The Tibet Post International (TPI) the fortnightly newspaper

Teenage friends die after setting themselves alight

Six arrested and two seriously injured in Tibet protest

Dharamshala: Six Tibetans are believed to have been detained for leading a protest and leaflet campaign against Chinese rule. An exiled Tibetan from the region told the Tibet Post International that the six were arrested and “severly beaten” by Chinese authorities in Kham, eastern Tibet, on February 11, Tibetan New Year’s day (Losar).On the evening of February 10, “many Tibetans from Tsawa Dzogang gathered together in front of the local Chinese government building in Medye Getsang Township, Pomdha county, and carried out a protest against Chinese repression in the Himalayan region,” said the source, adding that the protestors shouted slogans such as “Tibet is an independent country” and “We want religious and cultural freedom.”“Many leaflets calling for Tibet’s independence were posted on the walls and distributed in public places in the township,” he continued.

A Tibetan village between Tsawa Dzogang - Pomdha, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang, February 20, 2013

US criticises China for self-immolations

Dharamshala: The United States (US) government has criticized China for the “horrific” toll as the number of self-immolations in Tibet and in exile continues to rise.As the number of Tibetans having set themselves alight since February 2009 protesting Chinese rule in their country rose to 101 in Tibet and six in exile, state department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, told journalists on Friday, February 15, that the Obama administration had noted “the horrific figures” and was “deeply concerned by the reports that these immolations are continuing”.“We call on those who are immolating or those who might be considering this to think hard about whether it’s the best way to express yourself,” she said.“We also, as we always do, call on the Chinese government to address its own policies in Tibet that have caused these kinds of tensions and frustration,” she stated in response to a question.She added that in his first talk with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Yang, new US Secretary of State, John Kerry, raised his country’s concerns over human rights in China and Tibet.

Thangka painter sentenced to two years in prison

Four Tibetans released from Chinese prison

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I n t e r n a t i o n a l

FortnightlyB o d - K y i - Cha-Trin Rs.10Vol. 02, Issue 81, Print Issue 5, March 1, 2013 www.thetibetpost.comA Voice For Tibet

Lobsang Tsering sentenced to ten years

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Dharamshala: A young thangka painter is believed to have been sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly possessing photos of self-immolators on his mobile phone.Exiled Tibetan, Yeshe Gyaltsen, told the Tibet Post International that Ngawang Topden, 20, from Tritso village, Khargang township, Jomdha county in Kham, eastern Tibet, was detained by Chinese security personnel near Lhasa’s mosque on October

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Yeshe Choesang, February 20, 2013

Dharamsahala: Two Tibetan teenagers died after self-immolating together in Ngaba county, Amdho, eastern Tibet on Tuesday, February 19.The venerable Kanyak Tsering, from Kirti monastery in Dharamshala, told The Tibet Post International that Rinchen, 17, and Sonam Dhargye, 18, set themselves alight in Dzoge township at around 9.30pm, adding that it is still unclear whether the friends shouted slogans opposing Chinese rule in Tibet.A source inside Tibet stated that Rinchen and Sonam attended the same primary school in Kyangtsa township, and that Rinchen had recently been working away from home, but had returned for the Tibetan New Year (Losar) holiday.The same source confirmed that the boys’ families have been able to recover their bodies.

Rinchen, a 17-year old Tibetan from Kyangtsa, Dzoge, Ngaba in Amdho, eastern Tibet, who self-immolated on February 19. Photo: TPI

Lobsang Konchoksentenced to death with

two-year reprieve

Tibetan art student, Ngawang Topden, who received a two year prison sen-tence in Lhasa. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: On February 2, the Chinese authorities released four Tibetans from Lhasa’s Drapchi Prison in central Tibet and reportedly sent them back to their respective homes in Driru county, eastern Tibet.According to a monk from Sera monastery in south India, the four were arrested along with two other Tibetans in January and February 2012, in Kham region, on charges of threatening social stability. They were imprisoned for almost a year.

Dharamshala: Australia’s ambassador to China has been unable to obtain Beijing’s permission to visit Tibet after almost a year of trying. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on February 14 that in March 2012, Australian foreign minister Bob Carr announced that Ambassador Frances Adamson would seek to travel to Tibet to talk to locals and look into why a growing number of Tibetan pro-independence protesters were setting themselves on fire.“Unfortunately I’m not able to share encouraging news,” Senator Carr told a Senate estimates hearing in the Australian capital,

China blocks Australian diplomat’s visit to Tibet

Chinese military in Lhasa, Tibet, on March 14, 2008. Photo: TPI/File

By Matthew Singh Toor, February 7, 2013

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Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr. Photo: file

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing by Spokesperson Victoria Nuland in Washington, DC. Photo: U.S. Department of State


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His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives teacheing on Jataka tales

By Samuel Ivor, February 25, 2013

His Holiness the Dalai Lama receives flowers from Bihar’s Chief minister, Nitish Kumar, in Patna, January 4. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a short teaching to an estimated 4,000 devotees in Dharamshala, northern India, on January 25.Beneath clear February skies, and after a greeting of sonorous Monlam prayers by monks from Namgyal monastery, His Holiness spoke at the Tsugla Khang (main temple) on the Jataka Tales - a series of auspicious stories recounting the previous lives of the Buddha.The spiritual leader drew upon the stories to lead the audience towards better Buddhist practice, stating the importance of removing negative thoughts and the use of careful judgement when making decisions. He also made the connection between Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism, implying that the Dharma is at the very heart of Tibetan culture.The Jataka tales were compiled from literature dating back to the 4th century BCE and detail the Buddha’s various incarnations in human and animal form, ranging from his life as a king to that as an elephant. “To understand the Dharma is more important than the ritual and offering aspect of it,” His Holiness said, urging the audience to practice carefully rather than simply fulfilling ritual duties and prayers without due thought.He emphasised the importance of concentration and the correct mindset, warning against stubborn and narrow-minded methods of thought, and advocating the questioning of one’s motives. If individuals don’t investigate their own actions, His Holiness said, this can result in great problems and conflicts. He cited the Syria conflict and other man-made disasters as the result of the authorities not looking at the reality of different situations.On a lighter note, His Holiness joked about the distraction caused by monkeys climbing around the temple complex. He

Describing how Tibetans were beaten with rifle butts by Chinese security forces after throwing stones at the government building, he stated that “many protestors were injured, two of them seriously.“The Chinese police and security personnel beat six protestors severely,” he said. The six were detained the following day.“The authorities did not explained the reason for their arrests and (information about) their current whereabouts and conditions is unavailable,” he said, adding that 10 days later it was still difficult to communicate with Tibetan people in the area as internet access and phone lines were cut following the incident.Chinese officials in the area are reported to have announced that Tibetans who celebrated Losar would be rewarded, and warned against not celebrating the Tibetan New Year. “This year, locals were forsaking singing and dancing

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the Monlam prayer festival at the Tibetan temple in Dharamshala, 25 February, 2013. Photo: TPI

also ensured that the whole audience, which spilled out on to the steps and outer edges of the temple courtyard, was offered tea by the resident monks.The teaching was broadcast live on www.dalailama.com, where it can be viewed again, and coincided with the Monlam prayer

festival, which marks the end of the Tibetan Losar (New Year) observations.His Holiness’ next teachings, on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment, will be held in Switzerland on April 13 and 14.

TPI NEWS The Tibet Post InternationalMarch 1, 2013 Dharamshala2

China’s hidden cultural genocide in Tibet - a crime against humanity?

Dharamshala: In 2011, His Holiness the Dalai Lama reiterated his belief that China is committing a form of ‘cultural genocide’ in Tibet - consciously, deliberately and with intent. However, totalitarian states - and even democratic ones - rarely explicitly signal their intent to commit genocide - cultural, economic or otherwise – with overt policies.Even the Nazi party in Germany did not – being careful to use euphemisms such as ‘evacuation’, ‘resettlement’ and ‘final solution’. China, which has learned to exploit the potential of mass communication to deceive and manipulate, is no different.In retrospect, it is easy discern the true intent of genocidal actions - the well-organised massacre of Tutsis by Hutu miltia groups in Rwanda in 1994 being a horrific example. Yet even that genocide was precursed by Hutu power ideologies which covertly flagged the atrocities to come. If the world bothers to look, the warning signs are often there. Interestingly, cultural genocide as a concept is ‘missing’ from the 1948 United Nations Convention on Genocide. It is notoriously difficult to prove the intent to destroy a culture. Cultural distinctions can be eradicated, whilst an ethnic group may survive. The contemporary story of Tibet is a case in point.In Tibet, Buddhist monasteries have been destroyed and, more recently, severely compromised as places of religious freedom. Intellectuals, writers and cultural figures have been silenced, tortured and


Editorial:


British NGO seeks Tibetan work placements for skilled university graduates in Dharamshala

By Sophie Jay, February 18, 2013

Dharamshala: A British NGO is seeking Tibetan organisations in Dharamshala with which to place skilled graduates on four month work experience schemes.Director of Skills and Experience Exchange (SEE), James Dunn, said that the aim of the initiative is to: “provide Tibetan businesses and organisations with highly skilled British university graduates as volunteers in exchange for giving them key work experience.”He said: “SEE will provide graduates who have specific skills related to the organisation. For example if you are a newspaper we will provide journalism graduates. They will work within their placements for four days a week, whilst the fifth day will consist of seminars aimed at improving the graduates’ career prospects and teaching them about Tibetan culture.“In essence we aim to provide graduates with work experience and Tibetan organisations with skills.”Mr Dunn added that the graduates will participate in a programme of events including talks from

exiled Tibetans, documentary screenings and tours of Tibetan institutions and organisations. “For the Tibetan cause to be cemented in the modern age we need people such as these graduates to come to Dharamshala and learn about what is truly happening in Tibet,” he said.“They can then take these experiences with them

and their knowledge can be shared.”SEE representatives are currently in Dharamshala and would very much like to meet anyone interested in becoming involved with the initiative. For more information, please email Mr Dunn at: [email protected], or visit: www.seeopportunities.org.uk.

