Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Activity 2022
“Tibet, China, and Dharma”
Hector Ortega
Junior, Political Science, Spanish
Abstract
This paper looks at the Tibetan Sovereignty Debate and the rhetoric from advocates of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). In particular, this paper leans into the cultural and religious aspects of the TAR’s most widely practiced religion, Tibetan Buddhism. Through literary analysis, I examine the philosophical, political, and historical elements of Tibetan Buddhist rhetoric to verify or dismiss the claim that the TAR is using Tibetan Buddhism as a “tool” or a “weapon” to advance its political endeavors. I do this by scrutinizing books, news articles, journals, statements, speeches, online publications, and other forms of text that have come from notable actors involved in the Debate, such as the 14th Dalai Lama and the late 10th Panchen Lama. Key religious components of Tibetan Buddhism and their pertinence in the overall Sovereignty Debate are identified and put into the context of this geopolitical issue, such as the ancient Buddhist concept of The Middle Way. Additionally, this paper briefly discusses the implications and repercussions of the political actions that the central Chinese government and Tibetan advocates have taken, as well as the expectations for the Tibetan Autonomy Debate in the future. Keywords: Tibetan Autonomy Debate, PRC, TAR, Tibetan Buddhism, rhetoric, tool, weapon, The Middle Way
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Very nice, Hector! I was wondering if you see any parallels between the West’s support of Tibet and their support for the Ukraine. In both situations, we have the classic David and Goliath stories, making it seem very black and white, i.e. good vs evil.