China's government says their approval and proper forms will be required for reincarnation. As goofy as the idea may sound, the story about their new 14-point program has a very specific goal:
"Because tulkus have a large influence in the Himalayan region, the Chinese government has frequently sought to control the process of identifying the boys.
The new regulations, which go into effect September 1, 2007, will make it illegal to identify the child reincarnation of the Dalai Lama without the approval of Chinese authorities."
In other words, China will try to make the currrent Dalai Lama the last Dalai Lama. And you thought your religious beliefs were being marginalized and removed from existence.
China will have as much luck as trying to stop the rain.
ReplyDeleteThey're not doing too badly on that front either:
ReplyDeletehttp://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKPEK9012220070717
I'm starting to wonder if living as a hermit is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteLongjonblu is right though. don't mess with the Dalai Lama.
Geist -- that's another even stranger story and yep, looks like they aim to control the weather ... bizarre.
ReplyDelete'Coma -- i'll admit that China (the government, not the population) creeps me out.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteHis Holiness the Dalai Lama has already hinted at the possibility that this may be his last incarnation. He has certain goals for this life that, if accomplished, would, in his opinion, negate the need for the figure of the Dalai Lama. A Tibetan constitution has been written, and the government it creates does not have the Dalai Lama as its head. The only huge piece missing from the puzzle is China relinquishing control of Tibet so that His Holiness may return.
Since that isn't going to happen, though, we will see the 15th Dalai Lama. What will most likely happen is that there will be two Dalai Lama's: one chosen and backed by the Chinese government to whom nobody pays any attention, and the real one. And we will have two 4 year-olds as head of the Tibetan government.
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