Chapter 9 Chapter 09: Cultural barriers are the key to advancing Tibet

In the process of doing good things for the masses, the troops have also done some thankless stupid things.During the highland barley harvest season, troops helped the masses harvest highland barley one after another.Once when the harvest was about to end, some lamas came.The busy Tibetans hurriedly put down their work, bowed their heads to the head lama and stuck out their tongues, with their hands drooping, as if in awe.The other party didn't seem to see it at all, but just ordered the other lamas to collect the large grains of highland barley, tie them up with yak ropes, carry them on their backs and leave.The soldiers on the side became angry and stepped forward to tear it off.But strangely, the Tibetan compatriots were very displeased with our soldiers, and respectfully asked the lamas to take the barley away.At first the soldiers thought that the Tibetans were afraid of the Lama, but later they realized that they were indeed willing.Because Tibetans who believe in Buddhist karma and reincarnation believe that they suffer in this life because of their sins in the previous life; if they want to be good in the next life, it depends on their practice in this life, and lamas can help them practice in the next life.Only then did the soldiers understand that there are not only people who dare not resist oppression in the world, but also people who do not understand and do not want to resist.It seems that it is much more difficult to get rid of the spiritual shackles they are willing to accept than to break the political shackles imposed on them.We use this incident to educate the troops. On the one hand, we will make everyone deeply understand the seriousness of the disaster for the Tibetan people; on the other hand, we will ask everyone to improve their policy concepts. Do something beyond the consciousness of the masses.This matter has a profound impact on the education of the troops.You can see that this is the situation of the Tibetans in the Kham area, so you can imagine the situation of the Tibetans in the west of the Jinsha River under the rule of the Tibetan local government.Many comrades feel heavy hearted.This feeling naturally turned into the determination and perseverance to march into Tibet to liberate the Tibetan people.

The policy of peaceful liberation of Tibet promoted by the advance team spread like a strong spring breeze to every corner of the grassland. Even the solid ice that has been frozen for thousands of years will slowly melt. Some upper-class Tibetan patriots have awakened. Inside the old system, they are like bunches of burning torches, looking for a precious source of light.They are one of the most effective catalysts for a society that is about to crumble. There used to be four persuasion groups, with important missions, entering Tibet from different directions to promote our party's policy of peacefully liberating Tibet, but they were all rejected by the Kaxag government.Among them, Geda Living Buddha died tragically in Qamdo.

The past, like dust and smoke raised, has already fallen, condensing into a arduous and long historical road.It has no end, and has been stretching in the hearts of every country, every nation and every person. Even in Kangding and Ganzi County, the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province today, everyone is familiar with the mention of the Fifth Geda Living Buddha.On the outskirts of Ganzi County, there is a majestic three-story building guarded by a pair of old Tibetans. This is the "Commander Zhu De and the Fifth Living Buddha Memorial Hall" inscribed by General Secretary Jiang Zemin.In the memorial hall, there are golden statues of Zhu De and Geda Living Buddha. The two sit cross-legged, with a thousand words flying in their friendly smiles.Behind the statue, there is a huge mural depicting the panorama of Ganzi County, with continuous mountains and vast grasslands.In the glass cabinets on display, there are many cultural relics left over from the period of the Red Army. It is said that those weed seeds were the rations of the Red Army, and those worn-out wool were the clothing of the Red Army to keep out the cold.In a "Tibetan Grain Book", it is recorded in Tibetan that Baili Temple, the mother temple of Geda Living Buddha, donated food to the Red Army. More than 7,000 catties were donated twice.There is also a palm-sized note, which is the receipt from the Red Army to Baili Temple.

In Baili Temple, about 15 kilometers west of Ganzi County, there is also a memorial hall for the fifth living Buddha Geda. It is small in scale, but it retains many relics of the living Buddha: a Tibetan knife with a white animal bone handle, a black a round leather cap and a worn yellow oil umbrella.These relics exude an air of austerity and poverty.On the wall, there are several poems written by Geda Living Buddha in memory of the Red Army.There are also the vajra and rattles used by the living Buddha during his lifetime, which are carefully preserved in the scripture hall.The place where the Living Buddha lived was swept clean every day, and people seemed to be waiting for his return.

