<
https://theconversation.com/succession-on-the-tibetan-plateau-whats-at-stake-in-the-battle-over-the-dalai-lamas-reincarnation-202353>
"In China, a group of atheists (the Chinese Communist Party) has long dictated
how the country’s religious groups should practise their faiths.
Chinese Christians are told to reject salvation by faith and the Resurrection;
their core beliefs should be patriotism and love of the party. The party has
also published several pamphlets detailing appropriate beliefs and practices
for Buddhists and ordered them to adjust their thoughts accordingly.
Communist officials are particularly concerned with one politically sensitive
element of Buddhism: the succession of the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,
whose reincarnation lineage began in the 16th century. He will be 88 years old
in July and has reportedly experienced health problems, though he claims he is
in good health.
In official news outlets like the Global Times, the party maintains the Chinese
government is the sole legitimate arbiter for all reincarnations of Buddhist
lamas, regardless of where they are born or their traditional regions of
influence.
The Chinese state is deeply suspicious of religious believers and the
potentially persuasive power of rival ideologies, which is why it insists on
appointing and educating all prominent religious figures. They learn the
propaganda of Chinese patriotism and become adept at parroting the party line,
but they generally have little knowledge of their purported religion. True
believers recognise this."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
