Tibet - Revision history

PeterDuffy at 04:13, 16 November 2023

2023-11-16T04:13:05Z

PeterDuffy: links

2023-01-02T21:29:14Z

links

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:29, 2 January 2023
Line 143:		Line 143:
	<blockquote>Their attempts at subterfuge had grown to include Tibetans in all segments of society. It was not until July 1949 that the Tibetan government realized the extent of the infiltration and, fearful that the newly victorious Communists would take advantage of it, closed the “liaison’ office, deporting its staff, along with some twenty-five known agents and their Tibetan accomplices....</blockquote>		<blockquote>Their attempts at subterfuge had grown to include Tibetans in all segments of society. It was not until July 1949 that the Tibetan government realized the extent of the infiltration and, fearful that the newly victorious Communists would take advantage of it, closed the “liaison’ office, deporting its staff, along with some twenty-five known agents and their Tibetan accomplices....</blockquote>

	<blockquote>On New Year’s Day 1950, just three months after the formation of the People’s Republic of China, Radio Peking announced to its people and the world that “the tasks for the People’s Liberation Army for 1950 are to liberate Taiwan, Hainan and Tibet.”<ref>John F. Avedon, ''In Exile from the Land of Snows'' (New York: Vintage Books, 1986), pp. 26–27.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>On New Year’s Day 1950, just three months after the formation of the People’s Republic of China, Radio Peking announced to its people and the world that “the tasks for the People’s Liberation Army for 1950 are to liberate [[Taiwan]], Hainan and Tibet.”<ref>John F. Avedon, ''In Exile from the Land of Snows'' (New York: Vintage Books, 1986), pp. 26–27.</ref></blockquote>

	However, the Tibetans were unable to face the prophecies of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and the threat of Chinese Communist invasion. An eyewitness who experienced firsthand the events in Lhasa prior to the takeover explained that as the threat of invasion grew,		However, the Tibetans were unable to face the prophecies of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and the threat of Chinese Communist invasion. An eyewitness who experienced firsthand the events in Lhasa prior to the takeover explained that as the threat of invasion grew,
Line 268:		Line 268:

	Time after time after time [[El Morya]] has made the plea, “Pray for the Tibetans. They are my chelas. They are the devotees of the Buddha. Pray for them.”<ref>Elizabeth Clare Prophet, May 4, 1991.</ref>		Time after time after time [[El Morya]] has made the plea, “Pray for the Tibetans. They are my chelas. They are the devotees of the Buddha. Pray for them.”<ref>Elizabeth Clare Prophet, May 4, 1991.</ref>

			== See also ==

			[[Taiwan]]

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Pduffy: link

2019-02-19T02:30:58Z

link

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:30, 19 February 2019
Line 195:		Line 195:
	At one meeting an organizer said, “The meeting will not stop until the whole audience denounces the Dalai Lama.... Everyone had to say, ‘The gods, lamas, religion and monasteries are tools of exploitation.... The Chinese Communist Party liberated us.... The Chinese Communist Party is more kind than our own parents.’”<ref>Dhondub Choedon, ''Life in the Red Flag People’s Commune'' (Dharamsala, india: The Office, 1978), p. 60.</ref>		At one meeting an organizer said, “The meeting will not stop until the whole audience denounces the Dalai Lama.... Everyone had to say, ‘The gods, lamas, religion and monasteries are tools of exploitation.... The Chinese Communist Party liberated us.... The Chinese Communist Party is more kind than our own parents.’”<ref>Dhondub Choedon, ''Life in the Red Flag People’s Commune'' (Dharamsala, india: The Office, 1978), p. 60.</ref>

	But all of this was only the beginning. The Cultural Revolution was the true era of the destruction of Tibetan religion and culture. It was ~~Mao’s~~ attempt to wipe out conservative and moderate elements in the Communist Party and the government. It was to be a violent “cleaning” of China’s “rotten core.” During it, the “Four Olds”—old ideology, old culture, old customs, and old habits—were to be destroyed.		But all of this was only the beginning. The Cultural Revolution was the true era of the destruction of Tibetan religion and culture. It was [[Mao Tse-tung\|Mao]]’s attempt to wipe out conservative and moderate elements in the Communist Party and the government. It was to be a violent “cleaning” of China’s “rotten core.” During it, the “Four Olds”—old ideology, old culture, old customs, and old habits—were to be destroyed.

