Why did Belgium ask the Dalai Lama not to come to their country?

Question

It seem quite strange.

If it is true that Belgium bowed down to China, then it is a bad sign for this country. I am familiar with the history of Tibet and the Dalai Lamas biograp´hy, but would have never dared to believe that a country such as Belgium would let China tell them what they can do and what not. For me this would be cleart violation of religious and spiritual freedom and an offense.

Answer 1

the Chinese communist party - CCP - being atheist, do not believe in spiritual or higher beings in their rule. And even if they openly claim to be 'opening up', they choose their OWN Dalai Lama, priests and religious leaders, whom they can control. the real religious practitioners (including the original priests, popes...) are very often and very likely persecuted, locked up and threatened by the police, spys and ccp members.
To invite the real Dalai Lama of tibet to Belgium, the belgium government feels threaten by the CCP, in terms of financial and economical benefits and trading privileges.... of course there is also the issue of 'personal benefits' of certain authority if they cooperate with the CCP....
In terms of tangible material advantage, how many can still righteously recognize the importance of a spirituality in today's selfish and self-centered society?
Do it make sense now?

There is this book "the nine commentaries of the Chinese Communist Party" which u can watch in you-tube (documentary) or you can read online. Its an insightful international award-winning research. You'll learn a lot of injustice faced by not only Chinese but the world's people because of CCP's violent acts.

Answer 2

I do not know when it happened.Dalai Lama is a buddist saint.Perhaps the Govt might be afraid that it may lead to spread of Buddhism in Belgium.There may be some problem for communal harmony.Dalai Lama is for freedom for tibet from China.Those countries which are friends of China do not entertain Lama.Futher many Muslim countries
do not allow Dalai Lama visits.Recently Iraq refused of entry to Sri Ravishankar ,the proponent of "Art of Living",another Godman from India.

Answer 3

International Relations Coordinator Robyn Broughton says His Holiness really wanted to interact with staff and students. As the capacity of St David is limited to 500 people, it was decided to run a competition to choose which staff and students can attend – asking what question they would ask the Dalai Lama. The competition closes on Friday 19 April, but Mrs Broughton says there has been a fantastic response already from staff across the campus. “We have had entries from across the board,” she says. “Right from PhD students to senior management.” And the questions cover a spectrum of topics too. “There are quite a few around how to achieve balance in a busy life, quite a few around His Holiness’s thoughts around the role of tertiary education for young people, some around how to stay positive, someone has asked ‘If you could be an animal, what would you be?’, another has asked ‘What is your favourite childhood memory?’.” The final questions to be put to His Holiness will be selected by the national organiser of the Dalai Lama Trust, but Mrs Broughton believes there will be mix of serious and more light-hearted questions. Professor Mark Henaghan of Law will facilitate the session and put the questions to him.

Answer 4

Australia did the same thing some years ago because they didn't want to upset international trade ties with China.

New Zealand, on the other hand, welcomed the Dalai Lama and then later had problems negotiating a trade deal with China...

As Jesus said: You cannot serve God and Mammon.

Answer 5

Belgium says it was not involved in Dalai Lama's decision to cancel trip last week
The Associated PressPublished: May 14, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/14/news/UN-GEN-UN-Belgium-Dalai-Lama.php
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a buddhist posting,

belgium refuses entry to the dalai lama

::Free Tibet Campaign, 9 May 2007

(Please act as soon as possible!)

Belgium has prevented the Dalai Lama from applying for a visa following massive pressure from the Chinese Government. The Dalai Lama was due to appear in Brussels before 300 delegates from around the world at the 5th International Conference of Tibet Support Groups from 11 to 14 May 2007.

It is reported that Belgium's decision has come just prior to Prince Philippe's upcoming trade meetings with Chinese counterparts.

It is shameful that the Belgian Government, a state member of the EU and a country with a long democratic tradition, is willing to sacrifice its own values and take orders from a repressive regime. It is a worrying sign that democratic governments who are meant to protect human rights, freedom and justice are willing to trade these values for economic interests.

Free Tibet Campaign calls on Karel De Gucht, Minister for Foreign Affairs in Brussels to publicly apologise and to immediately rectify his decision.

Continue reading "belgium refuses entry to the dalai lama" »

Technorati Tags: Belgium, Buddhism, Buddhist, Campaigns, China, Dalai Lama

Posted by Sujatin on May 10, 2007 at 09:16 AM in Buddhism, Buddhist, Buddhists For Peace, Campaigns and Engagement, Current Affairs, What's happening in the world, dalai lama | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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a year ago
http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=30350
Dalai Lama arrives in Belgium
29 May 2006

BRUSSELS — The Dalai Lama will arrive in Belgium on Monday for an eight-day visit.


Dalai Lama visit rescheduled
While in Belgium, the Dalai Lama will primarily give readings about Buddhism, a religion that is increasingly popular in Belgium.

The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is visiting on invitation from the Buddhist Union.

The visit was originally scheduled for last year, but was postponed after the Chinese government raised objections.

At that time, China had said the visit of the Dalai Lama in Belgium should not coincide with a visit by Belgium's King Albert II to China.

The postponed visit of Dalai Lama will start on Monday with the opening of a new temple at the Yeunten Ling Institute in Huy.

The Dalai Lama will also attend a symposium in Huy organised by the Tibetan Institute.

He will then visit Brussels and attend an event at the Tour & Taxis building for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists from Friday until Monday morning.

The highlight of the visit will be reading the Dalai Lama will give to 11,000 people at the Antwerp Sport Palace on 5 June. The subject of the reading will be the art of being happy.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]
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The year before that.
Dalai Lama visit rescheduled
8 February 2005

BRUSSELS - The official visit of the Dalai Lama to Belgium has been rescheduled for 2006 but no exact date has been set.

The visit should have taken place this June but was cancelled at the weekend in controversial circumstances.

The June date coincided with a visit of the Belgian royal family to China, prompting speculation that the government was trying to avoid a diplomatic embarrassment.

Foreign minister Karel de Gucht denied on Monday that the government had cancelled the visit, saying that the Dalai Lama had decided independently to postpone it.

De Gucht stressed the Belgian government remained fully committed to promoting human rights, but the cancellation still sparked angry protests from the Dalai Lama's supporters in Belgium.

Next year's visit will be the third the Tibetan spiritual leader has made to Belgium.

[Copyright Expatica 2005]

Subject: Belgian news

Answer 6

it probably has something to do with not wanting to anger China.

China has been trying to kill him for years.

or the possible fear of an assassination attempt.

Answer 7

They might not want to irate the Chinese government, but it is strange if its true.

Answer 8

listen, no religious peoples have more rights than what the goverment decides (unless your muslim, then we must do everything they ask incase we offend someone)

Answer 9

Did they really? Fascinating.

Answer 10

because of the lack of a valid passport?