Cultures Under Threat: Tibet

14:58 April 0 Comments

The Death of Tibet
Tibet has a distinct culture due to its geographical location and climatic conditions. The culture is influenced by neighbouring countries such as Nepal, India and China, but due to the remoteness of the country (in the Himalaya's) and inaccessibility  the culture has preserved local influences and has led to the distinct culture. Buddhism was introduced in the 7th century and has had a strong influence on culture. Buddhists introduced arts and customs to the areas from India and China. The art, literature an music all have elements of Buddhist beliefs in them. Tibet has a unique cuisine compared to other countries, this is because the crops must be able to grow at high altitudes. Barley is the key crop- it is used to make butter tea. They work on a lunisolar calendar- the Tibetan year is 12-13 lunisolar months. The 13th month is added around every three years so the calendar equals the solar calendar.

Tibetan culture has come under threat from China. Tibet was invaded in 1950 by China (battle of Chamdo). The invasion led to over a million Tibetan deaths between 1950 and 1970. Ancient monasteries and temples were on the verge of destruction and Tibetan culture was being disintegrated. In 1951 the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government was forced to accept the Seventeen Point Agreement for the peaceful liberation of Tibet, incorporating it into the peoples republic of China. In 1959 an uprising in Tibet began, armed conflict between Tibetan rebels and the Chinese arms began in 1951, due to China failing to honour the Seventeen Point Agreement. In 1959 the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India, after a failed attempt anti-China uprising, where he still lives as a refugee. Around 80,000 Tibetan refugees fled with him. To preserve Tibetan culture he created a Tibetan educational system to teach Tibetan children the language, history, religion and culture. He travels the world teaching Tibetan Buddhism and talking about the importance of compassion as the source of a happy life.

in 1995, Dalai Lama named a 6 year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyiima as the true reincarnation of Panchen Lama (the 2nd most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism). Chinese authorities placed him under house arrest and designated another child as Panchen Lama.

Around the world, institutions face pressure from China not to accept Dalai Lama. China froze all high-level contact with the UK when David Cameron met with the Dalai Lama. Relations between China and the UK thawed when Mr Cameron announced he had no intention to meet with him again.

It is dangerous for monks to talk about Dalai Lama, they would be taken away if the government found out they had spoken to him or about him. In a BBC News article I watched, the monks faces had to be blurred out so that they were unrecognisable. Their religious freedom is restricted, they have to worship in secret. To them the Dalai Lama is the sun, "he is the only master" in their "hearts". David Cameron has had to cut ties with Dalai Lama to make connections with China. The more foreign governments who comply, critics say, the more abuse of human rights there will be. Tibet will slowly slip away from international view and the fearful monks will become more isolated. Similarly, in 2014 when Obama held talks with the Dalai Lama in Washington, China summoned the US embassy official in Beijing in protest.

Tibets culture has been affected by the liberation by China in the 1950s. Tibetan language is separate from Chinese, although inside Tibet Chinese has become the official language of education, business and government. Primary and secondary education is predominantly taught in Mandarin, with Tibetan as a second language. Many people work preserve the Tibetan culture, such as by running local language classes. However, organisers risk being arrested.