Mission Statement for FREE TIBET Group on Gather

The Chinese government invaded a free and independent Tibet under Chairman Mao. His "dream" of cultural and racial genocide is nearly a reality with the recent completion of his planned rail line to Lhasa, and the Chinese Govt's planned use of the 2008 Olympics to present a revisionist view of Tibet's history. A cleverer propaganda effort has never been as broadly conceived, and executed, as their refashioning of the Tibetan world over the past five decades. The parallels to Hitler's efforts are scary; and we are allowing this to occur, by doing nothing -just so we can have low cost imports from China.

   Since the invasion, over 6,500 temples and monasteries have been wiped off the earth- even their foundations destroyed. Every village, river, and structure renamed;and forced onto world maps. Entire villages were destroyed. And, in their place? New "old" villages have been built alongside gleaming structures to convey a history that never was; and to bury all remnants of the Tibetan Buddhist Peoples and their culture.

     About six million Tibetans have been killed, tortured, or sent out in the diaspora; while six million Han Chinese were force migrated into their place - with mandates to inter-breed. The Han émigrés have been given three times their normal wages to subsume the indigenous Tibetan peoples via complete subjugation. Yet still, being the strongest willed people on the planet and intensely spiritual, many Tibetans have remained; and taken unimaginable abuse, awaiting the return of HH The Dalai Lama. Being highly sensitized against all forms of hate, anger, and negative/hurtful actions and words; this hits them much harder than other peoples; yet, they endure.

     The Dalai Lama is the embodiment of the wisdom of Buddha, and has helped the world to be a better place - while suffering the worst of all sorrows, knowing the pain of his peoples; and receiving little support for their release.

     Richard Nixon, 'opened up' China for trade; and was lauded for his efforts. Yet, that meant that it was "hands off" on "the Tibetan question." The growing economic dependence on China has not only resulted in tremendous trade deficits; but locks our countries into stances of non-action for Freeing Tibet, out of fear of losing money. It's time to stand up to China. It's time to come to Tibet's aid. It is THE last chance for the Tibetan Buddhist culture & peoples to survive. If this travesty is allowed to be glossed over during the 2008 Olympics, it will be the final nail in the coffin of an entire race & their culture.

     It is this century's test of humankind for human rights. Other situations in the world are bad, yet this one is clearly related to one thing: money. And, it is easy to solve: Boycott the purchase of all Chinese goods until Tibet is restored as an independent, self ruling, state; as it was over 1,400 years ago by Ghengis Khan and his son - to be a remote bastion of spiritual pureness.

     Gandi, Martin Luther King, and other great leaders of human rights, all got their inspiration and guidance from the non-violent principles of the teacher Buddha. It is believed that even Jesus traveled to Varanasi, the center of Buddhist thought for five hundred years before he was born, to hear the teachings of Buddha. After Hinduism overtook India, the dharma (teachings) were taken to remote Tibet to be preserved in a pure state.

     HH The Dalai Lama is without a doubt the most sincere and authentic leader in our world today, for these very reasons - even without his country. Imagine how inspiring a restored Tibetan Buddhist world would be for everyone?

     Francis Younghusband, a staunch Christian, was sent to invade Tibet in 1903; and take the Dalai Lama prisoner. Instead, while atop the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, he was transformed, and went on to found the World Congress of Faiths in 1936.

He wrote in his diary: "I shall, through my life, be carrying out God's Divine message to mankind"  

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     Now, like then, the Tibetan Buddhist world can be the catalyst for a resurgence in spiritualism in all faiths; since this school of thought conflicts with no religion. Is Tibet our 'do or die' choice for reconnection to more spiritual lives? Do we want to risk losing that? Over what? Cheap imports, WalMart and K-mart blue light specials? Have we decided on consumerism over life?

                                           Tibet is our test, lets make sure we pass it.

     This group is to provide a space for anyone to post articles and comments to support the efforts to Free Tibet Now.

http://freetibet.gather.com