_________________ WTN-L World Tibet Network News _________________
Published by: The Canada Tibet Committee
Editorial Board: Brian Given, Conrad Richter, Nima Dorjee,
Tseten Samdup, Thubten (Sam) Samdup
WTN Editors: wtn-editors@tibet.ca
______________________________________________________________________
Issue ID: 00/02/24 Compiled by Thubten (Sam) Samdup
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, February 24, 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. China warns Japan over Dalai Lama visit
2. The Dalai Lama answers your questions
3. Shipley to face inquiry on protests
4. Changes in store for Tibet?
5. Inner visions: Fort Worth art exhibit offers viewers Tibetan
transformations
6. The last guard of the avant-garde
7. Letter to the Globe and Mail editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. China warns Japan over Dalai Lama visit
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BEIJING, Feb 24 (AFP) - Beijing warned Tokyo on Thursday that diplomatic
relations could suffer if Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai
Lama, proceeds with a planned trip to Japan.
"We express a concern over this, and we have on many occasions launched
our representations with the Japanese government," China's foreign
ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao told reporters at a briefing.
The Dalai Lama is a separatist figure hiding under the cloak of
religion, Zhu said. He urged the Japanese goverment to deny the Dalai
Lama's visit Japan to avoid obstructing Sino-Japanese relations.
The outspoken governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara was reported as saying
Wednesday that he would definitely host the Dalai Lama.
"Either in March or in April, he will definitely come. I am going to
meet him since I have known him for a long time," Ishihara was quoted by
Japan's Jiji Press as saying.
But a representative for the Dalai lama said the meeting had yet to be
finalised and would depend on the attitude of the Japanese government.
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in northern India since he fled Tibet
in 1959 after China brutally suppressed an uprising against Chinese
rule.
Since then he has been an outspoken critic of China's human rights
record in Tibet and has sought autonomy for the region. In response,
Beijing has sought to isolate him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The Dalai Lama answers your questions
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, answered your questions in
a live BBC News Online forum.
BBC News,
Wednesday, 23 February, 2000
Last week he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his enthronement by
calling for greater efforts to end Chinese rule over Tibet.
See the video of the Dalai Lama responding to your questions.
Read the Dalai Lama's answers below
Tim Marshall, UK:
How do you think new technology such as the internet, will affect man's
future? Can it be good or will it simply be an opiate for the masses?
Dalai Lama:
I think most probably that this technology will be most helpful, to get
information clearly. In that way it will make clear what is truth, what
is reality and what is false propaganda. I think that each individual
should use their own intelligence or mind to investigate further. It
should be very useful.
James, South Africa:
When and under what circumstances do you envisage that the Dalai Lama
might be able to return to Tibet? Could it be in your lifetime?
Dalai Lama:
Certainly. I think according to a rather rapid development of change at
the global level, especially in Asia and China because things are
changing. My approach is strictly non-violent. I am quite hopeful that
not very far in the future some mutually agreeable solution may be
found. This is my belief. It is a very complex situation.
Laura Arana, USA:
What are the most potent actions we can take to help preserve the
Tibetan way of life, and to promote compassion within the Chinese
government?
Dalai Lama:
I think the most important way to help the Tibet issue is the education
of other people including China's brothers and sisters. What's the
reality? The Tibet issue is not as simple as the Chinese government's
propaganda. There has been a lot of wrong information regarding Tibetan
culture, Tibet history and what is happening inside Tibet and outside
Tibet. I think there is still a lot of confusion with the Chinese. So I
think that education is very important.
Mark M. Newdick, USA/UK:
Although your removal from power in 1959 was blatant thievery by the
Chinese government, if you were still in place, what changes would you
have enacted? Would you have installed a secular democratic government,
gradually withdrawing to a role of strictly spiritual leader?
Dalai Lama:
When we were in Tibet as early as 1952 I set up one reform committee and
started some work for reformation. Obviously the last Dalai Lama also
seems as convinced that Tibet needed some change. Even without this new
development I think some change suddenly will take place but I feel this
tragic situation, on one side there are some very painful experiences
but on the other side there are also some positive results.
