In My Mind’s Zen Garden

Today the Olympic Torch passes through the only American city on its route toward Beijing, in San Francisco.

Already there has been much protest against the atrocities committed by the Chinese Government against Tibet and its People:

Protesters Gather For Shortened Olympic Torch Relay

San Francisco: Olympic Torch Draws Protests

Tibet Omitted From Olympic Declaration

China has been claiming for decades that Tibet has always been part of China. Tibetan Buddhists, Monks and Nuns are forbidden to mention the Dalai Lama, or acknowledge him. And religious practice is outlawed in Chinese occupied Tibet. And for decades Tibetans (especially monks and nuns) have been arrested and tortured. The powerful might of the Chinese military and now, the Chinese ecomomy is just becoming too powerful for its own good. And what are we to do?

Many are protesting on Tibet’s behalf. The Dalai Lama is accused by the Chinese Government for instigating all the violent protests and demonstrations. Even powerful Internet giants such as Yahoo and Google are somewhat powerless to China, agreeing to censor certain websites within China and trying to control the information.

Does the evil Galactic Empire from Star Wars come to mind?

The Chinese Government’s bullying of Tibet, amidst its ever continuing growth as an economic superpower, and now host of the coming Summer Olympics in Beijing, is a perfect example of how evil they are. They seem to gloat at all this, despite protests from around the world.

Human Rights… a serious issue, doesn’t seem to matter to the Chinese Government, nor to all those countries and corporations who are courting China’s economy for their own profits and interests.

Meanwhile, the Tibetan people are slowing being abolished; their religion and culture threatened to extinction as the power of China continues to bite down hard on the heart and soul of Tibet. Llasa is looked at as a novelty tourist attraction by the Chinese, as more Chinese come, as more bars and brothels take the place of Buddhist temples and monasteries.

It would seem that all is hopeless for Tibet. They are powerless to fight back against the Chinese Military, and most Tibetans are Buddhists who practice non-violence, compassion, and peaceful resolve. With the passing of the Olympic Torch through Tibet itself, it is like a dagger going through its heart at the hand of the Chinese Government.

But many people around the world are protesting… because they know that Human Rights violations should not be tolerated. If this is one example of how a powerful oppresive communist government can intimidate and trample on the human rights of others, then, this is something that one day might happen to us. And the logical thing to do is to protest, and to show the world that these kinds of actions will not be tolerated by the citizens of the world.

Somehow, we must protest and fight back!