Search Buddhist Channel

China targets India for Buddhist monks' stir in Sichuan

by Indrani Bagchi, TNN, Dec 8, 2011

NEW DELHI, India -- Rattled by a seemingly unending stream of self-immolations by young Buddhist monks in Sichuan, China, the Chinese authorities are blaming the Tibetan government-in-exile in India as well as what they call overseas organizations, press and media institutions.

<< Rattled by self-immolations by Buddhist monks in Sichuan, Chinese authorities are blaming the Tibetan government-in-exile in India

Self-immolations by monks could be one of the reasons for China to become more sensitive than usual to the Dalai Lama and the unusual pressure on India to restrict the Tibetan spiritual leader's movement.

A commentary in the official Xinhua News Agency this week reflected the growing anger over the protests by monks, and annoyance with India for not clamping down on Dalai Lama. "Besides the mastermind behind the self-immolations, the instigation by some overseas organizations, press and media institutions, the 'living Buddha' and politicians also played a part."

Chinese government called off boundary talks with India, after New Delhi refused to prevent the Dalai Lama from addressing a global Buddhist congregation. No fresh dates have been set yet by either side. The Chinese followed this up by asking West Bengal governor M K Narayanan and chief minister Mamata Banerjee to stay away from a Dalai Lama event in Kolkata last week. Startled on both occasions, the Indian government has pushed back vigorously against Chinese pressure. China is stretching the notion of what is "anti-Chinese" - by its current reckoning, every activity which includes the Dalai Lama, is, by definition, anti-Chinese.

But by these actions, New Delhi believes Beijing is changing the field of play - in all these years, China's problems with the Dalai Lama were reasonably insulated from its dealings with India. The continuing immolations, especially coming just ahead of a politically fraught leadership transition, appear to have prompted Beijing to cast the net wide - reaching for the "foreign hand". China analysts here believe Beijing's response to New Delhi may become more shrill and even condemnatory and could risk bilateral ties.

The living Buddha is known as Kirti Rimpoche by Tibetans here. He belongs to the Kirti monastery in Sichuan, having fled to Dharamsala in 1959 and has been a close associate of the Dalai Lama. The Kirti monastery has been the scene of many of the immolation bids by Tibetan monks in recent months. About 11 immolations have occurred in the Sichuan province since March, while reports of the 12th incident came in from the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).

The Xinhua commentary said, the immolations were meant to mar normalcy and the people's aspirations for stability, peace and welfare. "The monks will not be monks if they do not abide by Buddhist precepts, and monasteries will not be monasteries if they interfere with politics. Tibetan Buddhism is worried about whether it has been tarnished by these people," he said.

China has spent billions in development of TAR, even sending Han Chinese to Tibet to tilt the demographic balance and resorting to hard-line crackdowns during riots and other incidents. "It doesn't seem to be working," Indian officials tracking China observed.

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.

For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team

Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

TOP