DHARAMSHALA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Dharamsala today for a thirteen-day visit to the United States, where he will confer the Kalachakra Initiation for World Peace.
His Holiness will be in Washington, DC, to confer the Kalachakra Initiation for World Peace, at Verizon Center from 6 to 16 July. Many of the events will be webcast live in English, Chinese and Russian languages. (Watch live webcast of Kalachakra for World Peace)
On 6 July, His Holiness will give a short teaching, following which he will grace an event in honour of his 76th birthday. The birthday celebrations will be joined by Mr Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and Mr Martin Luther King III, son of the late Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be broadcast live on www.dalailama.com
During the first three days of the Kalachakra Initiation from 6 to 8 July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other ancient rituals.
From 9 to 11 July, His Holiness will give preliminary teachings on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's "37 Practices of a Bodhisatva (Laklen Sodunma)" and Kamalashila's "The Middling States of Meditation (Gomrim Barpa)".
On 12 July, the Kalachakra Ritual Dance will be performed by the monks of Namgyal Monastery.
His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from 13 to 15 July.
Tibetans seek blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he leaves Dharamsala for a thirteen-day visit to the US
On 16 July, a long life empowerment and a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be performed.
His Holiness will also give a public talk on “A Talk for World Peace” at the West Lawn of the US Capitol on 9 July. The event will feature eminent author, producer and winner of Grammy and Golden Globe awards, Whoopi Goldberg, who is also equally well-known for her charitable and humanitarian efforts around the world. Also participating in the World Peace event is recording artist Skylar Grey, who will perform a never before heard song as a tribute to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people.
The Capital Area Tibetan Association based in Washington, DC, is organising the Kalachakra Initiation and the public talk for world peace.
“The Capital Area Tibetan Association (CATA), along with the greater Tibetan community, Mongolians, Kalmyks, and the peoples of the Himalyan regions, join in acting on behalf of Buddhists throughout North America and the world. Together, we realise that the Kalachakra offers an unparalleled way to amplify the profound, unshakable commitment of His Holiness to values such as love, compassion, wisdom and interfaith harmony,” CATA said in a statement.
“In addition, we humbly want to offer our work on this great event as an expression of gratitude to the people of the United States, our host country, and to all those in the Western Hemisphere and around the world who have so kindly supported the preservation of Tibet’s rich culture, spiritual heritage, and distinctive identity for many years now. We deeply appreciate how your kind and generous commitments has enabled Tibet’s unique spiritual wisdom-heritage to survive, spread and take root in all parts of our world,” the statement noted.
On 17 July, His Holiness will give a public talk on Bridging the Faith Divide in the afternoon at the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC) Pavilion organised by The Theosophical Society in America.
His Holiness will visit Chicago on 18 July to participate in a conversation with religious leaders on Building Bridges in the morning at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance organised by The Theosophical Society in་་་America.
Monday, July 4, 2011
In our struggle for freedom, we must not forget that Chinese people are our allies!
By Tenzin Nyinjey
Since ancient times, China has inspired, and at times overawed, travelers and writers from all over the world. The country's old civilization, built on the foundations of complex Confucian philosophical thoughts, and manifested by its golden-canopied pagodas, diverse food, massive population and highly mobilized cities, have been the source of inspiration, often bordering on envy, for these writers. The legendary travel account of Marco Polo, who journeyed to Kublai Khan's court in Beijing, is widely considered to be one of the most classic works ever written till date. This particular travel account further spawned Europe's fascination with the Middle Kingdom, and the West since then has been struggling to understand, or better put, 'unlock the mysteries of China.'