Malcolm McCandless, Scotland:
Do you envisage an Iranian solution, i.e. A spiritual head of state
alongside a parliamentary democracy, as a possible way forward for a
modern Tibet?
Dalai Lama:
I have already made it very clear that the future of Tibet, as soon as
the day arrives when there is some degree of freedom, I will hand over
all my authority to the local government. So, that means that the Dalai
Lama will no longer be the head of the Tibet government. And that
government I would hope would be a new, elected local government. Then
the basic system I would prefer to be secular. That would be much safer,
much better. Of course, the majority of Tibetans are Buddhist but within
Buddhism there are differences. Then of course there are Christians and
Muslims and also some non-believers. So I think the best form of
government would be secular.
Adam Foley, England:
I mean no disrespect, but with reference to the situation in Tibet, I
find it hard to find sympathy with a culture that will not defend
itself, its women and children against blatant aggression from the
Chinese. In an age when people are quick to attack organised religion,
why are they afraid to condemn one, which encourages its followers to
absolute passivity in the face of a threat to destroy their entire way
of life. Surely this is religious 'brainwashing' of the very worst kind?
Dalai Lama:
I think that in some aspect perhaps non-violent methods may appear to be
weak methods. I believe in the long run and in the present situation,
the best way in spite of some weakness, I feel, are that non-violent
methods are the most effective method in the long run. After all the
closer understanding between Tibet and Chinese is very crucial.
Therefore my approach is strictly non-violent. I think this approach
will bring much more support and sympathy from within the Chinese
community. This is something very effective and important.
Alex Duggan, UK:
Do you know if your chosen Panchen Lama, Gendu Choekyi Nyima, is still
alive?
Dalai Lama:
Recently, a few months ago, there was shocking news about his death. But
then I anxiously asked some leaders about the situation. Then finally I
got the indication that youngest Lama is still alive. This seems to have
been confirmed but still there is no clear information as to where he
is.
Russell Timmerman, Canada:
Sir what is your official relationship to the Karmapa Lama? What is his
spiritual and political role compared to yours?
Dalai Lama:
Of course, the Karmapa Lama is one of the highest leaders in the
community. And then the late Karmapa Lama since early 50's we become
very good friends, but anyway, now this new Karmapa Lama before he left
Tibet, the last few years, they see his sort of potential and qualities.
The quality, is quite positive. When I met him and noticed his spirit is
very clear and strong with the motivation of his coming, his service to
the government. Of course he is still very young. My major concern is
that he must complete his proper education. That is good protection,
proper study and practice. If he is properly developed and trained,
certainly he can make a great contribution.
Andrew Casey, Australia:
Do you believe in people 'converting' to Buddhism or seeking to find
spiritual values in their own traditions?
Dalai Lama:
My fundamental belief, it is much safer and better to keep ones own
religion. Changing religion or converting is not better. It is far
better to learn from other traditions, and then we can sometimes enrich
our own traditions.
Pervaz, Pakistan:
Do you think Islam and Buddhism have the common philosophy?
Dalai Lama:
Like any other religion there are differences. At the same time, as far
as I know, Islam also emphases helping the poor and giving to the poor.
These are helping people, helping charity. This is common. Also there is
also some deep faith, conviction to ones owns practice.
Dan Andrews, Egypt:
In what ways can Buddhism help people to understand the growing
complexity of modern society?
Dalai Lama:
I think the sense of Buddhism is in practice, non-violent, based on
compassion. Then regarding the Buddhist philosophy, what I thinks is
unique, is the concept of interdependence. I think this philosophy can
help in various fields in the modern world. The concept of
interdependence provides us with a holistic view. In that respect the
philosophy may be appropriate to help understand modern society, yes.
Pedro Oliveira, Australia:
Do you approve of boycotting products of companies that do business with
China as part of the non-violent struggle for Tibet's liberation? If so,
what should be the role of the younger generation in this process?
Dalai Lama:
This is really a contradictory and difficult issue. I personally boycott
all Chinese products. It's not very positive. Not good. I personally
feel that may not really be effective. Secondly it looks to be a
negative attitude to the Chinese. But at the same time some of our
supporters are also promoting this boycott. It is one way to express
ones feelings so the best thing is for individuals themselves to decide.