	Many Tibetan youths participated, particularly those who had received a Chinese secondary education. In Tibet, Buddhism became the primary object of the destruction campaign. The Jokhang Temple was Tibet’s holiest shrine. Built in the seventh century, it was the Mecca of Buddhism for many Buddhists throughout Asia. On August 25th, 1966, Red Guards invaded and destroyed it and defaced hundreds of priceless frescoes and images. For five days its courtyards were filled with mobs burning scriptures. After the rampage it was renamed Guest House number 5. The main temple was used as a pigsty. Its catacombs were taken over for the most radical Red Guard troops.		Many Tibetan youths participated, particularly those who had received a Chinese secondary education. In Tibet, Buddhism became the primary object of the destruction campaign. The Jokhang Temple was Tibet’s holiest shrine. Built in the seventh century, it was the Mecca of Buddhism for many Buddhists throughout Asia. On August 25th, 1966, Red Guards invaded and destroyed it and defaced hundreds of priceless frescoes and images. For five days its courtyards were filled with mobs burning scriptures. After the rampage it was renamed Guest House number 5. The main temple was used as a pigsty. Its catacombs were taken over for the most radical Red Guard troops.

Pduffy: Proofing corrections, edits, one addition of new material

2017-02-09T06:25:52Z

Proofing corrections, edits, one addition of new material

Show changes

Pduffy at 20:52, 8 February 2017

2017-02-08T20:52:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:52, 8 February 2017
Line 66:		Line 66:

	Up until the Communist takeover, monasteries were the hub of Tibetan life. A large percentage of the country’s adult male population were monks.		Up until the Communist takeover, monasteries were the hub of Tibetan life. A large percentage of the country’s adult male population were monks.

			[[File:Dalailama1 20121014 4639.jpg\|thumb\|Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama]]

	== The Dalai Lama ==		== The Dalai Lama ==

Pduffy: Added images, additional paragraph of text

2017-02-08T19:46:30Z

Added images, additional paragraph of text

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:46, 8 February 2017
Line 168:		Line 168:

	<blockquote>This explosive confrontation finally erupted on March 17th. The Chinese started shelling the city and that evening the Dalai Lama and his entourage fled south in the direction of India. The demonstrations turned into an outright rebellion against the unwanted Chinese presence in Tibet that was met with full fury of the Chinese military. Fierce fighting broke out in Lhasa but the superior Chinese forces quickly overwhelmed the Tibetans, inflicting heavy casualties and damaging many buildings. From now on the Chinese dropped any pretense of “peaceful liberation” and set out to incorporate Tibet into the People’s Republic of China.<ref>Batchelor, ''Tibet Guide'', p. 32.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>This explosive confrontation finally erupted on March 17th. The Chinese started shelling the city and that evening the Dalai Lama and his entourage fled south in the direction of India. The demonstrations turned into an outright rebellion against the unwanted Chinese presence in Tibet that was met with full fury of the Chinese military. Fierce fighting broke out in Lhasa but the superior Chinese forces quickly overwhelmed the Tibetans, inflicting heavy casualties and damaging many buildings. From now on the Chinese dropped any pretense of “peaceful liberation” and set out to incorporate Tibet into the People’s Republic of China.<ref>Batchelor, ''Tibet Guide'', p. 32.</ref></blockquote>

			[[File:Samye Monastery.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.4\|Samye Monastery, Tibet. The monastery, which dates to the 8th century, has been rebuilt following its destruction during the Cultural Revolution and is once again an active monastery.]]

	== Destruction of Tibetan culture and religion ==		== Destruction of Tibetan culture and religion ==
Line 202:		Line 204:

	Samye monastery, which was built by Padma Sambhava in the eighth century and was regarded as one of the holiest pilgrim spots in Tibet, was completely destroyed. The act of desecrating a monastery had a devastating psychological effect on those forced to do it. At Nuplung, a hamlet near Central Tibet, villagers were ordered to dismantle the local monastery and stupa. Scriptures from the stupa were mixed with manure and spread on the fields. People were crying and fainting. The caretaker went crazy.		Samye monastery, which was built by Padma Sambhava in the eighth century and was regarded as one of the holiest pilgrim spots in Tibet, was completely destroyed. The act of desecrating a monastery had a devastating psychological effect on those forced to do it. At Nuplung, a hamlet near Central Tibet, villagers were ordered to dismantle the local monastery and stupa. Scriptures from the stupa were mixed with manure and spread on the fields. People were crying and fainting. The caretaker went crazy.

			The Chinese have more recently permitted the limited worship and practice of Buddhism in Tibet. But the Dalai Lama has said that because of “direct and indirect restrictions on the teaching and study of Buddhist philosophy,” Buddhism is “being reduced to a blind faith.”<ref>“Documentation,” ''News Tibet'', September-December 1987, p. 3.</ref>

	== Destruction of the Tibetan people ==		== Destruction of the Tibetan people ==

Pduffy: Added images

2017-02-08T18:59:25Z

Added images

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:59, 8 February 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:Potala palace21.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.4\|The Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet. The palace, containing more than 1,000 rooms over more than thirteen stories, was formerly the residence of the Dalai Lama, seat of government of Tibet, and a center for study and prayer. It is now a museum. While the structure escaped physical destruction, almost all of the more than 100,000 volumes of scriptures, historical documents and works of art were destroyed, damaged or removed damage during the Cultural Revolution.]]

