Tibet’s spiritual guru Dalai Lama (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right)
Dalai lama vs china: The Dalai Lama is the supreme spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The current 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso has been in this role since 1950. He is not only a religious leader, but also a symbol of Tibet’s autonomy and cultural identity. There are many reasons for the dispute between China and the Dalai Lama. These reasons are related to Tibet’s historical, cultural and political issues. Let us know it in detail.
History of Tibet
To understand the dispute between the Dalai Lama and China, you must first know the history of Tibet. Tibet has been a historically an independent region, but from the 13th to 20th century it was sometimes under the influence of China. In 1950, Communist China led by Chinese Supreme leader Mao Zedong captured Tibet and formally declared it to be part of China in 1951. Despite this, Tibet does not consider himself a part of China.
Main reasons for dispute
Freedom of Tibet
The Dalai Lama and his supporters demand real autonomy for Tibet, including cultural, religious and linguistic freedom. However, the Dalai Lama has advocated “Middle Way Approach” instead of full independence since the 1980s, in which Tibet gets more autonomy within China. China considers it a conspiracy to separate Tibet and calls the Dalai Lama a “divisive”.
Dalai Lama’s global image
The Dalai Lama is respected globally as a symbol of peace and human rights. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Their global popularity and visiting world leaders create fear in China that it strengthens the Tibet issue on the international stage. When a country like India, America meets the Dalai Lama, China strongly opposed it and considers it an intervention in its internal affairs.
Chinese policies in Tibet
China has implemented several rigorous policies in Tibet. These included control over Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, suppressing Tibetan language and culture, large -scale Han Chinese population in Tibet, etc. The Dalai Lama criticizes these policies, which Beijing considers “anti -China” propaganda. Allegations of human rights abuses in Tibet, such as prohibiting religious freedom and repression on protesters, also increase the controversy.
The issue of succession of the Dalai Lama
The question of her succession is important due to the age of the Dalai Lama (90 years in 2025). According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Dalai Lama is reborn and the new Dalai Lama is chosen. But China says that it would control the appointment of the next Dalai Lama, as he did in the case of Panchan Lama. That is, China wants the next Dalai Lama to be a Chinese person or China’s influence. But the Dalai Lama has announced its successor. It is also said that his successor will be chosen according to the Tibetan traditions and he can take rebirth in India or any other independent country. His statement is a challenge for China, as he wants complete control over Tibet.
Other major reasons for China’s tease
China considers the Dalai Lama a threat to its control in Tibet. His global appeal and influence in the Tibetan community is uncomfortable for China’s one-class governance. In addition, China considers Tibet as an integral part of its territory and considers the demands of the Dalai Lama against national unity. The Dalai Lama’s meeting with world leaders and international discussion on the issue of Tibet is diplomatically harassing China.
India’s stance
India gave shelter to the Dalai Lama in 1959 and placed the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala. India respects the Dalai Lama as a religious leader. This has been a cause of tension in India-China relations. In such a situation, the dispute between China and the Dalai Lama is associated with Tibet’s autonomy, cultural identity, and the global impressive image of the Dalai Lama.
Why China considers Dalai Lama threatened
China considers the Dalai Lama a threat to its control and national unity. While the Dalai Lama advocates the cultural and religious freedom of Tibet. This dispute is a mixture of historical, political and cultural differences. Therefore, there is a constant controversy between the spiritual guru Dalai Lama of China and Tibet.
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