I am in no way alluding to having myself blessed with Marco Polo's curiosity, determination and will power that prompted him to risk his own life, so as to travel all the way on foot to China from his beautiful homeland of Venice. Like any other normal human being, however, with some form of curiosity and sense of adventure deeply ingrained in my soul, I too have been fascinated by China's evolution as one of the oldest and most complex of civilizations on earth. The monolithic and awe-inspiring Great Wall of China, which stretches to more than 4,000 miles, and erected thousands of years ago, will strike the chord of any curious mind as to the mystery of that Chinese emperor who was forced to tread on such a grand venture. Furthermore, being a Tibetan exile myself, whose country has had to suffer the ravages of Chinese colonialism, my personal fate and destiny are inextricably linked with developments within China. All these karmic forces, for want of better expression, combined themselves to sow in me the seeds of interest to study and understand China and the Chinese people.
Of course, as part of Tibetan generation that is nurtured and brought up on the idea of restoring Tibetan freedom, my formative steps in gaining knowledge about China was mainly through the lens of China's occupation of my homeland Tibet. Indeed, my initial attempts to 'understand' China was more politically-motivated in nature - in the sense that, instead of trying to understand the complex realities underpinning China's occupation of Tibet, I was keen on simply condemning China's crimes in my country. Part of the reason for this, perhaps, lies in the fact that most of the literature that I read then was produced by exile Tibetan organizations, which appears to be concerned only with China's destruction of our homeland, a truth that cannot be denied at all costs.
However, I feel this truth, understandably, was narrated with so much bitterness and indignation that, far from generating hope and courage in our minds, it has the contradictory effect of sowing resentment in our hearts against China and the Chinese people. This, in turn, spawned frustration and cynicism amongst us, whenever our leadership advocated peaceful dialogues and reconciliation with the Chinese leadership.
Readers might feel that I am condoning China for its crimes inside Tibet! What I am arguing, in fact, is that at times we are not able to uphold our moral courage and vision to see not just China's occupation of our country, but also the fact that millions of Chinese people are denied freedom and suffer as much as we do. We seem to think that China is only about the ruling Communist party, crass commercialism and its twin brother, corruption. We fail to see the Chinese culture and its deep sense of humanism, as aesthetically shown in the writings of Lu Xun. We tend to forget, and thus fail to genuinely admire, the fact that despite the ruling Chinese Communist party's desecration of Tibet and mainland China through its violence, corruption and destruction of cultural and religious values, the country, and its people, has not lost its moral conscience.
This is understandable, for we have suffered so much in the last more than fifty years. Our dignity and identity have been trampled upon, and the Chinese regime has not even acknowledged its errors inside Tibet, leave alone rectifying them. The sheer lies, mendacity and hypocrisy of the Chinese regime can knock the compassion and tolerance of any person. What's more, the majority of the Chinese people also follow the party line and think that Tibetans are 'barbaric,' and that China has done a great service by 'liberating' us! All these sad realities make it quite difficult for us to sympathize with the sufferings of the Chinese people.
However, these realities cannot serve as excuses to not see the fact that, apart from the likes of Liu Xiabao, Ai Wei Wei and Hu Jias, there are millions of ordinary Chinese peasants and workers who have the compassion to understand and sympathize with the tragedy and suffering unfolding inside Tibet, if they are given access to free information. Therefore, we must find out creative ways to reach out to as many Chinese people as possible in a spirit of reconciliation. We must reaffirm our deep understanding of the truth that, although belonging to a different ethnic nationality, the pain and agony we suffer at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party echoes in the hearts and minds of millions of ordinary Chinese too.
Most importantly, we must strengthen our belief that all of us, both the majority of Tibetans and Chinese (and other so-called minority nationalities), share a common destiny - namely that of Chinese Communist Party's oppression and denial of our basic human dignity! Let us make clear to the world, especially to the Chinese people, that our struggle is for freedom and justice inside Tibet, and not against China and the Chinese people. This is possible only when we see China beyond the ruling Communist party and its cronies!