killed. Perhaps more worrying for the future of Tibetan culture is that fact that most education in Tibet is conducted in the Chinese language.Tibetan singers routinely sing saccharine pop songs on Tibetan and Chinese TV stations which, far from representing authentic Tibetan cultural expression, stand for the cynical ‘Disneyfication’ of Tibetan culture for the consumption of tourists and the Chinese public.In April 2012, the International Campaign for Tibet - a US-based support group - stated that, ‘’Chinese policies and practices of cultural repression and destruction are so systematic and persistent in Tibet, and their effects are so serious, that they contain elements of cultural genocide.’’Professor Ben Kiernan, director of the Genocide Studies Program at Yale University in the United States, says that governments often conceal their motivation for genocide by hiding it behind the language of progress and development, ancient notions of racial purity, or the rescue of a designated social sub-group - for example, Tibetan serfs during the 1950s Chinese invasion – when, in reality they are intent on conquering territory, seizing wealth and appropriating resources.So, is some form of cultural genocide taking place within Tibet? There is certainly strong evidence of cultural destruction and the imposition of Chinese hegemony upon the Tibetans. Evidence suggests that, even if we cannot describe China’s actions as cultural genocide right now, the warning signs are most definitely flashing.

Beijing regime tightens grip on Tibet, 70 Tibetans detainedBy Matthew Singh Toor, February 8, 2013

Heavy sentences for six Tibetans for alleged roles in self-immolations


Photo: A Buddhist monk attends day three of the mass peace rally from Rajghat to Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, 1 February,

2013. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: The Chinese authorities have detained 70 Tibetans in eastern Tibet as part of a growing crackdown on the recent self-immolation protests there.The detentions took place in Tsongon, Amdho region (Chinese: Ethnic Tibetan Area of Qinghai province), and were announced by the Chinese Xinhua state news agency late on February 7. Tsongo borders the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region, which was formed in 1965. Xinhua reported that twelve of those detained were formally arrested but gave no details of the charges.More than 100 Tibetans have set themselves alight in protest against Chinese rule since 2009. China continues to blame His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community in exile for the self-immolations.Beijing has responded to the protests by sending in security forces to seal off areas and so prevent the spread of information, arresting protesters’ friends and seizing satellite TV dishes. Despite this, the pace of self-immolations began to accelerate last November, apparently in response to the ruling Communist party’s leadership transition.Dr Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong (political leader) of the exile Central Tibetan Administration has stated, “The responsibility for the tragic self-immolations of Tibetans lies solely with the Chinese government,” adding that his administration highly discourages the drastic actions but that the world needs to focus on the cause behind the act, not just the act itself.The US state department has also expressed concern

Dharamshala: A Chinese court has given heavy prison terms to six Tibetans “for their roles in an October self-immolation protest case in eastern Tibet”.On January 31, the Sangchu (Chinese: Xiahe) County People’s Court of Kanlho (Chinese: Gannan) Prefecture, Gansu Province, sentenced Pema Dhondup to twelve years with two years’ deprivation of political rights, Kalsang Gyatso to eleven years with one year deprivation of political rights, Pema Tso to eight years, Lhamo Dhondup to seven years, Dugkar Kyap to four years and Yangmo Kyi to three years.The Chinese state-controlled news agency Xinhua

about the “deteriorating human rights situation” in Tibet and the use of criminal laws against people associated with protesters.“Our concern is that there are deep grievances within the Tibetan population which are not being addressed openly and through dialogue by the Chinese government,” said spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. She continued that Washington urges Beijing to “engage in a substantive dialogue” with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and concluded, “We continue to call on Chinese government officials to permit Tibetans to express their grievances freely, publicly and peacefully, without fear of retribution.”

reported that court officials claimed the detainees were guilty of urging eight people to self-immolate, three of whom died.The Xinhua report did not, however, say whether the defendants were given the right to choose their own lawyers, stating only that, “Tibetan translators were provided for the trial. During the court hearing, the six defendants and their attorneys, and the prosecutors, all expressed their opinion.”It is also unclear how the prisoners’ confessions were extracted and whether due legal process was followed.One of the self-immolators, Tibetan farmer Dorjee Rinchen, 58, died on 23 October 2012, after setting

himself alight in protest against Chinese rule, at the main street of Sangchu county, near a Chinese military camp.His body was taken to his home village in Sangchu, to keep it from the hands of Chinese officers and allow family members to conduct traditional rites and rituals. Chinese security officers attempted to prevent monks from Labrang monastery attending Dorjee Rinchen’s home to offer prayers.Since 2009, more than 100 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet in protest against China’s repressive regime, and in demand of freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the country.

Six arrested and two seriously injured ............ Continued from front page

China deepens crackdown on satellite equipment in TibetBy Yeshe Choesang, February 1, 2013

Dharamshala: The Chinese authorities have heightened their campaign in Tibet to eradicate all means of receiving Tibet-related radio and TV news from foreign channels.According to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Dharamsala, northern India, a public notice dated 24 January 2013 declared 5,000 yuan fines and “other consequences” for those who those who fail to surrender banned satellite dishes and other broadcast equipment by 27 January 2013.The Chinese Communist Party and government officials are said to be vigorously implementing the notice’s directives in Rebkong (Chinese: Tongren) county in Malho (Chinese: Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Sources inside Tibet report that the notice was issued by Thunding County Rongwo Monastery Management Committee (MMC), which was recently formed to control and restrict Rongwo monastery. The MMCs (Chinese: zhusidanwei/gongzuozu – ‘monastic government work units’) are made up of unelected communist party cadres and have replaced the majority of Democratic Management Committees, which comprised monks elected by their own communities. Sources in Rebkong say that the MMC which issued the notice is actually a secret intelligence office, which was formed a few months ago and whose location is unknown.The recent crackdown on satellite dishes in Tibetan areas appears to be not only a deterrent against self-immolation protests but also part of an intensified ‘patriotic education’ campaign and the ‘Nine Must Haves’ programme, under which government aid is provided for electricity, roads and pensions, in return for the installation of state-provided satellite dishes and newspapers that carry only state-controlled news and opinion.At the beginning of this year, Chinese authorities in various parts of Rebkong County confiscated ‘illegal’ satellite dishes and cables and placed a ban on Hui Muslim shopkeepers from selling banned

equipment. Broadcast equipment, cables and spare parts capable of receiving signals from foreign news channels were seized and burned in huge bonfires.On the morning of January 18, a group of Chinese officials arrived at Rebkong Rongwo Gonchen Monastery, cut all TV cables on the premises and in the monks’ quarters, and took away all old cables and equipment.As the officials left, a monk reportedly shouted at the officials, “What you did today reminded me of the Cultural Revolution days! Even if the party secretary of Rebkong County were here today, I would say the same thing!” To this, an official responded, “You will only suffer if you take this to the higher authorities. Besides, I will get my promotion for doing my duties.” Below TPI publishes an English translation of the public notice issued by Thunding county Rongwo Monastery Management Committee:NOTICEThis is to inform all the monks and nuns of Rongwo Monastery:Recently, the staff of [Rongwo] Monastery Management Committee, on the orders of the

County Party and County Government Office, installed new TV satellite dishes and cables which replaced the old TV cables used by monks in their quarters and assembly hall. The old cables and TV equipment were duly collected from many of the monastic quarters.However, some monks’ quarters, which were vacant due to the absence of the respective monks, who were away on some matters, have yet to install the new broadcast equipment and turn in the old equipment and cables they used. In light of this, this notice has been issued.Those monastic quarters which have yet to turn in their old TV cables and satellites should do so on their own to this office before 27 January 2013.If anyone fails to do so, then respective law enforcement agencies, such as the Public Security Bureau, will undertake investigation. If found to be keeping such broadcast equipment, and in keeping with government orders, punitive fines of 5,000 yuan and other consequences should be borne by the monks themselves.Thunding County Rongwo Monastery Management Committee24 January 2013

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Or Phone Yeshe on: 94181 43289,or Mattew Singh Toor on: 97364 82871.performances during Losar and only performed

the customary religious prayers, like visiting monasteries and making offerings,” said the source.

On January 24, Tibet’s political leader in exile, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, asked Tibetans not to celebrate Losar “with our usual festivities” in solidarity with the now 106 people who have self-immolated in Tibet protesting Chinese rule in their country since February, 2009.

TPI NEWS 3The Tibet Post International March 1, 2013 Dharamshala

Several months ago, locals from Driru county petitioned the Tibetan people’s high court in Lhasa, saying that the six prisoners had not engaged in any criminal activity, and that their absence from Driru county had left a shortage of doctors and teachers.Two of the detainees, Gonpon Lhuwang and Mari Pasang, were teachers at a private school. Lhuwang has reportedly been released but Pasang, from Drongne village, remains in jail. He travelled to India in 1990 to study at Sera monastery and, on his return to Tibet, studied Tibetan language at Serta monastery.Of the four other detainees, it is unclear which three have been released.Doctor Ogyen Tenzin, from Yompa village, studied Buddhist religion and medicine from 1990 and has written several book and magazine articles.Sonam Dadul, from Sershong village, studied Western medicine, worked as a doctor in Lhasa and has written several medical text books.Tenzin Thabkhe, from Lanchu village, graduated from Lhasa medical college, went on to give private Tibetan-language lessons in Driru county and Lhasa, and has written six books on the basics of Tibetan language.Dawa Dorjee, from Chaktse village, holds degrees from Lhasa university and a college in Shanxi province, and was the editor of Road magazine.

