Published on 04/30/2008

Global controversy over the Beijing Olympics has resulted, as protests have followed the torch on its journey to China. Much of the storm centers in China's perceived oppression of Tibet and the exiled Dalai Lama. So, what is a Dalai Lama?

When is a marriage not a marriage? When is a pastor not a pastor? Both questions are in this morning's New York Times. First we learn that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has found that a Northern California minister did not violate the laws of their denomination when she officiated at the weddings of two lesbian couples. The ecclesiastical court decided that the ceremonies were not marriages, and so were not illegal. And newspapers around the country are carrying Barack Obama's latest denunciation of his former pastor's recent statements. According to the Times, Mr. Obama says that his relationship with his former pastor has "changed as a consequence of this."

Meanwhile, the Times tells us that a Chinese court in Tibet has sentenced 30 people to prison terms for their alleged roles in the deadly riots which began March 14. The riots commemorated the 1959 exile of the Dalai Lama and called for Tibetan independence from China. Global controversy over the Beijing Olympics has resulted, as protests have followed the torch on its journey to China. Much of the storm centers in China's perceived oppression of Tibet and the exiled Dalai Lama. So, what is a Dalai Lama?

"Dalai" means "Ocean" in Mongolian, while "Lama" means "guru" or "spiritual teacher." Thus the title translates as "Ocean of Wisdom" or "Ocean Teacher." The Dalai Lama is believed by Buddhists in Tibet to be the reincarnation of Buddhist Masters ("Tulkus") who became so enlightened that they were exempt from the wheel of death and rebirth. Rather than go on to nirvana ("enlightenment"), they have chosen to be reborn to this plane of existence in order to teach the human race. As we saw yesterday, the first Dalai Lama was born in 1391; the 14^th and current Dalai Lama was born in 1935.

When a Dalai Lama dies, the Panchen Lama (second-ranking Lama in Tibetan Buddhism) and other Lamas (Buddhist teachers) search for a child who seems especially to embody his characteristics. Thus Tenzin Gyatso was chosen at the age of two for this exalted position. The People's Republic of China has chosen its own Panchen Lama, and presumably will use him to choose the next Dalai Lama after the death of the current Tibetan leader. Tibetan Buddhists have named their own Panchen Lama, who has been taken into "protective custody" by the PRC and has not been seen since. When the current Dalai Lama dies, there will likely be a significant dispute about his successor. And we may see the current China/Tibet controversy with even greater rancor.

What does it all mean to you and me today? First, governments cannot govern the soul. Courts and candidates can try, but spirituality is not politics. Let's continue tomorrow.