Since ancient times, China has inspired, and at times overawed, travelers and writers from all over the world. The country's old civilization, built on the foundations of complex Confucian philosophical thoughts, and manifested by its golden-canopied pagodas, diverse food, massive population and highly mobilized cities, have been the source of inspiration, often bordering on envy, for these writers. The legendary travel account of Marco Polo, who journeyed to Kublai Khan's court in Beijing, is widely considered to be one of the most classic works ever written till date. This particular travel account further spawned Europe's fascination with the Middle Kingdom, and the West since then has been struggling to understand, or better put, 'unlock the mysteries of China.'
I am in no way alluding to having myself blessed with Marco Polo's curiosity, determination and will power that prompted him to risk his own life, so as to travel all the way on foot to China from his beautiful homeland of Venice. Like any other normal human being, however, with some form of curiosity and sense of adventure deeply ingrained in my soul, I too have been fascinated by China's evolution as one of the oldest and most complex of civilizations on earth. The monolithic and awe-inspiring Great Wall of China, which stretches to more than 4,000 miles, and erected thousands of years ago, will strike the chord of any curious mind as to the mystery of that Chinese emperor who was forced to tread on such a grand venture. Furthermore, being a Tibetan exile myself, whose country has had to suffer the ravages of Chinese colonialism, my personal fate and destiny are inextricably linked with developments within China. All these karmic forces, for want of better expression, combined themselves to sow in me the seeds of interest to study and understand China and the Chinese people.
Of course, as part of Tibetan generation that is nurtured and brought up on the idea of restoring Tibetan freedom, my formative steps in gaining knowledge about China was mainly through the lens of China's occupation of my homeland Tibet. Indeed, my initial attempts to 'understand' China was more politically-motivated in nature - in the sense that, instead of trying to understand the complex realities underpinning China's occupation of Tibet, I was keen on simply condemning China's crimes in my country. Part of the reason for this, perhaps, lies in the fact that most of the literature that I read then was produced by exile Tibetan organizations, which appears to be concerned only with China's destruction of our homeland, a truth that cannot be denied at all costs.
However, I feel this truth, understandably, was narrated with so much bitterness and indignation that, far from generating hope and courage in our minds, it has the contradictory effect of sowing resentment in our hearts against China and the Chinese people. This, in turn, spawned frustration and cynicism amongst us, whenever our leadership advocated peaceful dialogues and reconciliation with the Chinese leadership.
Readers might feel that I am condoning China for its crimes inside Tibet! What I am arguing, in fact, is that at times we are not able to uphold our moral courage and vision to see not just China's occupation of our country, but also the fact that millions of Chinese people are denied freedom and suffer as much as we do. We seem to think that China is only about the ruling Communist party, crass commercialism and its twin brother, corruption. We fail to see the Chinese culture and its deep sense of humanism, as aesthetically shown in the writings of Lu Xun. We tend to forget, and thus fail to genuinely admire, the fact that despite the ruling Chinese Communist party's desecration of Tibet and mainland China through its violence, corruption and destruction of cultural and religious values, the country, and its people, has not lost its moral conscience.
This is understandable, for we have suffered so much in the last more than fifty years. Our dignity and identity have been trampled upon, and the Chinese regime has not even acknowledged its errors inside Tibet, leave alone rectifying them. The sheer lies, mendacity and hypocrisy of the Chinese regime can knock the compassion and tolerance of any person. What's more, the majority of the Chinese people also follow the party line and think that Tibetans are 'barbaric,' and that China has done a great service by 'liberating' us! All these sad realities make it quite difficult for us to sympathize with the sufferings of the Chinese people.
However, these realities cannot serve as excuses to not see the fact that, apart from the likes of Liu Xiabao, Ai Wei Wei and Hu Jias, there are millions of ordinary Chinese peasants and workers who have the compassion to understand and sympathize with the tragedy and suffering unfolding inside Tibet, if they are given access to free information. Therefore, we must find out creative ways to reach out to as many Chinese people as possible in a spirit of reconciliation. We must reaffirm our deep understanding of the truth that, although belonging to a different ethnic nationality, the pain and agony we suffer at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party echoes in the hearts and minds of millions of ordinary Chinese too.
