Tibetan Government In Exile example essay topic

The Dalai Lama By developing a sense of respect for others and a concert for their welfare, we reduce our own selfishness. which is the source of all problems, and enhance our sense of kindness which is a natural source of goodness. -14th Dalai Lama His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, Ten zin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He was born on July 6, 1935 in a small village called Taktser in north-eastern Tibet. He was named Lhamo Dhondrub, and at the age of two he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama.

In 1935, the regent of Tibet went to the sacred lake of Lhamo Lhatso where he had visions of where to search for the 14th Dalai Lama. The secret visions included many signs, among them a monastery with roofs of jade green and gold, and a house with turquoise tiles. Lama Kewtsang Rinpoche of Sera Monastery was put in charge of a search party. They found a place which matched the description of the secret vision seen in the waters of Lhamo Lhatso; the place was called A mdo. Kewtsang Rinpoche disguised himself as a servant, and wore a mala that had belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama. The junior official Lob sang Tse wang was disguised as the leader.

The search party found the house with turquoise tiles and asked to meet the special little boy. Immediately, upon seeing the mala, the little boy recognized it and asked that it be given to him. Kewtsang Rinpoche promised to give him the mala if he could guess who he was. The boy replied that he was "Sera aga", which in the local dialect means "a lama of Sera". The boy also correctly identified and named the leader and a servant. Then the boy was put through a series of tests that included identifying various articles that had belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama.

All other signs of the secret vision also fit perfectly, and the search party was convinced they had found the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. The 14th Dalai Lama was enthroned in 1940. His Holiness The Dalai Lama started his education at the age of six. At 24, he successfully completed the preliminary examinations at the following three universities: Dre pung, Sera, Garden. At 25, he took his final examination in the Jokhang, Lhasa, and was awarded the highest Ges he Lharampa Degree (Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy). His Holiness assumed political power in 1949 and 1950.

He went to Beijing in 1954 and participated in peace talks with Mao Tse-Tung and other Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiao-Ping. After Chinese troops suppressed the Tibetan National Uprising in Lhasa in 1959, The Dalai Lama was forced into exile. Since then, His Holiness has been living in Dharamsala, India, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. In the interest of promoting peace, His Holiness appealed to the United Nations on the question of Tibet. The UN General Assembly adopted three resolutions in 1959, 1961, and 1965, calling on China to respect the human rights of Tibetans and their desire for self-determination. In 1992, His Holiness issued a Policy document which states that he will give up his historical and political authority and live as a private citizen when Tibet regains its independence.

In 1987, His Holiness proposed a Five Point Peace Plan as a peaceful solution to the deteriorating conditions in Tibet. His vision is to make Tibet into a world sanctuary - a peace zone in the heart of Asia where all beings can exist in harmony, and where the environment is protected and can flourish for generations to come. In 1989, His Holiness was awarded The Nobel Prize for Peace for his policies of non-violence and his peaceful struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He is the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concerns for global environmental problems. The Tibetan Government-in-Exile was established in Dharamsala, India by His Holiness, and contains many reforms.

The Government-in-Exile is based on modern democratic principles, and has three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial, with a clear separation of powers. There is a Kashag (Council of Ministers), which in the highest executive authority. The Kashag comprises various departments, such as: Home, Education, Finance, Health, International Relations, etc. The Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies (ATPD) select the members of the Kashag. The ATPD (Parliament) is the legislative branch of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

It established the Charter of Tibetans in Exile, the current constitution of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. The Tibetans in exile have universal suffrage and directly elect the ATPD. The Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission is the highest judicial branch and guardian of the Charter of Tibetans in Exile. This commission address all grievances that are made against the Administration.

In 1963, His Holiness presented a democratic constitution as a model for a free Tibet. This constitution is based on Buddhist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During the past 36 years in exile, he has continually stressed the need to further democratize the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, and has introduced various democratic reforms. There are over 130,000 Tibetans in exile, many living in India and Nepal and in more than 33 different countries in the West. Tibetans in exile have endeavored to gain experience in the democratic system of government, and have worked hard to establish various religions and cultural institutions to preserve and promote their identity.

The Central Tibetan Administration, with the assistance of the government of India and various international voluntary organizations, has successfully rehabilitated Tibetan refugees in agricultural centers, agro industrial settlements, and handicraft centers throughout India and Nepal. There are Tibetan schools in India, Nepal and Bhutan, with a student enrollment of 23,000. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarding the prize to The XIV th The Dalai Lama, said: "The committee wants to emphasize the fact that The Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people". His Holiness, accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, remarked: "The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage, and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated. Our struggle must remain non violent and free of hatred.".