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Health & Fitness

Dalai Lama on Tibet's Cultural Extinction

Dalai Lama speaks on Tibet's cultural extinction at a recent talk in India

The Tibetan community that fled Tibet after the Chinese take-over and harsh rule has continued to live in exile for more than 50 years, and numerous critics of China's policies have warned the world that Tibet’s culture and identity is “nearing extinction.” Those are the words of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, in which he later observed, “The Tibetan people are regarded like criminals, deserving to be put to death.”

     The Tibetan leader discussed at a recent public gathering that “These 50 years have brought untold suffering and destruction to the land and people of Tibet.” Nearly 2,000 people, including Buddhist monks, Tibetan schoolchildren and many other supporters attended the ceremony in Dharmsala, India.

            “Tibetans live in constant fear,” he said, “where Chinese authorities remain constantly suspicious of them.”

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            The Dalai Lama also acknowledged in his talk in India that any change shall come peacefully, continuing that his support for the “Middle Way,” which calls for significant Tibetan autonomy under Chinese rule. The spiritual leader said “I have no doubt that the justice of Tibetan cause will prevail if we continue to tread a path of truth and nonviolence.”

            China has continually alienated Tibet from the world, imposing harsh conditions on them, sealing them off from the outside world. Tibetans acknowledge a loss of privacy over the years, in which Chinese military has been deployed, telephones have been tapped, and Internet connections have been disrupted.

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama will speak on Oct. 18 and 19 at Western Connecticut State University, and the public is invited to a free showing (video simulcast) in the Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St. To help promote this opportunity, WCSU students in the Writing and Linguistics Department's Advertising, Copywriting and Promotions class created a Twitter page. and they are writing this blog daily.

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