As they say Tibet is the roof of the world. The Tibetans are people of peace and live in harmony with each other and the natural world around them. This is due to their commitment and devotion to the Dalia Lama and their faith in the Buddhist religion. The Tibetan people’s flight is not a recent one and the people of Tibet have been fighting for many years. Tibet’s neighboring countries are India and China, and Tibet has been fatality attacked by one and lovingly accepted by the other.
Tibet is a land rich in culture, tradition, history, and religion.
In 1949 Chairman Mao Zedong rolled out his new vision for China and Tibet to be one nation. This cultural revolution was named “Great Leap Forward” but was also known as “Smash the Four Olds”. Smash the Four Olds was the motto used to describe the drive in the destruction of the old Tibetan culture, the old Tibetan ideas and the old Tibetan customs and the old Tibetan way of life. Tibet was pushed into a destructive future which saw 6,000 monasteries destroyed leaving 12 original standing.
When the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army invaded Tibet they did not realize the resistance that they would receive. Tibet was a country dedicated to their religion, the Dalai Lama and the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha). The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet and was a crucial force in supporting the Tibetan people throughout these difficult times. The Dalai Lama preached for peace and calm however the Chinese Government was not interested in submerging to Tibet’s requests for peace. Chairman Mao Zedong stated that `Religion is poison…Tibet and Mongolia have both been poisoned by it” The Tibetan people fought back however many people were killed and many were forced to find exile in India and further afield.
The Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet due to fear of his life and found exile in his neighboring country of India. The Tibetan people still strove for freedom from Chinese rule however they were suppressed and experienced the worst human rights that any human can experience. Tibetan women were raped, forced to have sterilization treatment, and forced to have abortions. Many Tibetans were placed into prisons for praying or speaking about Buddhism. In prisons, many Tibetans were tortured under the Chinese government and cut off from their culture, their beliefs as well as family members and loved ones. Freedom of speech has almost been forbidden within China and now this seeped through to Tibet.
Torture and oppression Experienced by Tibetan People from Chinese
Even though the Tibetan people are no longer facing the Cultural Revolution they are still facing the effects of the Chinese rule causing them to experience torture and oppression. Not only are the Chinese suppressing the Tibetans culture, religion, and beliefs they are also destroying the Tibetan environment where toxic waste is thrown into rivers and endangered species are hunted for sport. The Tibetan people have had strict guidelines placed upon the expression of their religion and anyone who openly discusses the Cultural Revolution in a negative way is imprisoned. Many nuns and monks have suffered due to the regime which has been placed on the Tibetan people. Not only has the Chinese enforced pain on the Tibetan people but the Chinese government has also abducted potential influential people within the Buddhist community. One of these people is Gedhun Choekyi Nyima Tibet’s 11th Panchen Lama who was only six when he was taken.
Pray for Freedom.
Tibet is now at boiling point with many younger Tibetans retaliating against the Chinese government and many protests have been carried out where people have died as a result of them. Pray for Tibet’s future and pray for the Tibetan people. Pray for the prisoners of the Chinese Government as well as those who have already suffered and continue to suffer under the Chinese Rule. Pray that the world does not turn their back on Tibet and pray that the Tibetan people can hold on to their opinions and views even if they are not allowed to voice them. Pray for Freedom.