In a narrow street named Tashika, lived the sixth living Buddha Geda, his name was Geda, Tashi Rongbu.It was a typical Tibetan-style courtyard, with two ferocious dogs barking in the courtyard, colorful rose flowers smelling fragrant, and the living Buddha entertained guests with Tibetan-style tea and milk dregs.What is different from ordinary people is that the Sixth Geda Living Buddha uses an electronic doorbell, watches cable TV, sits on a leather sofa, and smokes a Sichuan cigarette called "Jiaozi".All these are signs that Tibetan areas are advancing.The sixth Geda Living Buddha has thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a round nose. He is currently the vice chairman of the Ganzi County Political Consultative Conference.When his name was mentioned, the common people gave a thumbs up, saying that the sixth Gerda is the same as the fifth Gerda, and his kindness is better.

The story of the Fifth Geda Living Buddha is engraved on the bones of the VI Geda like scriptures. The Dharma name of the fifth Geda was Lobsang Tenzin Zabataye.He was born in a poor peasant family in Dexidi Village, Shengkang Township, Ganzi County in 1902. He moved to Baili Temple at the age of seven and was enthroned as the Fifth Living Buddha Geda.The Baili Temple was built in ancient times, and later emperors of all dynasties have conferred or appointed living Buddhas of Geda.At the age of seventeen, the fifth Geda went to Ganden Monastery in Lhasa to study scriptures. After eight years of painstaking study, he won the title of "Gexi" after debating the scriptures, which is the highest degree in Tibetan Buddhism.Then he returned to Baili Temple.He strictly abides by Buddhist precepts and lives a frugal life. He can't sleep at night when the common people suffer a little.He is also a man of many talents.Up to now, "Geda Xianzi" is still popular in Ganzi area. Whenever there are festivals, people dance to this beautiful melody. Its lyrics and music are all composed by Geda.Geda Living Buddha also likes to create poems, draw pictures, and collect folk customs.

He lives peacefully in the support of people. However, in April 1936, the Red Army's Long March passed through Ganzi.The Red Army committed no offense to every word or deed. It was like throwing a boulder into Geda's peaceful heart lake, causing ripples. When the Red Army first arrived in Ganzi, Geda was extremely suspicious when he heard some reactionary propaganda, so he found a village near Baili Temple and hid.He watches.The Red Army neither set fire to the village nor killed or looted, so he walked back to the temple.On the side of the chain bridge leading to the temple, he met several cadres of the Red 88th Division; he asked in confusion: "Who is the Red Army and what are they doing here?" Through an interpreter, the Red Army told him that the Red Army is The team led by the Communist Party is dedicated to fighting the world for the poor, and they are here to go north to fight against the Japanese invaders who trampled on the motherland of China.The Red Army passed through Tibetan areas, protecting temples, respecting the religious beliefs of the Tibetan people, buying and selling fairly, and never taking things from the masses.Hearing these words, Gerda felt a shock in his heart.When he returned to the temple, he saw that the scripture hall and Buddha statues were intact, which added to his admiration for the Red Army.

He sent people up the mountain to recall the people hiding on the mountain, mobilized the people to sell food to the Red Army, and personally went to the nearby Yalong Temple and Genglong Temple to persuade them to contribute money and food to support the Red Army.Geda himself sent meat, grain, and butter to the Red Army. The small-scale Baili Temple provided more than 150 dans of highland barley and peas at one time to support the Red Army. The story of Gerda supporting the Red Army quickly spread throughout Ganzi. After Commander-in-Chief Zhu De arrived in Ganzi, he heard that there was such a living Buddha, so he made a special trip to visit Baili Temple.

In a short period of time, Zhu De and Geda met nine times in Baili Temple and Ganzi County respectively.The two exchanged gifts and had long talks by holding candles, often without sleep all night.On the wall of a Tibetan watchtower where the two had a conversation, there was a poster painted in white powder, showing a mighty Red Army soldier walking firmly into the distance with a spear on his shoulder. Under Zhu De's earnest teaching, Geda Living Buddha became a loyal friend of the Communist Party of China. When the Red Army went north to fight against the Japanese and left Ganzi, Zhu De presented his own photo to Gerda and told him: In about fifteen years, we will definitely come back again!