Most importantly, we must strengthen our belief that all of us, both the majority of Tibetans and Chinese (and other so-called minority nationalities), share a common destiny - namely that of Chinese Communist Party's oppression and denial of our basic human dignity! Let us make clear to the world, especially to the Chinese people, that our struggle is for freedom and justice inside Tibet, and not against China and the Chinese people. This is possible only when we see China beyond the ruling Communist party and its cronies!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Dalai Lama says China has no role in picking heir
(By RAVI NESSMAN - Associated Press) - The Dalai Lama said Friday that China's Communist leadership can play no role in deciding who succeeds him as the leader of Tibetan Buddhism upon his death and called Beijing's meddling in the issue "a disgrace."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivering his statement for the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising in 1959. Phayul file/Norbu Wangyal
His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivering his statement for the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising in 1959. Phayul file/Norbu Wangyal
The Nobel Peace laureate turns 76 next week and has begun preparing his people for his eventual death in hopes of preventing his homeland's Chinese rulers from taking advantage of the leadership vacuum.
The Dalai Lama, whose predecessors ruled Tibet as god-kings for four centuries, gave up his role as Tibet's political leader in favor of an elected exile government in May.
He has said the next Dalai Lama - who would be the 15th incarnation of the spiritual leader - will be born in exile and even floated the idea of choosing his own successor while still alive.
Beijing, which hopes the Tibetan national movement will fizzle with his death, has responded by insisting the Dalai Lama will be reincarnated in Chinese-controlled Tibet and accusing the current Dalai Lama of violating religious tradition.
"One thing I want to make clear, as far as my own rebirth is concerned, the final authority is myself and no one else, and obviously not China's Communists," he told The Associated Press in an interview.
"This is a religious matter," he said, pointing out that China's atheist Communists don't believe in reincarnation, so can't decide a matter based in that belief.
"It's a disgrace to see that they want to control that," he said. "They've become mad by political power."
China claims Tibet has been its territory for centuries, although many Tibetans say it was effectively independent for most of that time. The Dalai Lama fled into exile amid an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, nine years after Communist forces entered the Himalayan region.
On Friday, he rejected the suggestion that now that he is retired from politics he might be willing to discuss with China his return to Tibet without linking it to other conditions about Tibetan autonomy or China's treatment of Tibetans.
"No," he said. "The Tibetan issue is not just my return."
He said his concern was for the basic rights of the 6 million Tibetans and their culture.
"As soon as China's government is showing their courage to face the reality, then I am ready to go there to help them to promote genuine reconciliation," he said.
The Communist-led Chinese government has held nine rounds of talks with the Dalai Lama and his representatives over the years, with no headway.
Beijing says the Dalai Lama is welcome to come back if he drops his separatist activities, accepts Tibet as an inalienable part of China and recognizes Taiwan as a province of China.
The Dalai Lama has repeatedly denied seeking Tibet's independence from China.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivering his statement for the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising in 1959. Phayul file/Norbu Wangyal
His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivering his statement for the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising in 1959. Phayul file/Norbu Wangyal
The Nobel Peace laureate turns 76 next week and has begun preparing his people for his eventual death in hopes of preventing his homeland's Chinese rulers from taking advantage of the leadership vacuum.
The Dalai Lama, whose predecessors ruled Tibet as god-kings for four centuries, gave up his role as Tibet's political leader in favor of an elected exile government in May.
He has said the next Dalai Lama - who would be the 15th incarnation of the spiritual leader - will be born in exile and even floated the idea of choosing his own successor while still alive.
Beijing, which hopes the Tibetan national movement will fizzle with his death, has responded by insisting the Dalai Lama will be reincarnated in Chinese-controlled Tibet and accusing the current Dalai Lama of violating religious tradition.
