Another Tibetan Lama

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, 14 year-old leader of the "Black Hat" Buddhist sect, fled Tibet in the last week of 1999 and arrived in Dharmshala, India on January 5. He was approved as Karmapa by both the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama, so his escape is particularly embarassing to Beijing.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, the leader of the "Yellow Hat" Buddhists and currently in exile in India, apparently announced at some point that he would not reincarnate himself. Clearly this is a political ploy to prevent the Chinese from "discovering" the 15th Dalai Lama and quickly bringing division to the Tibetan people.

The Karmapa brings an interesting opportunity to the Dalai Lama in Dharmshala. By appearing as a young man, he has the potential to lead the Tibetan government in exile for many years after the Dalai Lama's death.

Brahma Chellaney of the International Herald Tribune, however, proposes a disturbing counterpoint: But What if Beijing Stage-Managed This Surprise?

China also made waves last week by elevating some Catholic Bishops against the Vatican's wishes and continuing to oppress the Falun Gong sect.