The Dalai Lama, Before, During and After the Chinese Invasion

The universally recognized 14th Dalai Lama has tirelessly fought for the freedom for Tibet, during and after the unlawful occupation of the Chinese. His non-violence and political involvement for Tibet had brought acknowledgment and respect from the rest of the world.

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, was born in 1934 in Eastern Tibet. He was hailed his predecessor's incarnation at the age of two, and was enthroned in 1940. Traditionally, the role of the Dalai Lama is the spiritual guide and leader of Tibet, creating a symbol of security and peace. Dalai Lama's are rarely ever politically involved in Tibet.

His holiness fulfilled this traditional role up until 1949, when he assumed full power, as the threat of a Chinese invasion became evident.

The Tibetan National Assembly called together an urgent meeting, a month after the first attack from the Chinese. In this session, a then sixteen year old Dalai Lama was implored to take on the title and total command of Head of State, and abandon his home in Tibet's capital, Lhasa, and settle close to Tibet's shared border with India in Dromo, in order to remain safe. His traditional role of spiritual leader was drastically lengthened as he became the political leader of Tibet on November 17, 1950. The Dalai Lama appointed Prime Ministers and sent delegations of help and protection to the United States and the United Nations.

"I could not refuse my responsibilities. I had to shoulder them, put my boyhood behind me and immediately prepare myself to lead my country"*. The Dalai Lama made this statement referring to when his country had just been invaded in 1950. This statement shows the strong, fearless and compassionate leader Tibet was fortunate to be in possession of.

The Dalai Lama sent appeals to the United Nations for assistance in keeping Tibet free from Chinese entanglement, when the Chinese had began their invasion, but the document were not taken as official. The Dalai Lama continued to send delegations to both neighboring counties and also countries of significant power, but all of the Dalai Lama's attempts went ignored, as China was at the time, of great power and consequence, and an important contribution to trade. Therefore powerful countries did not get involved with Tibet, in the fear of provoking influential China.

While the Dalai Lama remained in Tibet, his life was at stake. Tibet slowly went into a cataclysmic effect of destruction and disorder. The freedom of speech was now lost to the Tibetan people, freedom marches and movements were banned, the result in not complying with this unjust system was death or brutal imprisonment for years at a time. Even though these protests were violently suppressed by the Communist government and martial law was imposed in 1989, demonstrations against Chinese rule have nevertheless continued.

Following "Tibet's Liberation," Mao Zedong immediately established the Seventeen-Point System, which totally eliminated Tibet's past independence. Since then, almost one and a half million people in Tibet have been slain, and over six thousand religious buildings have been demolished. These horrific figures have shocked the world and brought about a great sense of remorse and compassion towards the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama, as they continue to resist the Chinese through the means of non-violence.

The "liberation" of Tibet resulted in the death of over 1.2 million Tibetans and the destruction of over 6,000 Tibetan Monasteries and cultural centers. Before the "liberation" in 1959, the population of Tibet was 6 million. Prior to the invasion, Tibet was a simple and self-reliant nation with a very rich cultural heritage. Tibet's citizens, in comparison to its neighbours, enjoyed much greater freedom. Currently, Tibetans have become veritable serfs. In independent Tibet, over 6,000 Monasteries and Nunneries served as schools. Most were destroyed, due to the Chinese' brutal methods of attempted manipulation and persuasion, usually to make the Dalai Lama comply with any unfair arrangements the Chinese wished to establish.

Since 1980, over 15,000 Tibetan children have fled Tibet to receive education in India. The primary beneficiaries of China's presence in Tibet have been the Chinese settlers, their government and military, and their business enterprises. Former Communist Party Secretary, Hu Yaobang, even admitted in 1980 that the living standard of Tibetans had declined since 1959 and that the large Chinese presence was an obstacle to development.

China has never found a trustworthy Tibetan to serve in a key government post in Tibet. For the past 21 years, The Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government In-Exile have offered a number of proposals for negotiations for the mutual benefit of Tibet and China. All have been ignored or rejected by China.

The Dalai Lama plays many roles, spiritual and political leader, Buddhist teacher, spokesperson for peace, interfaith proponent and ambassador for his people and their beleaguered country. As a religious leader striving to promote interfaith dialogue and peace, he met with figures from many faiths, such as priests, rabbi's and ministers.

The Dalai Lama had many talks with foreign leaders. By 1959, Tibet was no longer safe for his holiness, refuge outside of Tibet was essential. The Dalai Lama met and discussed Tibet's situation with India's leader, Pandit Nahru. The Indian government gave Tibet 3000 acres of land, and the fleeing Tibetan people were moved to Dharamasala. Although in exile, the Dalai Lama still vigorously promoted non-violence and the preservation of his culture.

The