"Encouraging signs" of shift in China - Dalai Lama

It would be wonderful to see China end its occupation of Tibet and allow that nation's people to live in full autonomy instead of under the pseudo-autonomous status they have now. However, while there might be encouraging signs I still feel that it will be a long process, if it ever happens at all. Traditionally, China is very reluctant to give up what it has taken.

True, the same can be said of many nations, but the reality is that China is not likely to simply relinquish its hold on that region. It is not only the political, strategic and economic ramifications that matter here, there is also the issue of the Chinese leaders maintaining "face". And that is a massive cnundrum to resolve: even if they wished to proceed with a withdrawal and eventual restoration of full freedoms to Tibet, how to do it without looking like they have somehow lost out -- and thereby lost face?

As I see it that is the biggest difficulty to overcome.

Regards,

Mike

reply to post by onehuman

Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to contribute where I feel able.

Well, if you have read some of the works by T.Lobsang Rampa about Tibet and especially what he reported about certain objects and devices hidden in some of the caves in the Himalayas, one has to wonder what may be known by the Chinese authorities in that regard.

There are rare situations when "face" would have to take a back seat (so to speak) and the scenario you have mused over might well be one of them if the above aspect comes into play.

Mike

reply to post by BASSPLYR

Those are some useful perspectives to add to the discussion and I'm sure we appreciate you raising them.

True, taking control of that part of the Himalayas certainly has strategic value to the Chinese and in fact, back in the days when there were not dozens of sky satellites orbiting the earth, it was even more so. But now? Yes, there is still a strategic benefit (and alluded to this in my first reply here), but perhaps it has waned to some degree.

This could be a factor in the decision making process as things go forward.

As for the historical angle, if we go back far enough, it's quite true that the Tibetans were rather backward and even savage when compared to the Chinese at around the same era. They lived (and still live) in a very harsh environment and that doubtless affected their social development. The knowledge that came to them certainly had a modifying effect.

In respect of karma, however, I'm not sure if an entire nation should or does suffer karmic consequences for the actions of some of its people in the past. But please don't misunderstand me on that point: I am literally not sure. Even if it is so, then in that case the ongoing karmic cycle in China's own actions would have to be considered as well.

It all gets very complicated, so I am glad I am not the one who has to try and work it all out!