oneworldtalk

The French government is another supporter of the Free Tibet movement that is offering the gift of citizenship to the Dalai Lama.

AFP quoted a spokesman of the Dalai Lama saying that His Holiness may be made an honorary citizen of Paris in early June, raising the prospect of further tension between China and France. The French leadership can't have enough of taunting China by inviting and meeting the Dalai Lama at highest state level representation which has in turn strained relations with an important trading partner.

Last month, China announced it would send a trade and investment team to France, after having left them out of a European tour in February which took in Britain, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.

The Dalai Lama's visit to France was part of a European tour that will also include Denmark, Iceland and the Netherlands.

Despite a letter of protest from the Chinese ambassador, the Dutch parliament has already announced that its deputies will receive him there.

For more information on Dalai Lama taking up other citizenships, please refer to :

http://oneworldtalk.freeforums.org/dala ... t2511.html

The Dalai lama should have known all along that he had been used by the western politicians to denigrate a rising, peaceful and harmonious China. He has lost an opportunity to use his knowledge and influence to propagate his version of Buddhism to the Buddhist followers in China where a rise in Christianity is taking place among the younger generation. So much for China in letting loose on religious freedom.

Allowing freedom of religious practices without fear of persecution is a sign of a progressive society as long as it does not lead to discrimination and threaten cohesion. The Dalai Lama's teachings may not appeal to the more sophisticated and educated who are more inclined to look towards the west for spiritual guidance. The rise in Christianity taking place among the younger generation has some pros and cons. In a huge country where government has yet to ensure economic benefits are trickled down to even out regional, social and economic inequalities, religious organisations fill in the gaps. Good deeds such as building of schools, repairing old houses, contribution of books and clothings have been going on for years. Does it matter what religious denominations they believe in? Some may use religion to enhance their wealth and political clout, but there are many who volunteer their time to uplift the poor but do not derive personal gains from their hard work. The majority of the population take a more philosophical and pragmatic approach by understanding and applying universal natural laws and justice regardless of their religious affiliations.