Four Tibetans from Driru county released

from prison ........... Continued from front page

21, 2012, for: “having stored pictures of Tibetan self-immolators, a national flag of Tibet and other photographs showing the inhumane treatment of Tibetans living under Chinese rule, on his mobile phone.“Ngawang was convicted of allegedly encouraging other Tibetans to sabotage ethnic unity and misinforming about political issues. He among many other Tibetan political prisoners, particularly from Nagchu county, are serving different jail-terms for expressing their sufferings under Chinese repression”.The precise details of the trial, including the date, actual charges and whether or not the correct legal process was carried out remain unknown, but the painter was detained during severe restrictions on movement in the Tibetan capital in the run up the Chinese Communist Party’s once in a decade leadership transition, which took place in November. Ngawang is serving his sentence in a prison near Tolung Shongpa Lhachu in Lhasa.

Tibetan thangka painter sentenced to

two years in prison for mobile phone photos

....... Continued from front page

Father of three self-immolates in Kanlho

Dharamshala: Father of three, Drugpa Khar, died after self-immolating in Amchok town in Sangchu county, Kanlho, in Amdho, on February 13.A Tibetan source in exile told the Tibet Post

International that Drugpa, 26, doused himself in petrol before setting himself alight.Drugpa had three children aged between one and six.


Son of reincarnated lama dies after setting himself alight in Kathmandu


Druptse Tsering, 25, who self-immolated in Kathmandu on February 13. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: Twenty-five-year-old monk, Druptse Tsering, is reported to have died shortly after setting himself alight in Kathmandu on February 13. The son of reincarnated lama Sangnag Tenzin, Tsering became the sixth Tibetan to self-immolate in exile since 1998. Exiled Tibetan, Tashi Dhondup, told the Tibet Post International that Tsering wrapped himself in cotton tied with a metal wire before dousing his body with petrol and setting himself ablaze beside the Nepalese capital’s Boudhanath stupa. Nepalese police rushed to the scene and took him to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at around 10.30am.Subash Acharaya, head of the hospital’s intensive care unit, told reporters that the monk’s body was handed over to police for further investigation. Sudip Phatak, president of the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, stated that whilst the organisation advocated the return of the body to the Tibetan community, no community representative had come forward to claim it.However, Tibetan sources in Kathmandu stated that Nepalese authorities, acting under the influence of China, have ‘created unnecessary obsticals’ to prevent Tsering’s body from being handed over.“This is just like what is happening in Chinese occupied Tibet where the Chinese officials bundle away the bodies of Tibetan self-immolators and

‘Model monk’, Lobsang Namgyal dies after self-immolating in Ngaba, Amdho


Ven Lobsang Namgyal, from Kirti Monastery, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: Lobsang Namgyal, a 37-year-old monk, from Kirti monastery in Ngaba, Amdho, eastern Tibet, where the spate of self-immolations began in 2009, died after setting himself alight on February 3.According to sources in the region, Namgyal, described in a statement by Kirti monks in exile as “an exceptional student and model for a new generation of students at Kirti,” self-immolated during an anti China protest outside the Public Security Bureau in Dzorge after calling for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

China draws international condemnation as Tibetan self-immolation toll climbs to 107

Dharamshala: Nine Tibetans - eight in Tibet and one in exile - self-immolated protesting Chinese rule in their country in February, 2013.Seven of the nine monks and laymen, aged 17-49, all of whom self-immolated in Amdho, are known to have died from their injuries, whilst the fate of Sangdhak, a monk who burned himself alive on a motorway in Ngaba on February 25, and 49-year-old Namlha Tsering, who set himself alight in Labrang, on February 17, remains unknown. The February incidents have brought the number of self-immolations inside Tibet to 107 since February 2009, drawing international condemnation of the Chinese government’s policies inside the stricken country as the number entered triple figures.On February 15, as news broke that the self-immolation toll had climbed beyond 100, British parliamentarians and Tibet supporters condemned China’s crackdown in Tibet, calling on the Chinese government to urgently examine its policies in the Himalayan region, and urging their own leaders to pressurise China to improve the human rights

situation in Tibet.Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “That 100 Tibetans have taken the heart-rending decision to self-immolate is indicative of the failure of China’s policies in Tibet,” whilst Fabian Hamilton, Labour MP for Leeds North East and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, added: “To bring an end to the self-immolations in Tibet, China must engage with the Tibetan people and address their grievances.” On the same day, United States state department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, told journalists that the Obama administration had noted “the horrific figures” and was “deeply concerned by the reports that these immolations are continuing”.Addressing the Swiss Tibetan Women’s Association about the ongoing crisis in Uster, Switzerland, on February 19, the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA’s) Information and International Relations Kalon, Dicki Chhoyang, described the self-immolations as the “ultimate form of civil disobedience without harming others,” going on to blame Chinese political repression, economic

marginalisation, environmental destruction and cultural assimilation in the region.On February 14, Tibet’s political leader in exile, Dr Lobsang Sangay, repeated the CTA’s appeal for Tibetans inside Tibet to “refrain from such drastic acts,” adding that: “instead of owning the onus of tragedy in Tibet – a self evident responsibility of its over 60 years of continuous iron-grip rule in Tibet – China relentlessly and irresponsibly accuses His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan leadership of inciting these self-immolations“To unveil the truth of the matter in Tibet, we have called on China to provide unfettered access to Tibet for the global media, diplomats and international NGOs. We have repeatedly invited China to Dharamshala, India, to investigate our alleged role in the self-immolations,” he continued.“The CTA, therefore, calls on national governments and international agencies, including the United Nations, to use their good offices and actively engage with China to stop the deteriorating situation in Tibet by addressing the genuine grievances of the Tibetans.”

carry out cremations in secrecy,” a local Tibetan activist who didn’t want to be named told Tibetan news website, Phayul, on February 16.“However, concerned people are still talking with authorities and we hope that the Nepalese officials will respect the sacrifice of the Tibetan monk and hand over his body for cremation.”


Two Tibetans self-immolate in one day in Amdho, eastern Tibet


Image showing Tsezung Kyab’s self-immolation protest in front of Shitsang monastery’s Assembly hall,

February 25, 2013. Photo:TPI

Dharamshala: Two Tibetans self-immolated during separate incidents on Monday, February 25.Sangdhak, a monk at Dhiphu monastery in Ngaba, Amdho, is reported to have burned himself alive on a local motorway at around 10am. The venerable Kanyak Tsering, from Kirti monastery in Dharamshala, whose sister establishment in Ngaba saw the first of the ongoing spate of self-immolations

in Tibet, told the Tibet Post International (TPI) that Chinese authorities immediately arrived at the scene and extinguished the flames, before taking Sangdhak to a nearby hospital. “His current whereabouts and condition are unavailable as the authorities later moved him to an unknown location,” said Tsering.Reports from eastern Tibet stated that Tsesung Kyab, 27, set himself alight in front of the main temple of Shitsang Gonsar monastery in Luchu county, also in Amdho, at around 1.30pm. Tsesung Kyab’s 23-year-old cousin, Pema Dorjee, also died after self-immolating close to the monastery’s main assembly hall on December 8, 2012.The International Campaign for Tibet reported “harrowing images depicting Tsesung Kyab ablaze outside the temple as pilgrims looked on,” whilst sources in exile told the TPI that local Tibetans prevented the intervention of Chinese police who attempted to extinguish the flames. Tsesung Kyab died at the scene and his body was taken to his village, Choekhor, for prayers.

Tibetan man ‘huddled among traffic with his body ablaze’


An image shows flames blazing from Namlha’s lower body as he huddles amid traffic on Labrang’s busy main street on

February 17, 2013. Photo: TPI.

Dharamshala: A 49-year-old Tibetan man “huddled on the road amidst traffic with his body ablaze” after self-immolating in Labrang, Amdho, at around 5.20pm on Sunday, February 17.It is unknown whether Namlha Tsering survived his protest, images of which show flames leaping from his body as he sits amid traffic on Labrang’s busy main road.Sources inside Tibet stated that Chinese police and paramilitary personnel immediately rushed to the scene and removed Tsering.“The Chinese authorities cleaned the site minutes after the incident, showing a normal situation, letting the vehicles go on and pretending no incident happened at all,” said the source.Tsering’s current condition and whereabouts are unknown.

Self-immolation survivor Sonam Rabyang has both legs amputated


Sonam Rabyang from Amdho, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI/File

Dharamshala: A Tibetan monk who survived a self-immolation attempt a year ago has had both legs amputated. According to the Dharamshala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, a relative of Sonam Rabyang, 42, a monk from Lab Monastery who set himself alight in Triwang town, Tridu County, in Kham, eastern Tibet, on February 8, 2012, stated that Rabyang is recovering at his home

SELF-IMMOLATIONS

Monk dies after self-immolating during busy prayer ceremony


Dharamshala: A young monk died after self-immolating during a busy prayer ceremony at Chachung monastery in Amdho, eastern Tibet, on Sunday, February 24.Sources in exile stated that Phagmo Dundrup, who is believed to have been in his early 20s, set himself alight in front of hundreds of Tibetans during the ancient Gelugpa monastery’s traditional ceremony and presentation of butter

lamps, at around 8pm.His fellow monks are reported to have tried to extinguish the flames, before taking Dundrup to a hospital in Xining, where he later died. Their arrival at the hospital is reported to have been closely followed by that of a large number of Chinese police. It is not known whether Dundrup made a statement before he died.

in Yuthung Village, Lab Township.The relative, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I first heard that he was taken to an army hospital in the provincial capital of Xining. After about three months, I again heard that both his legs were amputated at the hospital.”Sonam Rabyang is now being cared for by his family members under strict surveillance and restrictions. He is not allowed make phone calls without permission from local authorities.

