asia. If this meeting is projected as, and truly is, the honouring of an eastern ideology, bereft of any political interests, it will be the first major move by the US to show its civilian intentions. It may be used as a launch pad to start dialogues with the emerging leaderships in the countries that directly came in the ambit of this war. That should begin right now, if war is to be toned down. This should be the beginning of political and diplomatic bridging. Whatever be the objectives, the US should not leave any impressions of a threat in the lands and neighbourhood where its armies went. China as a rising economic power needs to be accepted as such. Economic rivalry may be tackled on economic platforms. Pumping more arms in the region, without dialogue is not good for anyone. A superpower, no matter how justified in its own agenda, should now put on its velvet gloves. It will only rise higher in esteem.

In the present circumstances, where the US may invite remarks on hegemony, despite its declared intentions, China, may just like to elaborate its sensitivities. A US president, inviting the head of one of the finest philosophies for humankind, would certainly be doing much good. The US does not need to clarify at all, but world opinion or the UN may let it be hailed as an occasion without political or geographic coloration.

For India, it is a matter that concerns a neighbour. China’s flared intentions on Tibet, raise unsettled issues of the borders after the tragic 1962 war. That is where our diplomacy should focus. The Dalai Lama’s presence on its soil is quite natural, considering his following here. It does not amount to a political stand or signal. Territorial issues are apart, and will be dealt with differently.

There is a crucial message here. The meeting may appropriately be projected as a Nobel peace laureate, honouring another, who is the proponent of a unique non-violent philosophy, which is practiced in Japan, Korea, much of Southeast Asia, and has a following in the west. A much-needed signal for peace from the superpower will be welcomed by the world. It may also be the right beginning to getting the world together, hopefully, with the war winding up.

Additionally, a deserving Nobel peace prize may also come to the Chinese premier!

7 Comments | Comments are closed

Bookmark / Share

Hotklix this	Google Bookmarks

Facebook	Buzz up!

StumbleUpon	Reddit
	More

Rated

Related Blog Posts

Values and Human Concerns

Bribe not, lest ye be bribed

Subscribe to comments on this Post Comments:

Sort by: Oldest | Newest | Recommended (7) | Most Discussed

Ashok Gupta says:

February 09,2010 at 05:12 PM IST

A good thought out post.
No doubt H.H. Dalai Lama is a dilemma for China. And also there is no doubt that China is gradually becoming an Economic Super power of the world.

But China does not believe in the philosphy of Buddhism which is a self defeatist policy in today's world.
And let us not forget, Ashoka the Great, despite adopting/ Preaching/Spreading Buddhism never allowed any rebellion to raise its head, with the help of its Strong Army.
Moreover China is also becoming a Miliary Super Power of the world. Containing China is only possible by America and that too in their self interest.
Diplomacy says, supporting Dalai Lama is a big weapon to contain China. May be some insurgency movements by Tibetians in Tibet, to keep China engaged in local issues, like Pakistan is doing with India, on the issue of Kashmir, or may be something else which probably two Nobal Laurets decide.
Even Russia, though a Military super power still, is worried about the moves of China on International Borders.
WE CAN ONLY WAIT AND WATCH.

Dalai Lama non-violant ? says:

February 10,2010 at 06:07 AM IST

"Dalai Lama ... is the proponent of a unique non-violent philosophy, which is practiced in Japan, Korea, much of Southeast Asia" --- Under Dalai Lama's rule, Tibet's caste system allowed 5% of Tibetans to own the 90% Tibetan slaves, the biggest slavery in the world. Any slave rebel was depressed by such cruel ways as killing, burning, skin peeling, eye removal etc. No wonder those 5% Tibetans in exile wanted Tibet to be independent. Then if you ask the rest 90% of the ex-slaves, they want Dalai to go to hell. non-violent philosophy practiced in Japan, tell me when ? was it when Japan started WW2 to conquer Asia ?

vishal says: Bookmark this discussion

February 10,2010 at 02:57 PM IST

people are so stupid when they say they were propogating buddhism.. typical indian media.. they were propogating message of peace

(Reply to vishal)- Anoop Kohli says:

February 11,2010 at 12:53 AM IST

Answer to all. Facts from history, and facts as of now. Diplomacy does not rule out defence, and equality of strength. But the present moves on the new beat. If there has to be an interaction, let it be positive, genuine. Unfortunately for quite some time we have only seen martial action. If confrontation be the only answer, it would be sad that we are out of options.

well says:

February 10,2010 at 07:10 PM IST

slavery theory is purely communist propaganda invention to colonized Tibet. China may be developing economically fast, but who controls the economy? May be few rich communist cadres and their relatives. Can I say they own rest of billion slaves and migrant workers. Tibet will be Free.

LAKHINDER SINGH says:

February 11,2010 at 10:17 AM IST

A SUPERBLY INTELLIGENT PIECE.IT CONTAINS DEPTH ,VISION AND CIVILIZATION.

v.k. vohra says:

February 11,2010 at 12:33 PM IST

Every country in the world looks for its own interest first. Look at the americans, they refused to meet Dalai lama prior Obama's visit to china. The americans were fearing meeting Dalai lama will anger the chinese who in turn might pull out trillions invested by chinese in the U.S. treasury bonds.
No matter how many times Obama meets Dalai lama, what is expected out of this meet. Practically nothing.
India should and must come out of the mess created by our previous leaders who gave us the slogan 'hinidi chini bhai-bhai' which brought us to 1962 war and we were caught with out pants down and humiliated.
To improve our relations, we must throw the Dalai lama out of our country and our disputes with the chinese will automatically by solved.
If the amercians can do it why we can not.
It is high time india wakes up to the world realities and act and stop supporting such characters who damage our relations with our neighbours.