In Exile From the Land of Snows (76 page)

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Authors: John Avedon

Tags: #20th Century, #Asia, #Buddhism, #Dalai Lama, #History, #Nonfiction, #Retail, #Tibetan

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40.
The three types of Arhats (Tib.
Dra-jom-pa
) or Foe Destroyers—so called because they have destroyed the afflictive obscurations—are: (1) a Shravaka (Tib.
Nyen-tö
) or Listener, who obtains liberation for his or her sake only; (2) a Pratyekabuddha (Tib.
Rang-gyel
) or Solitary Realizer, who obtains liberation for his own sake and in his last life does not rely on a teacher; (3) a Buddha (Tib.
Sang-gye
), who achieves full enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. While the first two ranks may be obtained by following the Hinayana paths, the rank of Buddhahood is reached only by engaging in the Mahayana.

41.
Compassionate means (Sans.
upaya
; Tib.
thab
) and wisdom (Sans.
prajna
; Tib.
she-rab
) are the two mainstays of Mahayana practice. By the accumulation of merit through altruistic deeds, one purifies negative karma, thereby directly removing obstacles to the attainment of wisdom. On the other hand, wisdom or realization of the two truths enhances one’s compassion by destroying the cherishing of a nonexistent self.

42.
The three vehicles or avenues to enlightenment are those of the Shravaka, Pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva (often referred to as the Perfection Vehicle). The first two are Hinayana, the last, Mahayana.

43.
The six perfections (Sans.
paramita
; Tib.
pa-rol-tu-chin-pa
) are the
features of the general Mahayana. They are: (1) giving (Sans.
dāna
; Tib.
jin-ba
); (2) morality (Sans.
shila
; Tib.
tsul-trim
); (3) patience (Sans.
kshanti
; Tib.
zö-pa
); (4) perseverance (Sans.
virya
; Tib.
tson-dru
); (5) meditation (Sans.
dhyana
; Tib.
sam-ten
); (6) wisdom (Sans.
prajna
; Tib.
she-rab
). By perfecting these six qualities and attainments, a Bodhisattva passes through the five paths and ten stages leading to Buddhahood.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Jann Wenner, publisher of
Rolling Stone Magazine
, for making this interview possible. I would also like to thank Elizabeth Paul, whose design and production of the original text—called
An Interview with the Dalai Lama
—helped introduce His Holiness’s views to the West. The Dalai Lama’s translators—Tenzin Geyché Tethong and Professor Jeffrey Hopkins of the University of Virginia—were central to the project. In particular, both Professor Hopkins and Khyongla Rato Rinpoché, president of the Tibet Center in New York City, were tremendously helpful in checking the text and contributing to the notes. Without their efforts, the degree of accuracy herein would be considerably less. Lastly, for his friendship, patience, and generosity, my thanks to His Holiness are unending.

Chronology of Tibetan–Chinese Relations, 1979 to 2014
1979
Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping invites Gyalo Thondup, elder brother of the Dalai Lama, to China and tells him that apart from the issue of total independence all other issues can be discussed and resolved.
AUG. 5, 1979
First fact-finding delegation of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, led by Kalon Juchen Thubten Namgyal, begins tour of Tibet.
MAY 1, 1980
Second fact-finding delegation from the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, led by Tenzin N. Tethong, begins tour of Tibet.
JULY 1, 1980
Third fact-finding delegation from the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, led by Jetsun Pema, begins tour of Tibet.
MAR. 13, 1981
In a letter to Deng Xiaoping the Dalai Lama states that the three fact-finding missions found “sad conditions” in Tibet and therefore “genuine efforts must be made to solve the problem in accordance with the existing realities in a reasonable way.”
APRIL 24, 1982
A high-level Tibetan delegation arrives in Beijing to hold exploratory talks with Chinese officials. The delegation, composed of P.T. Taklha, Juchen Thubten Namgyal, and Lodi Gyari, makes no substantive headway.
OCT. 19, 1984
The three-member exploratory delegation holds a second round of talks with Chinese leaders. Again, no progress toward substantive negotiations are made.
1985
Fourth fact-finding delegation from the exile Tibetan government leaves for Tibet, led by W. D. Kundeling.
JULY 24, 1985
Ninety-one members of the U.S. Congress sign a letter urging Chinese President Li Nianian to initiate talks between China and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
SEPT. 21, 1987
The Dalai Lama presents a Five-Point Peace Plan on solving the Tibetan problem to the U.S. Congress The plan includes a call for commencement of earnest negotiations on the future status of Tibet.
DEC. 22, 1987
The United States Foreign Relations Authorization Act declares that the U.S. “should urge the Government of the People’s Republic of China to actively reciprocate the Dalai Lama’s efforts to establish a constructive dialogue on the future of Tibet.”
JUNE 15, 1988
The Dalai Lama presents his Strasbourg Proposal as a framework for a negotiated solution to the Tibetan problem at the European Parliament. He also mentions that a negotiating team is ready to meet with the Chinese side on the basis of Deng Xiaoping’s statements.
SEPT. 21, 1988
China responds indirectly to the Strasbourg Proposal with an offer to talk. In a press statement, the Chinese side says: “We welcome the Dalai Lama to have talks with the central government at any time, and talks may be held in Beijing, Hong Kong, or any of our embassies or consulates abroad. If the Dalai Lama finds it inconvenient to conduct talks at these places, he may choose any place he wishes.” The offer makes the talks conditional on the Dalai Lama “drop[ping] the idea of an independent Tibet.”
SEPT. 23, 1988
Tibetan representatives convey the following response to the Chinese message of September 21: “We welcome China’s positive response to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s call for talks on the Tibetan issue. We similarly welcome their leaving the choice of the venue for the talks to us. We would like the talks to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, which is the most convenient and neutral venue. We would also like the first round of talks to be held in January.”
JAN. 1989
China backs out of the proposed talks.
APRIL 20, 1989
The Tibetan Government-in-Exile announces that “His Holiness the Dalai Lama is prepared to send representatives to Hong Kong at any time” to meet with Chinese representatives in
order to resolve any procedural issue with regards to starting negotiations.
MAR. 15, 1989
U.S. Senate Resolution 82 calls upon the Chinese government to “meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama to begin initiating constructive dialogue on the future of Tibet.”

