One of the great injustices and tragedies of our present era is the systematic eradication of the Tibetan culture being practiced by the Chinese. Ancient monasteries, cultural identities, and populations are being destroyed by the Chinese government on the pretext of liberation and modernization.
The Tibetans were a peaceful, happy people, with a simple way of life that worked, and they not have the amenities of so-called modern society, they did not need to be modernized in this way, by invasion, supression of human rights, torture, genocide, and the demolishing of Tibetan institutions. Much of the once beautiful and historic city of Lhasa has been turned into a Chinese style city with block style buildings replacing the indigenous architecture.
In 1949 China invaded Tibet. In 1959 the Dalai Lama fled into exile. The Panchen Lama has been kidnapped and is reported to be under house arrest somewhere in China. The Chinese have appointed another Panchen Lama, and when the time comes, a new Dalai Lama will be selected by the Chinese and approved by the puppet Panchen Lama. Thus will end the Tibetan Buddhist culture and religion as we knew it, or heard of it. In 1989 martial law was declared. Although it is denied by the Chinese, the Chinese population outnumbers the Tibetan and is an immediate threat to Tibetan identity. Political imprisonment, torture, and institutional murder continue today.
What is so frustrating is that our government has been
willing to let this process continue with little more than token admonishment,
and agreements to promote trade with China. What is also frustrating
is that I have done almost nothing about it myself.
These links tell a tragic story.
Here's a summary of the Tibetan side of the story:
Tibet
O.R.G. - Why Tibet? - Major Allegations on the Chinese Occupation
I have not found a link to the Chinese side, but the Chinese
position is that the Tibet is a part of China and the people needed to
be liberated (from whom?) and brought into the 20th Century.
For more information:
Tibet
O.R.G. - Human Rights
Free Tibet Now! - Internet Campaign for the Freedom of Tibet