May 22

Through My Eyes

Saturday May 22

(We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of his trip to Peking.)

" In all I had at least a dozen meetings with Mao, most of which were at large gatherings, but a few of which were held in private with no one but Phuntsog Wangyal in attendance. Whatever the occasion, whether it was a banquet or a conference, he always made me sit next to him and on one occasion he even served me my food. This worried me somewhat as I had heard a rumour that he was suffering from tuberculosis.

I found him a most impressive man. Physically he was extraordinary. His complexion was very dark, but at the same time his skin seemed shiny. It was if he used some kind of ointment; his hands which were very beautiful with perfect fingers and an exquisitely formed thumb, had the same curious sheen as well.

I also noticed that Mao did seem to have some difficulty with breathing and he panted a great deal. This may have had an effect on his speech, which was always very slow and precise. He was given to using short sentences, perhaps for the same reason. His movements and mannerisms were similarly slow. If he moved his head form left to right it would take several seconds, which gave him an air of dignity and assurance.

In contrast to the distinction of his manner were his clothes, which looked completely worn out. His shirts were always threadbare at the cuff and the jackets he wore were shabby. These were identical to those worn by everyone else, save for the colour which was a slightly different shade of drab. The only part of his attire that looked well kept were his shoes which were always well polished. But he did not need luxurious clothes. In spite of looking down-at-heel, he had a very emphatic air of authority and sincerity. His mere presence commanded respect. I felt too, that he was completely genuine as well as very decisive.

During the first few weeks of our stay in China , the main topic of conversation amongst all us Tibetans was naturally how we could best reconcile our needs with China's desires. I myself acted as mediator between the Kashag and the Communist leadership. There were several preliminary meetings which went very well. The discussions were given further impetus when I had my first private meeting with Mao. During the course of it, he told me that he had come to the conclusion that it was too early to implement all of the clauses of the Seventeen-Point ' Agreement'. One of them in particular he felt could safely be ignored for the time being. This was the one that concerned the establishment of a Military Affairs Commission in Tibet whereby the country would be governed effectively by the PLA. 'It would be better to establish a Preparatory Committee for the "Autonomous Region" of Tibet,' he said. This organisation would see to it that the pace of reform was dictated by the wishes of the Tibetan people themselves. He was most insistent that the terms of the 'Agreement' were put into effect as slowly as we ourselves judged necessary. When I reported this news back to the Kashag, they were highly relieved. It really began to looked as if we might be able to achieve a workable compromise now that we were dealing directly with the highest in the land.

At a later private meeting with Mao, he told me how glad he was that I had come to Peking. He went on to say that the whole purpose of China's presence in Tibet was to help us. 'Tibet is a great country,' he said,'You have a marvelous history. Long ago you even conquered a lot of China. But now you have fallen behind and we want to help you. In twenty years' time you could be ahead of us and then it will be your turn to help China.' I could hardly believe my ears, but he seemed to be speaking out of conviction and not just for effect.

I began to get very enthusiastic about the possibilities of association with the People's Republic of China. The more I looked at Marxism, the more I liked it. Here was a system based on equality and justice for everyone, which claimed to be a panacea for all the world's ills. From a theoretical standpoint, its only drawback as far as I could see was its insistence on a purely materialistic view of human existence. "

( Unfortunately , the what actually occurred in Tibet was not this benign! I promise to add more tomorrow...)

*( please click here to read of the day with me )

* This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth

Dalai Lama of Tibet.

( Please see my spinning for you!)

( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? I began the day in our studio spinning for you then headed up to the Grove to continue spraying. After that I scythed some more then returned to our studio to work a bit on our a land of Tibet. Working two as one we've gotten a lot done! The grass has grown almost to my waist in some places! The parts for the computer haven't come in yet. Fortunately I'm not having much trouble so I can bring us the pages as usual. I've put up the drawings and notes on our a land of Tibet so we can look them over together. I'll put the pages on our infosite tomorrow;I'll put this up so we can rest.