The loved ones are gone. In the Ganzi area, the Red Army left two to three thousand wounded, and Geda organized the masses to protect them from the Kuomintang troops.Only in Baili Temple and nearby villages, more than 200 Red Army wounded were taken in.Geda Living Buddha personally treated the wounded with Tibetan medicine from Baili Temple.For safety, Geda gave Tibetan names to every wounded and sick.There was a wounded man named Yang Huacheng, who was a company commander of the Fourth Red Army. After recovering from his injury, Geda Rinpoche named him Tashi Lobu and helped him settle down in Ganzi.Some Red Army soldiers were willing to go back to the mainland after recovering from their illnesses. With a feeling of reluctance, Geda sent his cronies Sebo and Bangen to Daofu with letters to the leaders along the way.Sebo and others sent 205 Red Army troops to Daofu safely, and they were transferred to Kangding by the Living Buddha of Yaliaka.

At night, it was pitch black.Gerda was looking for the stars in the sky, thinking of the Red Army going north and Commander-in-Chief Zhu De, a feeling of longing arose spontaneously, and he wrote the following lines: Clouds and rain appear in the sky/Red flags cover the earth/I have never seen such a drizzle/Finally fall on the earth/Ah, Red Army, Red Army/Leave now/When will you return. Ah, Red Army, Red Army / Relatives of the Tibetan people / For the unification of the motherland / You have gone through hardships / Embarked on the return journey / May the Buddha bless you / Hope you return soon. Gerda wrote more than forty such poems. My loved ones are gone, when can I come back again?When will I see Commander-in-Chief Zhu De's kind and kind smiling face again?This kind of complex is pervasive in Geda Living Buddha's heart. He never imagined that saying goodbye to Commander-in-Chief Zhu would be a farewell forever! The Sichuan-Tibet line passes through Ganzi County like a traveling dragon. About 15 kilometers away from Ganzi County, you will arrive at Shengkang Township.At this moment, a gray-yellow country road appeared on the right side of the road.On one side is the green highland barley field, and on the other side is the rapeseed field with bright yellow flowers. The crowded path stretches narrowly into the distance.The road is not wide enough to allow only one car to pass, and it is covered with cobblestones.Go forward for a few hundred meters, turn to the left, turn around a small hill full of cosmos, and you will see a river.This is the Yalong River.Above the turbid river water is a chain suspension bridge, rickety.There are colorful prayer flags flying on the bridge. Go right across the suspension bridge, and you will see the famous Baili Temple. The temple was built on the hillside.On the green grass, the walls use dazzling white to enclose the scattered monks' houses and scripture halls. The light of the golden dome flickered. Back then, Commander-in-Chief Zhu De, He Long, Chen Changhao and others walked into Baili Temple on this dirt road and walked into the hearts of Living Buddha Geda. Fifteen years later, Wu Zhong and Tianbao of the advance detachment of the 18th Army also came along this road. Wu Zhong was a soldier of the former Fourth Front Army of the Red Army, who had been to Ganzi during the Long March.Tianbao was a Tibetan youth who joined the army and went north when the Red Army passed through Aba on the Long March.They had heard about Geda Living Buddha for a long time, so shortly after arriving in Ganzi, they went to Baili Monastery to visit Geda Living Buddha. Geda Living Buddha still keeps the photo of Zhu De intact.He looked forward to the return of more than 4,000 relatives day and night.When the People's Republic of China was established and Xikang Province was not yet liberated, he sent representatives to Beijing to pay tribute to Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Zhu through the Kuomintang's blockade.After the peaceful liberation of Xikang, Geda held a meeting in Ganzi with more than 3,000 people to celebrate the liberation, and sent representatives to Kangding to welcome the PLA with gifts and personal letters. After the establishment of the Southwest Military and Political Committee, Geda Living Buddha was appointed as a member, and also served as the vice chairman of the People's Government of Xikang Province and the deputy director of the Kangding Military and Political Committee. Hearing that Wu Zhong and Tianbao were coming, Living Buddha Geda greeted him ten miles away.As soon as we met, he was so excited that he took Wu Zhong's hand and said: "Commander Zhu De is really a great general. When the Red Army left Ganzi, he told me that the Red Army will definitely return to Ganzi after about 15 years. You really came back today." Exactly fifteen years. That's great!" Wu Zhong and Tianbao lived in Baili Temple, and talked to Geda Living Buddha late at night every day. In the scripture hall of the Living Buddha in Geda, there is a "Shanxi Eighth Route Army Fighting Picture" hanging high.The Living Buddha took Wu Zhong to the wall, pushed it with his hand, and a piece of wood turned over.On it is a notice issued by the Red Army 15 years ago to protect Baili Temple. Wu Zhong talked about the issue of marching into Tibet.He also expressed to Gerda the central government's strategy for peacefully liberating Tibet