This is gearing up to be the news of the day with Hillary weighing in. Eventually, Obama and McCain will follow, as will other leaders here in America. So I just wanted to remind everyone before the debate becomes too spirited or contentious:
Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, rejected a boycott of this year's Beijing Olympics, while also accusing China of escalating the number of "unimaginable and gross violations" in his homeland.
But he called on activists to use the Games to pressure China over human rights.
In his own words:
I have, from the very beginning, supported the idea that China should be granted the opportunity to host the Olympic Games. Since such international sporting events, and especially the Olympics, uphold the principles of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, equality and friendship, China should prove herself a good host by providing these freedoms. Therefore, besides sending their athletes, the international community should remind the Chinese government of these issues.
While I am not Buddhist myself, I hugely admire the Dalai Lama. He has proved himself to be a tireless example of fairness and leadership. I must admit, when I first heard that he had rejected calls for an Olympic boycott, I was torn. For me, a boycott represented a perfect opportunity to finally show the Chinese government that we are serious about their human rights violations.
Ironically, a boycott is in direct opposition to the principles of the Buddhists about whom we are making the point. While politically advantageous, a boycott simply does not represent the Middle Way, which the Dalai Lama has always strived to follow. Even (especially?) when dealing with the Chinese government.
Instead, he says, the world should "explore ways of investing their collective energies in producing a continuous positive change inside China even after the Olympics have come to an end."
I have come to agree with this, despite my political indignation. How much better would it be if our world leaders showed vocal support and united solidarity toward Tibet while attending? The Dalai Lama is right. Rather than using the opportunity to "teach a lesson," the Olympics may, in fact, be our best opportunity to affect change in China.
I am not calling out any individual leader and this is certainly not a candidate diary. Just a couple of cents.