Tibet Keeps to the Middle Way -- for Now

This past week, nearly 600 exiled Tibetans, monks and laypeople, have been meeting in Dharamsala, India, to discuss the future of Tibet. Emily Wax reports for the Washington Post that the meeting "yielded few dramatic policy shifts."

The delegates chose to end formal talks with China, which have proven to be futile. They also will continue to be guided by the Dalai Lama's "middle way" policy, for now. However, if China continues to refuse autonomy for Tibet, independence may be the only option left to protect Tibetan culture and Buddhism in Tibet.

Jeremy Page of the Times (UK) reports that His Holiness may appoint a regent to succeed him as spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people when he dies. This is not really news; there has been speculation along these lines for months. Apparently it was a popular idea with the meeting delegates. The most likely candidate for the position is Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, who is the young man in the photograph above.

However, the Times illustrates Page's article with a photograph of the other 17th Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje. There are two 17th karmapas because of a dispute over which is the real reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa. Sincere arguments have been made on behalf of both karmapas by high lamas in the Kagyu school.

However, Ogyen Trinley Dorje is the one recognized by the Dalai Lama, who is the young man's mentor. If leadership of the Tibetan people passes to a Karmapa, it would be to Ogyen Trinley.