TPI NEWS4 The Tibet Post InternationalMarch 1, 2013 Dharamshala

Karmapa teaches on the Tri Thung Gyatsa in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh

By Yeshe Choesang, 26 February, 2013

The Gyalwang Karmapa delivers his spring teachings in Sarnath, Varanasi, February 24, 2013. Photo: TPI

‘Dialogue between science and Buddhism promotes human happiness,’ Mind and

Life scholarSouth India: “Dialogue between science and Buddhism is aimed at promoting human happiness and relieving suffering.”Addressing around 8,000 monks, nuns, and twenty of the world’s leading scientists and philosophers at the 26th Mind and Life conference at Drepung monastery in Mundgod, south India, on January 22, co-host Geshe Lhakdor, director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, explained why science has recently been introduced into the programme of study at India’s three great monastic universities. “The word ‘science’ means ‘knowledge’ and as we know it is a lack of knowledge that causes suffering,” he continued.“Therefore, it is necessary for us to generate insight into the world to alleviate suffering, and see that science and Buddhism have a common goal.”The aim of the annual Mind and Life dialogues, the first of which took place in 1987, is to bring together scientists, philosophers and Buddhist practitioners from around the world to investigate the mind and the nature of reality and promote general well being.Originally small, private gatherings between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a few scientists and scholars, the Mind and Life dialogues have developed into substantial public conferences which have sought to address a variety of poignant and contemporary topics including physics and cosmology, neuroplasticity, destructive emotions, education, altruism, economics and ethics.Participants in this year’s conference, which took place between January 16 – 22, investigated quantum physics, neuroscience, and the nature of consciousness.“What is science? Is it a mirror of nature; a projection of our minds or a middle way?” asked French researcher into the philosophy of science, Michel Bitbol. Discussing the nature of reality, he recalled how he first began to ask scientific questions when, as a boy riding his bicycle, he noticed that the moon seemed to move with him and stop when he stopped. He wondered why and came to understand that the apparent movement had nothing to do with the moon, but with the relation between the moon and himself. “To learn about these relations, you have to learn about dependent arising,” he concluded. His Holiness, who admitted that even as a child he would dismantle his clocks and toys to see how they worked, remarked: “Talking about things in terms of their relations is important. Look at the latter two of the Four Noble Truths that express the Buddhist doctrine that there is cessation of suffering and a path to it. These two truths are an investigation of reality and a counter force to our distorted conceptions.”Describing the time when Raja Raman, father of the Indian nuclear bomb, told him he had read the works of second and third century Buddhist master Nagarjuna, in which he found an implicit account of quantum theory, the Dalai Lama continued: “According to Nagarjuna’s

Dharamshala: His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee began an eight-day teaching in Varanasi, India, on February 21, focusing on the Tri Thung Gyatsa (One Hundred Short Instructions).Thousands of devotees and Buddhist monks from around the world attended the event at Vajra Vidya Institute, Sarnath - one of four holy Buddhist sites in India – which included extensive prayer sessions and seminars.The Karmapa expounded on the Tri Thung Gyatsa – one of his favourite texts since his youth – to coincide with the annual dharma seminar led by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. The text, composed by the eighth Karmapa Mikyo Dorjee, comprises a treasury of pithy instructions spanning the entire path to enlightenment. Each instruction is crafted to allow the reader to enter the text at any point and find a gem of advice and wisdom. “All of these instructions are given for serious practitioners and sometimes they are extremely forthright,” the Karmapa said. “They go straight to the heart of the matter.”The Karmapa began with instruction on Rules for Karma Kamtsang Meditators, emphasising the need to contemplate death and impermanence in order to generate a sense of renunciation from worldly concerns, as a necessary precondition to genuine dharma practice. He urged those gathered to use their intelligence to understand and practise the essence of Buddhism, rather than blindly following traditions or customs.“The essence of Buddhism is being able to distinguish what it is that we need to do from what it is that we need to give up,” he said. “We also need to identify what it is that will harm ourselves and others, and then we need to give that up. So you can condense it all into doing what is beneficial and giving up what is harmful. We need to know what the essence of dharma is, and then bring it into our lives.”His Eminence stressed the importance of not delaying dharama practice, but rather taking the teachings on death and impermanence to heart and allowing them to motivate our practice in the present moment.“This is not something that we should think, ‘Oh I can start tomorrow, or I can start the next day, or I can do this when I’m older.’ We need to do dharma practice now. We cannot postpone this.”On the second day of teachings, the Karmapa turned his attention to making sure that we practice dharma properly, saying, “Sometimes when we practice dharma, we think that we need to show some sort of external or physical sign of it. We pay a lot of attention to the rituals and these actions of our body and speech. But, instead, what we need to do is turn our attention inwards. We need to see whether what we’re doing is functioning as an antidote to the afflictions or not. We need to see whether we are taming our mind or not. We need to see whether our mind is improving, getting kinder, or not.“If we don’t look at it in this way then there’s no benefit to doing these actions...Actually we are just making a show with our body and speech... And the moment that happens, this becomes spiritual materialism.”Observing the growing trend towards materialism

By Yeshe Choesang and Sophie Jay, January 22, 2013

His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the 26th Mind and Life conference in Mundgod, south India, January 17. Photo: TPI

Madhyamaka presentation, an object exists, but if we search for it we can’t find it. If we investigate the object itself, we find its very existence is due to other factors, so we can’t say it doesn’t exist; only that it exists in relational terms; in terms of designation.“Broadly speaking, although there are some differences, I think Buddhist philosophy and quantum mechanics can shake hands on their view of the world. We can see in these great examples the fruits of human thinking. Regardless of the admiration we feel for these great thinkers, we should not lose sight of the fact that they were human beings just as we are.”Investigating the relationship between neuroscience and the relevance of the regulation of attention and emotion to contemplative practice (meditation), professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin in the United States (US) , Richie Davidson, who has participated in Mind and Life conferences for more than twenty years, described an experiment in which five and six year old children were given the choice of receiving one sweet which they could eat immediately, or three sweets for which they would have to wait five minutes. Those able to exert restraint tended to become more successful adults.“This important insight suggests that if we could teach children to exercise discipline when they are young, it would benefit them and society as they grow older,” he said, adding his belief that exposure to positive influences leads to positive change. Stating that many human problems involve ‘emotional stickiness’, professor Davidson, who also founded and chairs the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, outlined how during experiments involving meditation on compassion, normal people with no previous meditative experience recovered from stickiness better, concluding that some Western subjects were more anxious to begin with. On the other hand participants in mindfulness based stress reduction showed not only reduced stress, but also a smaller amygdale (the part of the brain associated with controlling the duration and intensity of negative emotion).Speaking from a Buddhist perspective, scholar Geshe Dadul Namgyal defined neuroplasticity as “the ability of the brain, neurons, and circuits to form new structures and even functions, remarking that happiness is not something fixed that we either have or do not have, but is a skill which human beings can learn. Referring to the mind-body entanglement, he suggested that karma (the Buddhist law of cause and effect) binds the mind and body together.On the nature of consciousness, His Holiness stated that consciousness is associated with some complex biological networks, but that our immune system, liver and other complex organs can function without it.Offering a Buddhist perspective, Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist monk with scientific training, stated that the Buddha tried to bridge the gap between the way things appear and the way they are. “The truth he found was almost impossible to express in words,” he said.

“He did not teach ‘this is the truth, take it or leave it.’ Instead, he said, ‘here’s a map, follow it; this is what I have understood.’”Asserting the Buddhist belief that nothing can arise without a cause, Ricard continued: “we say that a moment of consciousness is preceded by another moment of consciousness. Within our minds we see thoughts, memories and a basic faculty of knowing. Accomplished practitioners speak of clear, vivid awareness.”He went on to cite three sources of information which he stated have an interesting bearing on the nature of consciousness. The first was the work of Ian Stephenson, a scholar at Virginia University in the US who collected accounts from people across the world who had memories of previous lives. Second was the testimonies of people who have reported near death experiences, whilst the third are instances in which there appears to have been mind to mind communication. His Holiness then described how he had once remarked to his senior tutor, Ling Rinpoche, with whom he was very close, that he seemed to have moments of clairvoyance. His tutor, who after he died is said to have spent 13 days in meditative absorption, replied: “Yes, it sometimes happens.” When American neuroscientist best known for his work on the neural bases of consciousness, Christof Koch, asked if the subtle mind is only accessible to accomplished practitioners, His Holiness replied: “The subtle mind is the basis of mind. The co-operative cause of mind is the human body, but the substantial cause is consciousness.”Mind and Life Institute president and author of The NewPhysics and Cosmology: Dialogues with the Dalai Lama, professor Arthur Zajonc, from the US, expressed his interest in how contemplative practice can contribute to education, stating that if undergraduate students are encouraged to meditate it helps them learn about who they are and to leave university as better human beings. “Contemplative practice can support and develop attention and emotional balance,” he said. “It can become a mode of inquiry leading to insight. It leads to a transformation of the world around us and ourselves because it enables us to cultivate empathy, altruism and compassion. “We have a great opportunity to treat the child on his or her own terms rather than as a small adult. We try to be compassionate in the way we see the child”.Endorsing the Dalai Lama’s approach to secular ethics, Geshe Ngawang Samten, director of the Central Institute of Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, asserted his beliefs that when secular ethics are incorporated into school curriculums we will begin to see positive results, stating: “many people are not aware of how the mind functions. They do not know that anger, for example, is unhealthy. They have many misconceptions about their mental states that can be cleared up when we have prepared the proposed map of the mind. This will place positive change within reach.”His Holiness added: “In the field of education we need secular ethics. Unless we effect change there will be terrible trouble. We have to think about generations to come.“Like us they too will want to live a happy life.”

