The Dalai Llama's September 24 statement

The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is, according to the statement, to be decided by the masters and believers of all sects of Tibetan Buddhism when the 14th Dalai Lama reaches the same age of demise as Gendun Drup, his first reincarnation.  This will happen in 8 years’

time.

Change in China over the next 8 years is set to be beyond comprehension, and various sources have suggested that the current Chinese political system will not be able to withstand the challenges of the coming future.  Therefore, such a change may happen at any time.

For the Chinese Communist Party, the only way to eliminate the Tibetan issue is to exterminate Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism thoroughly and completely, and to assimilate Tibetans totally into Chinese identity and culture. It is the apparent view of the CCP, that any other path will cause this issue to haunt the larger China. Of course, the people in Tibet have believed in Buddhism for over a thousand years. There is no difference between believers and non-believers.  All have a devout faith intrinsic to being Tibetan, so the only differentiation lies between laymen and monks. If such a rich and ancient culture should vanish, it would be the most horrific and tragic loss to our rich diversity of global humanity.

There used to be a song called ‘Ode to the Republic of China’, which was sung by Deng Lijun. The song includes the sentences below:

‘As long as the water of the Yangtze and the Yellow River flows on and on, The Republic of China, the Republic of China, will endure aeons long.’

How solemn and moving this song is! It was composed when Chiang Ching-kuo, who insisted that the Republic of China shall endure, was the country’s leader. The incumbent Ma Ying-jeou government lacks such spirit to build an enduring China with security, stability, ethics, wisdom, respect and sustainability.

Has the September 24th Statement of H.H. the Dalai Lama expressed a strong and far sighted spirit, looking to sustain the future of the Tibetan people, and to give confidence for them to continue with their fearless persistence to retain their culture and religion?  Or has it depicted a humble but invincible force? I felt both.