My feelings are mixed.
Raj V. Iyer, USA:
It appears to me that India should be more forthright in supporting
Tibetan autonomy. Do you agree? If so, what tangible steps do you expect
from the Indian government?
Dalai Lama:
I usually describe India's policy toward China as an over-cautious
policy. At the same time, the government of India also, whether right or
wrong, has adopted a certain policy since the early 1950's. The
government is committed to certain polices. I usually tell my Indian
friends that the Tibet issue is very much linked with India's future in
the long run. Tibet's culture and India's culture are the branches of
one big tree. They are very much linked.
Vincent Meyer, France:
Have you seen the movie "7 years in Tibet?" Did you like it? Did you
recognise yourself in the young actor?
Dalai Lama:
I haven't seen it all, some portion I saw, of course I know Henrich
Harrer very well. And certainly he is one of the strongest supporters.
Whenever I pass into Europe he often comes to see me. We are still very
strong friends.
Angela, Scotland:
Do you think that having been exposed to Western influences as a young
man, it has diluted your practice since there are so much negativity
practices in the West? If not, how do you keep your focus?
Dalai Lama:
Firstly, I don't favour the distinction between East and West. All are
human beings, each society has a different way of life. So therefore in
both sides there is good and bad. And also the Buddhist monk, has many
things to learn from the Western philosophy and Western science. There
are many things to help my own practice, and of course some among the
environment, there are positive environmental forces, positive things. A
feel sense from society there are good things and bad things.
Ralph Sato, USA:
Mindfulness is hard work. I am practising it to reduce my tendency
towards frustration and anger. Would meditation help or perhaps just
slowing down and practising mindfulness be the better way?
Dalai Lama:
I myself also find it very difficult to keep mindfulness. Of course, in
these practices the time is the measure factor. From my own experiences
I suggest we human beings, we have this marvellous potential and
determination and we can make effort constantly without loosing focus.
But years and years later our minds can change. Even though month by
month you can't see any change or development, but continuously over the
years, without loosing hope or determination, then I can see some hope
and some development. The important thing is not to lose hope and
continue the effort.
Wayne Dockery, Germany:
Your Holiness, how do you maintain your optimistic attitude about life
in general and the prospect for a more autonomous Tibet in the face of
life's setbacks?
Dalai Lama:
My optimism is a general thing. Buddhism has way of thinking, not month
or year but aeons. We need some sort of very deep inner sense, as long
as space, not with this body but with the spirit. That really gives me
some kind of inner strength and determination. That helps me keep my
optimism. Among Tibetans and inside Tibet, the spirit is very strong and
our course is a just cause. That is my fundamental belief. So there are
reasons to feel hope and optimism.
Jad, Australia:
You obviously dream of the day you can return again to your homeland.
What place in Tibet appears in your dreams the most?
Dalai Lama:
Perhaps the Monastery. Sometimes I wish the rest of my life may be spent
somewhere in Tibet with clean air, bright sky and hopefully a clean
mind. That's my wish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Shipley to face inquiry on protests
----------------------------------------------------------------------
by Elinore Wellwood
Christchurch, Thursday 24 February 2000 (The Press) - Former prime
minister Jenny Shipley will be asked about her role in the removal by
police of protesters from outside the Chinese President's State dinner
in Christchurch last year.
The head of Parliament's Justice and Electoral Committee, Christchurch
MP Tim Barnett, announced yesterday that an inquiry would be held into
the way Free Tibet demonstrators were treated during President Jiang
Zemin's visit in September last year.
Mr Barnett said a range of people, including protesters, news media
personnel, and Mrs Shipley, would be questioned during hearings in
April.
A report would be released in May. Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos, ACT MP
Stephen Franks, the Alliance's Kevin Campbell, and National's Wayne Mapp
would be on the committee.
Mr Barnett said he wanted to make a submission, so he would not be a
member.
"Select committees have a vital role to play in ensuring powers are used
properly and in protecting individual rights," he said.
