The "Free Tibet" Question - A New Approach

In the previous article, I suggested that the Chinese atrocity inflicted upon the Tibetans over the last more than 50 years, is helping the development of the rest of the world. Due to the Tibetan diaspora the Dalai Lama is known everywhere, and invited to speak across the globe. Tibetan Buddhism, today, is no longer found only in the remote areas around the Himalayas, but in every country. And although Buddhism is not the final answer, some aspects of it appears to be one step further than the Abrahamic religions - especially, when looking at the behaviors that result from their core-messages. So it now being available to much of the world is clearly a better state than before.

While the Christians still ask how God can allow these bad things happening to these good people, and while Buddhists just accept that it is happening, the Tool of the Universe idea provides a simple, plausible explanation, an important purpose: it was an effective way of spreading the light!



In this article, I would like to look at the response to the Tibet crisis from these three core perspectives:

The Christians don't find an answer to their question, and assume it was a mistake of God, which they now try to fix. Interestingly, they try to fix it by applying pressure to and fighting with China. That doesn't sound to be an expression of love - which Jesus always recommended. And - as quite common with forceful approaches - it hasn't work at all.

The Buddhists just accept the situation and do nothing but continue their life. (Well, some of them follow the Christian approach, too - abandoning their own core recommendation). That seems a better approach than to fight, as it doesn't create additional pain and suffering. However, it doesn't alleviate the ongoing pain and suffering of the Tibetans still stuck in the situation either.

When it rains it doesn't make sense to fight the fact that it is raining, nor is it necessary to just stand there. Walking to a shelter until it stops might work better.

In alignment with that analogy, the Tool of the Universe idea, does not encourage to fight, nor just to leave it as is. Instead, it asks to look for the purpose of the situation and for a shelter for those impacted. When there is a purpose for a situation, we can determine a direction for our course of action: Enlightenment is needed in the world, and was brought closer to everybody through the Tibetan diaspora.

The Tool of the Universe approach suggests to make the next step in this apparent direction: Let's make sure we maximize the positive benefits of the situation!



One action in alignment with this idea would be to work towards establishing Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in every country of the world. These monasteries could also function as cultural centers for both the population of the host country and the displaced Tibetans, who could resettle in the vicinities of these monasteries. That way, Tibetans are not left cutoff from their roots, and at the same time, it would be possible for them to live a fulfilled and dignified life. Also, it would take a lot of pressure off the Nepalese community, who is currently carrying the heaviest load, by hosting a disproportionately large number of refugees.

So instead of trying to fight the Chinese to retreat from Tibet, it might make more sense to try to work with them to allow those Tibetans who want to leave, to leave in peace. At the same time, supporters of the Tibetan cause in every country around the world could work with their government and fellow citizens to find a way to enable a Tibetan community in their midst.

The lessons that we all could learn from this are very, very important and relevant for today's political landscape:
* Cooperation works better than fighting.
* Foreign culture is not a threat to our own existence.
* While mono-culture causes stagnation, mixing cultures stirs up discussion, and facilitates new insights, development and growth.
* People from the other side of the world are the same as us: kind, loving, and with the same needs and wants: to survive, to be loved and appreciated, to live a fulfilled life.



Going by what every documentary about Tibet states, that area is quite inhospitable to human existence. So, hey, let the Chinese deal with it, trying to live there. Let the lucky Tibetans go to other places in the world, were surviving is much easier and where they are welcome and appreciated.

And who knows, without all the pressure, maybe China will open up their firm grip a little over time, and Tibetan monasteries will be allowed again in Tibet sometime...



Disclaimer and clarification: What the Chinese have done to the Tibetans - and continue to do - is disgusting and deplorable! However, we are not innocent either: If we were not so stuck in our spiritual development, such major crisis would not be necessary. Secondly, Buddhism is not the end of the spiritual journey, but just a first step.