By Shyamal Sinha
The Middle-Way Approach is proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet and to bring about stability and co-existence between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples based on equality and mutual co-operation. It is also a policy adopted democratically by the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people through a series of discussions held over a long time. This brief introduction to the Middle-Way policy and its history is intended for the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet – and all those interested – to have a better understanding of the issues involved.
The Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) launched a flagship tri-lingual report titled ‘Tibet Was Never A Part Of China But The Middle Way Approach Remains a Viable Solution.’ The report published in Tibetan, English and Chinese languages, was unveiled by Prof. Anand Kumar, Socialist and Reformer, and Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President of CTA, at an event held at India International Centre.
Addressing the select gathering of scholars, experts, academicians, diplomats and journalists, Prof. Anand Kumar lauded the efforts of CTA to bring about an authentic handbook and said, “Tibetan reality is a mirror to those who believe in Chinese notion of socialism. This notion is a failed one.”
Prof. Anand said that under the Chinese occupation, it is not only Buddhism but the entire belief system that is suffering. Lamenting that imperialism has no future, Prof. Anand said that for India and for the rest of the world, Tibet is the beginning of the solution to achieving peace in the world.
“Freedom in Tibet ensures India’s security, and therefore ignoring Tibet’s tragedy is akin to living in denial,” asserted Prof. Anand Kumar.
Prof. Anand Kumar extolled the principles of the Middle Way Approach envisioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and said that His Holiness and his understanding of the Asian roadmap is our (India’s) roadmap. “Our understanding is that in Tibet lies the key to stability in Asia,” concluded Prof. Anand Kumar.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay provided the introduction and context of the important documentation on situation in Tibet. Pointing to the rights violations that pervade Tibet under the Chinese occupation, Dr Sangay affirmed that “the 152 self-immolations in Tibet evinces the fact that Tibet is not a socialist paradise and that Tibetans are not masters in their own land.”
Pointing to the ludicrous efforts of Chinese leadership to recognize reincarnate Lamas, Bishops and Imams, Dr Sangay admitted with conviction that in the case of Tibetan Buddhism, the sole authority to recognize reincarnate Lamas lies with Tibetan Lamas.
Explaining that the Middle Way Approach is the most viable option to resolving the longstanding Sino-Tibet issue, Dr Sangay called for the resumption of dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese representatives.
DIIR’s International Relations Secretary and CTA’s Spokesperson Sonam Norbu Dagpo thanked the 18 plus writers and editors at CTA, in particular at DIIR for contributing to the publication of the report in three languages. “Regardless of how much the PRC attempts to cloud the world’s view of Tibet, as long as Tibetans and their supporters continue to publish and promote information that reveals the truth of what goes on in the region, the push for the rights of Tibetans will continue. This report marks the CTA’s current contribution to this effort,” concluded Secretary Dagpo.
DIIR’s Information Secretary Dhardon Sharling opened the event with the words; “Just as we speak here today, in Putian, southeast China’s Fujian Province, the 5th World Buddhist Forum is underway. Buddhism and Belt and Road and Buddhism and Maritime Silk Road tops the agenda for the three-day forum.” Explaining that the report seeks to provide a tool to strengthen the challenge against disinformation on Tibet, Secretary Dhardon said the report provides the most comprehensive overview on Tibet’s past, present and future.
The report is now available for download here