"One thing I want to make clear, as far as my own rebirth is concerned, the final authority is myself and no one else, and obviously not China's Communists," he told The Associated Press in an interview.
"This is a religious matter," he said, pointing out that China's atheist Communists don't believe in reincarnation, so can't decide a matter based in that belief.
"It's a disgrace to see that they want to control that," he said. "They've become mad by political power."
China claims Tibet has been its territory for centuries, although many Tibetans say it was effectively independent for most of that time. The Dalai Lama fled into exile amid an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, nine years after Communist forces entered the Himalayan region.
On Friday, he rejected the suggestion that now that he is retired from politics he might be willing to discuss with China his return to Tibet without linking it to other conditions about Tibetan autonomy or China's treatment of Tibetans.
"No," he said. "The Tibetan issue is not just my return."
He said his concern was for the basic rights of the 6 million Tibetans and their culture.
"As soon as China's government is showing their courage to face the reality, then I am ready to go there to help them to promote genuine reconciliation," he said.
The Communist-led Chinese government has held nine rounds of talks with the Dalai Lama and his representatives over the years, with no headway.
Beijing says the Dalai Lama is welcome to come back if he drops his separatist activities, accepts Tibet as an inalienable part of China and recognizes Taiwan as a province of China.
The Dalai Lama has repeatedly denied seeking Tibet's independence from China.
World Tibet Day Celebrations Set for July 6
Dharamshala: On July 6, Tibetans and Tibet supporters worldwide will celebrate the second annual World Tibet Day. During World Tibet Day, held on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 76th birthday, groups will view the documentary "The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom" and observe the anniversary of the Uyghur Uprising in East Turkestan.
World Tibet Day was founded in 1998 Richard Rosenkranz, a former US senate correspondent and Pulitzer Prize nominee, and by the Dalai Lama's younger brother Tendzin Choegyal. The event strives to increase awareness of the genocide in Tibet, support the restoration of basic freedoms in Tibet, and celebrate Tibetan culture.
In order to attract a large number of participants, the founders chose His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday, an already widely-celebrated day, as the date. Tibet support groups all over the world, such as Friends of Tibet, a group founded in Mumbai with many international chapters, will host World Tibet Day events.
Friends of Tibet (www.friendsoftibet.org), urges Tibet supporters to become involved with World Tibet Day. "We need to act now: Tibetan people in occupied Tibet are facing cultural genocide; it's urgent we act immediately. As one response to this, we are trying to make WTD as big as possible in size and scope--through observances by Tibetan Associations and support groups along with educational campaigns in schools and colleges around the world."
"The Sun Behind the Clouds," a film by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, focuses on the events surrounding His Holiness and the Tibetan people during the year 2008. Such events include the 2008 protests in Tibet, the global reaction to these protests, the Beijing Olympics and the unsuccessful talks between His Holiness and the Chinese government. The film also looks at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's peaceful approach to dealing with China through dialogue differ from the more confrontational actions of younger Tibetans.
The WTD event will also honor those who died in the 5 July 2009 peaceful protest by Uyghurs against Chinese authorities in East Turkestan, a protest met violently by the authorities. The protest escalated ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and Han Chinese, and it is estimated that over 1000 died in the conflict.
According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "World Tibet Day has opened many hearts to fundamental rights of the Tibetan people to preserve our culture and to practice our religion freely. The event has greatly raised public awareness to the present threat to the very existence of the Tibetan people."
For more information about World Tibet Day and about hosting a WTD event, visit www.worldtibetday.org.
World Tibet Day was founded in 1998 Richard Rosenkranz, a former US senate correspondent and Pulitzer Prize nominee, and by the Dalai Lama's younger brother Tendzin Choegyal. The event strives to increase awareness of the genocide in Tibet, support the restoration of basic freedoms in Tibet, and celebrate Tibetan culture.
