Playhouse to screen Dalai Lama documentary

Protests calling for an end to Chinese rule in Tibet have been staged around the world today, the 50th anniversary of the uprising that resulted in the exile of the Dalai Lama.

Americans' interest in the Free Tibet movement tends to come in waves and this year, interest is piqued once again. The spiritual leader is now 73 years old and nobody is certain who will replace the Dalai Lama and what the future holds for Tibetans. As China grows into its role as an economic superpower, that question becomes more pressing.

That is the subject of Rick Ray's "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama," a documentary to be screened Tuesday at the Lewis Family Playhouse.

Ray believes Tibetan Buddhism is at a crossroads because the Chinese government will insist on picking the Dalai Lama's successor, while Tibetans will, no doubt, pick their own. That could result in a split in Tibetan Buddhism.

"Sort of like a Shiite/Sunni split," Ray said. "I wish I can say I'm very optimistic because I'm an optimistic person. But I don't think I've very optimistic."

Ray will be available for a Q & A following the movie. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or by calling (909) 477-2752.