Dalai Lama, in Mongolia, Gets Tumultuous Welcome

The Dalai Lama, spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived to a tumultuous welcome in this deeply religious nation Friday, then declared that the resurgence of Buddhism here offers hope for freedom in Tibet.

The Mongolian people have traditionally believed in Tibetan Buddhism. But the faith was brutally suppressed in a 1930s wave of Stalinist-style terror launched by a Communist regime that took power in 1921. Religion faced severe repression until last year, when the wave of political liberation sweeping Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union reached Mongolia.

The Dalai Lama’s arrival, thus, marks restoration of the faith he leads in one of its traditional strongholds. China’s Communist government, which depends on brutal political repression to maintain its control of Tibet, has expressed strong displeasure at the visit, apparently out of concern for possible repercussions in Tibet.

The renewed practice of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia augurs well for Tibet’s future, the Dalai Lama told foreign reporters after leading Mongolian monks in a worship service at Ulan Bator’s Gandan Monastery.

“Tibet is still in a dark period,” he said. But “this shows that the basic human spirit, or human desire, or human love for liberty and freedom, has real strength. In the long run, the human spirit is stronger than external weapons or force.”

The Dalai Lama added that “the (political) events even in Moscow are something incredible.”

Then, in a comment implying that Tibetan Buddhism may have greater staying power in vast regions within China’s current borders than does communism, he declared: “I really feel it is extremely important to make proper plans for the development of Buddhism according to new circumstances.” He left the monastery without any further explanation.

In a statement issued last week complaining about Mongolia’s plan to allow the Dalai Lama to visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry declared that “while in exile abroad, the Dalai Lama has been engaged in political activities aimed at splitting China under the cover of religion. We are opposed to visits by the Dalai Lama in whatever capacity to countries having diplomatic relations with China.”