In order to attract a large number of participants, the founders chose His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday, an already widely-celebrated day, as the date. Tibet support groups all over the world, such as Friends of Tibet, a group founded in Mumbai with many international chapters, will host World Tibet Day events.
Friends of Tibet (www.friendsoftibet.org), urges Tibet supporters to become involved with World Tibet Day. "We need to act now: Tibetan people in occupied Tibet are facing cultural genocide; it's urgent we act immediately. As one response to this, we are trying to make WTD as big as possible in size and scope--through observances by Tibetan Associations and support groups along with educational campaigns in schools and colleges around the world."
"The Sun Behind the Clouds," a film by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, focuses on the events surrounding His Holiness and the Tibetan people during the year 2008. Such events include the 2008 protests in Tibet, the global reaction to these protests, the Beijing Olympics and the unsuccessful talks between His Holiness and the Chinese government. The film also looks at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's peaceful approach to dealing with China through dialogue differ from the more confrontational actions of younger Tibetans.
The WTD event will also honor those who died in the 5 July 2009 peaceful protest by Uyghurs against Chinese authorities in East Turkestan, a protest met violently by the authorities. The protest escalated ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and Han Chinese, and it is estimated that over 1000 died in the conflict.
According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "World Tibet Day has opened many hearts to fundamental rights of the Tibetan people to preserve our culture and to practice our religion freely. The event has greatly raised public awareness to the present threat to the very existence of the Tibetan people."
For more information about World Tibet Day and about hosting a WTD event, visit www.worldtibetday.org.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Dharamsala Appeals to China to Lift Blockade of Monastery in Tibet
Urges Restraint from Both Tibetans and Chinese Authorities
“We deeply regret the tense stand-off between the local Chinese authorities and the monks of Kirti Monastery and the local Tibetan population of Ngaba in northeastern Tibet,” said Kalon Kesang Y Takla, Kalon for the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamsala. Kalon Kesang Y Takla further said: “In the strongest possible terms we urge both the Chinese authorities and the Tibetans in Ngaba to exercise utmost restraint. At the same time we urge the local Chinese authorities to immediately stop its blockade of Kirti Monastery.”
Kalon Kesang Y Takla is reacting to the tense situation prevailing at Kirti Monastery, which is cordoned off by hundreds of Chinese armed forces who at one time prevented food and water being supplied to the 2,500 or so monks of the monastery.
This situation rose when Phuntsog, a 21-year-old monk of Kirti Monastery, set himself on fire on 16 March this year to protest the massive repression that was launched to crush the wide-spread peaceful protests in 2008, three years ago.
Shortly after Phuntsog lit himself on fire, eye-witnesses say the Chinese police beat him while extinguishing the flames. A group of Tibetan monks retrieved the fatally wounded monk from the police captivity and took him inside the monastery. At the same time, hundreds of monks and local Tibetans took to the streets to express their resentment over the Chinese authorities' heavy-handed approach over the incident. A large contingent of security forces were brought in to disperse the Tibetan protesters, many of whom were beaten indiscriminately with electric batons and iron clubs before being taken into police custody. Meanwhile, Phuntsog, who remained holed up for hours inside the monastery cordoned off by armed military forces, succumbed to his grievous burn injuries in the early hours of 17 March at a hospital. Hospital authorities demanded police clearance for treatment.
As part of the broadening crackdown, the Chinese government had enforced “patriotic re-education” campaign at Kirti Monastery since 20 March. The authorities have imposed an indefinite ban on the religious activities at the monastery. The situation worsened on 11 April as the local Tibetans gathered at Kirti monastery in an attempt to protect monks from being taken away for “re-education” at a detention centre. Several Tibetans were beaten and injured after the police set trained dogs on the crowd.
The Chinese government has started building concrete walls to close the gaps between the barbed wire fence to reinforce the blockade imposed on Kirti Monastery, restricting 2,500 monks from leaving the monastery. An estimated 800 additional armed security personnel were deployed at the monastery on last Saturday.
