AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Ellen Weihe Gorsevski for the degree of Master of Arts in InterdisciRlinary Studies in the areas of Speech Communications Speech Communication: and History presented on May 22, 1995. Title: The Rhetoric Of The Dalai Lama. Redacted for Privacy Abstract Approved: Robert S. Iltis This thesis examines the rhetoric (persuasive discourse) of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet. The analysis of this thesis provides an historical foundation of understanding for the international campaign of rhetoric which the Dalai Lama has been leading for the past forty years, culminating with his Nobel Peace Prize award in 1989. The thesis provides an overview of the Dalai Lama's persuasive tactics spanning his time spent campaigning in exile, from 1959 to the present time (1995). The Dalai Lama has been a strong leader in the movement to raise support and international awareness for Tibetans in Chinese controlled Tibet. Specifically, this thesis presents an analysis of two of the Dalai Lama's most well known speeches: the Five Point Peace Plan, presented to members of the United States Congress on September 27, 1987, and the Strasbourg Proposal, presented to members of the European Parliament on June 15, 1988. The Dalai Lama's discourse is examined from the perspective of rhetorical criticism, using the theories of Kenneth Burke as the framework for understanding the texts. This analysis incorporates Burke's theories on mortification, scapegoating, victimage, and transcendence, as well as the tragic and comic frames for presenting a vision of dramatic conflict. The Dalai Lama's rhetoric is also analyzed for its cross cultural implications according to Geert Hofstede's dimensions of cultural variability. This thesis includes a discussion of the Dalai Lama's role as a social movement leader with a charismatic persona and a strong ability to organize and manage a diverse international following while working to preserve the Tibetan diaspora in exile. Lastly, the ethical groundings of the Dalai Lama's rhetoric are taken into consideration. The purpose of this thesis is to introduce to communication students the significance of the Dalai Lama's body of work, and to indicate potential directions for future research. The rationale behind the thesis is this: in rhetorical theory and social movement theory, there exist numerous studies of the nonviolent rhetoric and social movement leadership of both Dr. Martin Luther King of the United States and Mahatma Gandhi of India; yet the Dalai Lama, whose work I show to be comparable in many ways to that of King and Gandhi, has remained unexamined by scholars in many disciplines, most notably rhetorical criticism and social movement theory. The intent of this thesis is to focus upon the Dalai Lama's rhetoric and communication skills in order to stimulate an enduring interest in him as a remarkable orator and leader, from whom we may gain insight into improving our ability to communicate and to manage conflict in a nonviolent manner. ©Copyright by Ellen Weihe Gorsevski May 22, 1995 All Rights Reserved The Rhetoric Of The Dalai Lama by Ellen Weihe Gorsevski A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Completed May 22, 1995 Commencement June 1996 Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies thesis of Ellen Weihe Gorsevski presented on May 22, 1995 APPROVED: Redacted for Privacy Ma ,'o Professor, representing Speech Communication Redacted for Privacy ASSOC Professor, representing Speech Communication Redacted for Privacy History Redacted for Privacy Chair department of Speech Communication Redacted for Privacy I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon request. Redacted for Privacy Ellen Weihe Gorsevski, Author i Acknowledgment First, I would like to thank my major professor and Committee Chair, Robert Iltis, for his encouragement, wise direction, and recommendations for research and revisions. His energy, interest, and guidance in helping me navigate through the formidable seas of research and writing was invaluable and I am indebted. I would also like to thank my professors in Speech Communication, and my Committee Members, for their valuable input, patience, and efforts in helping my thesis and defense come together smoothly. Next, I would like to give heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful staff at OSU's Interlibrary Loan Office. I appreciate all of their efforts in helping me track down and obtain obscure and hard to find books, articles, and other research materials. To my parents, sisters and brothers, and dear friends, I am greatly in debt for their understanding, support, reassurance, for lending a kind listening ear, and for setting life-long examples of achievement and excellence. Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to thank Peter, who inspires me to strive to make my dreams come true. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 Theoretical Convergence 9 Leadership and Rhetoric of a Nonviolent Movement 15 The Dalai Lama and the East in the West: Thriving Anew 19 A Rhetoric of Simplicity 29 Of Rhetoric and Riots 31 Conclusion 33 CHAPTER TWO: ANCIENT PAST, UNCERTAIN PRESENT 35 The History of Tibet 35 Phase One: The Rise of Kings and of Buddhism in Tibet 35 Phase Two: Mongol Rule Over Tibet 38 Phase Three: The Legacy of Tsong Khapa 39 Phase Four: The Europeans Arrive and Suzerainty is Confirmed 44 Phase Five: Left Alone 48 Phase Six: The Cultural Revolution and Subsequent Reform in Tibet 53 Figurehead of an Historic Dispute 59 Interpreting History: Two Views 60 Tibet's Questionable Past 63 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Suzerainty vs. Sovereignty 66 What, and Where, Is Tibet? 68 Human Rights Redefined 70 CHAPTER THREE: THE CROSS CULTURAL RHETORIC OF THE DALAI LAMA 78 A Language of Cultural Pairings 78 Of Words and Word Views 80 CHAPTER FOUR: CONSUMMATE CHARISMA 95 A Charismatic Leader 95 A Strong Face 97 A Greater Vision 104 CHAPTER FIVE: REVELING IN CONTRADICTION: A RHETORICAL STRATEGY 116 Introduction 116 Background 116 Timing and Audience 119 The Five Point Peace Plan 128 Linked Speeches 148 The Next Audience: The European Parliament 150 The Strasbourg Proposal: Finding Transcendence in a Middle Way 155 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Reactions to the New Plan 176 Conclusion 182 CHAPTER SIX: A TRAGICOMIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE TIBET QUESTION 187 The Opening of the Wisdom Eye 187 The Comic Frame 189 Religious Persuasion 191 Irony and Awareness 193 The Tragic Frame: A Sentimental Side 199 CHAPTER SEVEN: ETHICS AND NONVIOLENT PERSUASION 213 The Ethics of a Nonviolent Rhetor 213 Ethics and the Active Audience 217 CHAPTER EIGHT: AN ENDURING RHETORIC 226 Conclusions: The Significance of the Dalai Lama's Discourse 226 Areas for Future Research 229 BIBLIOGRAPHY 234 LIST OF TABLES Table 2A21 1. Tibet's Dalai Lamas 43 2. Members of the U.S. Congress Subcommittee on Human Rights 120 vi Dedication This thesis is dedicated to the memory of my grandparents: Dorothy Greenwood Eldridge, a gutsy lady who showed me that we can do it; to John Eldridge, Jr., a hero: for all the memories which might have been; to Lois Weihe, for showing me that strength exists in gentle kindness; and to Kenneth Weihe, for his love of literature and words. vii Preface The idea of researching the Dalai Lama for this thesis sprang from a combination of interests. From my parent's bookshelves, groaning with the weight of old issues of the National Geographic, I learned about different cultures, customs, social histories, and religions. Also, from my friends and travels abroad, I gained an appreciation for taking a different perspective, for trying to see things through a new lens. As far as research methodology is concerned, I have always enjoyed literature and literary criticism, so when, in the course of my graduate studies, I became acquainted with rhetorical criticism, it seemed that my passion for language and my natural curiosity and determination in getting to the bottom of things could truly be satisfied. Therefore, by being able to analyze the language, culture, history, and rhetoric of someone from a very far off place--indeed, the Dalai Lama's country, Tibet, is known as the "roof of the world"- ­ conducting research for this thesis has been an ideal experience. My biggest frustration has been in discerning what to study and what to set aside for later. There is so much to learn, and, after having researched the life's work of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama viii of Tibet, and the thesis having been completed, I feel as if I've only just begun. On that note, I would like to say that issues relating to Tibet in general remain touchy subjects. During the course of my research, I have found it rather difficult to find objective analyses on the question of Tibet. Insofar as my biases are concerned, I chose the Dalai Lama as a subject of study because I consider his life's work and person extraordinary. So, within the context of a qualitative study, I believe the findings of my research as presented in this thesis are well founded and as carefully documented as possible. Therefore, if any interpretive inaccuracies do exist in this thesis, I am confident they arise from my Western and American perspective, and I hope that the reader will forgive them as such. If anything, I hope that this thesis invites others to pick up where I have left off, reinterpreting where necessary, and finding new information where I have left any stones unturned. THE RHETORIC OF THE DALAI LAMA CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Rhetoric is a branch of communication studies explored by scholars at least as early as the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome.