Home  Argumentative papers Tibet The Struggle for freedom and enlightenment in Tibet: ethics and spirituality
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The Struggle for freedom and enlightenment in Tibet: ethics and spirituality |
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The Struggle for freedom and enlightenment in Tibet: ethics and spirituality
600-500 BCE: Siddhartha Gautoma founds Buddhism 741-797: King Trisong Detsen builds first Tibetan monastery at Samye 1278: Kublai Khan, emperor of China, converts to Tibetan Buddhism 1578: Sonam Gyatsho, born in 1543, receives title of Dalai Lama ("Ocean of Wisdom") from Mongol ruler Altan Khan. He is identified as the 3rd Dalai Lama. 1617: Ngawang Lozang Gyatsho, the 5th Dalai Lama, is born in southern Tibet. He later re-establishes Tibet's independence, reopens trade with India and visits China. 1903-1904: Thubten Gyatsho, the 13th Dalai Lama, flees Tibet as British troops march to Gyaum, sheltering in Mongolia and China. 1909: The 13th Dalai Lama returns from exile. Chinese troops occupy parts of Kham, prompting Dalai Lama to appeal to Great Britain for help. 1910: The 13th Dalai flees to India as Chinese army invades Tibet. 1911: Yuan Shikai takes over Republic of China and declares Tibet, East Turkestan and Mongolia provinces of China. 1912: The 13th Dalai Lama returns to Tibet, as Tibetans rise up against the Chinese. On August 12, China signs agreement with Tibetans and leaves the country. 1913: The 13th Dalai Lama proclaims Tibetan independence. Britain, China and Tibet devise plan to divide Tibet into two parts, with far eastern provinces controlled by Chine (Inner Tibet) and an autonomous Outer Tibet. Chine refuses to sign agreement negating pro-Chinese provisions. 1935: Lhamo Thondup, the 14th Dalai Lama, is born. He is enthroned at Lhasa five years later. 1949: The People's Liberation Army of China, led by Mao Tse-tung, announces plans to liberate Tibet from foreign imperialists. 1950: The 14th Dalai Lama, then 15, takes over running of the Tibetan government. China invades Tibet, claiming it has always been Chinese territory. 1951: Tibet signs 12-Point Agreement which makes Tibet a "national autonomous region" of China, with cultural and political independence. 1954: Treaty titled "The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence" is signed by India and China. Chinese begin destroying monasteries in Eastern Tibet, giving rise to the Tibetan resistance movement and the Voluntary National Defense Army. 1956: The Dalai Lama seeks refuge in India. He returns to Tibet after Chinese Leaders promise them will be no forced reforms. 1959: The Dalai Lama flees to Dharamsala, India, with 80,000 Tibetans following him. The Chinese government clamps down on Tibetan uprisings and imposes a military government. So-called "democratic reforms" are instituted. Thousands of Tibetans are executed, imprisoned and sent to labor camp, destruction of monasteries begins. 1965: Tibet Autonomous Region formally established. Cultural Revolution begins and destruction of monasteries escalates. Passes a resolution supporting Tibet's right to self-determination. 1978: Mao Tse-tung dies, Cultural Revolution ends and Chinese admit "past mistakes in Tibet". 1979: China's new ruler, Deng Xiaoping, invites Dalai Lama to return on condition he remain in Bejing. The Dalai Lama sends a fact-finding mission to Tibet, where throngs demonstrate for independence and the return of His Holiness. 1983: The Dalai Lama sends negotiating team to Bejing but talks collapse. 1987: The Dalai Lama proposes a five-point peace plan during a visit to Washington D.C. 1988: The Dalai Lama wins the Nobel Peace Prize. 1989: The Dalai Lama proposes giving China control of Tibetan foreign policy and defense in return for fill internal autonomy. 1992: The Dalai Lama states that upon return to Tibet he will establish a secular and democratic system of government, relinquishing his position as political ruler. 1993: Delegation that includes the Dalai Lama's brother seeks permission for His Holiness to help with the search for the new Panchen Lama, the second-highest ranking spiritual leader. Negotiations fail. 1995: China arrests Chadrei Rinpocile, abbot of Tashiphurpo, who on behalf of Dalai Lama identified Gendun Choeky Nymia as Panchen Lama. Later, leading lamas reject Gendu Choekyi Nmia as Panchen Lama in favor of Gyaltsen Norbu.. 2000: Gyalo Thondup, the Dalai Lama's oldest brother, visits Bejing to request meeting between Chinese leaders and Dalai Lama. Request is rejected. March 2001: Dalai Lama issues statement on 42 years of exile and his desire to seek resolution with China.
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