"Media comment on the policing of these demonstrations raised serious
matters which could damage the credibility of police and the executive
if left unexamined. I promise my committee will leave no stone unturned
in its search for the truth," Mr Barnett said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Changes in store for Tibet?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
by Ellis Widner
FORT WORTH, Thursday, February 24, 2000 (ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE) --
Buddhist scholar Robert A.F. Thurman believes change is coming for
Tibet.
"I'm a bit of a lone voice on this, but I think within this decade --
maybe sooner -- the Dalai Lama, the Karmapa and others will be able to
go back and forth from India to Tibet."
More than 1 million Tibetans have died under Chinese rule since 1959 and
most of its monasteries and religious artifacts have been destroyed.
Thurman estimates 90 percent of Tibet's art has been destroyed by the
Chinese.
"The pragmatics are still not secure in their control of China," Thurman
says. "Hardliners like Li Peng [chairman of the National People's
Congress] are ready to challenge [Chinese President] Jiang Zemin if they
can. Li has this weird hysteria about religion and is behind the
oppression of Tibet, crushing the Falun Gong and defying the Pope. In
the past, China patronized religion for stability. Now, they oppress it
for the same reason."
Tibetans are a virtual minority in Tibet, Thurman says.
"I don't think that will take," he says. "An intensive Chinese
population can't persist above 10,000 feet. It's hugely expensive for
them to be there, that colonization is not viable. It's like trying to
rebuild Detroit in Greenland.
"I am optimistic about saving Tibet, but the longer this goes on, the
more a mess it will be when the Chinese leave."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Inner visions: Fort Worth art exhibit offers viewers Tibetan
transformations
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ELLIS WIDNER
FORT WORTH, Thursday, February 24, 2000 (ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE) --
To some, he is famous because he is film actress Uma Thurman's father.
To others, Robert A.F. Thurman is famous because he is the best-known
American authority on Tibetan culture and Buddhism and a close friend of
the Dalai Lama. The professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at
Columbia University and co-founder of New York's Tibet House, Thurman
has written many books (including Inner Revolution and Essential Tibetan
Buddhism) and was named one of the 25 most influential Americans by Time
magazine in 1997.
It was in his role of Tibetan scholar that Thurman came to the Kimbell
Art Museum to discuss "Worlds of Transformation," the second show of
Tibetan religious paintings -- called tangkas -- he has helped organize.
Its predecessor, 1991's "Wisdom and Compassion," is still touring around
the world. He also co-wrote the exhibits' extensive catalogs.
Thurman, 58, describes the tangkas, painted on silk or cotton and often
framed with brocade, as "a fascinating doorway into the very finest
artistic productions of Asian civilizations.
"Forget what you know or don't know about Tibet," Thurman says. "These
paintings can be approached as pieces of very beautiful and fine art
like people would approach a Russian icon or Renaissance paintings of
the Virgin."
Punctuating his comments with a booming baritone voice, a professorial
tone and theatrical gestures, Thurman, wearing a dark suit and long,
yellow scarf, was an affable guide through this 60-piece exhibit. The
paintings, taken from the Shelley and Donald Rubin collection, span 800
years -- works of art that are religious, historical and philosophical
documents.
The wildly colorful deities depicted in the tangkas are shape-shifters,
who through their compassion for all living beings, take on what
----------------------------------------------------------------------
6. The last guard of the avant-garde
----------------------------------------------------------------------
IN PERSON
A Buddhist vegetarian, the workaholic Philip Glass is most often found
in his chaotic New York studio working on everything from soundtracks to
new operas.
PHILIP ANSON
Special to The Globe and Mail
Thursday, February 24, 2000
New York -- 'I am one of the last survivors," laments composer Philip
Glass, on the phone from his Lower East Side studio in New York. "It
seems like everyone else is gone," he moans.
In recent years some of Glass's closest friends or influences have gone
to that big Happening in the sky, including Allen Ginsberg, William
Burroughs, Moondog (a.k.a. Louis Hardin) and John Cage. "There's only
[Brian] Eno left," he says, "and Elliott Carter, who's 90. He makes me
feel young." Glass laughs, and the morbid moment passes.
