Absurdity of the Dalai Lama and the CCP

[PikeStance]

New York Times Article: China’s Tensions With Dalai Lama Spill Into the Afterlife

The Dalai Lama is "threatening" to not reincarnate amist speculations that the CCP would choose its own puppet Dalai Lama.

Zhu Weiqun, a Communist Party official who has long dealt with Tibetan issues, told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday that the Dalai Lama had, essentially, no say over whether he was reincarnated. That was ultimately for the Chinese government to decide, he said, according to a transcript of his comments on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s main newspaper.

I love the irony of an atheist ideology dictating religious practices.

[Napoleonic Bonapartism]

In the Buddhist tradition can the Dalai Lama actually choose not to reincarnate? I suppose he could go to Nirvana whenever he likes; but I'm not an expert.

[hellheaven1987]

I suppose he could go to Nirvana whenever he likes; but I'm not an expert.

I remember the tradition of his reincarnation is based on trying to come back and save more other souls.

CCP would choose its own puppet Dalai Lama.

Unfortunately that is true political concern, and CCP probably would do it.

[Roma_Victrix]

One would imagine that, if reincarnation is real (as globally documented past life memories of children allude), one certainly doesn't have a choice in the matter of being reincarnated into another body or not. Of course there's no way to prove one way or another (i.e. both the existence of reincarnation or the choice of spirits to partake in it), but it seems immensely preposterous, like all religious claims, that we know so much about the spiritual realm that we could plan to manipulate it as such after our death. Likewise, I also agree that the CCP is rather silly for meddling in these affairs. It's just another example of the CCP's long established policy of regulating all private activities of their citizens, including their practice of various faiths.

[Enros]

One would imagine that, if reincarnation is real (as globally documented past life memories of children allude)

I'm sorry?

[Aanker]

One would imagine that, if reincarnation is real (as globally documented past life memories of children allude),

No.

there's no way to prove one way or another (i.e. both the existence of reincarnation or the choice of spirits to partake in it),

Precisely.

but it seems immensely preposterous, like all religious claims, that we know so much about the spiritual realm that we could plan to manipulate it as such after our death. Likewise, I also agree that the CCP is rather silly for meddling in these affairs. It's just another example of the CCP's long established policy of regulating all private activities of their citizens, including their practice of various faiths.

It is more about the CCP just waiting to obtain another useful propaganda tool, if anything.

[Condottiere 40K]

5538
Dichotomies exist all the time in diplomacy and politics.

The CCP's problem is if the Dalai Lama reincarnates outside the boundaries of the PRC. They may induce labour to ensure this outcome.

[Denny Crane!]

If we could just directly separate Buddhism and Tibetan crazy LSD based purple cloud Buddhism I'd sure feel a warm happy drug free feeling!

[gaunty14]

Maybe he will be reincarnated as the leader of the Chinese Communist party in a few years and then formally declare Tibet independent?

[Ishoss]

The Chinese, as the leaders of Tibet, are just following the long tradition of "reincarnating" a new leader of Tibet to support their rule.

[Sphere]

There are traditionally two Tibetan Lama's, basically an upper and a lower Lama. When one dies, the other chooses his re-incarnation.

Right now there are two lower Lama's in dispute with each-other; one aligned with the CCP, the other with the exiled government. When the current Dali/Upper Lama dies, presumably both the CCP and exiled government will each have their lower Lama choose a new Dali Lama.

Then the split will be complete, and there will be 4 lama's. An upper and lower in exile, and the CCP's upper and lower lama's.

[Condottiere 40K]

12432
That would be a dilama.

[Roma_Victrix]

12432
That would be a dilama.

A huge dilemma indeed, but one the CCP would definitely settle for because they would create legitimacy for their version of Tibetan Buddhism (however fabricated and divorced from the original community).

[hellheaven1987]

Yes although any Han Chinese government would probably does it anyway, even it is not CCP.

[Alastor]

In the end it doesn't matter what the Dalai Lama says. If the Chinese government wants to "reincarnate" him they will do so. Who would oppose them?

[PikeStance]

It isn't a question of opposition, but acceptance.

[hellheaven1987]

It isn't a question of opposition, but acceptance.

It is the question of getting use of multiculturism.

[PikeStance]

It is the question of getting use of multiculturism.

I am not so sure the CCP or China in general are that interested in multiculturalism in China. Sure, the CCP do champion the 50+ distinct ethnic groups within China, but I think it primarily due to the fact that most are very small groups, except the Uighur and the Tibetans.

Thus far every Chinese women I have dated are 'ok' with Taiwan if it ever chooses to be independent, but when I mentioned Tibet, I always get, "its Chinese!" When I say, you are 'ok' with Taiwan independence even though it is 95% Han, but you dead set against Tibet which far more distinct, why? I get dead silence and a weird look.

Another tidbit. Every women I dated hated Mao! One woman went on a 20 minute tirade on what "he" did to her family.

[hellheaven1987]

I am not so sure the CCP or China in general are that interested in multiculturalism in China.

It is not whether they are interested or not, multiculturalism is the fact of world now unless China want to shoot down everything move close to its border.

Every women I dated hated Mao! One woman went on a 20 minute tirade on what "he" did to her family.

More like it is politically correct to dislike Mao today, just like during Khrushchev's time it was politically correct to denounce Stalin in USSR. Ask those women about Zhou Enlai and see what their reaction is.

[PikeStance]

It is not whether they are interested or not, multiculturalism is the fact of world now unless China want to shoot down everything move close to its border

I am not sure you are using the right term. The original statement you made was this: It is the question of getting use of multiculturism.
It was in response to this: It isn't a question of opposition, but acceptance.

More like it is politically correct to dislike Mao today, just like during Khrushchev's time it was politically correct to denounce Stalin in USSR. Ask those women about Zhou Enlai and see what their reaction is.

I honestly do not sense a political correctness to dislike Mao. My Chinese students never seem to say anything critical of Mao. The shrug off any negative statements. My girlfriend expressed a similar attitude that Mao is the man that 'saved' China. When I say something to mitigate it, I get a shrug from her too.

I made a post on wechat about Zhou Enlai. I'll keep you posted on any responses I receive.