The Book of Fools The Supreme Being giver of all, then it would hold true that Violence comes to those who seek it. I was talking about Tibet and the Dalai Lama to an editor friend of mine the other day. Well we did have a debate on him mostly, me talking about why I think he is wrong and she supporting him.

The Dalai Lama who was named Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom) is known more for his charismatic presence who loves to indulge in the attention he receives. He has made his core purpose to free Tibet and that is how we all know him for, he preaches of non violence which he claims is the true Indian philosophy as a way of life.

I wonder how a spiritual leader fits in the arena of politics, there is already an exiled government for Tibet and yet he presides over them as a supreme leader.

A spiritual leader is someone who up lifts people’s lives spiritually. Where is the place for them to partake in the maddening world of politics? Someone who preaches of non violence and yet “In 2001, the Dalai Lama told a girl in a Seattle school that it is permissible to shoot someone with a gun if the person was "trying to kill you", but added that the shot should not be fatal” The Dalai Lama once said, "Forgiveness doesn't mean forget what happened. … If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-measures, you have to take counter-measures. (en.wikipedia.org)

How can he talk of non violence and then turn his back and justify it.

In India, other news have been flashing about a Yoga priest, calling on a fast unto death to force the Indian Government to bring all the black money back to India stashed abroad by companies. His name is Baba Ramdev. The Indian government was trying to give in to all his demands except for a few, which he wanted death penalty to those who have black money and stop 500 and 1000 Rupee Denominations. The government tired to bring an end to his illegally agitation on a Ramlela ground which he said was for a yoga retreat but turned it into a political saga.

He called upon arming the youth of India against the government and waging war against the system. Sensibility took its natural course and the media and people shunned his ideas, except for a few religious fanatics.

And another recent incident involving a man of religion, was of a Christian priest in US, he burned the Quran which sparked sporadic violence across the eastern countries, people where killed because of this. We have Muslims clergies calling for holy war.

The danger of a spiritual leader entering into politics is he not only has influence on the masses, he has their religious sentiments in the palm of his hand which makes him very dangerous if he choose to be or if he just says the wrong thing. Countries like Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria etc. where religious leaders play an important role in the governments decisions, is not good for the people.

The Irony is when a religious leader starts his journey he talks and preaches of peace and brotherhood. the time he enters in politics most of them call for arms and not alms .

I once asked a Management Trainee why is he doing this course, he said he one day wants be the CEO of a global company and for that he will willing to sacrifice anything to achieve it. I asked why did he want to be a CEO of a global company he said “I want people to know me and be famous.” I asked him again why he wants to be famous, what is the purpose of it he said “so that I can bring about a change and a change to the society.” I asked him what stops him from doing it now.

If religious leaders followed God and the ways of spiritual living, why would it be necessary for them to have more control over money as most religious Leaders do Eg. Huge charitable Org and lots of companies run by their associates.

In the news not so long ago a couple of million Chinese currencies were found at the Dalai Lama’s monastery and it is not only him who has huge funds stashed at his disposal there are many others. The image for religious Leaders have changed, their greed for power goes beyond the religious boundaries.

I wonder these acts of their would ever benefit society in the long run