ok.

a few basic history (remember, history are written by winners - an example, no one knew that Jung Bahadur killed Mathabar and Gagan until after Jung's death), of tibet for you guys.

If you look at the history of tibet carefully, the Yellow Hats (the ghelupas) forcibly nearly destroyed the Kagyu (the black hats) school of thought, when the great 5th attacked the eastern province in an "effort" to unite Tibet - in what is termed as the Tibetan civil war. But, during the war that was initiated, ordered and commanded by the 5th with a help of a millitary Khan, destroyed and converted more monasteries and monks (in proportion) than the Chinese did after their occupation. Only after that event, the Dalai Lama not just became a secular leader but also a political one, controlling command over much of tibet's administration. This proves that the concept of Dalai Lama, as political leader, is just wrong - i mean how can a leader supress his own people of one region and belief, to strenghten his own region and belief.

another history for you guys. nepal has invaded tibet three times, and all three times, we have reached as far as Lhasa, but because of the chinese intervention (as requested by the then Dalai Lamas), Nepal was defeated or forced to sign treaty all three times - with Tibet, NOT china. This proves the independence and sovereignty of Tibet.

Ok, now HH Dalai Lama the 14th. I have followed HH for a long time. I myself have had the honor of attending two of this lectures. In one of the television interviews, HH was asked, are you the incartion of the 13th. HH said, "I have proved that I am the Dalai Lama." Yes he is the Dalai Lama, as he has performed all the duties of the Dalai Lama for which he was selected even before the times of the days that he can remember. Another questions he was asked, "Do you hate the Chinese?" He said, it is not about hate anymore. In fact i love them more because they are the ones that are suffereing more than us. All we are asking is to live normally, but they are asking for a place to prosper. Well, they have tibet, and i am proud that tibetans have given them as much as they are able to. Now, all we are asking is for a place to live, where we can practice what we have been practising for a long time.

Now, it is up to you all - for you to analyze. don't blame the 14th. He is a GOOD MAN. All his life since he was 18, he has given up everything for Tibetans and everyone of us. I have received more from reading "Policy of Kindness" than I have from schools in my entire academic career. Close your eyes and think this - what have you done since you were 18 for more than 10 people for more than a week without anything in return for yourself? I bet, only a few can say, yes i have done something. If you have great, you are enlightened, you do not need to question or answer anyone and continue to do more. say make that 100 ppl for 10 yrs. but, if you haven't then, i think it is baseless to even raise a question to honoring this man, who knows nothing but peace of mind, body and soul among all sensient being of the world. And to do this, you do not need to compare HH with Gandhi or Dr King. He is by his own regards as important as anyone.

Some folks here have raised questions on why HH was given the Gold medal by the president. Well, you should know, that the President only hands out the medal, it is actaully given by the congress of the United States made up of 535 members for "outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States". You might ask what were they. Well, before HH's teachings to the west, we had no idea about the inner peace through compassion. Well, there were other religions teaching love, but they were about love of god. HH gave us compassion to all. If you believe in god, then yes, love your god and other beings. if you don't believe in god, you still love other beings. This teachings has much contributed to the american society. Consciousness is the only way to peace of mind. Only compassion can give you that. Go to Boulder, CO or Seattle, WA. You will know that.

For humanity's sake, let this man do his job. The decorations are mere affirmation of his plight to autonomous tibet. even if the US has some political agenda by doing this, HH has no interest in decorating his body with medals. And yes, he is never going to ever wear that medal and walk around. He is only a simple monk. And yes, once Tibet is autonomous region, and i am allowed (as i have no tibetan heritage), i will go and live in gosul gompa by Lake mansarobar. There is nothing there but peace and serenity, and that's exactly what the tibetans want. what i want and what you and all of us want. Hoina ra mitra haru.