Prayer Wheels Spinning

Posted on October 17, 2007 in Morals & Ethics Peace

Let’s be real: the reason why Bush gave the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama is that he knew the world would be flooded with the news of [[Al Gore]] winning the [[Nobel Peace Prize]]. Bush knows that there is no way in hell — aside from the invasion of Norway — that he will ever win any legitimate peace prize so he hopes that some of the Dalai Lama’s cachet will rub off on him in a difficult time.

The [[Dalai Lama]] kept to rather neutral remarks, of course. He did not attack the Bush regime’s war in Iraq for example, but concentrated his concerns on China which has occupied [[Tibet]] since 1952. His desire to make a stand for his people may have interfered with his perceived status as the international voice for Buddhists. (We should remember that his authority is no more universal than the Pope’s.) But then Buddhism — like primitive Christianity — is an existential religion: you alone are responsible for your salvation and peace of mind.

Bush’s prayer wheel must be spinning wildly now as he watches his place in history grow darker. In a generation or so, someone will write a vindication of this scoundrel administration, but what is more likely is placement in the pantheon of American villains, particularly as historians reexamine the 2000 and 2004 elections.

I am disappointed that the Dalai Lama allowed himself to become a tool for this man for no better reason than to gain a platform for Tibetan autonomy. I am disappointed that this award was not given out by Speaker of the House [[Nancy Pelosi]] because, after all, this is the Congressional Gold Medal and not the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dubya had no place on that grandstand. The show belonged to someone else.

[tags]Buddhism, Dalai Lama, peace prize, awards, Tibet[/tags]