The security clampdown in Ngaba was further intensified on 20 March as the Tibetans attempted to celebrate the democratic elections in the exile community. Despite a heavy buildup of troops in the area, some people in Ngaba conducted prayers inside their homes and set off fire-crackers to mark the day. Some Tibetans were detained in the crackdown.
Sporadic arrests of Tibetans were also reported in Tawa, Kanyag Dewa and Cha township in Ngaba from 22 – 24 March
“We deeply regret the tense stand-off between the local Chinese authorities and the monks of Kirti Monastery and the local Tibetan population of Ngaba in northeastern Tibet,” said Kalon Kesang Y Takla, Kalon for the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamsala. Kalon Kesang Y Takla further said: “In the strongest possible terms we urge both the Chinese authorities and the Tibetans in Ngaba to exercise utmost restraint. At the same time we urge the local Chinese authorities to immediately stop its blockade of Kirti Monastery.”
Kalon Kesang Y Takla is reacting to the tense situation prevailing at Kirti Monastery, which is cordoned off by hundreds of Chinese armed forces who at one time prevented food and water being supplied to the 2,500 or so monks of the monastery.
This situation rose when Phuntsog, a 21-year-old monk of Kirti Monastery, set himself on fire on 16 March this year to protest the massive repression that was launched to crush the wide-spread peaceful protests in 2008, three years ago.
Shortly after Phuntsog lit himself on fire, eye-witnesses say the Chinese police beat him while extinguishing the flames. A group of Tibetan monks retrieved the fatally wounded monk from the police captivity and took him inside the monastery. At the same time, hundreds of monks and local Tibetans took to the streets to express their resentment over the Chinese authorities' heavy-handed approach over the incident. A large contingent of security forces were brought in to disperse the Tibetan protesters, many of whom were beaten indiscriminately with electric batons and iron clubs before being taken into police custody. Meanwhile, Phuntsog, who remained holed up for hours inside the monastery cordoned off by armed military forces, succumbed to his grievous burn injuries in the early hours of 17 March at a hospital. Hospital authorities demanded police clearance for treatment.
As part of the broadening crackdown, the Chinese government had enforced “patriotic re-education” campaign at Kirti Monastery since 20 March. The authorities have imposed an indefinite ban on the religious activities at the monastery. The situation worsened on 11 April as the local Tibetans gathered at Kirti monastery in an attempt to protect monks from being taken away for “re-education” at a detention centre. Several Tibetans were beaten and injured after the police set trained dogs on the crowd.
The Chinese government has started building concrete walls to close the gaps between the barbed wire fence to reinforce the blockade imposed on Kirti Monastery, restricting 2,500 monks from leaving the monastery. An estimated 800 additional armed security personnel were deployed at the monastery on last Saturday.
The security clampdown in Ngaba was further intensified on 20 March as the Tibetans attempted to celebrate the democratic elections in the exile community. Despite a heavy buildup of troops in the area, some people in Ngaba conducted prayers inside their homes and set off fire-crackers to mark the day. Some Tibetans were detained in the crackdown.
Sporadic arrests of Tibetans were also reported in Tawa, Kanyag Dewa and Cha township in Ngaba from 22 – 24 March
Lhoba
Kosmix
Lhoba is a term used in to describe groups of people who speak the Tibeto-Burman language and are native to the Pemako region of southern Tibet. The Pemako region includes the areas of Mainling, Medog, and Zayu of the Nyingichi region and the Lhunze area of the Shannan region. The name is most prominently used in Chinese government as the Chinese country considers Lhoba to be a significant group within their population. However, most of the people who are referred to as the Lhoba, or the people who reside in the Xizand Autonomous Region, refer to themselves by a large number of different names that are unique to each community. There are two major tribal nations that are referred to most often as the Lhoba. The first of these groups is the Yidu tribe; the tribe is also knowns as the Idu or Mishmi and is found mostly in Tibet. The other tribe is known as the Bokar or Adi and inhabits the part of India that is currently claimed by China for the most part. Another smaller but notable tribe that is referred to as Lhoba would be the Na or Bangni. All three of these tribes are known to speak the Yidu, Adi, and Na languages.
