Blogging the Dalai Lama

There’s no avoiding this week’s news – the (US) Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the Dalai Lama in Washington DC on Wednesday the 17th of October.

The event was webcast by ICT, and we hope that the entire video will eventually be available, but it isn’t yet. However, ICT has made available the Dalai Lama’s acceptance speech and photos taken in the Capitol rotunda.

Here’s our own note: Watching the webcast was moving – the very direct words – aimed at the Chinese government – were unexpected and welcome. The medal is given by the Congress (the legislative branch of government, not the executive), yet George W. Bush attended the event and played an important part. Throughout the various introductions ran the theme of His Holiness’ committment to non-violence, but also his own view was echoed – that the native Tibetan population and culture are doomed unless action is taken, and very soon.

Bush Praises Dalai Lama as peace symbol, by Foster Klug (Associated Press, in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online) – Klug’s article plus links to a number of AP video segments. This clip, particularly interesting, includes the President’s remarks and the awarding of the medal.

For the Dalai Lama, a medal; for China’s leaders, a message, by Renee Schoof “The Dalai Lama sees a practical side to receiving America’s highest civilian award…an opportunity to once again tell Chinese leaders his ideas for the future of Tibet…”