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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Picture of the Day - 2















If there's one thing I know, it's that the Dalai Lama is all about the bling.

After all, it's the very core of Buddhism to seek out awards and external symbols.

(President George W. Bush and top US lawmakers were to lead an unprecedented official US tribute to the Dalai Lama, bucking China's angry warnings of crippled Sino-US relations(AFP/Volker Hartmann))

posted by mikevotes at 9:24 AM

9 Comments:

  • I really hope you're being facetious in your remarks.
    The Dalai Lama, as far as I can see, is not 'seeking out' awards. He is an amazingly humble man without a trace of arrogance. The medal is just an opportunity to advance his cause. The man is already the mortal equivalent of a god to Tibetans. I doubt he's been angling all these years for a medal from a foreign Congess.
    The Christian fundamentalists are already making noises about giving honors to a 'cult leader'. The 'Hindu prayers' issue has not been forgotten by them.

    By Blogger Todd Dugdale , at 9:06 AM  

  • It seems like a clear case of religion (in Fact Buddhism is not technically a religion) and politics getting mixed up but I'm not sure to what purpose.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:28 AM  

  • Todd, I am. I don't write sarcasm well at all. One of the whole points of Buddhism is to abandon things like this.

    You might make the argument that in his role as political leader this recognition might make sense, but from a religious point of view this whole thing is ridiculous.

    (And, yeah, he is unbelievable in his peace and bearing. I actually got the opportunity to meet in a small group with the guy way back in the 90's when he came through Houston. Just spending time with him changed me.)

    ...

    Anon, the Tibetan cause has lots of US support, and I'm sure when his name was brought up on the list, everyone just said yes. He's an amazing character, and who is really going to vote against him.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 11:09 AM  

  • The Chinese still haven't seemed to figure out that their propaganda doesn't work on us. Unless it's Bush propaganda then it seems Americans just eat it up.

    By the way, I'm a Buddhist and I think it's great that he is receiving this award. :) Thanks for mentioning this.

    By Blogger Handsome B. Wonderful, at 11:29 AM  

  • James,

    Their propaganda isn't aimed at the American people, it's aimed at altering the actions of decision makers who know what weight China will throw around in the future.

    And, it does have some impact. Look at the careful way the US treats its language around Taiwan or the near abandonment of the people of Hong Kong as the Chinese have stepped in to exercise authority.

    (I'm Buddhist exposed and read, but I can't class myself in the camp because I still like the rush of want and desire too much.)

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 12:59 PM  

  • (I'm Buddhist exposed and read, but I can't class myself in the camp because I still like the rush of want and desire too much.)

    I think that's what's called a bar-Buddhist. I've met a few in Thailand. Just kidding.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:18 PM  

  • Is it common, near the end of a Republican administration, to make a few gestures of appeasement to the liberals and progressives?

    Because that's what this feels like. Bush is making statements of support to the Dalai Lama, when clearly he's not in the same 'vibespace'.

    It reads as political chessplaying: poking a stick at China's flank, with some end in view that I don't understand, except possibly to give himself some kind of good-guy statesmanship cred.

    My hope is that somehow, someway, this works to Tibet's advantage.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:20 PM  

  • Anon, no need to apologize, I don't deny it. I'd rather know myself honestly than live a pious lie.

    ...

    Local, yeah, thousand points of light and such.

    And, this could definitely be a part of a larger diplomacy, but be careful assessing some brilliant subtlety because these guys have proved themselves not to be that good.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 2:40 PM  

  • I think it's a complete sham that he would come and accept this award. You're only as good as the company you keep.

    I think he appeals to middle-class kids sense of what a 'christ-like' figure is that they can hang their angst and self-righteous piety on.

    He's just a guy in a robe. Same as the Pope. Whatever he is, is what we bring to the 'table'.

    By Blogger matt, at 6:22 PM  

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