in the modern world, the Karmapa said, “Most of the time, we don’t really know what true happiness is. Many people have the idea that external things and external conditions will bring them happiness, and will lead them to the real meaning. But when we think about material things, the more we have of these things the more disturbances we have, the more difficulties we have.... We have more and more ‘busyness’, and what happens then is that we lose ourselves.”His Eminence next turned his attention to the increasing interconnectness and interdependence of the world. “In this information age...,” he said, “all the people in the world are seeing that they have greater mutual connections.... When we think about our own good acts and wrong acts...we can see that the individual things we do are connected to the benefit or the harm of the world.“Speaking on impermanence, the Karmapa said, “When, because of external or internal circumstances, there comes some sort of a change, we need to be able to go along with that change. So, whatever happens, we go with the flow of events. If we are able to do this, then in our own mind we can be more relaxed.”His Eminence urged his students to uncomplicate their worlds by keeping a simple outlook on life, and emphasized the importance of living in the present and seeing the good that is already in front of our eyes.“It’s better if we don’t have too high hopes for the past or the future situations...,” he said. “Whatever is right in front of our eyes, we need to be able to see the good in it... then good things will be able to occur from that....It’s not just a question of looking inside oneself. Sometimes we have to look outwards to see the meaning we hold for others. We have to look in all different directions to be able to see what is good about our life.”Prayers at the event culminated on February 25, the day of the Chotrul festival. Chanting lasted from morning until night, and included a Tenshug (long-life prayer offering) to the Karmapa. The prayers were led by the Ninth Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche - abbot of the Sarnath institue and one of the foremost elders of the present Kagyu lineage.

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TPI NEWS 5British politicians urge China to address crisis

in Tibet as self-immolation toll reaches 100


Kalon addresses Tibetan women in Switzerland as news of 102nd self-immolation breaks


Kalon Dicki Chhoyang addresses the 5th Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. Photo: Tibet Net

INTERNATIONAL

Tibetans and supporters gathering in London, England, to protest against Chinese rule over Tibet, May 2012. Photo: Tibet Society

Dharamshala: British parliamentarians and Tibet supporters have called on China to urgently examine its policies in Tibet after the 100th self-immolation occurred in the country.As the self-immolation toll entered triple figures, the politicians and supporters also urged their own government to pressurize China to improve the human rights situation in Tibet.Fabian Hamilton, Labour MP for Leeds North East and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, said: “To bring an end to the self-immolations in Tibet, China must engage with the Tibetan people and address their grievances. “China must respect the human and civil rights of the Tibetan people and allow them the freedom to express their unique cultural identity without fear of persecution.”Crossbench member of the House of Lords, Lord Alton of Liverpool, said: “Though we in the UK cannot condone self-immolations as a form of protest, what we must understand are the reasons why 100 Tibetans have taken this extreme form of action. China must examine its policies in Tibet and afford the Tibetans the rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled, such as the freedom of expression and freedom of religion.”Nic Dakin, Labour MP for Scunthorpe, stated that: “China needs to take responsibility for what is happening in Tibet,” whilst Kate Hoey, Labour MP for Vauxhall, observed: “If China wants to be a respected global super-power, it needs to urgently respond to the grievances of the Tibetan people.”Cathy Jamieson, Labour and Co-operative MP for Kilmarnock & Loudoun, said: “Rather than responding with military aggression and ‘de facto’ martial law conditions, China should ease tensions by withdrawing its armed forces and ending its

Dharamshala: News of the 102nd self-immolation in Tibet broke as a Tibetan minister addressed members of the Swiss Tibetan Women’s Association about the ongoing crisis.“Self-immolations in Tibet are an ultimate form of civil disobedience without harming others,” said the Central Tibetan Administration’s Information and International Relations Kalon, Dicki Chhoyang, at the organisation’s annual general meeting in Uster, Switzerland, as the world learned about the self-immolation of 49 year old Namlha Tsering, in Labrang, Amdho, north eastern Tibet, on Sunday, February 17. The minister stated that the spate of self-immolations in Tibet were the result of Chinese political repression, economic marginalization, environmental destruction and cultural assimilation in the region, adding that Tibet’s political leader, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, has repeatedly urged Tibetans not to take “drastic action”. Emphasising the need for diplomacy with Chinese citizens, she said: “Tibetans are not against the Chinese people, but against China’s policies in Tibet that threaten the Tibetan religion, culture and identity.”Reiterating her plea before the fifth Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy two days later, she read a short message written by Nangdrol, an

The Tibet Post International March 1, 2013 Dharamshala

repressive policies.”Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, who made international headlines alongside Transport Minister, Norman Baker, in December 2012 after writing a letter of complaint to Prime Minister, David Cameron, for having barred the pair from meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama for lunch in the run up to crisis talks with China over a Eurozone bailout fund the previous June, said: “That 100 Tibetans have taken the heart-rending decision to self-immolate is indicative of the failure of China’s policies in Tibet. “Instead of addressing these failures the Chinese authorities have responded with force and greater restrictions. The British government must call upon to China to respect the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and work with Tibetan representatives to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.”Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, added: “China may be a strong economic power, but it is weak when it comes to respecting human rights. There should be meaningful dialogue not repression and exclusion. Only then will these awful, dramatic, and very public cries for help end.”Philippa Carrick, CEO of London based support group, the Tibet Society, concluded: “Part of the ongoing tragedy is that Tibetans inside Tibet feel they have no recourse to justice.“It is time for the British government to stand up to China and defend the rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people as it has done for other people around the world, such as in Syria and Burma. “Britain should work in tandem with other governments to devise multi-lateral actions which will encourage China to resolve the Tibet issue and end the suffering of the Tibetan people.”

18-year-old boy who died after setting himself alight in Ngaba, Kham, in eastern Tibet, exactly one year previously on February 19, 2012. “We are unable to remain under these draconian laws,” wrote the teenager. “Unable to tolerate this torment that does not leave scar, because the pain of not enjoying any basic human rights is far greater than the pain of self-immolation”.

“What we hear are numbers,” said Ms Chhoyang.“But behind each number there are really people like you and me.“China must be held accountable to the pledges it made to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.”China’s human rights record is due to be re-examined by the UN Universal Periodic Review in October.

Tibetans in Canada protest against death sentence for Geshe Lobsang Konchok


Tibetans in Toronto protesting outside the Chinese Consulate on February 6, 2013. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: Tibetans and supporters in Canada staged a protest against the death sentence handed to a Geshe alleged to have instigated self-immolations in Tibet. On February 6, a crowd gathered outside the Chinese Consulate in Toronto, protesting the death sentence given to Geshe Lobsang Konchok from Ngaba, Kham, where the first self-immolations in Tibet took place, and demanded that China release seven other Tibetans including his nephew who were also arrested and sentenced to prison terms ranging between two and 10 years.His nephew Lobsang Tsering, along with Pema Dhondup, Kalsang Gyatso, Lhamo Dhondup, Pema Tso, Dugkar Gyal and Yangmo Kyi were all arrested in relation to self-immolations and arbitrarily sentenced to various prison terms, according to Chinese state media.“China wants to stop self-immolations by killing more Tibetans, giving them death sentences. That’s the way a regime acts when it wants to annihilate an entire people,” said Urgyen Badheytsang, national director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) Canada, which led the demonstration alongside the Tibetan Women’s

Association of Ontario. “They are just trying to find people to arrest, and they fail to understand or make any efforts to respectfully approach the issue.“China must release all the arrested Tibetans and heed the demands of the Tibetan people if it truly

wants a solution for Tibet.”Earlier that day, SFT members also handed a copy of the Tibetan proclamation of Independence to an official within the Chinese Consulate, who rejected it as ‘illegal material’ and asked that it be removed from the Consulate.

Senior politicians take part in Tibet seminar in New Delhi

By Yeshe Choesang, January 31, 2013

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay (left) at the India International Centre, New Delhi, January 31, 2013. Photo: TPI

New Delhi - Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong (political leader) of the exile Central Tibetan Administration, took part in a seminar to discuss the Tibet situation in Indian capital New Delhi on January 31, against the backdrop of the four-day Solidarity with Tibet campaign there.The seminar, titled Tibet: Current Situation and its implications for China and India, was held at the the India International Centre and included China experts Shri Lalit Mansingh ( former Indian foreign secretary) and Shri Jayadeva Ranade (former Indian Additional Secretary), as well as Kirti Rinpoche, head lama of Kirti monastery in Dharamshala, northern India. The seminar was moderated by

Mr Karma Choephel, former Speaker and current member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.Addressing the panel, Dr Sangay said, “Historically, Tibet was an independent country, serving as a buffer between India and China. So whatever happens in Tibet today has implications on both sides.”Dr Sangay continued that the border dispute between India and China remains unresolved primarily because of the Tibet issue. The Shimla Agreement, he said, on the basis of which the McMohan Line was demarcated as the border between India and Tibet, was signed between British India and independent Tibet in 1914. Therefore, Dr Sangay said, if the McMohan line is the preferred border for India, then the signatories – including Tibetans - must be recognized.The Sikyong said that Tibet is a test for the world, as well as for India and China, because Tibetan democracy is, more or less, a replica of Indian democracy. Moreover, he said, the Tibetan struggle is a non-violent struggle, and if the world won’t support it, it will be sending a mixed message.Dr Sangay suggested that the distortion of historical facts by China, by demarcating and re-demarcating Tibetan areas and imposing severe repression in Tibet, is not the answer, concluding that, solving the Tibet issue peacefully by restoring the dignity of Tibetans and safeguarding Tibetan identity will be the beginning of moderation of China.

