SELECTED ISSUES
Tibet Invasion
For centuries, both China and India have been claiming Tibet as part of their territories. Tibet
practically enjoyed some degree of independence as none of the claimants pressed their claim.
In 1950, however, China annexed Tibet and negotiated the so-called "Seventeen Point
Agreement with the government of the fourteenth Dalai Lama. Rejected repeatedly by the Dalai
Lama, this document confirmed China's authority over Tibet, but the area was granted
autonomy. In 1959, the Dalai Lama failed in his bid to oust China's puppet rule as the Tibetan
uprising was defeated by the more powerful Chinese force. The Dalai Lama, together with his
followers escaped to India, and are now living there as refugees.
With the implementation of Mao Zedong's "Great Leap Forward" from 1958 to 1961, or China's
socio-economic campaign to transform the country into a socialist society, between 200,000 to
1,000,000 Tibetans tragically met their death. During Mao. Zedong's "Cultural Revolution," a
socio-political movement from 1966 to 1976 aimed at eliminating capitalism and traditionalism
from China, around 6,000 monasteries were destroyed. Tragically, China's occupation of Tibet
has led to countless deaths of many Buddhist monks, nuns, and laiety who wished to continue
their religious practices in their native land (Douglas 2007).
From 1959 to 1977, almost all elements of Tibetan Buddhism were obliterated. While many
hundred thousand Tibetans were killed, others were driven to exile. Presently, the Dalai Lama
has been continuously visiting other countries preaching a message of hope and peace. He has
been given numerous citations for various International advocacies and teaching activities, such
as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1959). Nobel Peace Prize (1989),
U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (2007), and Templeton Prize (2012).
Engaged Activism
Ritual suicides led by Buddhist monks have transpired in the twentieth century as a form of
protest to governmental actions. For example, a crisis occurred between Buddhists and the
South Vietnamese government led by Ngo Dinh Diem in the 1960s that had tremendous effect in
politics, militancy, and religious tolerance (Braswell 1994). As a result of persecutions
undertaken by the government against Buddhists, monks began to lambast the regime that
eventually resulted in the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese Mayahana
Buddhist monk. He voluntarily burned himself to death in a busy Saigon road intersection in
1963. Later on, several other monks followed his example. The regime tried in vain to suppress
Buddhist resistance through massive retaliation and nation-wide assaults in Buddhist pagodas.
Temples were defaced, monks were beaten, and Quanc Duc's cremated remains were
confiscated. Eventually, the regime lost support from the US and an army coup brought down
Diem. Amid religious protests and non-violent struggle, Diem was assassinated in 1963.
In Japan, a militant and missionary form of Buddhism was founded in 1930 called the Soka
Gakkai, a religious movement based on the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. During the Second
World War, the group temporarily disbanded only to emerge mightily after the war. After its
hiatus, the members of this group grew rapidly while employing hard-line and contentious
recruitment methods, including coercion, fear, intimidation, and the use of threats. A political
party was even formed by Soka Gakkai, the Komeito, that became the third most powerful in
Japan.
QUESTIONS:
TRUE OR FALSE
1.for centuries,both china and england have been claiming tibet as part of their territories.(false)
2.tibet practically enjoyed some degree of independence as one of the claimants pressed their
claim(false)
3.in 1950,china annexed tibet and negotiated the so-called “seventeen point agreement(true)
4.its not china who gained authority ones tibet,because it is india(false)
5.the year 1950 is when dalai lama failed to oust china’s puppet rule(false)
6. The Dalai Lama, together with his followers didn't escaped to India. (False)
7. The Implementation of Mao Zedong's "Great Leap Forward" lasted from 1968 to 1991. (False)
8. Between 200,000 to 1,000,000 Tibetans tragically met their death. (True)
9. The socio-political movement that Mao Zedong did is called the "Socio-Cultural Revolution". (False)
10. From 1959 to 1967, almost all elements of Tibetan Buddhism were obliterated. (False)
IDENTIFICATION
11._____ was cremated and his remains were confiscated. (Quanc Duc)
12._____ was assassinated in 1963. (Diem)
13.A militant and missionary form of Buddhism was founded in 1930 called the _____. (Soka Gakki)
14.During the _____, the group temporarily disbanded only to emerge mightily after the war. (Second
World War)
15.A political party was even formed by soka Gakki, the _______. (Komeito)