At 63, Glass is a living legend from the heady hippie days of the
sixties and pre-1970s New Wave, when he played his bare-bones music in
downtown New York lofts and drove a cab to pay the rent. For the last 30
years he has been near the epicentre of American avant-garde artistic
activity. He has produced symphonies, operas, movies, ballets, song
cycles, film scores, remixes, and crossover albums with artists as
diverse as Robert Wilson, Doris Lessing, Brian Eno, Mick Jagger, Natalie
Merchant, Suzanne Vega, Twyla Tharp, Jerry Robbins, Peter Weir, Foday
Musa Suso, Richard Foreman, Aphex Twin, S'Express, Joe Papp and Michael
Stipe. Is it any wonder he's a staple of each year's edition of Who's
Who in America?
His trademark -- some would say clichéd -- rhythmic, repetitive music is
familiar to everyone from classical-music snobs to punk rockers.
Blithely ignoring the vicissitudes of fashion, Glass has pursued his
craft, steadily producing a stream of work from which, every now and
then, something pops up to stir debate. Last year he launched several
high-profile projects, including an intriguing new soundtrack for Tod
Browning's 1931 film Dracula; anda boring 3-D multimedia opera called
Monsters of Grace, in collaboration with Robert Wilson. Now there's the
nature film Anima Mundi (The Image of the World's Soul), directed by
Godfrey Reggio,which will have its world premiere (accompanied by the
composer and his Philip Glass Ensemble) this weekend as as part of the
Montreal Highlights Festival.
Glass's music has taken a lot of criticism over the years for being
repetitive, unimaginative, static, formulaic, boring. He in turn has
called critics "a bunch of chickenshits." He openly despises the
academic milieu. "They worry about what their colleagues think and about
being looked down upon and whether they've got a university job," he
once said. "Paul Simon can't read music. Now you tell me, who do you
think is more important: some professor of music at Yale University or
Paul Simon?"
Criticism rolls off Glass's back and obviously hasn't hurt his bank
balance. The background noise in his Lower East Side studio in Manhattan
sounds more like a stock exchange than a creative haven. Assistants,
collaborators, friends and journalists are yelling for the master's
attention. "The phone is always ringing off the hook," he admits
cheerfully. "I always have more work than I can handle."
Asking Glass what's new is risky. It could take a while to enumerate the
seemingly endless list of film soundtracks, keyboard works, operas,
tours and recordings in preparation. So I go for the topical, asking him
about Tibetan independence, one of his favourite causes.
"The occupation of Tibet by China is one of the great tragedies of our
times," declares Glass, a Buddhist whose music, from his operas about
Einstein and Gandhi to his environmentalist soundtrack for Koyaanisqatsi
(Life Out of Balance), is grounded in this humanitarian faith. Glass has
been fascinated with Tibet since his 1966 trip to North India, where he
first encountered Tibetan refugees. "Then I met the Dalai Lama in 1972,
so I've been involved with them for a long time," he explains. Glass
hosts the annual Tibet House Benefit concert at Carnegie Hall, which
supports the local cultural centre for Tibetan history, culture and art.
Last month's concert attracted Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Patti Smith,
David Byrne, Harrison Ford and director Martin Scorsese, whose 1997 film
Kundun (for which Glass wrote the soundtrack) profiled the Dalai Lama.
"That film was probably the most important thing I've done [for Tibet],"
he says.
The recent Tibet House benefit also included performances by Canadian
crooner Rufus Wainwright and folk fiddler Ashley MacIsaac. Glass has
been a mentor to the controversial fiddler since they met on Cape Breton
Island almost a decade ago (Glass has a summer home there, not far from
MacIsaac's home town of Creignish). "Cape Breton fiddle music is very
vital. I'd go to the concerts and dances in Cheticamp and I met Ashley,"
Glass recalled. The composer invited Ashley to New York, where the
fiddler plunged vigorously into the city's gay demimonde.