The Venerable Kirti Rinpoche next attributed the spate of self-immolations in Tibet to the failed policies of the Chinese government and said that, instead of addressing the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people, the Chinese government blame His Holiness the Dalai Lama and outside forces.The Chinese authorities, he continued, are rounding up Tibetans, and falsely accusing them of instigating self-immolations in Tibet. In conclusion, he said that, since Tibet and India are historical neighbors, it is India’s duty to take the responsibility of a good neighbour and help Tibet in its time of need.Shri Lalit Mansingh then spoke about developments in China, India and the United States. India’s ancient traditions have been preserved by Tibetans in the form of Buddhism, he said, and it is time to repay them by making the Tibet issue a core focus with China. The United states, he continued, had initially helped Tibetans by secretly arming Tibetan guerillas but, as the Cold War progressed, their priorities changed and they resorted to real politicking.“What is happening in Tibet is like a volcano, ready to erupt,” Mr Mansingh added. “It can explode anytime when nobody is expecting it, which is why we need to understand what goes on in Tibet.”The final speaker, Mr Jayadeva Ranade, said that the leading Chinese government think-tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Science, has warned the Chinese government that the public are losing confidence in

the communist party and increasingly believe that party cadres are in league with businessmen. This growing dissatisfaction inside China has resulted in more than 180,000 protests, he said.Mr Ranade added that he does not believe in the perception that China’s new leader, Xi Jinping, will be soft on Tibetans, saying that Xi Jinping’s father

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TPI NEWS6Home Kalon visits Tibetan

agricultural students in Israel


ExILE

Home Kalon Dolma Gyari (first left) interacts with Tibetan students in Israel

1000 Tibetans and supporters march in solidarity with self-immolatorsBy Sophie Jay, February 18, 2013.

Dharamshala: Around 1000 people took part in a peace march aimed at highlighting the ongoing spate of self-immolations within Tibet and in exile on Monday, February 18.The exiled Tibetans, joined by a number of international supporters, marched four and a half miles (seven kilometers) from the TCV Day School in McLeod Ganj to Kacheri in Lower Dharamshala chanting slogans calling for a free Tibet and the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and carrying banners displaying photographs of the 102 Tibetans who have set themselves alight in Tibet protesting Chinese rule in their country since February 2009.The march was organized jointly by Tibetan NGO’s The Tibetan Youth Congress, Gu Chu Sum, the Tibetan Women’s Association, the National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet India, demanding “immediate action by world leaders” to address the current crisis in Tibet.In a joint statement, representatives of the five organisations said: “Ignoring condemnation from leaders across the world, the Chinese government has intensified the suppression of Tibetans inside Tibet.“This has resulted in a surge of recent self-immolation protests, which have been met by Chinese security forces opening fire on peaceful demonstrators, killing several Tibetans and seriously injuring many more.“We are now seeing a new level of repression in that the Chinese government is punishing not only the families of self-immolators, but their entire

Dharamshala: The Kalon of the Central Tibetan Administration’s Home department visited Tibetan agricultural students in Israel between February 5 – 16.Kalon Dolma Gyari, accompanied by Additional Secretary and Officer in charge of Agriculture, Chhemey Rigzen, met the 51 students participating in this year’s agricultural training and work programme organized by the Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT), as well as officials from AICAT, the Agriculture Research and Development

The Tibet Post InternationalMarch 1, 2013 Dharamshala

Institute and the Israeli Tibet Friends Association.The initiative, which has been running since 1998, enables Tibetan refugees, including qualified new arrivals, selected for their knowledge and experience of farming, to embark on a 10 month study programme, during which they have the opportunity to develop their skills through fieldwork. To date, 606 Tibetans have participated in the programme.Mr Rigzen said: “The visit has helped in clarifying pending matters, strengthening working relations and planning future projects.”

Tibetans in 30 cities celebrate 100 years since Proclamation

of Tibetan IndependenceBy Yeshe Choesang, February 14, 2013

A giant copy of the Proclamation of Tibetan Independence is carried through Dharamshala, India, February 13, 2013.

Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: Tibetans and supporters in 30 cities across the world marked the centenary of the 13th Dalai Lama’s Proclamation of Tibetan Independence, on Wednesday, February 13.In Dharamshala, northern India, home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, hundreds of people took part in a day-long event featuring an exhibition of information on the history of Tibet’s independent status, a talk on the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, and how he secured Tibet’s independence, and an evening concert.During the concert former political prisoner, Ama Adhe, unveiled a symbolic Proclamation of Independence scroll with 100 Tibetan Flags – one for each year of Tibet’s independence. A candle light vigil and prayers were also held to honour the Tibetans who have self-immolated protesting Chinese rule in their country, including an as yet unidentified monk who died after setting himself alight in Kathmandu, Nepal, the same day.Tenzin Dorjee, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), which led the international event, announced that the group intends to make Tibetan Independence Day and annual event, stating: “Starting this year, we are commemorating Tibetan Independence Day as a powerful tool to challenge China’s propaganda about Tibetan history as well as to strengthen the case for Tibetan self-determination on the global stage. “In many cities, we have collaborated with the Tibetan Youth Congress and other groups to put Tibetan Independence Day on the mental map of the global public.”The group stated that tens of thousands of Tibetans and supporters marked the anniversary with flag raising ceremonies, exhibitions, lobbying events, and protests at Chinese embassies and consulates in countries including the UK, Australia, Taiwan, India, Japan, Poland, France, Italy, Canada, the USA, Denmark and Switzerland. In New York, four Tibetans chained themselves to China’s Mission to the United Nations and unfurled an eight-foot copy of the proclamation, whilst in Denmark, members of the local SFT chapter staged a theatrical presentation depicting the opening of a Tibetan embassy opposite the real Chinese embassy in the country’s capital, Copenhagen.In Toronto, Canada, Tibetans marched to the Chinese Consulate chanting victory slogans and waving Tibetan flags, before unveiling a large copy of the proclamation.The 13th Dalai Lama issued the original Proclamation of Tibetan Independence on February 13, 1913, after

returning to Lhasa following the collapse of China’s Manchu (Qing) dynasty in 1912, from whose troops he had fled when they invaded Tibet in 1910.

Protestors carrying Tibetan flags and banners calling for a free Tibet march down the hill from McLeod Ganj to Kacheri. Photo: TPI/Sangay

Canberra.“I regret that I can’t report progress,” he added.Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary, Peter Varghese, said: “We have consistently conveyed to the Chinese authorities our concern about the (self-immolations) situation”.Senator Carr added that Australian plans to boost diplomatic ties with China were effectively on hold until after its leadership transition is finalised.He revealed in October that top Australian officials had visited China to push for more regular formal meetings between Canberra and Beijing.Such an arrangement would be similar to those Australia already has in place with countries like the United States, but Beijing is yet to respond to the proposal.The new arrangements could include annual meetings between the Australian prime minister and Chinese president, as well as separate meetings

China blocks Australian diplomat’s

visit to Tibet ............ Continued from front page

between foreign and economic ministers.On March 19, 2012, Senator Carr issued a statement of concern about the deteriorating situation in Tibet, and announced that the Australian government was seeking permission for a diplomatic delegation to visit Tibet on a fact-finding mission.China has declined Austral ia’s requests to allow diplomats to visit Tibet three times within the last year.

Representatives of five NGO’s which organised the march hold a press conference at TCV Day School, McLeod Ganj,

on Monday, February 18. Photo: TPI/Sangay

communities.“We demand a co-ordinated international response by world leaders to act upon China’s repressive measures across Tibet, and for the Chinese government to reassess the draconian policies which have led to the immolations and protests in Tibet and to engage with community and religious leaders in an effort to improve the lives of ordinary Tibetans.“We also demand that United Nations representatives and media groups be allowed to travel freely in Tibet to determine the impact of Chinese polices in Tibet and the level of individual freedom.”

Rangzen activists meet on centenary of Tibetan Proclamation of Independence


Dharamshala: A group of Tibetan independence activists met in Delhi to discuss their goals on February 13 and 14.Around 45 Rangzen (Tibetan independence) activists and advocates, including students, new arrivals from Tibet and 10 Indians from a number of organisations, attended the fourth Preliminary International Rangzen Conference, organised by the Central Executive Committee of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) and regional TYC chapters in Samyeling and Rohini.The two day event, held at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, was arranged to coincide with the centenary of the 13th Dalai Lama’s Proclamation of Tibetan Independence, which was celebrated by Tibetans and supporters in 30 cities across the world.“The fourth Preliminary Rangzen Conference held here in a house named after the father of the Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and on a day when 100 years ago His Holiness the Dalai Lama reasserted Tibet’s independence is historically significant,” said Dhondup Lhadar, vice-president of the TYC’s Central Executive Committee. “It is the responsibility of each and every Tibetan to preserve the legacy of the great 13th Dalai Lama and uphold the truth of an independent and sovereign Tibet.“More than a hundred Tibetans have given the ultimate non-violent sacrifice of setting themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation. It is our sacred duty to repeat history 100 years later and realise the return of our most beloved leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama (to Tibet).”Indian delegates spoke strongly in support of Tibet’s independence and unanimously agreed that the genuine security of India lies only in an independent Tibet.Dr NK Trikha, national convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause, the umbrella organisation of

The 4th Preliminary Rangzen Conference held in New Delhi, India, on February 13, 2013. Photo: TPI

all Tibet support groups in India, said: “I want to make it clear that the cause of a completely free, independent Tibet is very close to the heart of every Tibet supporter in India. National interest in India is closely related with an independent and free Tibet.”The TYC, the largest pro-independence Tibet

support group in exile, will present suggestions gathered at the event at the International Rangzen Conference on May 23.Participants included Kyabje Shingza Rinpoche, former TYC president, Lhasang Tsering, and Tibetan MPs Karma Yeshi, the venerable Monlam Tharchin and Sertha Tsultrim.

