I read an article a week or so ago about the reincarnation of the second in power amongst the Tibetan Buddhists and how the Chinese government discredited the boy who had been chosen in the traditional spiritual way and instead appointed another boy. The Dalai Lama has at various times said that he may stop the tradition of reincarnating, may reincarnate outside of Tibet, and may appoint someone to be the political leader of the Tibetan government in exile. The Chinese government has flat out issued a statement saying that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama will continue. Of course they also call the invasion of Tibet and the taking over of Tibet, which was a sovereign nation, an uprising. And they routinely discredit the Dalai Lama as a matter of policy. In 2008 when there were riots in Tibet they closed Tibet to the outside world for over a year. Recently they have closed Tibet again because of the anniversary of those riots.
I have heard the Dalai Lama speak twice. Once 16 years ago and again almost two years ago. Both times were in Ann Arbor. I am not terribly prone to magical experiences anymore, but both times held mystery. The man gives off waves of joy, peace, and happiness. He is what he wishes into the world. He is the Buddha who brings hope and serenity and happiness. I hope the Dalai Lama or his reincarnation will continue in the world and keep bringing this sense of positivity to people, but I think it is arrogance to decree officially that it will happen. In my opinion it makes more sense to be what we wish into the world. Perhaps the Chinese government would get farther to sow the seeds of peace, joy, happiness, and positivity.
For today, I for one am going to try to bring those things I associate with the Dalai Lama to my encounters with others.
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