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Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

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Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#271

Post by technobabbler »

chrisjc wrote: post #246
skilled wrote: post #53

I lived in Dharamshala (home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile) for 3 months a few years ago. My partner at the time went back to the US to visit family, and I didn't want to leave Asia so I went there since I had some interest in Buddhism at the time, too. In random book stores, I met actual monks who had served time (in China) as political prisoners. One of which had also written a book about it…

Sorry to ask such a macabre question... but why would China ever release political prisoners? Moreover, why wouldn't they just disappear them? I'm in no way suggesting they should or asserting China's great because they have standards when it comes to taking political prisoners... Nor am I stating that China is so barbarous that I would expect nothing less of them... I just don't know and wonder about the answers to…

They want to keep people afraid enough to comply, but not pissed off enough to rise up.

You can only afford so many Tiananmens before you crush the national morale, and with it, your autocratic pyramid scheme. China doesn't want to become North Korea.

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#272

Post by Sporktacular »

mjbeswick wrote: post #256
Sporktacular wrote: post #228

I hope the fact this happened is spread far and wide. It's depressing that the Chinese government will try to suppress this, trying to deny any meaning to this man's death.

This sort of protest only hurts the cause of Tibet, as it is a demonstration of extremism. By most standards the only person that would set themselves on fire is a religious fanatic or someone suffering from mental illness.

That's for people everywhere to interpret as they will, without propagandist interference.

To everyone I've ever know it's always been a powerful demonstration of desperation. Every such incident I've seen has been taken abroad that way. Except by CCP shills who prefer to call it... 'extremism'... mmm.

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#273

Post by BeFlatXIII »

sacrosancty wrote: post #198
tomohawk wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, creating educational opportunities for girls was the worst. Good thing that's all being put back the way it's supposed to be.

Gender equality works well for the developed world because a lot of other systems are compatible with it and we have technology to even the playing field. But it may very well be bad for most people involved, including the girls themselves, in an extremely undeveloped society.

Citations massively needed.

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#274

Post by technobabbler »

roeles wrote: post #242
technobabbler wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

IMHO only, not an expert/informed analysis: Buddhism can be a risk to Chinese harmony if left to a separate authority (the real Dalai Lama). The Chinese grand social experiment of a strong state can only really work if they are relatively culturally homogenous, whether in Tibet or Hong Kong or Xinjiang or Taiwan. Dissent plants the seeds of change, and the CCP's system doesn't work when there is too much diversity of…

If diversity is a threat, then I wonder why Taoism is not treated like buddhism.

I don't know enough about Taoism to even speculate. What are your thoughts?

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#275

Post by sacrosancty »

anu7df wrote: post #215
sacrosancty wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Gender equality works well for the developed world because a lot of other systems are compatible with it and we have technology to even the playing field. But it may very well be bad for most people involved, including the girls themselves, in an extremely undeveloped society.

Because you know better? Complete BS.

Because almost every society in history, including the present, and except for technologically developed ones had strong gender roles.

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#276

Post by collyw »

Santosh83 wrote: post #18
zozbot234 wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a big mess. The major rivers of India and China all originate in Tibet, so having that whole area be under the control of either one of these two actors is a recipe for ongoing stability concerns in the region.

Tibet has never been under the control of India as far as I know. It was an ethnically independent region in the past and now comes under the govt of China. So major Himalayan rivers originating in Tibet is a big gain for China and a strategic problem for India, considering China has already built several huge upstream damns across these rivers which irrigate much of N India.

River high up in mountains aren't where the power lies. You could damn all of those 4 but the water coming off of them wouldn't affect the large important parts of rivers downstream too much.

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#277

Post by collyw »

Ma8ee wrote: post #40
rajeshp1986 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

@treis, It doesn't work like that. Rivers can originate anywhere and flow in any direction. For ex- Jhelum and Indus rivers originate in India but flow through Pakistan. I am sure there are many other similar examples.

I’m quite certain rivers always flows downwards due to gravity. So mountain ranges tend to be problematic to run through.

This seems like an argument of semantics. I see both of your statements as true.

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#278

Post by collyw »

Aunche wrote: post #137
sixQuarks wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is one of the most fascinating things. It is close to a real life miracle in my opinion. To not even move when you’re experiencing that level of pain, it’s awe inspiring

Am I the only one who is deeply uncomfortable with the glorification of self-immolation in Tibet? These are nearly always young men, often times teenagers. One must question what sort of upbringing they must of had to sacrifice their life in that way for the sake of their religion.

Got to remember that Buddhists believe they they will be reborn.

Re: Popular Tibetan singer Tsewang Norbu dies of self-immolation protest

#280

Post by Ma8ee »

collyw wrote: post #277
Ma8ee wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m quite certain rivers always flows downwards due to gravity. So mountain ranges tend to be problematic to run through.

This seems like an argument of semantics. I see both of your statements as true.

How so?
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