Changes

Whilst all Tibetans revere the office, and perhaps even the man, as a demi-god, Iyer makes clear that not all of them actually agree with his standpoint. Many younger exiled Tibetans wish for a stronger taking of action to regain the homeland they have never seen. For those of us brought up on the peaceable nature of adherents and the overriding virtue of compassion, the idea of monks with guns and 'positive action' is hard to absorb, whatever the justification. It would not be the first time , however, and Iyer does point out that Buddhism is a relatively recent religion in Tibet – a country which once itself ruled a large empire stretching well into modern China. Nothing is ever quite what it seems. There are those who hark back to such times. When given the choice , however, a democratic vote voted against democracy in favour of retaining the secular role (in addition to the religious one) of the Dalai Lama as head of state, whatever they may feel about his policies.

The man himself is now aging ageing and conscious of doing so, despite the punishing schedule of teachings and political meetings he still keeps up. What will happen next? is clearly the question on every Tibetan's lips. Tenzin Gyatso has gone so far as to suggest at times that he might even be the last Dalai Lama, quickly countering it with a statement that there will be such a person so long as Tibet needs one.