and consulted the Living Buddha for his opinions. Gerda, who was sitting on the mat, clasped his hands together and nodded repeatedly: "The Communist Party and Chairman Mao are so wise! The People's Liberation Army is invincible and invincible. Let alone Lhasa, it is not a problem to fight to the border. The Tibetan local army is not your opponent at all. The central government's peaceful liberation of Tibet is really to love all living beings , Don’t make people miserable, be kind! I, a theist who believes in Sakyamuni, sincerely welcome you atheists and wholeheartedly support the great Communist Party of China!” Wu Zhong and Tian Bao lived in Baili Temple for seven days. When he returned, Geda Living Buddha sent him back 10 miles, and said that he would use his connections to go to Tibet to promote the policy of peaceful liberation, so as to promote the peace process in Tibet. In Chongqing, Deng Xiaoping was deeply moved when he heard about Geda Living Buddha.However, considering the stubborn attitude of the upper-level reactionary forces in Tibet, he sent several urgent telegrams to advise Geda Living Buddha not to make the trip.Deng Xiaoping also reported this opinion to Commander-in-Chief Zhu De. Commander-in-Chief Zhu invited Gerda to Beijing to attend the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.Tianbao told Gerda the news.Gerda said: "I can't wait to see Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Zhu soon. But Tibet has not yet been liberated, so how can I just go to Beijing like this? When I go to Beijing, Commander-in-Chief Zhu will arrange my life very well. But I can’t speak Chinese, and I can’t do any work in Beijing. It’s better to go to Tibet first. There are many friends of mine in the three major monasteries in Lhasa and the Kashag government. I will publicize the Communist Party’s ethnic and religious policies to them. After seeing and hearing, go and persuade them to return to the embrace of the motherland. When Tibet is peacefully liberated, I will go to Beijing to meet Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Zhu.” Zhu De did not forget this old friend on the grassland, he wrote a letter to Gerda: Tianbao Zhuan Geda Mr.: Please call to learn that Mr. Tianbao entered Tibet for peaceful negotiations with very good intentions, and I am very pleased. The terms of the negotiations should be conveyed by Comrade Tianbao.Please let me know what your opinion on this is.As for your name in Tibet, please give your opinion.It is always appropriate to benefit the workers. Zhu De Liu Bocheng June 1 The next day, the Southwest Bureau instructed the Tibet Working Committee to ask Tianbao to use the ten policies approved by the central government as a condition for peace negotiations with the old Tibetan local government, and to solicit the opinions of Geda Living Buddha. Tianbao came to Baili Temple again: told Gerda the full text of the ten policies one by one.Gerda said that the Communist Party is too magnanimous!The current political system in Tibet remains the same, the status and powers of the Dalai Lama will not be changed, officials at all levels will continue to work as usual, and regional ethnic autonomy will be practiced in Tibet.The central government is more considerate than we imagined.With these ten items, my mission of persuading peace in Tibet will definitely be realized. Wu Zhong analyzed that Geda's entry into Tibet was not a small risk.He not only has to deal with Daza and other reactionaries, but also guards against plots by foreigners, so he should be more careful everywhere. Geda was very optimistic. He believed that Tibet's return to the motherland was what the people wanted. What's more, the People's Liberation Army had already deployed troops along the Jinsha River.At this time, he entered Tibet, and the situation was extremely favorable.He asked to send another report to Zhu De, requesting to enter Tibet. Support the Central Committee's policy on the peaceful liberation of Tibet, and believe that Tibet will have a bright future only when it returns to the big family of the motherland.After the advance detachment of the North Road entered Ganzi, Geda Living Buddha took the initiative to visit Comrade Tianbao.Although this was a courtesy visit, they hit it off right away and talked very speculatively.A few days later, they went to Baili Temple for a return visit.Geda Living Buddha took out a photo of Comrade Zhu De that he treasured and a proclamation specially written for the protection of Baili Temple signed by "Chen Changhao, Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Anti-Japanese Red Army General Headquarters" in 1936, and talked passionately about remember the past.Then they talked about marching into Tibet.The People's Liberation Army introduced to him the central government's policy on resolving the Tibet issue and related policies, and asked for his opinions.Geda talked in detail about the situation in Tibet that he had mastered and some of their thoughts on realizing the central policy.He said that he has many acquaintances among the upper-level people in Tibet. In order to reduce the resistance to marching into Tibet and avoid unnecessary sacrifices, after repeated consideration, he is determined to go to Lhasa to publicize and explain the central government's proposition to the Tibetan authorities. He hopes to report