Expert: Alex Wilding - 8/31/2010

Question
Hello!

I have read that HH the Dalai Lama has condemned Capitalism and he has declared Marxist. Then, muy question is: Tibetan Buddhists of the four schools -for example: a Kagyupa, Sakyapa...- should be Marxists too? And, another question: Is the Dalai Lama the head of all Tibetan Buddhism or only the head of the Gelugpa school?

Thank you very much!

Answer
Dear DB,
> I have read that HH the Dalai Lama has
> condemned Capitalism and he has declared Marxist.
Has he? Marxism has a lot to be said for it, although of course it was badly misused by Russian and other dictators. I think the Dalai Lama also sees the benefits of capitalism, although we all know it has many faults too. But anyway...

> Then, muy question is: Tibetan Buddhists of
> the four schools -for example: a Kagyupa,
> Sakyapa...- should be Marxists too?
Of course not. And even if the Dalai Lama does support Marxism (as I say, I'm not sure), that would not make this opinion binding on the Gelugpas either.

> And, another question: Is the Dalai Lama the
> head of all Tibetan Buddhism
Not at all, though more-or-less all Tibetan Buddhists have very great respect for him.

> or only the head of the Gelugpa school?
He's not even that, strictly speaking, although he is a key figure.

I hope that helps a bit
Alex W