History UsefulNotes / Tibet

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction (the Tibetans as [[LoopholeAbuse the Tufan Empire]] are playable in ''Civilization VI's'' Path of the Nirvana scenario), as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction and all the sequels followed suit). Interestingly enough, however, Creator/ParadoxInteractive also made two strategy games, ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' 2 and ''Videogame/EuropaUniversalis'' series, that have Tibetans as a playable civilization; yet those games ''aren't'' banned in China (although the Chinese official releases would most likely have stringent censorship).

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction and all the sequels followed suit). Interestingly enough, however, Creator/ParadoxInteractive also made two strategy games, ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' 2 and ''Videogame/EuropaUniversalis'' series, that have Tibetans as a playable civilization; yet those games ''aren't'' banned in China (although the Chinese official releases would most likely have stringent censorship).

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction and all the sequels followed suit). Interestingly enough, however, Creator/ParadoxInteractive also made two strategy games, ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' 2 and ''Videogame/EuropaUniversalis'' IV, that have Tibetans as a playable civilization; yet those games ''aren't'' banned in China (although the Chinese official releases would most likely have stringent censorship).

There is considerable debate whether there will be another Dalai Lama after the current one dies. He claims that he will not reincarnate in Tibet unless it is free. The Chinese government claims that it has the authority to select the next Dalai Lama since the Republic of China (Taiwan) does not offer to oversee the process and the reincarnation of the Panchen Erdeni is stable. That the Chinese government claims to be able to control whether the Dalai Lama will reincarnate will come off as InsaneTrollLogic to anyone with even a passing familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism. Notably the current kid incarnation of Panchen Erdeni was taken in 1995 by the Chinese government and replaced. Chinese officials have only disclosed regarding the whereabouts of the kid that "The reincarnated child Panchen Lama you mentioned is being educated, living a normal life, growing up healthily and does not wish to be disturbed." The Dalai Lama has separately confirmed the well-being of the Panchen Lama through his own sources.

* '''The [[TakeAThirdOption third option]] view''': This view argues that while Tibet was a backwards, medieval theocracy dominated by one pan-Chinese and two Mongol Empires and thus shared a certain amount of high-culture with the Chinese nations, like the Mongolians its people were quite distinct from those of most of China's various peoples and the PRC has also been an oppressive imperialist power of the kind it used to condemn so strongly. This view usually calls for Tibet to remain part of Chinese out of pragmatism, but calls for wider political reform in China, with greater respect to the rights and self determination of the Tibetans. Many Chinese dissidents, as well as Dalai Lama himself, hold this view.
* '''The other [[TakeAThirdOption third option]]''' is that independent Tibet was a small and incredibly underdeveloped country with some serious problems that the PRC has alleviated somewhat by being a remarkably oppressive and unpleasant imperialist power... but that changes to Tibet's GovernmentInExile mean it'd be rather nicer at running the country than either the PRC or the pre-PRC Tibetan aristocracy (e.g. the Dalai Lama recommending the removal of his position as head of state). Since the current Dalai Lama called for a "middle way" approach in regards to Tibet's sovereignty, many younger Tibetans in Dharamshala tend to hold this view and calls for an independent Tibet.

* ''Film/SevenYearsInTibet'' (1997) (Jean-Jacques Annaud, who directed ''Seven Years in Tibet'' initially BannedInChina but Annaud has since had his ban lifted). It stars Creator/BradPitt [[WhiteMaleLead as Heinrich Harrer]].

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron II'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction). Interestingly enough, however, Creator/ParadoxInteractive also made two strategy games, ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' 2 and ''Videogame/EuropaUniversalis'' IV, that have Tibetans as a playable civilization; yet those games ''aren't'' banned in China (although the Chinese official releases would most likely have stringent censorship).

* ''[[Anime/PsychoPassSinnersOfTheSystem Sinners of the System]] - Case 3: Beyond Love & Hate'' concerns a future "Tibet-Himalaya Alliance" which is wracked by a war between 3 factions, although the movie itself takes place entirely in UsefulNotes/{{Bhutan}}.

* ''Anime/PsychoPass - Sinners of the System - Case 3: Beyond Love & Hate'' concerns a future "Tibet-Himalaya Alliance" which is wracked by a war between 3 factions, although the movie itself takes place entirely in UsefulNotes/{{Bhutan}}.

