Monk Self Immolates

[Sky Dancer]

Lobsang Phuntsog, a Tibetan Buddhist from Ngaba, set himself on fire on the afternoon of 16 March in protest at China's continued occupation of his homeland. After a scuffle between monks and police, the young man, believed to be 21, was eventually taken to hospital. He died from his burns at around 3am the following morning.

The monks are just asking simple things – to pray and to live with their own culture."



Tibetan protests against China take a deadly new turn - Asia, World - The Independent

I'm so sorry to see this happening. I get the impression that the Karmapa considers the motivation of the monk to be self-less and that this mitigates the karma of his suicide.

 

[Lokiate]

If they want the Chinese out, that isn't the way to do it. The less people there are to resist, the easier it is for the Chinese to maintain power.

 

[Lokiate]

Furthermore, I'd have to say that the Chinese don't strike me as a people who are easily moved by emotional appeal, and public displays such as this.

 

[Mr. H.]

China calls them a "clique".

 

[Sky Dancer]

The Chinese are susceptible to world reaction to their actions. They don't allow western journalists into the area formerly known as Tibet.

It is very dangerous for an American Buddhist to travel into that area. The Chinese cops will arrest anyone carring a photo of the Dalai Lama.

 

[Lokiate]

Such things would hurt their business, if moral ethics were applied to global trade today. It isn't about world opinion, Sky, it's about control. China has always ruled her people, and protectorates, and territories with an iron fist. They're old school imperialists who still cling to archaic forms of governance and law. China is one of the oldest, and largest nations in the world, they have great wealth, and power. Following the great Industrial Revolution brought on by Chairman Mao, she has become and industrial, and economical powerhouse, whom many nations rely on for manufactured goods. Our opinion of China doesn't mean anything to them, because China knows that she's got the world by the balls.

 

[Dr.Drock]

The Chinese gov't is already dear friends and allies with the U.S. gov't, so what motivation do they have to change?