Religion in tibet

I don’t think anyone in the west can really understand the place and the power of religion in the hearts of many Tibetans. So i don’t know what it takes to make the reality of the PRC’s assault on Buddhism meaningful to the outside world.
Here are links about that assault, unremitting for the past 50 years:

• The PRC has decided that, starting in September 2007, “Tibetan Buddhist monks must have official permission to reincarnate”. His Holiness Dalai Lama has already said years ago, that he will not reincarnate inside Tibet.
  • http://www.lobsangwangyal.com/reportage/ 2007/20070921-china_prepares_to_select_next_dalai_lama.html
    China prepares to select the next Dalai Lama — 21 September 2007
    “Tibetans in Dharamshala on Thursday marched in protest against a new Chinese law …”
  • http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/29/reincarnation_ban/
    China slaps ban on recinarnation — 29 August 2007
    Good story, with comments.
  • http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20227400/site/newsweek/
    BeliefWatch: Reincarnate

  This might all sound pretty silly. It is not. It “effectively gives Chinese authorities the power to choose the next Dalai Lama”. The Chinese authorities are not stupid (at least not in this instance). They understand the power of belief in Dalai Lama in the minds of Tibetans. “The Dalai Lama has been the prime symbol of unity and national identity in Tibet, and so it’s quite likely the battle for his incarnation will be a lot more important than the others.”