Given MacIsaac's recently admitted crack usage and self-destructive
behaviour, I asked Glass if he felt somewhat responsible. "Drugs are not
new. It's endemic in the arts, and on Wall Street too. I remember in the
sixties, Ravi Shankar lectured me about pot, but I didn't want to hear
about it then. Everyone has to deal with [drugs] at some point in their
life. You just hope you get through it with your health." He didn't seem
worried about Ashley. "He offends people. That's who he is. That's his
personal style. But he's not an idiot."
Glass himself is no longer a wild child, but a rather buttoned-down,
multitasking workaholic who obviously has no time for getting wasted. He
runs a veritable music factory out of his home, including a recording
studio, the record label Point, a publishing company, an office to
handle performance rights and, of course, the Philip Glass Ensemble.
The commercial aspect of Glass Incorporated is oblique but unmistakable,
and hard to reconcile with the tranquil Buddhist vegetarian and the
advocate of world peace. Even to his close followers, Glass remains
enigmatic, reflecting everything and everybody around him, but remaining
apart. In an American life that (if you believe F. Scott Fitzgerald)
should have no second act, Glass seems strangely immortal.
** Philip Glass and the Philip Glass Ensemble accompany projections of
the films Koyaanisqatsi Feb. 24, Powaqqatsi Feb. 25, and the world
premiere of Anima Mundi Feb. 26. All events at 8 p.m., Théâtre
Maisonneuve, Place des Arts, Montreal. Telephone 514-842-2112; Web:
http://www.montrealenlumiere.com.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Letter to the Globe and Mail editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Martin,
In rereading the article which I wrote for you concerning the flight of
the 17th Karmapa which was printed in the January 21, 2000 edition of
the Toronto Globe and Mail, I find that five words were added to the
text that I submitted to you that are in serious error. These words,
"he bowed to our pressure," were inserted in the last sentence of the
12th paragraph. You will recall that the final text was not shown to me
before it was printed. Had it been, I would have refused to give my
permission for it to be printed containing this language which implies
that the Dalai Lama acted at the request or wish of the CIA in making
his decision to flee Lhasa in 1959. This is not true as I made very
clear in my book Orphans of the Cold War. The Dalai Lama made this move
completely on his own initiative and without the knowledge of the CIA
which learned of his flight only after he left Lhasa and was en route to
India.
I request that you print a statement correcting this editorial change in
the article that I wrote, as I do not want my name to be associated with
this erroneous language and its implication. I cannot let the article
with this groundless implication stand as a matter of record. The
statement should read:
"As author of the article "A Cry for Freedom" which appeared in the
Toronto Globe and Mail on January 21, 2000 I wish to note that the words
"he bowed to our pressure, which imply that the 14th Dalai Lama fled
Tibet in 1959 at the request or initiative of the CIA, were added
without my knowledge or permission. As the book I wrote concerning the
involvement of the US Government in Tibetan affairs, Orphans of the Cold
War, makes clear the Dalai Lama made his decision to leave Tibet
completely on his own and certainly without consultation with the CIA or
anyone in the US Government which learned of his departure only after he
left Lhasa and was well on his way to India. To state or imply
otherwise is both incorrect and an insult to a man who is no one's agent
but his own and never was."
I assume that this retraction will be published immediately and ask that
you notify me when that is done and send me a copy of the edition in
which it appears. Thank you.
Regretfully yours,
John Kenneth Knaus
Fairbank Center for East Asian Research
Harvard University
1737 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
_______________________________________________________________________
CORRECTIONS appeared in The Globe and Mail on Monday, February 21, 2000
In the Comment article A Cry for Freedom by John Kenneth Knaus (Jan.
21), about the departure of the 14th Dalai Lama from Tibet, the phrase
"he bowed to our pressure" was added to the author's text. The phrase
referred to U.S. policy and was not meant to imply that the C.I.A.
orchestrated events.
___________________________________________________________________________
Send articles to: wtn-editors@tibet.ca
Subscriptions to: listserv@lists.mcgill.ca (SUB WTN-L [your name])
Cancellations to: listserv@lists.mcgill.ca (SIGNOFF WTN-L)
WTN Archived at: http://www.tibet.ca
___________________________________________________________________________