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TPI NEWS 7Kirti Rinpoche condemns

harsh sentences for TibetansSituation in Tibet has remained tense

since 2008: Human Rights Watch

By Yeshe Choesang and Matthew Singh Toor, February 3, 2013


Dharamshala: The prominent New York-based human rights organisation, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised the Chinese government for carrying out widespread secret arrests and torture of Tibetans held in custody, and authoritarian control over all judicial institutions.HRW’s World Report 2013 documents Chinese policies of damaging the Tibetan people’s socio-economic conditions and religious freedom.The report describes China’s repressive measures in Tibet since its crackdown on the popular protests that shook the region in 2008, saying “The situation in Tibet remained tense following the protests and the introduction of measures designed to place all Tibetan monasteries under the direct control of government officials who will be permanently stationed there.“As part of its drive to build ‘a New Socialist Countryside’ on the Tibetan plateau, the government continues to implement large development programs mandating rehousing or relocating up to 80% of the rural population. The relocation policies have been carried out - contrary to Chinese government claims - with no effective choice and without genuine consultation of those affected, while compensation mechanisms are opaque and inadequate.”The report continues, “Pastoralists deprived of their traditional livelihood face declining living standards and increased dependency on

SOLIDARITY WITH TIBET

Students from Tibetan Children’s Village School, Gopalpur, enact a drama about the Chinese authorities’ treatment of Tibetans, during the four-day Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign in New Delhi, India, February 1, 2013.

Photo: TPI

The Tibet Post International March 1, 2013 Dharamshala

New Delhi: The head lama of Kirti monasteries, the Ngaba county chapter of which has witnessed more than 30 of the spate of self-immolations in Tibet, has spoken out against the recent convictions of eight Tibetans for allegedly inciting the acts of self-sacrifice.Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on February 2, Kirti Rinpoche, a former minister of the exile Central Tibetan Administration, said the detainees were falsely accused of establishing links with outside groups and sending photographs of Tibetan self-immolators.The eight Tibetans were sentenced to prison terms

Kirti Rinpoche addresses reporters in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, February 2, 2013. Photo: TPI

by Chinese courts in Ngaba and Labrang, Amdho, northeastern Tibet, on 31 January 2013. One of the detainees, Lobsang Konchok, was given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve.Calling the sentences unjustified and against international norms, the Rinpoche said the Chinese government is playing with the lives of innocent Tibetans and that the world community should investigate what is really going on in Tibet. He added that the Chinese government arrested the eight Tibetans because they are relatives or friends of self-immolators. He also appealed to the world media and international monitors to support their case and plead for justice.In response to a question on why the self-immolations are concentrated in Ngaba area, the Rinpoche said that, from 1959 to 1985, Tibetans were driven into communes and forced to do hard labour, and that many Tibetans met untimely death due to starvation, suicide, and torture.“Although it is true that the Chinese government has brought economic development - mainly infrastructure development - inside Tibet since

government subsidies. Chinese security forces maintain a heavy presence and the authorities continue to tightly restrict access and travel to Tibetan areas, particularly for journalists and foreign visitors. Tibetans suspected of being critical of political, religious, cultural, or economic state policies are systematically targeted on charges of ‘separatism’.”HRW conclude that, “Chinese people had

no say in the selection of their new leaders, highlighting that despite the country’s three decades of rapid modernization, the government remains an authoritarian one-party system that places arbitrary curbs on freedom of expression, association, religion, prohibits independent labor unions and human rights organizations, and maintains party control over all judicial institutions.”

Thousands join the Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign in New Delhi


New Delhi: The Tibetan People’s Solidarity campaign, held in New Delhi from January 30 to February 2, saw huge crowds of Indian, Tibetan and international supporters gather to take part in rallies and prayer meetings, and listen to speeches from Tibetan and Indian dignitaries.On the first day, the inaugural ceremony was held at Talkatora indoor stadium and attended by over 5,000 people, including 4,500 Tibetans from India, Nepal and Bhutan and 1,000 Indians from Delhi, NCR region and Ladakh.In his opening remarks, Mr Penpa Tsering, Speaker of Tibetan-Parliament-in-exile said the campaign was the first of its kind and marked “a historic moment for our struggle.” He added that, “If China is sincere in granting autonomy, then Tibet can play a positive role as a bridge of peace between the two most populous nations in South Asia - India and China.” Mr Tsering expressed his gratitude to the Indian government and people, and requested that delegates from the ruling Congress Party “remind China that resolving the Tibetan issue is in the larger interest of the Chinese people”.Chief guest at the event was former Deputy Prime Minister, Shri L K Advani. Shri Priya Dutt MP and Dr EM Sudarsan Natchiappan MP were the official Congress party delegates, whilst Shri Hassan Khan MP represented National Conference.Dr Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong (political leader) of the exile Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) used his keynote address to cite the campaign as a “testament to India’s love and sympathy for Tibetan people”.Dr Sangay emphasised that “freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet” remain the “true aspiration of Tibetans inside Tibet and the dream of Tibetans outside Tibet”.Explaining why Tibet deserves attention and support, Dr Sangay said, “Tibet stands as a catalyst and test for China” and that, “Autonomy in Tibet will be the beginning of moderation for China”. He attributed the success of the Tibetan struggle to India and expressed hope that Tibet could be made “India’s success story.” He concluded by expounding his vision that, “Tibetans will one day go from the holy land of India to the holy city of Lhasa with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”Shri LK Advani next shared excerpts from

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay with Indian and Tibetan dignitaries at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on the final day of the Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign, February 2, 2013. Photo: TPI

Sardar Patel’s 7 November 1950 letter on Tibet, addressed to the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Mr Advani said, “A resolution between China and Tibet will make the 21st century India’s century.” He lauded the “Tibetan spirit” and assured the crowd that, “Tibetans will see the light of the day.” Mr Advani concluded that, “Just as His Holiness the Dalai Lama always refers to India as Tibet’s guru, we hope to match up to that expectation.”Ms Priya Dutt, expressed “concern and solidarity for Tibetans inside Tibet” and paid homage to the “99 young lives [to date] sacrificed in a struggle to regain identity”. She thanked the Tibetan people for the presence and blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India. “His Holiness is our guest,” she said. “For us it is our duty to take care of our guest as much as we can.”Day two of the campaign began at 10.30am with an interfaith prayer meeting at Rajghat, led by representatives from the Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jain, Hindu, Sikh, Bahai and Jewish faiths. His Eminence Kirti Rinpoche, head of the Kirti monasteries - the Ngaba chapter of which has witnessed more than 30 self-immolations – took part in the meeting, along with over 700 Tibetan Buddhist monks and around 6,000 others.At 12.30pm, Dr Lobsang Sangay and Mr Penpa Tsering led a rally alongside CTA Kalons (ministers), Tibetan MPs and the public from Samtha Sthal to Jantar Mantar, carrying placards and chanting slogans urging India and the

international community to take urgent diplomatic action to end the crisis inside Tibet.A sit-in was held at Jantar Mantar from 2pm to 4.30pm, featuring speeches by representives of different religions, including Sanjay Singh from Gurudwara Krishna market, representing the Sikh faith, Bante Sumit Anand from the Mahabodhi Society of India representing the Buddhist faith, Farid Ahmed Nizami from Dargah Nizamuddin representing the Sufi faith, Father Dominic from Sacred Heart Cathedral Archbishop House representing the Christian faith and Tanveer Ahmed Sehar, ex-chairman of the Central Haj Committee India, representing the Haj faith.Girish Jujal, founder of Anjuman Parjandani Hind, representing the Muslim Rashtryamancha, and Monana Soeb kasmi, National President of Jamiad Ulema Hind, also addressed the gathering.The day’s rallies concluded with the chanting of slogans and a recitation of ‘Prayers of the Words of Truth’, led by artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.A public screening of the film Tibet in Song, by Ngawang Choephel, was also held at Ansara Auditorium, Jamia Islamia University, at which Mr Tempa Tsering, Delhi Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, led a question-and-answer session.Meanwhile, a panel discussion on Tibet: The Current Situation and its Implications for India and

See page 8 ...

Lobsang Kunchok (right) and his nephew, Lobsang Tsering, stand trial for allegedly inciting a self-immolation, January 26, 2013. Photo: File

1985...,” he said, “the question is, who actually benefited from this development? Newly developed transport facilities assisted the Chinese government to extract resources from Tibet and facilitated the bringing of more Chinese immigrants into Tibet. Newly constructed high-rise buildings accommodated the government and military officials as well as the elite community.”The Rinpoche told the 45 reporters present that, “Since Ngaba is on the frontline, Tibetans there have suffered for three generations - first, during 1936-37, when the red armies of the CPC undertook the Long March in Ngaba area, they looted the monasteries and local grain stores, and compelled

Tibetans of that generation to experience starvation for the first time in the region.“Since 1959, my own generation had to undergo untold sufferings as a result of the Chinese government’s repressive policies. Thirdly, since 2008, the younger generation who are brought up under the Red Flag have undergone so much repression and suppression that teenagers who undertook self-immolations were forced to choose death over living under such a conditions.”The Rinpoche continued that it is “apparent that it is an outburst of wound that has been inflicted for three generations,” emphasizing that the teenagers who undertake self-immolations have offered their lives to draw the plight of Tibetans inside Tibet to the attention of both the Chinese authorities in Beijing and the international community.On February 1, the exile Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, northern India, condemned “the harsh prison sentences for eight Tibetans in eastern Tibet. It is unacceptable as the verdicts have been given out without due process and proper representation.”