1991–2000

OCT. 9, 1991
In an address at Yale University, the Dalai Lama appeals to the world for support in pressuring China to allow him to return to Tibet on a short trip. He states that he is ready to go “as soon as possible.”
OCT. 10, 1991
The Chinese Foreign Ministry imposes the following conditions before the Dalai Lama can return to Tibet: “The most important thing is that the Dalai Lama stop his activities aimed at splitting China and undermining the unity of its nationalities, and abandon his position on Tibetan independence.”
JUNE 22, 1992
Ding Guangen, head of the United Front Department of the CCP Central Committee, meets Gyalo Thondup and reiterates the CCP’s 1979 statement that they are willing to discuss any issue with the Tibetans except total independence.
MAY 28, 1993
White House report to Congress on most favored nation (MFN) extension lists “[s]eeking to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives” as a favorable step that China should take to ensure MFN renewal.
APRIL 28, 1994
The Dalai Lama meets with U.S. President Bill Clinton and Vice President A1 Gore in the White House. The White House press release states that President Clinton met the Dalai Lama “to inquire about efforts to initiate a dialogue with the Chinese leadership,” among other topics. It also says: “The United States continues to urge high-level talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama.”
NOV. 1995
China tries to claim the right to choose the next incarnation of the Panchen Lama. Relations between Beijing and Dharamsala plummet.
JULY 1997
The Clinton administration announces its intention to establish a new position in the Department of State to coordinate
Tibetan affairs. A central objective is to promote dialogue to resolve the issue of Tibet.
OCT. 1997
During the Sino-American Summit in Washington, D.C., President Clinton presses Chinese President Jiang Zemin to initiate talks with the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan problem emerges as one of the top issues that the American people identify with Sino–U.S. relations.
OCT. 31, 1997
Greg Craig is appointed the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
APRIL 30, 1998
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright makes it clear to President Jiang Zemin that Tibet is a high priority of the U.S. government for the June Summit in Beijing. “What we urge is a dialogue with the Dalai Lama,” Albright tells a news conference after her meeting.
JUNE 27, 1998
President Clinton urges Jiang Zemin to open talks with the Dalai Lama at a press conference in Beijing, televised live throughout China. Jiang Zemin admits to the existence of unofficial channels of communication and says “[the] door to negotiation is open.”

2001–2008

JAN. 28, 2001
The Dalai Lama tells Agence France-Presse that his latest efforts to send a delegation to China to pursue a substantial dialogue with Chinese leaders have produced no response from Beijing.
   The Dalai Lama’s elder brother had traveled to Beijing in late October 2000—reopening contact after a two-year freeze—after which the Dalai Lama proposed sending a full delegation to the Chinese capital. He said the Chinese welcomed his brother to return, but, the Dalai Lama added, “If my brother goes again, some people might get the wrong impression.… This is an issue for the whole Tibetan community, so sending some people from a Tibetan organization would be more appropriate.”
SEPT. 9–24, 2002
Following a nine-year impasse, contact between Beijing and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile resumes when the Dalai Lama’s special envoy, Lodi Gyari, leads a four-member delegation to Beijing and Lhasa. The trip is intended to create an atmosphere conducive for substantive negotiations.
   
