Understanding the Geopolitical Implications of the Impending Religious Power Vacuum in Tibet
In: Review of Religion and Chinese SocietySearch for other papers by Jonathan Ba in
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Abstract
Despite being the smallest branch of Buddhism worldwide, Vajrayana Buddhism is the majority religion in Tibet, Mongolia, and Bhutan, where it wields significant religious and political power. This power has traditionally been concentrated among a small number of lamas, most notably the Dalai Lama, who upon their passing are replaced by a successor in accordance with traditional rituals. Since Tibet came under control of China in 1950, the Chinese Communist Party has sought to gain complete control over Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, coopting these leadership institutions by installing its own puppet lamas. However, the flight of the current Dalai Lama from the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959 led to the exodus of Tibetans to India, where a government-in- exile was established in Dharamsala. This government, which derives its legitimacy from the Dalai Lama, represents the interests of the Tibetan people, including challenging Chinese rule over Tibet. The current Dalai Lama is now an octogenarian, and his passing will create a religious power vacuum at the core of Vajrayana Buddhism. This paper explores several possible outcomes of this religious power vacuum, and whether Vajrayana Buddhism can maintain its integrity and autonomy moving forward.
摘要
尽管金刚乘佛教是世界上最小的佛教分支，但它是西藏、蒙古和不丹的主要宗教，在这些地区拥有重要的宗教和政治权力。传统上，这种权力集中在少数喇嘛手中，其中最著名的是达赖喇嘛，他去世后，按照传统仪式继任。自1950年西藏被中国控制以来，中国共产党一直试图通过任命自己的傀儡喇嘛来收编这些领导机构，从而完全控制藏传金刚乘佛教。然而，1959年现任达赖喇嘛从西藏首都拉萨逃亡导致藏人逃往印度，并在达兰萨拉建立了流亡政府。这个政府的合法性源自达赖喇嘛，它代表西藏人民的利益，包括挑战中国对西藏的统治。现任达赖喇嘛现已年过八旬，他即将圆寂，将在金刚乘佛教的核心造成宗教权力真空。本文探讨了这种宗教权力真空的几种可能结果，以及金刚乘佛教能否继续保持其完整性和自主性。
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Understanding the Geopolitical Implications of the Impending Religious Power Vacuum in Tibet
In: Review of Religion and Chinese SocietySearch for other papers by Jonathan Ba in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Despite being the smallest branch of Buddhism worldwide, Vajrayana Buddhism is the majority religion in Tibet, Mongolia, and Bhutan, where it wields significant religious and political power. This power has traditionally been concentrated among a small number of lamas, most notably the Dalai Lama, who upon their passing are replaced by a successor in accordance with traditional rituals. Since Tibet came under control of China in 1950, the Chinese Communist Party has sought to gain complete control over Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, coopting these leadership institutions by installing its own puppet lamas. However, the flight of the current Dalai Lama from the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959 led to the exodus of Tibetans to India, where a government-in- exile was established in Dharamsala. This government, which derives its legitimacy from the Dalai Lama, represents the interests of the Tibetan people, including challenging Chinese rule over Tibet. The current Dalai Lama is now an octogenarian, and his passing will create a religious power vacuum at the core of Vajrayana Buddhism. This paper explores several possible outcomes of this religious power vacuum, and whether Vajrayana Buddhism can maintain its integrity and autonomy moving forward.
摘要
尽管金刚乘佛教是世界上最小的佛教分支，但它是西藏、蒙古和不丹的主要宗教，在这些地区拥有重要的宗教和政治权力。传统上，这种权力集中在少数喇嘛手中，其中最著名的是达赖喇嘛，他去世后，按照传统仪式继任。自1950年西藏被中国控制以来，中国共产党一直试图通过任命自己的傀儡喇嘛来收编这些领导机构，从而完全控制藏传金刚乘佛教。然而，1959年现任达赖喇嘛从西藏首都拉萨逃亡导致藏人逃往印度，并在达兰萨拉建立了流亡政府。这个政府的合法性源自达赖喇嘛，它代表西藏人民的利益，包括挑战中国对西藏的统治。现任达赖喇嘛现已年过八旬，他即将圆寂，将在金刚乘佛教的核心造成宗教权力真空。本文探讨了这种宗教权力真空的几种可能结果，以及金刚乘佛教能否继续保持其完整性和自主性。
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 452 | 313 | 60 |
| Full Text Views | 20 | 15 | 2 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 88 | 42 | 6 |