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Read more: http://www.kosmix.com/topic/lhoba/Reference#ixzz1QrrZFRRS
Lhoba is a term used in to describe groups of people who speak the Tibeto-Burman language and are native to the Pemako region of southern Tibet. The Pemako region includes the areas of Mainling, Medog, and Zayu of the Nyingichi region and the Lhunze area of the Shannan region. The name is most prominently used in Chinese government as the Chinese country considers Lhoba to be a significant group within their population. However, most of the people who are referred to as the Lhoba, or the people who reside in the Xizand Autonomous Region, refer to themselves by a large number of different names that are unique to each community. There are two major tribal nations that are referred to most often as the Lhoba. The first of these groups is the Yidu tribe; the tribe is also knowns as the Idu or Mishmi and is found mostly in Tibet. The other tribe is known as the Bokar or Adi and inhabits the part of India that is currently claimed by China for the most part. Another smaller but notable tribe that is referred to as Lhoba would be the Na or Bangni. All three of these tribes are known to speak the Yidu, Adi, and Na languages.
see less
Read more: http://www.kosmix.com/topic/lhoba/Reference#ixzz1QrrZFRRS
Miao choepheling youth realises important of education
By Tsangla,Tsewang Dorjee
In 1962 rehabilitation had taken place, the same year CST changlang was started ,elders were great hope of ray for their children. But helpless students had to dropped the school and joined military their salary sent to their parents , thirty years later they found there were no changes in the settlement life specially in the field of education due to financial difficulties, exile govt. has given important with slightly neglected by excusing remote area and etc. After 52 years, found ,still there is no substantial changes except increased population in the settlement instead, with fingers tips countable graduates.
As a result,Miao choepheling youths are realizing the important of education to improve the life in the settlement.Therefore , to facilitate recognition among students who deserve by presenting token of prizes on auspicious occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 76th Birthday celebration on 6th july2011 at miao.
Miao Choephelling students secured above 70% in class XII CBSE Exam conducted by CBSE 2011, are:
1. Tenzin Dawa 78.4% Science,
2. Tsering Yangchen 72% Arts
3. PemaYangchen 73% Arts,
4. Tenzin Palden 84% Arts,
5. Yeshi Tenpa 72% Science,
6.Dawa dorjee 71% Arts
7. Tsering Dickyi 75% Science
8. Tenzin Thinlay 70% Arts
In 1962 rehabilitation had taken place, the same year CST changlang was started ,elders were great hope of ray for their children. But helpless students had to dropped the school and joined military their salary sent to their parents , thirty years later they found there were no changes in the settlement life specially in the field of education due to financial difficulties, exile govt. has given important with slightly neglected by excusing remote area and etc. After 52 years, found ,still there is no substantial changes except increased population in the settlement instead, with fingers tips countable graduates.
As a result,Miao choepheling youths are realizing the important of education to improve the life in the settlement.Therefore , to facilitate recognition among students who deserve by presenting token of prizes on auspicious occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 76th Birthday celebration on 6th july2011 at miao.
Miao Choephelling students secured above 70% in class XII CBSE Exam conducted by CBSE 2011, are:
1. Tenzin Dawa 78.4% Science,
2. Tsering Yangchen 72% Arts
3. PemaYangchen 73% Arts,
4. Tenzin Palden 84% Arts,
5. Yeshi Tenpa 72% Science,
6.Dawa dorjee 71% Arts
7. Tsering Dickyi 75% Science
8. Tenzin Thinlay 70% Arts
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