Chinese Military Carrying Tibetan Monks' Robes, Real OIympic Torch-Bearer Attack Or Staged?

Luyen,

Thank you for posting your observations and thoughts. Yes, you're right, it's hard to know exactly who those people are or what they are doing in these protests ... but it does make one think. We must be so skeptical these days ... and yet so open to the truth, even if we don't like it ... difficult task sometimes. We must follow our hearts and do our best to think and learn ... these are things nobody can take from us. I find it inconsistent with what I know of Tibetan people to personally believe the attacker is truly Tibetan. I feel that whoever is responsible for those actions understands the power of photos in the global eye.

Call it merely a gut reaction ... what's happening in Tibet is clearly wrong. Although I'm generally uninformed about the details in Tibet, I have viewed thousands of photos and stories of atrocities committed in Chinese labor prisons. I can't even pretend to be qualified to offer an opinion as to a solution. My heart breaks. The only thing I feel I can do is not buy products made in China ... yet, I wish a strong economy for Chinese people ... it's a catch-22, but I don't feel comfortable supporting those labor prisons. I feel the atrocities are literally my own fault if I buy the products made under those conditions.

Being a personal-responsibility kinda gal myself, I am often left wondering what to do with my feelings of inadequacy facing such injustice as we see in Tibet. I believe that everything I do matters ... I believe that my every action has an effect on the rest of humanity. I often feel inadequate, yet what more can I do than what I believe in my heart is right. I often learn the most from people who disagree with me. (I love that!) I am most definitely an imperfect human. In all honesty, I don't even feel adequate to comment to this post ... but I want to reach out to you.

I remember a quote from Shantideva which has become one of my favorites:

"All the joy the world contains has come from wishing happiness for others. All the misery the world contains has come from wishing happiness for ones self."

And another from Maya Angelou:

"You did then what you knew how to do. When you knew better, you did better"

I believe in personal freedom and responsibility above all else. And although I'm inspired by Shantideva, I also believe that happiness does not ever have to come at the expense of someone else ... here or anywhere in the world. In everything I've read from you, Luyen, I believe you are a beautiful person doing your part to spread the truth from a perspective of respect and love for humanity.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts here. I look forward to learning more from you.