OPINION
John Billington* pays tribute to the distinctly Buddhist-altruistic character which defines the Tibetan culture, underlining its enduring global appeal.
(TibetanReview.net, Jan17’24)
Tibet’s culture is UNIQUE. There is no other culture like it in the world. It is a unique blend of Buddhism with an earlier (Bon) shamanistic belief system. Tibet’s culture has spread to neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Mongolia and is also found in China and in Tuva and Buryatia in Russia. Aspects of it are found in all the Himalayan regions and in India, and since the diaspora following the Chinese invasion of 1950 it has reached many other countries in the West and elsewhere, where it is highly regarded by those who are familiar with it.
Tibet’s culture is DEVOUT – that is, it is founded on deeply-held religious beliefs. Since Tibet was never colonised by any Western power and since it was isolated behind the almost impenetrable barrier of the Himalayas until recently, it was able to retain its culture until 1950, almost unchanged for centuries. Western materialism and industrialisation were almost unknown, and the elevated terrain, vast empty spaces and sparse population lent itself to a religion almost as rarefied as its atmosphere. Travellers attest to this unique level of devotion, where the spinning of prayer-wheels, the flying of religious prayer-flags, the frequent mani-walls and rock-carvings of religious symbolism – including the ubiquitous “Om, mani pad-me hum” – reflect a level of devotion where most families had a son or daughter, brother or sister, who spent time in a monastery or nunnery. It is estimated that prior to the Chinese invasion of 1950, one in four of the population was a member of a religious order. Religion was both serious and fun – it was part of every person’s daily life. Visits to monasteries or nunneries were frequent; monks or nuns were frequently involved in household affairs. Monasteries and nunneries were schools and art-galleries and surgeries, and they provided entertainment in the form of religious dances and operas. And highly-educated monks were accorded a regard and reverence that priests in other religions would envy. Despite Mao’s claim that “Religion is poison” this is NOT how Tibetans perceived it. Tibetans loved their religion – and still do. Of course, not all Tibetan monks are saints, but at the highest level they have achieved religious insights and wisdom – and sometimes saintliness – that other religions might envy. And we should note that many materially highly developed countries have in effect abandoned religion. Godless societies have no moral compass by which to steer or to guide their citizens in treating well their fellow-men, fellow-creatures, or the natural world.
No-one would claim that Tibetan society was perfect: Tibetans are human, just like any other nation. There were local quarrels over land or grazing; there was some degree of brigandage, and petty crime was found in Tibet as in every other society on Earth. But travellers overwhelmingly attest to a degree of contentment and harmony between peoples of all classes that most societies would also envy. The huge disparities in income that we see in Western countries was absent. Competition was not encouraged but co-operation and charity were. GIVING and ALTRUISM are central to Tibetan Buddhism (“The best of wealth is the wealth that one gives away” – Milarepa). Contrary to Communist propaganda the majority of landowners and monasteries were PATERNALISTIC and looked after poorer members of society. No-one starved in Tibet, because in Buddhism people matter, animals matter and the soil on which crops and grazing depends also matters. Tibet is rich in mineral reserves and the Chinese – whose name for Tibet is Xizang (the Western Treasure House) – have been quick to exploit Tibet’s mineral wealth where the indigenous population considered mining a desecration of the earth. Animals are sentient beings and whether wild or domestic are generally treated with respect and affection.
Similarly, in the relation between the sexes Tibet scores well. Tibetans are generally an independent people who treat you as an equal – unlike the Chinese who consider themselves superior to all other races. Women in Tibet have high status, whether by Asian or Western standards. Both men and women enjoy considerable freedom in their sexual relationships and women are – or were – free to do business and to travel and to run their affairs without deference to their male relations. The restrictions on women’s freedom that one sees even today in many Muslim countries was not found in Tibet; nor were Tibetan women seen as “sex objects” or second-class citizens as happened in many Western countries until recently. Tibetan women have not needed “feminist” movements to assert their rights – they have always enjoyed a high level of freedom.
When assessing Tibet’s culture we need to consider how it compares with the culture of Western states. Western nations developed scientifically and industrially in a way that many non-Western nations did not. They have made Western states richer and more powerful militarily. But that does not mean that they are “better” morally. In fact, you could argue the opposite. It is Western nations that colonized nations less powerful; Western nations that have ransacked the Earth’s resources in their pursuit of wealth and power; and Western nations that are primarily responsible for Climate Change and the disastrous state of our planet today. No-one could accuse Tibet of damaging the planet; nor of being aggressive politically. Few nations have done as little harm to the planet as Tibet. I think you could go further and argue that Tibet – under the leadership of the Dalai Lama – has been a leading force for PEACE, reconciliation and compromise. It is greatly to Tibet’s credit that after its conversion to Buddhism in the 8th Century it renounced its hitherto warlike nature.
COMPASSION (karuna) seems to me one of Tibet’s dominant characteristics. A few non-Tibetans may be familiar with Shantideva’s well-known saying:
“All the misery this world contains comes from seeking pleasure for oneself;
All the joy this world contains comes from seeking the happiness of OTHERS.”
But among Tibetans this is familiar everyday advice and what’s more it is PRACTISED not just preached. The world would be a much better place if a few more people put this advice into practice and sought the good of their neighbours rather than of themselves.
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* John Billington is a former Chairman of the Tibet Society of the UK and a Goodwill Ambassador of the Tibet Foundation.