The Dalai Lama giving a lecture in Wroclaw in 2010. Photo: PAPThe resignation of the Dalai Lama, Thursday, from his political duties as leader of the Tibetans in exile struck a chord in Poland, where many Poles feel that the leader’s experience echoes that of the late Pope John Paul II.
The 14th Dalai Lama has been living in Dharamsala, India, since 1959, following the Chinese takeover of his country.
The announcement prompted shock amongst some followers of the Tibetan plight, however, Dr. Agata Bareja-Starzynska, a Tibetologist at Warsaw University, believes that yesterday’s move is a positive measure.
“It's a consequent step in the democratisation of political life of Tibetans in exile”, she told the PAP news agency.
Dr Bareja-Starzynska stressed that this March sees new elections for the post of Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and that the Dalai Lama’s declaration corroborates his outlook “that Tibetans can be independent in this area.”
The current prime minister, Longsang Tenzin, was elected ten years ago, and his cabinet comprises of eight ministers.
Although the Dalai Lama will continue as spiritual leader of the Tibetans, Dr. Bareja-Starzynska believes that his stepping down from being titular head of the government, has a further symbolism.
In her opinion, his resignation is also intended to counter the Chinese propaganda “which unceasingly says that the Dalai Lama is solely concerned with restoring his position as the ruler of Tibet.”
Polish Parallels
The Dalai Lama has long-standing ties with Poland. During the 1960s, one of the leading lights in aiding the Tibetan refugees was an exiled Polish noblewoman named Wanda Dynowska, a confidante of Gandhi, who was known to the Dalai Lama as 'Uma Devi' (Bright Soul).
Dynowska settled in Dharamsala in 1960, where she devoted herself to the Tibetan cause.
The Dalai Lama later described her as “like a second mother”, and that it was “thanks to her” that he became a vegetarian.
When Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope in 1978, a close friendship commenced between he and the Tibetan leader. The pontiff met the Dalai Lama eight times - more than any other foreign dignitary.
“His experience in Poland, then a communist country, and my own difficulties with communists, gave us an immediate common ground,” the Dalai Lama reflected many years later. (nh/jb)