	'''Tibet''' is situated on a plateau the size of Western Europe in the heart of Asia. Its average altitude is fifteen thousand feet. It is majestically surrounded by the world’s highest mountains, including the Himalayas.		'''Tibet''' is situated on a plateau the size of Western Europe in the heart of Asia. Its average altitude is fifteen thousand feet. It is majestically surrounded by the world’s highest mountains, including the Himalayas.

Line 18:		Line 20:

	Because the King’s plan to restore Buddhism were being vehemently opposed by the Bon-po, in <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 746 to 747 he asked the Indian adept [[Padma Sambhava]] to come to his land to defeat these forces.		Because the King’s plan to restore Buddhism were being vehemently opposed by the Bon-po, in <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 746 to 747 he asked the Indian adept [[Padma Sambhava]] to come to his land to defeat these forces.

			[[File:Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche, 8th century) LACMA M.83.218.3.jpg\|thumb\|Ivory statue of Padma Sambhava (Central Tibet, 17th century)]]

	== Padma Sambhava ==		== Padma Sambhava ==
Line 86:		Line 90:

	In 1911, when the Manchus were toppled by the Chinese revolution, they lost control of Tibet, and the Dalai Lama was able to return to Lhasa in 1913. With China embroiled in its own internal struggles between warlords followed by a civil war between the Nationalists and Communists, Tibet enjoyed a period of peace and independence.		In 1911, when the Manchus were toppled by the Chinese revolution, they lost control of Tibet, and the Dalai Lama was able to return to Lhasa in 1913. With China embroiled in its own internal struggles between warlords followed by a civil war between the Nationalists and Communists, Tibet enjoyed a period of peace and independence.

			[[File:13th Dalai Lama in 1932.jpg\|thumb\|The Thirteenth Dalai Lama in 1932]]

	== The prophecies of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama ==		== The prophecies of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama ==
Line 102:		Line 108:

	<blockquote>If we do this, then there is no doubt that we will abide within the blessings of the national protective divinity Nechung, who was appointed by the Acharya (Padma Sambhava) to assist the line of Dalai Lamas in the task of caring for Tibet.... Think carefully about what I have said, for the future is in your hands. It is extremely important to overcome what needs to be overcome, and to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. Do not confuse the two.<ref>Glenn H. Mullin, “The Great Thirteenth’s Last New Year Sermon,” ''Tibetan Review'' 22 (October 1987): 17.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>If we do this, then there is no doubt that we will abide within the blessings of the national protective divinity Nechung, who was appointed by the Acharya (Padma Sambhava) to assist the line of Dalai Lamas in the task of caring for Tibet.... Think carefully about what I have said, for the future is in your hands. It is extremely important to overcome what needs to be overcome, and to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. Do not confuse the two.<ref>Glenn H. Mullin, “The Great Thirteenth’s Last New Year Sermon,” ''Tibetan Review'' 22 (October 1987): 17.</ref></blockquote>

			[[File:N Roerich.jpg\|thumb\|Nicholas Roerich]]

	== Reports by Nicholas Roerich ==		== Reports by Nicholas Roerich ==

Pduffy: typo

2017-02-08T06:35:10Z

typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:35, 8 February 2017
Line 5:		Line 5:
	== The significance of religion in Tibet ==		== The significance of religion in Tibet ==

	In order to understand Tibet one must understand its religion—for the two are virtually inseparable. This passage from an eighth or ninth-century Tibetan text describes how heaven and earth are one in the land and hearts of the people of Tibet:		In order to understand Tibet one must understand its religion—for the two are virtually inseparable. This passage from an eighth- or ninth-century Tibetan text describes how heaven and earth are one in the land and hearts of the people of Tibet:

	<blockquote>This center of heaven, this core of the earth, this heart of the world, fenced round by snow, the headland of all rivers, where the mountains are high and the land is pure.</blockquote>		<blockquote>This center of heaven, this core of the earth, this heart of the world, fenced round by snow, the headland of all rivers, where the mountains are high and the land is pure.</blockquote>

Pduffy: Proofed some quotes, added missing source refs.

2017-02-08T06:34:18Z

Proofed some quotes, added missing source refs.

Show changes

Pduffy: Added references

2017-02-08T00:10:54Z

Added references

Show changes