to Commander-in-Chief Zhu. Grant his request.The commanders and fighters of the People's Liberation Army were worried about his safety and advised him to think carefully.He spoke earnestly, expressing his determination and never turning back.So he reported Geda Living Buddha's request to the Southwest Bureau and the Central Committee.Not long after, I received a reply from Commander-in-Chief Zhu, expressing his deep appreciation for Geda Living Buddha’s patriotic enthusiasm, but thinking that his current entry into Tibet is not guaranteed, and advised him to go to Beijing to renew old friendships, and invited him to participate in the June The second meeting of the first CPPCC National Committee held in mid-June will make a decision later.Geda was very excited after receiving the reply. He said to the PLA commanders: "I really miss Commander-in-Chief Zhu. When Commander-in-Chief Zhu led the troops to leave Ganzi and go northward, he once told me: I will come back in 15 years. This year just happened In 2015, Commander-in-Chief Zhu sent you here. Commander-in-Chief Zhu is really a living Bodhisattva! I really want to see him right away, and I also want to visit Beijing. However, for the early liberation of Tibet, I am now thinking No more. I will go to Beijing to see Commander-in-Chief Zhu after the Tibet issue is resolved.” He asked the People’s Liberation Army to send a report to Commander-in-Chief Zhu again, reiterating his original intention.Commander-in-chief Zhu was moved by his spirit of putting the country's and the nation's interests first and disregarding personal safety, and finally agreed to his request, but still instructed that he could go there only when his safety was guaranteed. If you find a problem, you should return immediately, and you must not take risks. Geda Living Buddha was very excited and immediately started to prepare for departure.There is a lot of preparation work before the trip. The most important thing is to let Gerda know as much as possible about the relevant principles and policies of the party, especially the principles and policies of the Central Committee on peacefully resolving the Tibet issue, so as to properly and targetedly propagate to the Tibetan authorities Explanation.For this reason, Comrade Tianbao went to Baili Temple to live with him a week before his departure.At this time, the Southwest Bureau sent a report approved by the central government, including the expulsion of imperialist forces, the return of Tibet to the big family of the motherland, the implementation of Tibetan regional autonomy, the various current political systems in Tibet, and the status and authority of the Dalai Lama. The Ten Policies of the People's Liberation Army stationed in Tibet, etc., are the basic conditions for peace talks with the local government of Tibet.Tianbao explained to him one by one and answered his questions.The speaker was Comrade Tianbao. He was an outstanding ethnic cadre trained by the Party for a long time. Link theory with practice for accurate and vivid exposition.They also worked together on options for dealing with various situations.Comrade Tianbao always felt that Geda's trip was not a small risk. Not only did he have to deal with the reactionaries in the local government of Tibet, but he also had to beware of plotting by imperialist forces, so he had to be extra vigilant everywhere.Geda, on the other hand, is more optimistic. He believes that Tibet's return to the motherland is the aspiration of the people, not to mention that our army has already deployed troops on the banks of the Jinsha River. If the Tibetan authorities dare to resist, it will be like hitting a stone with an egg.He entered Tibet under such a favorable situation, and it is estimated that the Tibetan authorities would not dare to act rashly against him.The economic income of Baili Temple is not much, and Geda Living Buddha usually lives in poverty. The officers and soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army wanted to subsidize him with some silver dollars for use on the way, but he resolutely refused to accept it; he had no choice but to suggest that he bring some carbines to prevent the bandits from harassing him. He agreed. Geda Living Buddha has always been very concerned about the sufferings of the people, so he is deeply loved by the local people.After the news that he was going to Tibet came out, many people expressed deep concern.During the stay of the soldiers in Baili Temple, tens of hundreds of people came to the temple every day, singing and dancing in the courtyard, wishing Geda Living Buddha good luck for his trip. On July 10th, Geda Living Buddha and several of his entourages set off, and the local people all came to see them off.Many wept bitterly, as if they had a premonition of what misfortune was about to happen.After Geda Rinpoche got on his horse, many elderly people followed behind, shaking prayer tubes in their hands, and blessing him loudly.This situation is very touching.Comrade Tianbao got on the horse together, walked side by side with Gerda, and once again told him to be more careful.He nodded frequently, telling the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army not to worry too much.After walking for a distance, Geda Living Buddha got off his horse and refused to let him go any further, saying goodbye to each other reluctantly.