Heard a lot about this one: British intelligence says Chinese soldiers dressed as monks were involved in — no, make that started — the Lhasa rioting. This finding would confirm the Dalai Lama’s assertion that the violence was staged.

While this does not seem far-fetched, considering what Beijing is capable of, we should take all government intelligence with a shaker of salt, since we know it is ruthlessly used to achieve often very questionable political ends, and we have been given no proof. The whole idea seems a little whimsical, but so many of us want to believe it, since it confirms what we tend to believe about Tibetan monks and Tibetans more generally that they are not capable of the violence we have seen. That is to say, it makes an attractive narrative a little too neat. But not to be cynical — if it is true, good gracious.

But in any event, if British spy satellites are so good that they can spot Chinese soldiers donning monks’ robes in Lhasa — why aren’t they making my toast in the morning?

A writer for Energy Bulletin visits the Santi Asoke eco-village in Thailand.

An interesting post on Buddhism and Science from Vincent Horn coming from a discussion with B. Alan Wallace on Buddhist Geeks.

And killing fields photographer Dith Pran has passed away at the age of 65.

The Olympic torch arrived in Tiananmen Square to be greeted by “smiling Tibetans” in national costume rather than protesters. You can be assured the city was in lockdown.

China feels that domestic opinion is more important than international opinion in weighing tis Tibet policy. Surely Americans at least can understand this attitude.

China seeks India’s “understanding and support” for its Tibet policy. India plays host to the Tibetan government in exile and has border disagreements with China, but the two nations are working hard to increase trade and relations in general.

Germans Love Buddhism Watch: Angela Merkel, recently lambasted by the Chinese for daring to meet with the Dalai Lama, won’t be going to the Olympics. Or more specifically, not the opening ceremonies.

227 protesters were detained Monday in Nepal, many of them Tibetan exiles. They were due to be released later in the day.

A one-act play on Tibet, thanks to the Level 8th Buddhist.