In the article “Tibetan Leader: Chinese Government Can’t Choose Next Dalai Lama” by Lobsang Sangay on March 30th 2015, Sangay develops different areas of imperialistic practices used on Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhism even today. He explains the tactics used by the Chinese government to try and take the power of Tibetan Buddhism away from spiritual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The main topic of the article is that the Chinese Government demands they choose the next reincarnation of The Dalai Lama. Thus causing mass confusion since they torture Tibetans who practice Tibetan Buddhism and imprison anyone who possesses a picture of the present Dalai Lama.
In 1959, the Chinese communist army invaded Tibet, killing thousands of innocent people and monks. The Chinese even had the nerve to destroy religious temples, monasteries and sacred places. As well as exiling His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama from his home country. The Dalai Lama is the Tibetan spiritual leader and is considered a God in human form to Tibetan Buddhism followers. While the Chinese call him a “devil in disguise” and a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”, they still want to choose the next Dalai Lama. This is causing confusion and suggesting that China may have ulterior motives. The only explanation is that they are seeking to have a Chinese influenced Dalai Lama to represent the next generation. Tibetans believe that the next spiritual leader may be an individual influenced by Chinese ideals. These imperialistic tactics go far beyond human rights, the Chinese are seeking to use their chosen Dalai Lama, to brainwash Tibetans like they have done so with their own people, through propaganda and other communist ideologies.
I find it humorous that Mao Zedong previously stated, “Religion is poison” but is now demanding that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is chosen under Chinese terms. If the Chinese leader can’t stick to the words he speaks, what makes him a candidate to make such an important decision, such as choosing the next Dalai Lama. There is no way that this should even be a possibility. What the Chinese are trying to do is to deteriorate Tibetan Buddhism and culture. The same thing they planned on doing when they invaded and imperialized Tibet. For basic human rights purposes, China should just allow Tibetans to practice their own religion and cultural traditions. Tibetans are not causing any type of harm to the Chinese. From what I see, Tibetans are very peaceful and compassionate people. So China, why do you wish to intervene on this matter of choosing the next Dalai Lama?
Understanding World Religions 