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron II'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction). Interestingly enough, however, Creator/ParadoxInteractive also made two strategy games, ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'' 2 and ''Videogame/EuropaUniversalis'' 4, that have Tibetans as a playable civilization; yet those games ''aren't'' banned in China (although the Chinese official releases would most likely have stringent censorship).

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron II'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction). Interestingly enough, however, Creator/ParadoxInteractive also made two strategy games, ''Vidoegame/CrusaderKings'' 2 and ''Videogame/EuropaUniversalis'' 4, that have Tibetans as a playable civilization; yet those games ''aren't'' banned in China (although the Chinese official releases would most likely have stringent censorship).

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron II'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction). Interestingly enough, however, Creator/ParadoxInteractive also have two strategy games, ''Vidoegame/CrusaderKings'' 2 and ''Videogame/EuropaUniversalis'' 4, that have Tibetans as a playable civilization, yet those games ''aren't'' banned in China (although the Chinese official releases would most likely have stringent censorship).

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron II'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction). Interestingly enough however, Chinese Total War modders readily offer Tibet as a playable faction, albeit the rosters are generally very weak and achieving victory is near impossible.

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as Creator/ParadoxInteractive had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron II'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction).

There is considerable debate whether there will be another Dalai Lama after the current one dies. He claims that he will not reincarnate in Tibet unless it is free. The Chinese government claims that it has the authority to select the next Dalai Lama since the Republic of China (Taiwan) does not offer to oversee the process and the reincarnation of the Panchen Erdeni is stable. That the Chinese government claims to be able to control whether the Dalai Lama will reincarnate will come off as InsaneTrollLogic to anyone with even a passing familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism. Notably the current kid incarnation of Panchen Erdeni was taken in 1995 by the Chinese government and replaced. Chinese officials have only disclosed regarding the whereabouts of kid that "The reincarnated child Panchen Lama you mentioned is being educated, living a normal life, growing up healthily and does not wish to be disturbed." The Dalai Lama has separately confirmed the well-being of the Panchen Lama through his own sources.

For centuries, Tibet was a [[UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} Buddhist]] [[TheTheocracy theocracy]] ruled by a duo known as the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Erdeni, both the Tibetans believed to be the {{Reincarnation}} of great Lamas from the early 1700s. From the era of Kublai Khan until the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Tibet was under some level of control by ImperialChina and the Mongols. Disagreements over how much control tend to center around what political axe the speaker wants to grind. In any case, the chaos of the Xinhai Revolution allowed Tibet to slip out of Chinese control and achieve ''de facto'' independence in 1912. During the period between 1911-1949, Tibet is largely closed to outsiders, with the exception of the British based in India. It is during this period in which a romanticized depiction of Tibet, as a land of Buddhist mysticism, became widespread in works of popular culture, such as "Lost Horizon".

There is considerable debate whether there will be another Dalai Lama after the current one dies. He claims that he will not reincarnate in Tibet unless it is free. The Chinese government claims that it has the authority to select the next Dalai Lama since the Republic of China (Taiwan) does not offer to oversee the process and the reincarnation of the Panchen Erdeni is stable. That the Chinese government claims to be able to control whether the Dalai Lama will reincarnate will come off as InsaneTrollLogic to anyone with even a passing familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism. Notably the current kid incarnation of Panchen Erdeni was taken in 1995 by the Chinese government and replaced. Chinese officials have only disclosed regarding the whereabouts of kid that "The reincarnated child Panchen Lama you mentioned is being educated, living a normal life, growing up healthily and does not wish to be disturbed."

* In '' Manga/Saiyuki'', as the gang passed through there, [[spoiler: Gojyo became affected by the stronger Minus Wave]].

There is considerable debate whether there will be another Dalai Lama after the current one dies. He claims that he will not reincarnate in Tibet unless it is free. The Chinese government claims that it has the authority to select the next Dalai Lama since the Republic of China (Taiwan) does not offer to oversee the process and the reincarnation of the Panchen Erdeni is stable. That the Chinese government claims to be able to control whether the Dalai Lama will reincarnate will come off as InsaneTrollLogic to anyone with even a passing familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism. Notably the current incarnation of Panchen Erdeni was taken as a kid in 1995 by the Chinese government and replaced. Chinese officials have only disclosed regarding the whereabouts of kid that "The reincarnated child Panchen Lama you mentioned is being educated, living a normal life, growing up healthily and does not wish to be disturbed."

