Absence of true spiritual leaders on Mainland China is believed to be the reason for Chinese citizens’ attraction to the Dalai Lama as well as monks in Tibet. During the annual teachings of the Dalai Lama in March this year, more than 15 Chinese visited McLeodganj to seek his blessings. Chinese settled in other countries have of course been visiting this place in hundreds every year.

Dharamsala, India—Tibetan Buddhism, at the receiving end of alleged repressive Chinese policies for decades, may now be an instrument of positive change in the strained Sino-Tibetan relations.

Not only Mainland Chinese citizens, but also a few once-frontline Communist leaders have demonstrated interest in religion by approaching the Dalai Lama here.

The chief religious leader, in exile ever since the Chinese occupied Tibet in 1959, is understood to be pleased at the new quest for spiritualism being seen in that country. Recent instances of this phenomenon have led top Tibetan officials to believe that winds of change on religious matters are blowing in China.

According to a Tibetan source, a few weeks before the out-of-favour Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang, once seen as a future Chinese president, died, the Dalai Lama’s office at McLeodganj received an unusual request through unofficial diplomatic channels in the US that Zhao Ziyang--who had shown sympathy for the 1989 Tiananmen protestors and was put under house arrest till his death recently wanted the Dalai Lama to pray for him, which was done. Tenzin Geche, Secretary to the Dalai Lama, confirmed to HT that such a request was indeed received.

After the prayers were conducted for him, Zhao’s family in China was also informed of it, the official said. Even a letter of thanks was received from the family, he added.

Apart from this, even former Chinese Communist Party Chairman and president Jiang Zemin is said to have been showing interest in Buddhism. His daughter is claimed to be practising Buddhism too. According to a Tibetan source, Ziang Zemin has been visiting monasteries in China regularly.

Addressing newly arrived Tibetan refugees in March this year, the Dalai Lama had also mentioned that Jiang was showing interest in Buddhism.

Absence of true spiritual leaders on Mainland China is believed to be the reason for Chinese citizens’ attraction to the Dalai Lama as well as monks in Tibet. During the annual teachings of the Dalai Lama in March this year, more than 15 Chinese visited McLeodganj to seek his blessings. Chinese settled in other countries have of course been visiting this place in hundreds every year.

Said Tenzin Geche, “Mainland Chinese come here legally to meet His Holiness. We have learnt that ever since the Chinese economy has looked up, people there have started turning to religion. Tibet has become a favourite centre of pilgrimage for Chinese.”

The appreciation seems to be mutual, for even Tibetan monks find Chinese better devotees. Said a senior Tibetan functionary: “Monks say they get greater offerings from Mainland Chinese than exiled Tibetans. Of course, the monks are not after money, this was simply their observation.”

While this newfound love for Buddhism among the Chinese is being seen in Tibetan circles as a welcome change, what worries the exiled community is the lack of flexibility in the Chinese leadership when it comes to resolving the vexed issue of Tibet.