Below is a quote from His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama’s political testimony in 1932. All of it was completely prophetic and all of it sadly came true in Tibet at the hands of the communist Chinese government. Hopefully we can all learn from this lesson:
"In the present age the five great degenerations seem to totally dominate life on earth, to the extent that fighting and conflict have become part of the very fabric of human society. If we do not make preparations to defend ourselves from the overflow of violence, we will have very little chance of survival.
In particular, we must guard ourselves against the barbaric red communists who carry terror and destruction with them wherever they go. They are the worst of the worst. Already they have consumed much of Mongolia, where they have outlawed the search for the reincarnation of Jetsun Dampa, the incarnate head of the country. They have robbed and destroyed monasteries, forcing the monks to join their armies or else killing them outright. They have destroyed religion wherever they’ve encountered it, and not even the name of Buddhadharma is allowed to remain in their wake. I am sure you have heard the reports coming out of Ulan Bator and other such places.
It will not be long before we find the red onslaught at our own front door. It is only a matter of time before we come into direct confrontation with it, either from within our own ranks or else as a threat from an external (communist) nation.
And when that happens we must be ready to defend ourselves. Otherwise our spiritual and cultural traditions will be completely eradicated. Even the names of the Dalai and Panchen Lamas will be erased, as will be those of the other lamas, lineage holders and holy beings. The monasteries will be looted and destroyed, and the monks and nuns killed or chased away, the great works of the noble Dharma kings of old will be undone, and all our cultural and spiritual institutions persecuted, destroyed and forgotten. The birthrights and property of the people will be stolen; we will become like slaves to our conquerors, and they will be made to wander helplessly like beggars. Everyone will be forced to live in misery, and the days and nights will pass slowly, and with great suffering and terror.
Therefore, when strength of peace and happiness is with us, while the power to do something about the situation is still in our hands, we should make every effort to safeguard ourselves against this impending disaster. Use peaceful methods where they are appropriate; but where they are not appropriate, do not hesitate to resort to more forceful means. Work diligently now, while there is still time. Then there will be no regrets."
The Snow Lion Foundation 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 www.thesnowlion.com
