“These 50 years have brought untold suffering and destruction to the land and people of Tibet. Even today, Tibetans in Tibet live in constant fear and the Chinese authorities remain constantly suspicious of them. Today, the religion, culture, language and identity, which successive generations of Tibetans have considered more precious than their lives, are nearing extinction; in short, the Tibetan people are regarded like criminals deserving to be put to death.”
– No one can accuse the Dalai Lama of being “too conciliatory” toward China in a speech he made today to mark the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising, but they can call his Holiness balls out crazy for letting the Today Show‘s Ann Curry get this “rare glimpse” into his home. Did you realize that he is semi-retired?
An English translation of the full speech can be found on DalaiLama.com.