What China could learn from the Dalai Lama

[mgc1961]

This spring, when people put their lives on the line for democracy during the Jasmine Revolution, with Moammar Gadhafi still shedding blood to hold on to power in Libya — and despite impassioned appeals by Tibetans — the Dalai Lama, who turned 76 on Wednesday, devolved all his political power to democratically elected Tibetan leaders. That means that the Dalai Lama gave up his constitutional power to dismiss the Tibetan parliament, judiciary and executive; to sign or veto bills; to summon emergency meetings; and to appoint representatives and envoys abroad.

The decision of the 14th Dalai Lama to end the 400-year reign as the Tibetan people’s political leader shocked many Tibetans and the world at large. But this development was neither abrupt nor surprising.

In fact, it was a long time in coming.

For decades, the Dalai Lama had been quietly dismantling the traditional theocratic aristocratic system of his position and preparing Tibetans for the day he would not be at the helm.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/06/2302598/what-china-could-learn-from-the.html#ixzz1RQIPRs3h