And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow

my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright

long dark mane in sunlight

so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)


	Through My Eyes Saturday May 22 (We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of his trip to Peking.) " In all I had at least a dozen meetings with Mao, most of which were at large gatherings, but a few of which were held in private with no one but Phuntsog Wangyal in attendance. Whatever the occasion, whether it was a banquet or a conference, he always made me sit next to him and on one occasion he even served me my food. This worried me somewhat as I had heard a rumour that he was suffering from tuberculosis. I found him a most impressive man. Physically he was extraordinary. His complexion was very dark, but at the same time his skin seemed shiny. It was if he used some kind of ointment; his hands which were very beautiful with perfect fingers and an exquisitely formed thumb, had the same curious sheen as well. I also noticed that Mao did seem to have some difficulty with breathing and he panted a great deal. This may have had an effect on his speech, which was always very slow and precise. He was given to using short sentences, perhaps for the same reason. His movements and mannerisms were similarly slow. If he moved his head form left to right it would take several seconds, which gave him an air of dignity and assurance. In contrast to the distinction of his manner were his clothes, which looked completely worn out. His shirts were always threadbare at the cuff and the jackets he wore were shabby. These were identical to those worn by everyone else, save for the colour which was a slightly different shade of drab. The only part of his attire that looked well kept were his shoes which were always well polished. But he did not need luxurious clothes. In spite of looking down-at-heel, he had a very emphatic air of authority and sincerity. His mere presence commanded respect. I felt too, that he was completely genuine as well as very decisive. During the first few weeks of our stay in China , the main topic of conversation amongst all us Tibetans was naturally how we could best reconcile our needs with China's desires. I myself acted as mediator between the Kashag and the Communist leadership. There were several preliminary meetings which went very well. The discussions were given further impetus when I had my first private meeting with Mao. During the course of it, he told me that he had come to the conclusion that it was too early to implement all of the clauses of the Seventeen-Point ' Agreement'. One of them in particular he felt could safely be ignored for the time being. This was the one that concerned the establishment of a Military Affairs Commission in Tibet whereby the country would be governed effectively by the PLA. 'It would be better to establish a Preparatory Committee for the "Autonomous Region" of Tibet,' he said. This organisation would see to it that the pace of reform was dictated by the wishes of the Tibetan people themselves. He was most insistent that the terms of the 'Agreement' were put into effect as slowly as we ourselves judged necessary. When I reported this news back to the Kashag, they were highly relieved. It really began to looked as if we might be able to achieve a workable compromise now that we were dealing directly with the highest in the land. At a later private meeting with Mao, he told me how glad he was that I had come to Peking. He went on to say that the whole purpose of China's presence in Tibet was to help us. 'Tibet is a great country,' he said,'You have a marvelous history. Long ago you even conquered a lot of China. But now you have fallen behind and we want to help you. In twenty years' time you could be ahead of us and then it will be your turn to help China.' I could hardly believe my ears, but he seemed to be speaking out of conviction and not just for effect. I began to get very enthusiastic about the possibilities of association with the People's Republic of China. The more I looked at Marxism, the more I liked it. Here was a system based on equality and justice for everyone, which claimed to be a panacea for all the world's ills. From a theoretical standpoint, its only drawback as far as I could see was its insistence on a purely materialistic view of human existence. " ( Unfortunately , the what actually occurred in Tibet was not this benign! I promise to add more tomorrow...) ( please click here to read of the day with me ) This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. ( Please see my spinning for you!) ( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? I began the day in our studio spinning for you then headed up to the Grove to continue spraying. After that I scythed some more then returned to our studio to work a bit on our a land of Tibet. Working two as one we've gotten a lot done! The grass has grown almost to my waist in some places! The parts for the computer haven't come in yet. Fortunately I'm not having much trouble so I can bring us the pages as usual. I've put up the drawings and notes on our a land of Tibet so we can look them over together. I'll put the pages on our infosite tomorrow;I'll put this up so we can rest. And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright long dark mane in sunlight so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)