Vocabulary:
- uprising – an act of resistance or rebellion; a revolt
Most uprisings tend to be violent. - stalwart – very loyal to someone or something
More and more young professionals are becoming stalwart supporters the environment. - separatist – someone who supports an effort to become independent of the country or group to which the person belongs
I suggest you keep your separatist ideas to yourself. - scenic – having or showing beautiful natural surroundings
We took a scenic route back to our house. - jeopardize – to cause something to be harmed or damaged, or to put something in danger
You could jeopardize your employment by not completing your tasks on time.
The 14th Dalai Lama is a Buddhist monk and Tibet’s political and spiritual leader. He was born in Tibet but he was exiled in India in 1959, fearing for his life amidst the Tibetan uprising. A few years later, he founded a Tibetan government in India and became a stalwart advocate of the human rights of Tibetan refugees. He is also a a champion of education and agriculture, among many others. He has been traveling around India and the world to deliver talks on the environment, women’s rights, physics, astronomy and non-violence.
It is no secret that the Dalai Lama is seen by the Chinese government as a dangerous separatist. On the Dalai Lama’s planned visit to Tawang, a scenic Buddhist town in northeast India, many feared for the stability and peace between China and India. Tawang is part of the 84,000 square kilometers of Indian territory which China is claiming. The Dalai Lama’s presence in this disputed land could jeopardize China-India relations. Despite the controversies surrounding the Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang, His Holiness and the Indian government maintained that the visit is purely non-political.
True or False:
- The Dalai Lama is a Tibetan exile in India.
- There is a Tibetan government in India under the leadership if the Dalai Lama.
- The Chinese government looks at the Dalai Lama as a friend.
- China and India have a territorial dispute over Tawang.
- The Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang is purely political in nature.
Express your opinion:
- What do territorial disputes do to international foreign relationships? Discuss.
- What do you think primarily drives nations to stake their claims in disputed lands and waters?
- Do you think it is possible for 2 nations to agree on an equal ownership of a disputed land? Discuss.
- Do you consider the Dalai Lama influential? Why or why not?
- What do you think makes an effective leader? Discuss.
Defend your argument:
- If a man own land, the land owns him.- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Great countries need to secure their border for national security purposes, for economic purposes and for rule of law purposes. – Jeb Bush
- Controversial disputes are a part of democratic culture. -Angela Merkel