What’s your opinion?Do you have something to say?

The Tibet Post International would like to receiveyour letters and emails for publication in the newspaper.Please email your opinions to: [email protected],

or send us a letter: The Tibet Post International,2nd Floor Exile House, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala,

Kangra District, HP, 176219We look forward to hearing from you.

TPI NEWS8 BACK PAGE FOCUS The Tibet Post InternationalMarch 1, 2013 Dharamshala

Himalayan Literacy Trust(Head Office)2nd Floor, Exile HouseTemple Road, McLeod Ganj: 176219Dharamshala, Distt. KangraH.P, India

Editor in Chief Mr Yeshe ChoesangChinese Editor Miss Keary HuangProject Manager Mr Matthew Singh ToorTibetan Editor Mr Sangay DorjeeAssistant Editor Miss Pema TsoUK Correspondent Mr Samuel IvorDesigner Mr Sangay Dorjee Newspaper sub editors Miss Sophie Jay and Mr Matthew Singh Toor

E-mail: [email protected]: dhardhophonyaMoble:+91-9882423566www.thetibetpost.com

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Contributors to this editon

Keary Huang TaiwanMathew Singh Toor India Sophie Jay UKSamuel Ivor UKYeshe Choesang IndiaSangay Dorjee IndiaPema Tso India


New Dharamshala NGO brings Tibet to the world


Yeshi Lhundup, Tibet World’s founder and director, stands amid the construction site which will soon become a cafe, classrooms, kitchen and a conference hall Photo: TPI/ Sophie Jay

Dharamshala: “I want it to be a place where people can gain a proper education. Not just drop in language classes, but proper courses with a certificate at the end.”English, German and Chinese language classes, run by qualified native speaking teachers, are just the first of a broad range of services to be offered by new Dharamshala NGO, Tibet World, launched on Monday, February 18, by a pioneering young Tibetan man. Over the next two months, director and founder, Yeshi Lhundup, plans to introduce night classes in maths and science for Tibetans who work during the day, training in Tibetan performing arts, environmental initiatives, live Tibetan music sessions, storytelling, talks and lectures, and Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan cookery classes.Although not particularly easy to find, it is well worth the interesting three or four minute trek down a path leading from Bhagsu Road, down through the slightly ramshackle Amdho Village inhabited by refugees from northeastern Tibet, to reach the Tibet World building, set among yellow mustard flower dotted terraces and with stunning views of the thickly forested hills soaring upwards towards the snow-covered peaks of the Dhauladhar mountains.The top floor of the residential building, in which Tibet World currently occupies just two classrooms and a small office, is still under construction, where under Yeshi’s watchful eye, a café, kitchen, new classrooms, a conference hall and a toilet are beginning emerge from mounds of cement and a stack of red bricks.“Our main aims are the preservation of Tibetan culture, education, environmental projects, cultural exchange, and to provide a platform on which Tibetans can learn and develop new skills,” said 29-year-old Yeshi.“Our culture is very important, not only for Tibetans but for the whole world. But if we want to preserve our Tibetan culture then we must make it of value.“There are many skilled people within the Tibetan community, including musicians and other performers, but most have just stayed in their bedrooms. If we provide a platform and pay people to perform here they will realise it is good to learn a skill as it will help them to find jobs.“If we tell our children ‘you must learn the Tibetan language because you are Tibetan,’ they won’t study. They will have no enthusiasm. But people will be keen to learn Tibetan skills if they know they can make a living out of them.”Yeshi, who has a degree in commerce from Bangalore University, a Masters in Business Law, and is a trained accountant, was just a 12-year-old shepherd boy when he left Tsawa in Kham, eastern Tibet, to traverse the frozen high Himalayan mountains into India.

China, was held at the India International Centre, organised by the Gandhi Peace Foundation. The key speakers were Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Venerable Kirti Rinpoche, Lalit Mansingh, former secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, and Jayadeva Ranade, former Cabinet Additional Secretary.January 3 marked the campaign’s third day, with a prayer session at Jantar Mantar, led by His Eminence Gaden Tri Rinpoche, 102nd throne-holder of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and the first of Indian origin. Former External Affairs Minister of India, Shri Jaswant Singh, visited the gathering and expressed his support of and solidarity with Tibet and the Tibetan people.Also present were His Eminence Kirti Rinpoche and members of the CTA leadership, including Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Speaker Mr Penpa Tsering, Kalons (ministers) and parliamentarians. Over 6,000 Tibetans took part in the event, the majority from monastic communities.In the afternoon, students from TCV Gopalpur staged a 30-minute drama depicting the current situation and dire conditions in Tibet, which moved many of the audience to tears.Kirti Rinpoche told the crowd, “If China has any

evidence for the alleged involvement of Tibetans outside Tibet in the self-immolations, it should be placed before the outside world.”On February 2, more than 1,500 Indian supporters and 6,000 Tibetans took part in a day-long event at Jantar Mantar to mark the end of the campaign. The 30-plus Indian dignitaries present included MPs, and party and youth leaders.Shri Yashwant Sinha, convener of the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet began by telling the crowd, “Self-immolation is the ultimate sacrifice an individual can make for one’s cause,” and pledged to “work to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address the Indian parliament in March this year.”Shri Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party condemned the atrocities committed by China in Tibet, and said that he had “written to the Prime Minister, Shri Manmohan Singh, to make efforts to resolve the issue of Tibet.”BJP National Spokesperson, Shri Chandan Mitra, described the Tibetan struggle as “representative of the struggle of the people of the world who love freedom and peace,” and stressed that, “Tibetans in Tibet have the right to live their lives with dignity.” He concluded, “Tibet’s security will ensure India’s security.”The master of ceremonies for the day was Mr Penpa Tsering, speaker of the exile Tibetan

Parliament-in-exile. Closing remarks were delivered by Sikyong (politicial leader) Dr Lobsang Sangay.Alongside the campaign four-day campaign, members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile met with senior officers of the India-based United Nations Human Rights Council, and foreign diplomats from 20 countries. The delegation, headed by Pema Choejor, Kalon (minister) for religion asked the representatives to urge China to allow the media unfettered access to Tibet and to allow the United Nations and international fact-finding delegations to investigate and report on the real causes behind the self-immolations.The delegation also requested that the human rights council urge China to allow governmental, parliamentary and diplomatic delegations to visit Tibet in order to ascertain ground realities there, to review its failed hardline policies in Tibet and to address the grievances of the Tibetan people by resolving the issue of Tibet through dialogue.The diplomats present confirmed support for the Tibetan cause and said that they will raise the Tibet issue with their Chinese counterparts.Shri Jaswant Singh, former Indian Foreign Minister, along with other supporters, expressed his joy at seeing such a huge gathering of Tibetans and affirmed his support “in finding an early resolution to the pressing Tibetan issue.”

....... Continued from page 7

“I came from a 13th century place,” he grinned. “In my village there was no electricity and no vehicles. At that time, many people hadn’t seen electricity in their whole lives. Now things have changed. The first time I saw a truck I was very afraid!”Once in India he attended Tibetan Children’s Village schools in Suja, near Bir in Himachal Pradesh, and Bylakuppe in Karnataka, South India, before attending university in nearby Bangalore. Eighteen months ago he came to Mcleod Ganj and ran local NGO, Volunteer Tibet, where his careful management and sociable disposition earned him many friends in the local community and across the world, some of whom he has brought with him to help lay the foundations of Tibet World its very first volunteers.“I came here because I was interested to do something for our Tibetan community,” he said.“I believe that education is the most important thing for Tibet and for the whole world. Our government, the Central Tibetan Administration, can’t provide everything. All Tibetans have a responsibility to do something for education, so I’m hoping to provide education in the local community and also give training in some specialist skills.”Outlining his intention to develop the organisation’s current Beginner and Intermediate level language classes into organised three month courses for paying students who will be required to sit exams in order to gain official certified qualifications, he continued: “I really want Tibet World to be a place where people can gain a proper education, but at the moment our main problems are financial as if we want to recruit long-term, qualified teachers we will need to pay them. Students will pay for their classes, but we hope to be able to make some scholarships available in the future.“The environment is also very important. We need to start, think and act locally, so everything we do

is going to begin in Mcleod Ganj.“The Tibetan world is a small one and cultural exchange between Tibetans and people from other countries is very important too,” he continued. “Tibet World will be a platform for all these activities.”Hannah Baker, 22, from Bristol in the United Kingdom, followed Yeshi from Volunteer Tibet to teach the Intermediate level English class.She said: “On the first day we had no students, but the next day we had eight. They are all so keen and enthusiastic. “Everyone should make use of Tibet World because it’s brilliant. People can learn so much here. So far all of our students have been Tibetan and they have already started making friends and getting to know each other. Some of them may have only just arrived from Tibet and it’s a great place for them to meet other Tibetans.”“Everyone needs to help us preserve our Tibetan culture,” concluded Yeshi.“And here, we can do what we like. I have many plans.”

Tibet World is currently recruiting volunteer language teachers, web designers, environmentalists, writers and editors, musicians, administrative assistants, and anyone else who would like to make a difference and is able to commit for a minimum of two weeks.Everyone is invited to join Tibet World’s conversation class to enable Tibetan English language students to practice their speaking and listening skills on Monday – Friday between 3 – 4pm, on either a daily or a drop in basis.Donations are also extremely welcome.

For more information please visit the Tibet World office, contact Yeshi on: 09900 774957, or

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