Get your copy of our weekly print products at any of these convenient locations.

Dalai Lama's visit sparks protest

Mike Ivey  —  7/20/2008 7:08 pm

Thousands of people streaming out of the Dane County Coliseum after hearing the Dalai Lama lecture on world peace Saturday afternoon met angry protestors, accusing the Nobel Peace Prize winner of persecuting dissident monks and ignoring political issues in his Tibetan homeland.

Some 200 members of a Buddhist sect, the Western Shugden Society were held behind yellow police tape while they chanted throughout the afternoon event, which was marked by heavy security.

The group maintains the Dalai Lama has been quietly "fostering a campaign of intimidation, humiliation and ostracism" against Tibetans trying to practice religious freedom. In some cases, followers have been denied official government identification, they said.

Kelsang Pema, a spokeswoman for the Western Shugden Society, used the term "Hollywood Monk" in describing the Dalai Lama. She said he pretends he doesn't speak English to avoid getting into any discussion of serious issues.

"He won't even set up any kind of proper meeting with a group like Amnesty International," said Pema, who traveled from England for the protest. Activists from dozens of countries have been following the Dalai Lama on his speaking tour.

The Dalai Lama has said he once followed the practice, known as Dorje Shugden, but gave it up because it was intolerant of other Buddhist teachings. He added that 99 percent of Tibetans follow his practice.

Shugdar Tashi Guereh, a Tibetan immigrant who arrived in Madison in 1992, noted the protesters were mainly Westerners.

"They don't understand the issues," said Guereh, an employee at a local nursing home.

The 14th Dalai Lama, born in 1935 in a small village in northeastern Tibet, delivered a 70-minute lecture "Educating the Heart" in English with some help from a translator seated next to him. He also answered a half-dozen questions submitted from the audience.

It was the world leader's seventh trip to Madison, where he enjoys not only a spiritual connection to the Deer Park Buddhist Center outside Oregon but a loyal local following. General admission tickets for the event were $25.

"I'm a Buddhist for today," said State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, who was among the crowd of more than 7,000.

Gov. Jim Doyle during an official introduction noted Wisconsin has a long tradition of embracing diverse ideas and emphasizing learning, two tenets of the Dalai Lama's teaching.

"The Dalai Lama is an inspiration for environmental stewardship as well," he said.

Dr. Zorba Paster also noted the 1989 Peace Prize winner's message that peace of mind brings physical health.

"This is the best medicine we can practice: compassion," Paster said.

Mike Ivey  —  7/20/2008 7:08 pm