Future of the Dalai Lamas and Tibetan Democracy Part Three

Parts One-Six: The Future of the Dalai Lamas and Tibetan Democracy: A Panel Discussion at Tibet House

SPEAKERS:

Robert F. Thurman: Director of Tibet House and International Authority on Tibetan Buddhism

Elliot Sperling: Professor of Tibetan Studies in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University and specialist on Sino-Tibetan relations

Jamyang Norbu: Award-winning writer and author of recent article "The Jewel in the Ballot Box: Electing a New Dalai Lama"

Moderator: US Tibet Committee (USTC) Wangchuk Shakabpa

All Tibetans and friends are aware of His Holiness's recent statements proposing new and untraditional methods by which a future incarnation of the Dalai Lama might be chosen. It is most likely that the Dalai Lama offered these proposals as a response to Chinese government announcements of new rules regulating the incarnation process of Tibetan lamas that appear to be aimed at controlling the selection of the next Dalai Lama. These statements by His Holiness in addition to his announcement in May of 2007 of his desire to move into "retirement" has greatly troubled Tibetan society.

Despite the tremendous concerns and fears of the Tibetan people, there has been little public discussion on these happenings within Tibetan society. This small inaugural seminar The Future of the Dalai Lamas and Tibetan Democracy was held on February 10, 2008 at Tibet House in New York City. It is hoped that the event will contribute to opening up a greater national debate on this most vital development in the future of Tibet and the Tibetan people.

Organized by Rangzen Alliance, Students for a Free Tibet, US Tibet Committee and Tibet House U.S.

The North American edition of Jamyang Norbu's Shadow Tibet: Selected Writings 1989 to 2004 was released at this event.

Music Credits: "Happy Losar" by Sonam and Mingmar

Links:

Students for a Free Tibet
http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org

Tibet House
http://www.tibethouse.org

International Campaign for Tibet
http://www.savetibet.org

Information about panel discussion provided by Students for a Free Tibet

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Dalai Lama
• Reincarnation
• Tibetan Freedom
• Jamyang Norbu
• Robert Thurman
• Elliot Sperling
• Rangzen
• Tibet

[billk61]

Noteworthy that this was posted just a few weeks before the uprising in March 2008. Nearly two years on, the topics discussed in this video are as important as ever.

As I write this, the TGIE are trying to find something positive out of the latest round of talks with Beijing. The Chinese spokespeople are spouting the usual rubbish.

[alanasendsyoulove]

Truly, thank you for posting the videos of this conference SomedayFire. I had tried to go to the conference itself but was unable to at the last minute. I haven't been able to find it anywhere else on the interent, and have found the videos enormously helpful.

thanks again!