[POLITICS]
According to Tibetan calculations, there are 6 million people now living
in Tibet while more than 140,000 live in “exile” communities in India,
Nepal, Bhutan, the U.S and Europe. These people left their country after
it was occupied by the Chinese Army. Many people feel strongly about
Chinese control of Tibet. Some believe that Tibet is part of China
and that it makes sense for the Chinese government to have control. Others
feel that Tibet is a separate country and can govern itself apart from
China. Some people think that the answer lies somewhere in between
and is more complex. For example, a monk named Samdhong Rimposhe,
a Buddhist teacher and philosopher who was elected prime minister by Tibetan
exiles was quoted recently in the New York Times as saying: “Political
separation from China is not important. What is important is to restore
Tibetan civilization. Tibet is not simply a nation or state.
It is a unique cultural and spiritual heritage. It could be preserved
within China-or it could be preserved even if we were separate from China.
Our basic objective is to preserve it in the future for the benefit of
all humanity, all sentient beings.” Even the United Nations has had
different opinions: at times, it seems to support China’s control of Tibet,
while at others, it appears to support Tibetan independence. (For
more information, try www.UN.org.)
What is certain is that the question of China and Tibet is a complicated
one, and you should find out more to form your own opinion.
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