CHINA ACCUSES THE DALAI LAMA OF DISRESPECTING THE CULTURE OF TIBETAN??? [+] serious ballot by EUROTOPIA ACTIVE Thu Nov 29, 07 - Fri Nov 28, 08 "Tibetans 'should pick Dalai Lama' The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, says his people should have a role in finding his successor. Speaking in Amritsar, northern India, he told the BBC that Tibetans would also have to decide if the institution should continue at all after his death. The Dalai Lama's successor is usually chosen by senior Buddhist officials. Analysts say the 72-year-old is considering breaking this centuries-old tradition in order to reduce the influence of China in the process. Traditionally, Buddhist elders congregate after the death of the current leader and identify a young child to succeed him, after being guided by dreams and signs. The Dalai Lama warned that when he dies, China would try to promote its own candidate. You cannot have harmony under the gun Dalai Lama But he stressed, in an interview with the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, that ultimately it would be up to the people of Tibet to decide who they accepted, if anyone at all. "The Tibetan nation is 2,000 years old. The Dalai Lama institution is relatively recent - only a few centuries old," he said. "If I die, it will be a setback for the Tibetan people for some time. But then the struggle will continue. "If the Tibetan people decide that the Dalai Lama institution is no longer relevant, then it will automatically cease to exist." Beijing responded by accusing the Dalai Lama of violating his own religious traditions. "The reincarnation of the living Buddha is a unique way of succession of Tibetan Buddhism and follows relatively complete religious rituals and historical conventions," China's foreign ministry said in a statement. Beijing has denounced the Dalai Lama's many foreign trips, including recent visits to the US, Germany and Japan." - So do you think the Dalai Lama is disrespecting Tibetan culture and identity by implying that it should be free to evolve in accordance with public opinion? Yes, I agree with China. They know what is best for Tibet more so than the Tibetan people No, I agree with the Dalai Lama. Tibetan traditions should evolve through the will of the people. Ballot #119540 : SEE RESULTS Comment: show your vote with comment?

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