WI: Dalai Lama Killed by Al-Qaeda?

[Incognito]

So I recently read that supposedly, an Al-Qaeda linked group was attempting to assassinate the Dalai Lama in 2007.

Say the assassination is carried out successfully. How does the world react? How does Asia react? What would it mean for the Buddhist faith? Would there be any rumors that Beijing was behind the hit?

 

[Flocculencio]

He isn't like the Buddhist pope, you know. He's the leader of a particular sect of Buddhism which while *popular* is by no means the only major sect.

Buddhists in general would be appalled, of course, just as I think most people would be, but it has zero impact on any other branches of the faith.

As for how "Asia" reacts- well, no different from the rest of the world. The Dalai Lama, frankly, is way more of an important figure in Western consciousness than he is in most of Asia.