Tibet: "Middle Way" Policy Not Working

Exiled Tibetans gather in India to discuss new way, By Tim Sullivan, Associated Press, Nov 12, 2008

For 20 years, the exile movement has been guided by the Dalai Lama’s “middle way,” which rejects demands for outright independence but calls for limited autonomy for Tibet. Until very recently, the Dalai Lama had insisted on conciliation, repeatedly telling Beijing that progress for Tibet could come only through talks, and insisting he did not want independence.

Conciliatory talk, though, brought little but disdain from China. Instead, Beijing derides the Dalai Lama as a “splittist,” saying he really wants a Tibetan nation. For years, talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama’s envoys have ended in stalemate.

In October, the man who turned patience into an art form appeared to finally grow impatient.

The Dalai Lama said in a speech that after years of pursuing the middle way “there hasn’t been any positive response.”

“As far as I’m concerned I have given up,” he added.

Now, nearly everything is on the table for discussion. Starting Monday, exiled Tibetans from around the world will gather in Dharmsala, called together by the Dalai Lama for a six-day meeting that could end years of carefully moderated policies toward Beijing

Summary of some key points in the article:

The Stakeholders and their positions:

China: Issue has been settled. 1.3 billion people (vs 6 million); world’s largest army. China continuing to move thousands of ethnic Han Chinese into Tibet.

Dalai Lama: Middle Way Policy — limited autonomy and not independence, conciliation. Middle Way not working, time for new leadership.

Tibetan Youth Congress: … one of the more militant activist groups …

Prime Minister – Government-in-exile: Samdhong Rinpoche – need to identify a way-ahead.

Policy Options: Autonomy or Independence, More protests, angrier protests, boycotts, more pressure on Western nations, sabotage of China’s infrastructure … patience and “hope for a time when changes in China will lead to meaningful change in Tibet.”

Other (western) Countries.

Dalai Lama – Transformational Leader

POST: Transformation Leadership. Aditya Birla Group, India’s First Global Corporation

One of the best descriptions of transformational leadership has been penned by Prof. Bernard Bass, a renowned exponent of the idea. He says succinctly,
“Leaders are truly transformational when they increase awareness of what is right, good, important and beautiful, when they help to elevate followers’ needs for achievement and self-actualisation, when they foster in followers high moral maturity, and when they move followers to go beyond their self-interests for the good of their group, organisation or society.”

The Dalai Lama is a leader of an altogether different mould. He has no overt base of power; he holds no political position; neither does he command an army; and he has no control over mighty economic resources. Yet, he strikes a powerful chord. In a world driven by material progress, and the incessant thunder of conflict and strife, he offers the message of peace and humanity.

What makes the Dalai Lama so interesting and influential? Why do people around the world care about a simple Buddhist monk who 50 years ago was forced to leave his country, and who for years has headed an unrecognised government-in-exile, a ‘virtual’ nation of 6 million Tibetans?

I believe it is entirely appropriate to speak of him as a transformational leader. Why? Because, while his basic message is spiritual, his work has ramifications that are entirely down-to-earth. What exactly is the difference he has made, and what are the dimensions of what he has achieved?

Choosing the next Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama: Tibetans To Vote On New Leadership – November 28, 2007 – The New York Sun

The Tibetan desire for autonomy vs. the Chinese position that Tibet will always be considered part of China would get my vote as one of the best best battles to study in terms of Quality Leadership and strategy.

AMRITSAR, India The Dalai Lama said yesterday the Tibetan people will vote on a new system of leadership before he dies, as Tibetan Buddhists grapple with ways to prevent their spiritual leaders from falling under Chinese control.

China has ruled the Himalayan nation of Tibet with a heavy hand since its communist-led forces invaded in 1951 and for decades, the Dalai Lama has personified Tibetans’ struggle for self-determination. But fears that China will appoint a new Dalai Lama after his death have led Tibetan leaders to contemplate ideas that break with the centuries-old system to choose their spiritual leader including doing away with Dalai Lamas or naming a successor before the current leader dies. China, which accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking independence for Tibet, angrily condemned the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s proposal as a subversion of Buddhist tradition.

EU-China Summit Canceled: Meeting with Dalai blamed

China blames France, EU for summit cancellation, By Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press Writer , Nov 27, 2008.

BEIJING – China said Thursday French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plans to meet with the Dalai Lama — hated by Beijing — left it no option but to pull out of an upcoming China-European Union summit.

“We resolutely oppose the Dalai traveling to other countries in any capacity to carry out activities aimed at splitting China. We resolutely oppose foreign leaders having any form of contact with the Dalai,” Qin said.

The cancellation, first announced Wednesday by would-be summit host France, was a dramatic example of the lengths to which Beijing will go to try to internationally isolate Tibet’s exiled Buddhist leader.