A state lawmaker criticized last year for a comment that was seen as insensitive to a Jewish colleague sparked a new furor Monday by criticizing a planned appearance by the Dalai Lama before the Minnesota Legislature.
``As a Christian, I am offended that we would have the Dalai Lama come and speak,'' said Rep. Arlon Lindner, R-Corcoran, in an e-mail to colleagues.
In the correspondence, Lindner said that Buddhism is considered a ``cult'' and that he would not attend the joint session planned for May 9.
``These beliefs are incompatible with Christian principles, and those Christian principles are or have been the governing principles in American society,'' Lindner said in the e-mail.
The e-mail immediately drew harsh criticism from DFLers.
``His comments are appalling,'' said Rep. Geri Evans, DFL-New Brighton, a member of the Twin Cities planning committee for the Dalai Lama's visit.
The Dalai Lama, who arrives in Minnesota on Monday, is the religious and political leader of the Tibetan government in exile based in India. He also is meeting with Gov. Jesse Ventura, as well as conducting several public events May 8 and 9.
Evans, who said she was offended by Lindner's e-mail, said the Dalai Lama is ``an eminent world figure'' who is so widely respected that he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. She said she believed Lindner's comments do not represent the views of House and Senate leaders, who she said have been supportive of the Dalai Lama's visit.
``Buddhism is a world religion. I don't consider it a cult,'' she said. ``It is a respected religion worldwide.''
Said Rep. Ron Abrams, a House Republican leader: ``I view the Dalai Lama as one of the 10 greatest people alive today. . . . I am honored and humbled that he wishes to address us at the Minnesota Legislature.''
Lindner's remarks surprised local organizers of the trip. They invited him to learn more about the Dalai Lama's beliefs.
``He is a Buddhist leader, but he is also revered for his interest in nonviolence and human rights, and he's a Nobel Peace Prize winner,'' said Mary Ann Lundquist, co-chair of the visit. ``He appeals to many different people on many different levels.''
This isn't the first time that Lindner's comments have landed him in trouble. Last year DFLers filed an ethics complaint against him for comments about the ``irreligious left views'' of a Jewish colleague. The committee concluded that Lindner's comments were regrettable but did not merit discipline.
Lindner, a Baptist, said he objected the reference to the Dalai Lama as a ``god-king'' and to the way Buddhist beliefs conflict with Christian, biblical principles.
``They don't believe that there is one god,'' he said. ``They don't believe Christ is God.'' He said they don't believe in God as creator of the world. ``They believe in evolution and reincarnation,'' he said. ``That is not Christian.''
Lundquist said the Dalai Lama has never displayed anti-Christian views.
``He describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk,'' she said. ``He's not coming as a god-king; he's coming to talk about peace and compassion.''
In an interview last week, Columbia University professor Robert Thurman, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism, said the Dalai Lama often has reached out to other religions including teaching inside Christian monasteries.
``He tries to appeal to others, the pope, the archbishop of Canterbury, Protestant leadership, by saying, `Please let's refrain from this competition to convert each other. Let's share our wisdoms with each other, but let's respect people's right to keep whatever their religion is,' '' Thurman said. `` He's given long teachings in Christian monasteries and makes a big fuss about wanting you to get your best out of Christianity.''