Tibetologists: self-immolations defy buddhist doctrines

Police in Sichuan province have arrested two suspects who they say confessed to their role in inciting a series of self-immolations in ethnic Tibetan areas. How do Tibetans see these cases? What do they believe are the motivations involved?

A soul searching journey for the next life.

And this belief depends on the practice of Buddhism in this life.

To many Tibetans, Buddhism virtually defines the way they see the world.

Tibetan scholar Dramdul has been researching Tibetan Buddhism for some thirty years. He believes the recent self-immolations have violated the fundamental precept of Buddhism.

Dramdul, Deputy Director General of China Tibetology Research Center, said, "Taking no life is a fundamental precept that must be observed. And of all forms of killing, taking human life, including one's own life, is the most serious sin."

Doctor Dramdul says he is distressed by the brutal incidents that have taken the lives of so many people. He believes most victims are lured into doing so by evil intentions.

Chinese police detained two monks who incited others to self immolate by embellishing the incidents as "noble acts".

Gesang Zhuoma gave us her take on what's behind these horrible acts.

Gesang Zhuoma, Senior Researcher of China Tibetology Research Center, said, "The ethnic and religious policies are not the reasons behind self-immolations. The roots are in the social problems like unbalanced economic development of China as a whole."

As a native Tibetan from Lhasa , Gesang has witnessed the progress in the Tibetan areas over the past decade. She says the government's religious and economic policies are good. But as most Tibetan areas have been underdeveloped for centuries, improvement will be a gradual process.

Dr. Dramdul calls for young Tibetans to cherish their lives. He hopes they won't be easily motivated by those who have political motives.

"The Dalai Lama claims a non violence theory. As a Tibetan Buddhist, he should have openly condemn such behavior. However, he has never prevented people from self-immolation. Instead, he encourages these extreme actions by holding prayer activities. This ensures people do not think twice about his political purpose." Dramdul said.

Tibetan scholars say that most Tibetan people will also agree with the government's legal regulations to stop self-immolations. They believe that an increasing amount of self-immolation cases would not only run counter to Buddhist doctrines, but also do harm to the region.