It was with the fifth incarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1642 that he was given the responsibilities of primary spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people. The present Dalai Lama is the fourteenth incarnation of the Tibetan Bodhisattva. He was born in Amdo, Tibet on July 6, 1935 to a farming family. (106) As a two year-old he was asked to choose from objects that were personal effects of th

e former Dalai Lama mixed with other similar objects. After the young boy chose all of the correct items he was identified as the Dalai Lama. From that point on he underwent a rigorous training in ways of the Tibetan Buddhist. With a strict and disciplined approach to the education both spiritually and intellectually, the Dalai Lama has maintained a high standard of excellence as ruler. It is interesting that in the Dalai Lama system all but one of the incarnations has come from modest means and have ascended to greatness. (106)

The history of Tibet has been intertwined with China since the seventh century through a series of marriages, treaties, and wars. (1) It was not until the thirteenth Dalai Lama declared Tibet as a sovereign independent country that it had officially broken ties to China; however, only two years later the Dalai Lama signed a treaty that gave China political leadership over some of the country and left "Outer Tibet" to be the only independent part of Tibet. With the rise of the Chinese Communist Party so rose the issue of Tibet. (1)

The Chinese will never be able to eradicate the identity of the Tibetans and to attempt is futile. The perpetual motion of their problems is caused by these harsh policies. By discriminating the Tibetans, China has continued the unrest and disobedience. The Dalai Lama believes that the only method that can alleviate the crisis is a comprehensive and continual dialogue between the two governments. (423)

His Holiness's concerns are not only for the well being of his people but also for the well being of the Tibet plateau. His warnings to the Chinese over possible environmental disasters were ignored for years and the China continued to develop and exploit the land beyond its means. The Dalai Lama knew that the disruption in the ecological balance would not only affect Tibet but also adjoining areas of China and other countries. His prophecies came true recently when devastating floods terrorized China in 1998 and forced the government to ban further logging in Tibet. (423)

The Dalai Lama has instigated international pressure to protect the environment from corporations as well. In June of 2000 His Holiness attended a meeting of business leaders in Los Angles to discuss corporate behavior in Tibet. (52) He had two main points. The first one is that foreign corporations that wish to do business in Tibet not only meet with Chinese officials but also members of the exiled Tibetan government. Not many foreign corporations do business in Tibet and those that do have refused to meet with the exiled government. However, "BP Amoco, facing pressure from Tibet supporters, has already withdrawn from participation in a Tibetan oil pipeline deal."(52) This civil maneuvering of Tibetan activists has already proven affective.

Most people would agree that the opportunity costs of not aligning are far greater than if the two could settle their differences. The Chinese government has long been suspicious of the Dalai Lama's positions. (423) In a country where violence is used to unilaterally solve the social and political problems China cannot accept the genuine compassi

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Approximate Word count = 2127
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)