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Dali Lama's Threat Could Separate Religion and State In Tibet

By Howard M. Friedman

Today's Los Angeles Times explores the church-state implications of the Dali Lama's threat last week to resign over violence in Tibet. (Time 3/18). The threat, according to a top aide of the leader, is to resign only as head of state. This would for the first time break Tibetan Buddhism's centuries-old tradition of uniting in one person the religious and political leader. The move might however permit the Dali Lama to select his own successor, thereby undermining the legitimacy of anyone chosen by the Chinese government which formally has the final authority in choosing high lamas and their reincarnations. Meanwhile, according to the AP, China's Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu has announced that "patriotic education" classes at Tibetan monasteries will be expanded. Under threat of jail, monks and nuns are forced into these sessions at which they are required to make ritual denouncements the Dalai Lama and proclaim their loyalty to the Chinese government in Beijing.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 26, 2008 (boomark / email).