China To Regulate Reincarnation
Buddhists Must Seek Government Permission First
Government regulation can be overbearing sometimes, but once you're dead, shouldn't the state let your soul, well, rest in peace? Apparently not in China, where the government has introduced laws banning Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission.
Starting next month, the State Administration for Religious Affairs will begin instituting stipulations regarding "the procedures by which one is to reincarnate." It will be illegal "to identify the child reincarnation of the Dalai Lama" without the approval of Chinese authorities. Quite a shift, given Beijing's official atheism. But is the move totalitarian mumbo-jumbo or could there political motivations?
According to Newsweek: "China's true motive [is] to cut off the influence of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual and political leader, and to quell the region's Buddhist religious establishment more than 50 years after China invaded the small Himalayan country. By barring any Buddhist monk living outside China from seeking reincarnation, the law effectively gives Chinese authorities the power to choose the next Dalai Lama, whose soul, by tradition, is reborn as a new human to continue the work of relieving suffering."
Still, it remains unclear what Beijing will do if such a reincarnation takes place outside its borders. And who can say where the spirit of the departed 16th Dalai Lama may travel next. Besides, isn't a a Lama still a Lama without the Chinese stamp of approval?
By Emil Steiner | August 14, 2007; 11:30 AM ET | Category: OFF/beat Politics
Posted by: Big Hitter | August 14, 2007 12:23 PM
His Holiness has already stated that he will not reincarnate in China, high Lamas have this ability. Since the Chinese have already placed the Panchen Lama (the key player in identifiying the next Dalai Lama)in seclusion and inserted thier own it seems they are indeed looking to have thier own candidate so they can win the hearts of the Tibetan people. I doubt it will succeed. The Chinese think that if they say it then it is so despite evidence to the contrary. The world lets them. Sad.
By the way Emil, The current Dalai Lama is the 14th. Lets' not rush things
Posted by: Keith in California (a buddhist) | August 14, 2007 1:17 PM
Not a good sign. If the Chinese control the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama we will end up having him recalled because of the anti-freeze in his veins and the lead paint in his robes.
Posted by: SoMD | August 14, 2007 1:26 PM
Does China even care what the world thinks of them anymore? It seems like the top brass must sit in their office taking bong hits and thinking up the most ridiculous possible laws just to piss-off the world.
They remind of children who push the rules to see what they can get away with, but in such an insane way that it almost appears artistic.
I am very much against this and CHina's totalitarianism, but you got to give them points for creativity on this one. Who would believe an atheist, commie gov. would pass a law to regulate a process that they do not acknowlege to be possible?
Buddah must be laughing his ass off!
Posted by: Vandy Bill | August 14, 2007 2:07 PM
I can't believe I am really reading this stuff.
What a sad, sad government.
At least our government is only called pushy, too aggresive and insensitive.
The Chinese government is Bat sh*t crazy y'all!
Who comes up with this?
Posted by: Rob | August 14, 2007 2:40 PM
Why are the Chinese government so afraid of a small culture and population as Tibet that they have continued to massacre so many for over 50 years and still torture,rape, shoot, young children, monks and nuns who try to escape to feedom across the highest mountains in the world. The Chinese communist peoples party leaders and cohorts disgrace themselves in the view of the free world consistently lying to their own people,banning any dissent even on the internet, and with the help of anti freedom of thought and speech supporters like Microsoft,Cisco etc have imprisoned anyone speaking the truth of the matter about how bad the corruption, pollution, personal freedom of speech. Another sick joke of course is we still let them host the Olympic games in one of the most polluted and undemocratic cities and countries on the planet????
Posted by: | August 14, 2007 5:35 PM
China's action is totally outrageous. There already are Western-born reincarnations. It is a repeat of China's Middle Kingdom mentality whereby they think that all must kowtow to Beijing.
PS Check out: http://www.youtube.com/v/4ob2nawttKw
Posted by: Giovanni Vassallo | August 14, 2007 8:40 PM
China has a right to protect herself and her people even from themselves if necessary. This plan places necessary controls at a governmental level to safegaurd the well being of those across the nation. I am proud of my governments work.
Posted by: MC | August 14, 2007 11:05 PM
When we will we wake up and realize that CHINA IS NOT OUR FRIEND? Remember, they detained our service men in April 2002 - remember the incompetent, hot dog Chinese pilot "wrong" Wei crashed into a US Navy C47 and forced it to land on a Chinese occupied Island in the Western Pacific,and then detained the crew for several days before releasing them? Is that what an ally does? And now with all these recalls of tainted, poisonous food,toothpaste, toys, defective tires, etc., from China, what are we going to do now? Ask for more?
Sheesh, I say enough is enough - I'll avoid everything I can with a "Made in China" label, EVEN if it means paying more.
If things don't change soon, we'll regret it.
Posted by: Dude | August 15, 2007 2:14 AM
That's it!
First, Russia takes over the Artic now China is taking over reincarnation.
Therefore, I am declaring on behalf of the United States that we will be adding as our additional territories astrology, tarot, and all forms of magick. VP Dick Cheney will provide oversite of these new territories. The Navy Carrier, USS Ronald (& Nancy) Reagan will be sent to defend these new territories from any attackers or attempts to "liberate" said territories from our waters.
Posted by: major domo | August 15, 2007 7:34 PM
China has their own Dzeeeck strapped somewhere south of tomorrow.
Posted by: | August 19, 2007 4:01 AM
Wow. I'm not Buddhist, but part and parcel of living in a free society is to worship God in whatever way your conscience dictates without governmental interference. Much like we did with South Africa, perhaps we should consider shunning these guys. The censor people. They have government regulated churches. There are no free elections. Why ARE we doing business with this country at all???
Posted by: bdstauffer | August 20, 2007 10:25 PM
Why are we doing business with them? Because it's so profitable.
Posted by: x29 | August 21, 2007 6:07 PM
the irony of this is that the capitalist aspects of china are driving the crackdown on religion.
capitalism is not an economic style, it's just a manifestation of humanities natural state of greed. communism was envisioned as a way to counter this urge and redistribute resources - wow - something backfired!
Posted by: jg | August 29, 2007 1:10 PM
The Dalai lama is the "God + King" of tibet,as a "God", he was free from Control, however, as a "king" or a politician, he should have been controled if you recognize tibet is part of China.
A person with "God + King", spiritual and political leader,is indeed very dangerous as theocracy for a mordern country, it must be controled. the current Dalai lama have been used as anti-china tool by western countries, China's government is not stupid to let Dalai Lama seek reincarnation outside China, otherwise, the next Dalai Lame must have been an agent of CIA.
Posted by: TYang | August 30, 2007 10:28 PM
The utter stupidity and arrogance of the Chinese government to even think it can control reincarnation is astounding.
The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is much too important in human history to be controlled by any earthly government. The betterment of mankind is much too important to be decided by a totalitarian state which overestimates its importance in the grand scheme of things. To think they even could makes me wonder what their leaders are smoking.
Posted by: Earthling | September 1, 2007 12:28 AM
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CHina is now taking control over life after death... does that mean God is outsourcing?