The delegation includes the Dalai Lama’s envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen, and two senior assistants, Sonam N. Dagpo and Bhuchung K. Tsering.
SEPT. 30, 2002
U.S. President George W. Bush signs into law a foreign policy bill that includes the Tibetan Policy Act. The Tibetan Policy Act expresses both programmatic and political support for the Tibetan people, including that the president and secretary of state should initiate steps to encourage the government of the People’s Republic of China to enter into a dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives leading to a negotiated agreement on Tibet; and after such an agreement is reached, the president and secretary of state should work to ensure compliance with the agreement.
MAY 25-JUNE 8, 2003
A second round of talks is held between envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leadership during the Tibetan team’s trip to Beijing and parts of Tibet. The Tibetans characterize the nature of these trips as “confidence building measures.”
SEPT. 12-29, 2004
A third round of talks is held between envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leadership during the Tibetan team’s trip to Beijing and parts of Tibet. The international community views these visits as positive steps forward, but few international governments make legitimate efforts to bring both parties to the negotiation table.
MAY 23, 2004
The Chinese government issues a thirty-page white paper on Tibet aimed at dampening expectations by Tibetans for genuine autonomy. The white paper is seen as a negotiating tactic intended to underscore the resistance of hardliners to move forward in good faith.
JUNE 30–JULY 1, 2005
A fourth round of meetings between the Tibetan team and the Chinese leadership is held in Bern, Switzerland. The Tibetans say that the trip is designed to “move the ongoing process to a new level of engagement aimed at bringing about substantive negotiations to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan issue.” Meanwhile, China continues to publicly criticize the Dalai Lama and reiterates its long-standing preconditions to negotiations.
JULY 10, 2005
During a visit to China, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asks Chinese leaders to “reach out to the Dalai Lama,” saying that the exiled Tibetan leader is no threat to China.
OCT. 11, 2005
In its annual report for 2005, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China says, “The future of Tibetans and
their religion, language, and culture depends on fair and equitable decisions about future policies that can only be achieved through dialogue. The Dalai Lama is essential to this dialogue. To help the parties build on visits and dialogue held in 2003, 2004, and 2005, the President and the Congress should urge the Chinese government to move the current dialogue toward deeper, substantive discussions with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, and encourage direct contact between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leadership.”
FEB. 15–23, 2006
The Dalai Lama’s envoys meet in Guilin, China. In previous meetings, the envoys had requested to visit other autonomous regions of China, which is why the Guangxi Autonomous region was chosen. After the meetings conclude, Lodi Gyari reports that there was “a growing understanding between the two sides, though fundamental differences persisted.” However, he makes clear that the Tibetans remain committed to the dialogue process and are hopeful that progress will be possible by continuing the engagement.
MARCH 2007
At a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Gyari focuses on the status of the dialogue, stating that “the difference in viewpoints are numerous,” but that “each now have a clearer grasp of one another’s divergent perspectives.” He goes on to say that, “We have now reached the stage where if there is the political will on both sides, we have an opportunity to finally resolve this issue.”
JUNE 29–JULY 5, 2007
The Dalai Lama’s envoys are hosted by the United Front Work Department (UFWD) in Shanghai and Nanjing. Following this meeting the envoys report that “our dialogue process has reached a critical stage,” and that “we … made some concrete proposals for implementation if our dialogue process is to go forward.”
MAY 8, 2008
After the Dalai Lama’s envoys report back on talks with officials from the UFWD in Shenzhen, China, on May 4, Special Tibet Envoy Lodi Gyari, speaks to press in Dharamsala, India. He highlights the significance of a comment by Chinese President and Party Secretary Hu Jintao that China’s “attitude towards contacts and consultation with the Dalai Lama is serious.” Lodi Gyari says, “It is welcome that the leader of such an important nation stands in front of the
world and says that China is serious about the relationship at the highest level.”
JULY 2, 2008
A daylong discussion between the Dalai Lama’s envoys and Chinese Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar takes place “at a crucial time in the dialogue process,” according to envoy Lodi Gyari.
OCT. 30–NOV. 5, 2008
Special Envoy Lodi Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen, accompanied by senior aides Sonam N. Dagpo and Bhuchung K. Tsering, both members of the Task Force on Negotiations, and Kalsang Tsering from the Secretariat of the Task Force, visit China for an eighth round of talks. The Tibetan envoys
NOV. 2008
The first Special General Meeting of Tibetans is held in Dharamsala November 17–22, 2008. Over 581 delegates from nineteen countries participated.
   The Tibetans reaffirm their commitment to follow the Middle Way Approach. The meeting calls upon the Tibetan leadership to terminate the ongoing talks with the Chinese leadership if the Chinese Government does not reciprocate positively to the overtures of the Tibetan people.

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