Long Road to Now
There is no short history on the conflict that exists between the People’s Republic of China and Tibetan nationalists. The earliest record of Tibetan and Chinese relations dates back to the 7th Century AD when King Namri Lonstan sent two embassies to China in 608 and 609. Since then, Tibet has ranged from influential empire to subjugated and divided nation. But the real effect of physical protest against Olympic symbolism in 2008 will not be proven in the course of one year especially when you consider Tibet has been fighting for its identity and independence for 1400 years.
The head of the Tibetan Independence movement on the world stage today, the Dalai Lama, is of a lineage that dates back to the 15th Century.
The Mongolian ruler (neither Chinese or Tibetan) Altan Khan is commonly believed to have bestowed the title “Dalai Lama” upon Sonam Gyatso, the third Dalai Lama, in 1578. Yonten Gyatso (1589 – 1616), the fourth Dalai Lama and a non-Tibetan was the grandson of Altan Khan. The speculation was that Altan Khan had placed Sonam Gyatso in a reincarnation line with Gendun Drup and Gendun Gyatso. However it’s much simpler than that. The translation of the second part of the name Sonam Gyatso to Mongolian is Dalai (both mean "Ocean"). As a result, Sonam Gyatso became known as the Dalai Lama and according to Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama today, it’s just a simple translation of a name.
In 1909 a Japanese monk and explorer by the name of Ekai Kawaguchi, wrote about the effect of China losing control over Tibet following the first Sino-Japanese War:
"The loss of Chinese prestige in Tibet has been truly extraordinary since the Japano-Chinese War. Previous to that disastrous event, China used to treat Tibet in a high-handed way, while the latter, overawed by the display of force of the Suzerain, tamely submitted. All is now changed, and instead of that subservient attitude Tibet treats China with scorn.... The Tibetans listen to Chinese advice when it is acceptable, but any order that is distasteful to them is entirely disregarded...."
Following a revolution in China, the local Tibetan militia launched a surprise attack on the Chinese garrison stationed in Tibet. Afterwards the Chinese officials in Lhasa (Tibet’s capital) were forced to sign the "Three Point Agreement" which provided for the surrender and expulsion of Chinese forces in central Tibet. In early 1913, the Dalai Lama returned to Lhasa and issued a proclamation distributed throughout Tibet which condemned "The Chinese intention of colonizing Tibet under the patron-priest relationship", and stated that, "We are a small, religious, and independent nation.”
But this declaration was not written in stone and after Mao Zedong came to power with his Communist Government he wasted little time invading Tibet and establishing a 17 point agreement affirming China’s sovereignty over Tibet.
In 1959, when the Dalai Lama eventually fled Lhasa , India was politically pressured by Britain and the US to accept the Tibetan refugees.
The plight of the Tibetan refugees garnered international attention when the Dalai Lama, spiritual and religious leader of the Tibetan government in exile, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Prize on the basis of his unswerving commitment to peaceful protest against the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
He is highly regarded as a result and has since been received by government leaders throughout the world. Among the most recent ceremonies and awards, he was given the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bush in 2007, and in 2006 he was one of only two people to ever receive an honorary Canadian citizenship. The PRC consistently protests each official contact with the exiled Tibetan leader.
The community of Tibetans in exile established in Dharamsala and Karnataka, South India, has expanded since 1959. Tibetans have duplicated Tibetan monasteries in India and now house tens of thousands of monks. They have also created Tibetan schools, hospitals, and published the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives--all aimed at continuing Tibetan tradition and culture. Tibetan festivals such as Lama dances, celebration of Losar, the Tibetan New Year, and the Monlam continue in exile.
More details here.
