General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The Dalai Lama, a sordid history of Nazi Mentors and forgiving Fascists [View all]TM99
(8,352 posts)Before Tibet was invaded the Dalai Lama was already beginning democratic reforms within Tibet. After the exile, he implemented them in India as early as 1960. Please do a little research on the Parliament of Central Tibetan Administration also known as the Tibetan Government in Exile.
H.H. the Dalai Lama helped to set it up and has maintained from day one that it does not seek a violent overthrow or liberation of Tibet, however, once Tibetans regain self-rule and a democratic government can be developed there free from Communist China, the Government in Exile will be dissolved. H.H. was the head of the Government in Exile with a Prime Minister for much of the last 40 years. However, as of 2011, at the request of H.H., he is no longer the temporal leader of the Government. The current Prime Minister Kalon Tripa is the leader of the Tibetans in exile.
I have had the fortune of personally knowing H.H. the Dalai Lama for over 25 years since I did the Kalachakra Empowerment with him in New York in 1991. He is one of the smartest, kindest, and wisest men I have ever met. He is not a 'god' and anyone who actually takes the time to understand Tibetan Buddhism will know this. Tibetans will show compassion towards everyone even those who most of us would judge as being too evil to even receive such care. I certainly can not claim to be that loving.
I am an ignostic Buddhist with practices in Zen and Theravadin schools. While I have much experience with Tibetan Tantric practices and the tradition, there is much I do not agree with 'spiritually'. I have spoken of such thoughts very openly with H.H. the Dalai Lama. He is not the 'pope' of Buddhism. He is just one great teacher in a 2500 year history of other great Buddhist teachers.
I guess the post-modern extreme Leftists need to tear down anything and anyone of goodness and traditional value is so strong that it resorts to lies, guilt by association, myths, ignorance, and rage to accomplish its tragic goal. H.H. the Dalai Lama has done more genuine and real good for more people in a single year than the OP will likely do in a lifetime.