Word: lamas
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...isolated feudal kingdom. Instead, it brought a reign of religious and cultural repression that drove the Tibetan government into exile, including its supreme religious and political leader. Discovered as the 14th incarnation of Tibetan Buddhism's high priest at age 2 and enthroned at 4, the Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has never returned. After 45 years of trying to preserve a nation without a land, the Dalai Lama is grappling with the future of Tibet in a startlingly pragmatic way?one that risks alienating his own people, his international supporters and even his family...
...TIME: How is the situation in Tibet? Dalai Lama: Despite some economic improvement and development, the threats to our cultural heritage, religious freedom and environment are very serious. Then also in the countryside, facilities in education and health are very, very poor. It's like the big gap in China proper between rich and poor. So the whole picture, it almost looks hopeless. When the 13th Dalai Lama visited China in the early 20th century, there was a large Manchurian community?even the Emperor was Manchurian. Almost exactly 50 years later when I visited, the Manchurian community was no longer...
...TIME: Is there any reason for optimism? Dalai Lama: Many communist and authoritarian regimes have changed, including the Soviet Union, not by force but by their own people. These are very positive developments. China [still has] the same system, but the reality is that much is changing. Freedom of information, religious freedom and freedom of the press are much better. I feel that man-made unrealistic systems eventually return to a human, natural way. We love freedom. Even animals love their freedom. And now naturally that is coming back. So on that level, the situation in Tibet is hopeful. Today...
...TIME: How is your relationship with Beijing? Dalai Lama: We renewed direct contact with Beijing three years ago. We're not expecting some major breakthrough?the Tibetan issue is very complicated, and China is oversuspicious and very cautious. It will take time. However, meeting face to face and having friendly discussions is very, very important. Some Chinese intellectuals, artists and writers are showing a proper understanding and are supporting my middle-way approach to solving the problem, which is not seeking independence but rather meaningful autonomy to preserve Tibetan culture, language and environment...
...etched in constitutional stone. So in a nation where 19 in 20 people say they believe in God and nearly two-thirds call religion very important in their lives, there arises a sprawling market of creeds and cults and congregations in which people like to shop. The Dalai Lama's books are best sellers; there are Metaphysical Episcopalians and Unitarian Universalist Pagans and, a bit further down the road, the Nudist Christian Church of the Blessed Virgin Jesus...