MADRAS, India -- Buddha taught peace to mankind, but his followers in India appear to have embarked on a path of violence. In the northern Indian town of Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile, posters now threaten to kill the Dalai Lama.
The religious and political head of the Tibetans, Dalai Lama fled his home in 1959 following annexation and atrocities by China, taking refuge in Dharamshala. Over the years, his stance toward Beijing has softened to the extent that he is now willing to settle for greater autonomy rather than full-fledged independence. But not all of his people agree.
A Tibetan cult, Shugden, is suspected of spearheading what could become a violent movement against the Dalai Lama. The posters may well be the handiwork of this sect. The writings on the walls of Dharamshala say the Dalai Lama and his followers will be assassinated if they do not leave India.