21 June 2008
Olympic Torch in Lhasa, Tibet
The Olympic torch arrived today in Lhasa, Tibet. The BBC reported that the streets were well controlled by the police and that well-behaved or politically correct volunteers escorted the torch. The ceremony took place in front of the Potala. It is possible to argue that the intimidation and arrests that have taken place since the March 2008 protests would have prevented any of those who live locally to be there. The Tibet Society of the UK annual appeal has reminded us that there will be need of further financial aid for the Tibetan orphanages in India as more Tibetan children are expected to arrive as refugees.
I am writing a guest editorial for the journal Political Theology to be published in October 2008 on ‘Political Theology, Refugees and the Dalai Lama’; the Dalai Lama has been a refugee in India since he left Tibet in March 1959. I had the chance to attend his teachings in Nottingham last month and I can only say that it was a unique spiritual experience.
