We are in a state of Lamamania in Seattle right now, as the Dalai Lama himself has graced us with his presence. Many have flocked to Key Arena, Hec Edmundson Pavilion and Qwest Field to see him speak on his “Seeds of Compassion” tour. It is a special occurrence for our city, but one that seems a little curious.

Tickets to the gatherings where the Dalai Lama spoke had been handed out to students and employees in organizations across our area. There was a widespread effort to build an audience for him. And many also went of their own accord, to try to pick up spare tickets at the Key Arena and Qwest Field doors.

For us non-Tibetans, what is the reason for the mass appeal of His Holiness the Dalai Lama? In Seattle, a city that has long been graced by profuse “Free Tibet” bumper stickers, the reason is multifaceted. Some are attracted to the spiritual “aura” that the leader seems to emanate. This is what I heard expressed by most of his fans after they had seen him: that he had a certain power and energy, and that they wanted to be in this presence. He also holds appeal because of his suffering ­— Americans love the underdog, and anyone standing up to Big Brother will earn our easy approval.

The Chinese government has long tried to squash him under its collective thumb, along with Tibetan culture and religion. The Dalai Lama is perhaps the one symbol most valued by Tibet, which makes him the biggest target for Chinese criticism and marginalization. The last few times the Dalai Lama visited the United States, he spoke much more critically of China, and this time, anti-Beijing diatribes are curiously absent.

China’s quashing of protestors in Tibet is a subject of international attention now, but the person who has been most affected by China’s totalitarian power mongering isn’t even speaking up about the current spate of human rights violations and protest quashing.

The Dalai Lama’s message is a valuable one nevertheless. During the last few days, he has been encouraging people to embrace ideals of humility, patience and compassion. His goal is to spur people on to grow these values in their own children. These are the kinds of things China needs to learn. China is still a blubbering baby in a lot of ways. The country loans us money and then denounces us whiningly when we bestow a Congressional medal upon the Dalai Lama. Grow up, neo-communists.

It’s hard to imagine China budging on the issue of Tibet. No matter how many protesters gather, it will still do what it wants. Although it is a government “of the people,” it only the people who govern are the ones who determine policy. It is a great advantage for Tibet that the international magnifying glass is focused on China’s shoddy human rights record, for it will only put pressure on the state to relax Tibet’s stringent religious regulations and its subservient status to the Red power.

I hope the Chinese government will listen to the worldwide protests. I hope that no other Tiananmen Square scenes will unfold, or that Tibet will have its freedom pulled further away in the face of its continuing protests. If Beijing followed the Dalai Lama’s example, perhaps there would be greater understanding. No great leaps forward will be taken until China can act with humility.

[Reach reporter Jackson Rohrbaugh at opinion@thedaily.washington.edu.]