Memorial to Emperor Guangxu by the 13th Dalai LamaDuring last week's Europe-Asia Conference, we showed the participants ' Seven Years in Tibet' on the cinema night. As a great many of them were Chinese, some felt very much offended by the tune of the film that the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso was depicted almost as a saint while the Chinese communists were depicted as brutal invaders. The film, though based on facts, has over dramatized the story and sanctified Dalai Lama. A much better alternative is 'Kundun', in which the early life of the 14th Dalai Lama has been illustrated more authentically. (Both films were made in 1997).
Mao Zedong was the last Chinese leader so far to meet the Dalai Lama in Beijing in 1954, after the latter signed the 'Seventeen Points Agreement' under pressure of the PLA. (However, later, as we all know, Dalai Lama was forced into exile in 1959).
Tenzin Gyatso's predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso in fact led an equally turbulent life of confronting invasions, consolidating with China and being forced into exile sometimes. Towards the end of Qing Dynasty, as China's political grip on Tibet weakened, Britain first sought to invade Tibet by military means in 1904. As a result, the Dalai Lama, then 29 years old, was obliged to flee to outer Mongolia. He returned to Tibet one year later at the urge of Qing government, who threatened to deprive him of his holy title if he stayed in exile. After failing to conquer Tibet by military means, the British began to bribe Dalai Lama and gradually inserted several anglophiles serving by his side.
It was in 1908 when Dalai Lama was called to Beijing to meet Guangxu Emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi. During the meeting, it is said that the Qing court insisted on the Dalai Lama's kneeling down before the Emperor, which in turn irritated him that he finally declined. Guangxu Emperor, on his part, kept on emphasizing on the subservient role played by the Tibetan Lama. He very much worried about the British colonial influence on Tibet, which might finally encourage this region to proclaim independence, just as what outer Mongolia did under the influence of Russia.
Guangxu Emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi both died during Thubten Gyatso's stay. Therefore the Dalai Lama performed budhhist rituals for both of them in their funerals. Afterwards, he soon returned to Tibet, but was forced into exile again in 1910, when the Qing army invaded Tibet in the name of 'eliminating colonial influence'. However, he would return to Tibet again after the downfall of Qing Dynasty. During Republic of China, Tibet gained de facto independence.
Like his contemporary Guangxu Emperor, while resisting colonial influence, the 13th Dalai Lama also sought to reform Tibet by eliminating void posts and implementing modern technologies and institutions. They were both granted great responsibilities as young children and both confronted insidious political rivals (it is said that the regent once sought to curse the Dalai Lama to death in his youth). However, while Guangxu Emperor considered Tibet as an inseparable part of the Chinese realm, the 13th Dalai Lama sought more independence for Tibet.
Furui, Do you remember the name of the Manchu official who governed Tibet during late Qing? I only remember that his relationship with the Tibetans was reportedly very sour at one point.
回复删除In the eyes of politicians such as the Guangxu Emperor, religious sects and leaders were primarily subjects for political manipulation. Unfortunately Tibet has long been (and will continue to be) a prominent subject being used by various great nations, including China. I dare guess that the Chinese fellows at the movie night were outraged when the French president decided to meet the Dalai Lama last year?
June, it seems that there were several ministers in Tibet at that time, for a complete list of Qing ministers in Tibet, check out the link here: http://www.wljt81.net/thread-1570-1-1.html. But you are right that there was considerable tension between Qing ministers and Tibetan monks in Guangxu era, which resulted in the 13th Dalai Lama's request to remove the minister and be directly responsible to the Emperor. However, this request was declined by the Emperor (or the Empress Dowager)
回复删除Tibet is indeed the most sensitive subject among Chinese now, the Taiwan subject has somehow become less sensitive since the presidency of 马英九. However, I daresay that the PRC government will not allow Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, at least not in a short term. Tibet should remain part of China, but we should respect their culture and autonomy, and that the government should apologize for the past wrongs it has done on Tibet. It's not wrong to argue that Tibet played a subservient role in Qing China, however, you have to see how Shunzhi Emperor respected the sacred status of the 5th Dalai Lama, and that Yongzheng Emperor even built a Tibetan buddhist temple in Beijing.Just compare this to what Mao said to Dalai,that'Religion is poison.'
But it seems that the Qing government became less confident of their reign in Tibet towards the end that they dispatched troops and invaded Tibet in 1910, which resulted in the short term exile of the Dalai Lama. This fact is rarely mentioned in Chinese history books.It shows that not only communists can do such things,but that all governments that are not confident enough of their reign do the similar thing. It is so sad that many Chinese teenagers have been brainwashed by the main media and propoganda on this issue that I see no opportunity of adjusting and moderating their views in future.
I also believe that no reconciliation between Dalai and China will happen anytime soon.
回复删除BTW, have you ever seen this book?
Dragon Lady: The Life and Legend of the Last Empress of China by Sterling Seagrave,
Vintage Books, New York,
1992 ISBN 0-679-73369-8
"This book challenges
the notion that the Empress-Dowager used the Boxers in the Boxer Rebellion. She is portrayed sympathetically."
Certainly I know this book and I was first much irritated by it. However, later it seems that it has become a common western point of view to see Cixi in a sympathetic way, there is another novel about her written by Anchee Min 'Empress Orchid'. In which she depicted Cixi as a good woman who made Guangxu Emperor because otherwise he would die in his own mother's hand. She also forged many historical facts, e.g. that Guangxu meant to assassinate Cixi and that Cixi didn't imprison him but rather he himself fell ill, which further irritated me. Of course, Anchee Min wrote her novel in this way with the good intent that foreigners must not misunderstand China today by seeing China only through 'Boxers' Rebellion', etc. However,I totally disagree with this approach, in my opinion, only true historical facts can lead to ultimate mutual understanding.
回复删除The fact that historical truth has been overshadowed by rumors with political purpose is also the reason why I open this blog: to share the true history.
AN interesting read is Twilight in the Forbidden City - with the bonus chapter including Reginald Fleming Johnston's meeting with the 13th Dalai Lama.... and his book Buddhist China... all are available at amazon.com
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