Olivia, an ambitious Australian university student, was on a tight deadline. With graduation looming at the end of the year, her thesis on “Modern Reflections on Tibetan Buddhism” was her final hurdle. A quick search on her smartphone revealed Tibet’s proximity to China, sparking an idea: enlist Zhiyao, a Chinese exchange student, as a local interpreter for a week-long research trip. What Olivia envisioned as a straightforward academic endeavor quickly veered into unforeseen territory.
Upon their arrival in Tibet, the first major crack appeared in their plan: Zhiyao’s Mandarin was utterly useless. The local Tibetan dialect rendered her attempts at communication incomprehensible, leaving Olivia bewildered and without a linguistic bridge to her research subjects.
Seeking refuge and a moment to regroup, the duo stumbled into a small, unassuming restaurant on the outskirts of a town. Zhiyao, undeterred by the language barrier, ordered butter tea. “This is delicious,” she declared, savoring the unfamiliar brew. Olivia, ever mindful of her diet, took a cautious sip. “If I drank all of this, I’d definitely get fat,” she mused, more focused on her academic task than the local beverage.
Notebook open and pen poised, Olivia attempted to salvage her research. She turned to the saleswoman, hoping to glean some authentic insights. “What does Tibetan Buddhism mean to you?” Olivia inquired, her voice hopeful.
The saleswoman’s response was a blunt, unexpected blow: “It has nothing to do with me.”
Zhiyao, seemingly oblivious to Olivia’s growing frustration, ordered another cup of butter tea. “Delicious,” she reiterated, her contentment a stark contrast to Olivia’s internal struggle.
Undaunted, Olivia pressed on, shifting her line of questioning. “What do you think about the Dalai Lama?” she asked, believing this figure would surely resonate.
The saleswoman’s next reply sent Olivia’s thesis aspirations spiraling: “Who’s that?”
As this incident unfolds, the world stage is set for a monumental announcement that could profoundly shape the future of Tibetan Buddhism and its global perception. Just days before his 90th birthday on July 6, the 14th Dalai Lama is expected to unveil his decision regarding the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama. This highly anticipated announcement, potentially made at a conference of Tibetan religious leaders in Dharamsala from July 2-4, is seen as a definitive move to counter China’s escalating efforts to control his succession.
In a 2011 statement, the Dalai Lama indicated that he would consult with religious leaders and the public at age 90 to determine if a 15th Dalai Lama should be recognized. He also stated that if the reincarnation were to continue, the primary responsibility for recognition would rest with his private office, the Gaden Phodrang Trust. This decision, the most consequential in modern Tibetan history, holds the power to shape the future of Tibetans’ seven-decade struggle for religious and cultural freedom and to preserve the Dalai Lama’s legacy as a global symbol of peace and compassion.
For Olivia, this broader context remains a distant, academic concept as she grapples with the immediate, perplexing reality of her on-the-ground research. Will she be able to find the “modern reflections” she seeks amidst such profound disconnect?
All names of people and organizations appearing in this story are pseudonyms
Dalai Lama’s expected announcement might impede Chinese control of his succession
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