An
optimist might argue Tibetan Buddhism has already defeated Maoist Communism, because
it continues to rapidly gain converts around the world, while nobody believes
in the CCP, not even the Politburo. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama is globally
revered, whereas those who know of Premier Li Kequiang are generally not
favorably disposed towards him. However, pessimists will counter nonviolence is
doomed to fail against a government that ruthless massacred its own people at Tiananmen
Square. Traditional Tibetan musician and activist Loten Namling is definitely a
glass-is-half-empty sort of person, but he continues to do his part to advance
the cause of Tibetan freedom through nonviolent means. However, the
increasingly oppressive situation in occupied Tibet and the alarming reports of
self-immolation protest-suicides escalates the urgency of his efforts in Dodo
Hunziker’s documentary Tibetan Warrior (trailer here), which releases
today on DVD and VOD.
Namling
is Tibetan, but he has never set foot in his country. He was raised in Dharamsala,
but Switzerland has been his home for many years. Namling has achieved some
prominence popularizing Tibetan music, even performing for His Holiness. Not
surprisingly, music will play a role in his latest campaign, but that will be
the easy part. First he will make a pilgrimage from Bern to Geneva, on foot,
dragging a coffin to raise awareness of Tibet’s plight. Once he has completed
his journey, he will play in a consciousness-raising concert, co-organized by
Franz Treichler of the New Gods.
When
Namling set off on his trek, thirty-some Tibetans had self-immolated. In a
relatively short period of time, the number rises above one hundred thirty. Maddeningly,
the only media outlet reporting on the phenomenon is the Chinese propaganda
media, which blames the “Dalai Clique.” Ironically though, His Holiness
advocates a non-confrontational policy of coexistence known as the Middle Way
Approach. Namling is losing confidence in the Middle Way and his is deeply
disappointed in the Swiss government’s proposed free trade agreement with
Beijing. Nevertheless, he is only too aware of the Chinese government’s overwhelming
military and economic power.
This
is a grim conundrum viewers will grapple with, along with the frustrated Namling.
He might be an activist, but Namling is not an idiot. In fact, he is
refreshingly down to earth. He never claims to have all the answers, but he is certainly
eloquent explaining the problems. His concern for the long-term survival of
Tibetan culture and the health of the country’s once pristine environment are
entirely justifiable.
