Such terms as "democracy", "human rights" and "religion" have been widely preached and glorified nowadays. The 14th Dalai Lama (hereinafter referred to as "the Dalai Lama"), festooned in the "radiance" of a so-called spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, was in the spotlight last month when he traveled to the United States, a country basking in the glory of "democracy", and accepted a "gold medal".

I have no intention to comment on the innumerable awards of the present-day society, but, having read some U.S. media reports on the Dalai Lama award, I feel that both the U.S. Congress that awarded the medal and the Dalai Lama on the receiving end were somehow blatantly seeking publicity.

A friend of mine who has lived in the United States for years recently came back to China for a visit. He described the Dalai Lama as a world-class "celebrity" in the United States, a grand showground for the whole world. The Dalai Lama, with his deeds and his words, has gone even further than a politician, he said.

To tell the truth, I have tried many times over the years to find in the Dalai Lama the serenity, transcendence and benevolence of a Buddhist believer and a follower of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. Each time I am disappointed.

In fact, the 14th Dalai Lama, since the day he fled in 1959, has been trying to provoke a sentiment: a sentiment against the Communist Party of China and New China, a sentiment to secede Tibet from China and a sentiment to restore his rule. To that effect, he has not hesitated to slander or even put the lives of the Tibetans at stake.

What the Dalai Lama has been doing is not altogether surprising. In old Tibet, before the democratic reforms of 1959, all the Dalai Lamas were the biggest feudal serf-owners. They took control of the political and religious rights, dominated every force available and owned every inch of land and every head of cattle in Tibet. Officials at all levels were subject to their manipulation and all serfs and slaves were subject to their exploitation and even trade. How powerful were the Dalai Lamas back then! The 14th Dalai Lama, the reincarnation of his predecessors, is accustomed to the old Tibet and was born to represent the interests of the ruling class.

It is crucial for a Buddhist faithful to be placid yet the inner world of the Dalai Lama is always fluctuant. The prolonged fusion of religion and politics in the history of Tibetan Buddhism makes it hard for him to abandon his lust for political power, and life in exile under another people's roof makes him brood on his failure in fending off the Chinese Communist Party from taking political power in Tibet five decades ago.