There is considerable debate whether there will be another Dalai Lama after the current one dies. He claims that he will not reincarnate in Tibet unless it is free. The Chinese government claims that it has the authority to select the next Dalai Lama since the Republic of China (Taiwan) does not offer to oversee the process and the reincarnation of the Panchen Erdeni is stable. That the Chinese government claims to be able to control whether the Dalai Lama will reincarnate will come off as InsaneTrollLogic to anyone with even a passing familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism.

* The second installation of ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron'' depicted Tibet and Xinjing separate factions alongside with Manchuria and Taiwan under Japanese control. Unsurprisingly, the game is banned in China for depicting these regions either under Japanese control or being separate independent factions.

In 1950, Tenzin Gyatso became the 14th and current (and possibly last) Dalai Lama. That same year, with the Soviets handing Xinjiang over to RedChina and the People's Liberation Army crushing the last Guomindang holdouts in Qinghai and Inner Mongolia, UsefulNotes/MaoZedong decided Tibet needed to be "liberated" from "imperialist forces". Even though it was essentially independent, Tibet had the potential to become a security problem if it fell under increased Indian or Soviet influence and the PRC had no desire to be forced to play a diplomatic game with them over a state that could be annexed fairly easily. The PRC then proceeded to use Maoist Marxist-Leninism to save Tibet from theocratic feudalism. For most of the 1950s, the Dalai Lama cooperated with China's new communist rulers, but he fled Tibet during a 1959 rebellion against Chinese rule. He arrived in India, where he established a GovernmentInExile and is based there to this day. The Dalai Lama has since become an international celebrity and met with various world leaders. For the first twenty years of his exile, the Dalai Lama argued in favor of Tibetan independence, but he has since moderated his position to favoring greater Tibetan autonomy within China.

On a related note, while popular media often portrays the Tibetans as peaceful Buddhists, it should noted that the Tibetans were historically known for their warlike nomadic [[BornInTheSaddle horse culture]] prior to the introduction to Buddhism in the region [[note]]Which would make some sense in a degree since most of the Tibetan geography is mostly consist of mountains, rivers, hills, and lakes which makes it difficult to travel through by foot[[/note]]. At one point, the Tibetans even [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Empire had an empire]] that rivaled the Tang dynasty and even temporarily occupied the Tang capital at one point (which is modern day Xian). Much of their warlike nomadic culture slowly died down once Buddhism was introduced in the region, but some of the Tibetan past nomadic lifestyle is still seen today in some areas (as there are many Tibetan nomads who still practice archery and horseback riding as sports). The Tibetan Mastiff is held in high regards by Tibetans.

A former East Asian country, the stereotypical setting of TheShangriLa and the subject of a popular political cause.

A former country in East Asia, the stereotypical setting of TheShangriLa and the subject of a popular political cause.

A formerly independent East Asian country, the stereotypical setting of TheShangriLa and the subject of a popular political cause.

A former East Asian country, the stereotypical setting of TheShangriLa and the subject of a popular political cause.

The stereotypical setting of TheShangriLa and the subject of a popular political cause.

* ''Anime/PsychoPass - Sinners of the System - Case 3: Beyond Love & Hate'' takes place in a future "Tibet-Himalaya Alliance" which is wracked by a war between 3 factions.

Despite having a warlike empire during the medieval times, something like having Tibetans as a playable faction would something that would fit in a historical video game in a similar vein with the Chinese in many historical video games. But due to China's strict censorship laws, having Tibet as a playable faction in a video game will most likely be faced with the game being BannedInChina, as this will be seen as promoting Tibetan independence.[[note]]Not to mention, PC gaming is very profitable in mainland China[[/note]] This is why popular historical video games such as ''Videogame/{{Civilization}}'', ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' or ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' will never have Tibetans as a playable faction, as these games will risk having the game banned in mainland China (as ''Creator/ParadoxInteractive'' had to find out the hard way when ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron II'' was banned in China for depicting Tibet as a separate faction).

* The second installation of ''VideoGame/HeartsOfIron'' depicted Tibet and Xinjing as a separate faction alongside with Manchuria and Taiwan under Japanese control. Unsurprisingly, the game is banned in China for depicting these regions either under Japanese control or being separate independent factions.

* ''VideoGame/Uncharted2AmongThieves's'' ends in Tibet with the lost city of Shangri-la finally being found. Notably, a good chunk of the finale takes place in a small village where authentic Tibetan is spoken by the people there.