Misty-eyed westerners need a Tibetan history lesson

Perhaps a comparison can be drawn between the behaviour of these bandit-monks and the behaviour of some Christian medieval European soldier-monks and their crusades.

The uncomfortable truth for us westerners is that Tibetan buddhism in 1950 was a religious/political theocracy which was intolerant of other religions, and which ruled in a manner not dissimilar to autocratic dictatorships elsewhere around the planet. Serfs, slaves, and superstition were a feature of this society as well as the well-known pathway to spiritual enlightenment. It was a cruel, unjust, feudal society.

Having said all this, and having experienced life among Tibetans first hand, I know how deeply embedded Buddhism is in their hearts. These people live their faith today. Nobody could live among these folk and not be moved by their piety. Even the Han Chinese themselves are in awe of such deep spirituality.

But know this: Tibet has always been politically linked to China. It is also a historical fact that during the last days of the Qing Dynasty, western powers (e.g., Russia and Britain) conspired to acquire Tibet for themselves. Misty-eyed, sentimental westerners should read their history. This is not to say, however, that the Tibetan people should accept the political status quo.

To reiterate; if we want to understand the Tibetan issue, we must first understand China. China is different, and one has to live here for many years before this fact really sinks in. I am not talking  about observable cultural phenomena which are easy to identify. Rather, I am referring to the internal intellectual templates which guide Chinese thinking and behaviour.

China is a proud nation. A nation which remembers the humiliations of the last two centuries, and which is determined never again to allow foreign influence over domestic matters. And that includes the broader issue of human rights inside China as well as Tibet. Lecturing China on human rights is not the way to go. Long-term political, economic, cultural, and social engagement is the way to go. In the end, change will come from within, not from without.

The heart of the matter in Tibet today is what some people describe as, "cultural repression". The violence we have witnessed recently (both sides) is culturally motivated on the one hand, and reactionary on the other. Two sides thinking differently.

Until this matter is addressed rather than repressed, there will never be peace in Tibet.