Tibet Post International e-Newspaper

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Tibetan admin. condoles demise of the 14th Sharmapa Rinpoche Vol. 03, Issue 111, Print Issue 35, 15 June 2014

Sikyong of Tibet meets Tibetan information hero

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Tenzin Yangzom from Gangtok crowned Miss Tibet 2014 B o d - K y i - Cha-Trin

A Voice For Tibet Bi-monthly

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Living, loving, laughing and Dying: The Buddhist Way By Jane Cook: 03 June 2014

By Rajdip Ray: 10 June 2014

Dharamshala: - On the 2nd of June, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay met with Golok Jigme, the Information Hero. Jigme escaped to India after he was imrpisoned and tortured by the Chinese authorities for helping film maker Dhondup Wangchen with his documentary “Leaving Fear Behind.” He was listed in “100 Information Heroes”, a list compiled by Reporters Without Borders. During the two hour meeting, Golok Jigme told the Sikyong about his imprisonment, torture, and subsequent escape. He also told the Sikyong about the existing political conditions in Tibet. Dr. Sangay expressed his happiness at Golok Jigme’s timely arrival in India, and the release of Dhondup Wangchen, after six years of imprisonment. The Sikyong suggested that Golok Jigme should share his story with with the Tibetan people, and tell them about the conditions in Tibet, including students in Tibetan schools and colleges.

Tibetan parliamentary delegation visits Estonia By Jane Cook: 04 June 2014

Dharamshala: - Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel led a Tibetan parliamentary delegation to hold a lobby campaign in Estonian parliament on 29 May. The delagation was accompanied by Mr. Ansders Haq, President of the Estonian Tibet Support Group, Mr. Sven Grunberg and Mrs. Tami Paves from the Estonian Institute of Buddhism, along with Elena and Jolie from the International Campaign for Tibet. According to a report by the Tibetan Administration website ‘Tibet Net’, the delagtion spoke at length about the current situation in Tibet, and the atrocties which had led to more than 130 cases of self immolations. They also talked about the devolution of political authority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to an elected leadership and the need to resume dialogue between the Chinese government and Tibetan representatives to resolve the Tibet issue. The delegation also met Kristina Ojuland, who is a former member of the European parliament. They briefed her for about the tragic situation in Tibet, and thanked her for her continual support. In return, she asked the delegation to raise awareness about the Tibet issue in Europe. The delegation also met Mr. Tunne Kelam, who was recently re-elected as a member of the European Parliament. Mr. Tunne raised the issue of Tibetans becoming a minority in their own land. He also said that it’s a moral duty for him to raise the issue of Tibet in the European parliament. Last year, a parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Penpa Tsering had visited Europe, to create awareneness about the critical situation in Europe, and to gather international support in order to resolve the Tibet issue.

Mumbai, Maharastra, India, 2 June 2014 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama began the final day of his stay in Mumbai by unveiling the foundation stone for the Somaiya Institute of Buddhist Studies, following which he spoke briefly and answered questions in the Somaiya School Hall. Asked his advice on how to live a good life he pointed out once again that it is time to be aware that the present education system, enmeshed in materialism as it is, is not adequate. He said there needs to be a systematic approach to introducing inner values, a warm-hearted concern for all human beings, into education. It needs to be an approach that has universal appeal, not restricted to this or that religious tradition, an approach, inspired by India’s understanding of secularism, that includes everyone. He said that work has begun on this project in relation to secular ethics, but more research needs to be done. He continued to expand on the theme of secular ethics in a talk to students of the Somaiya College in the Engineering College Hall. “Young brothers and sisters, you are all part of the 21st century generation, whereas my generation belongs to the 20th century. We created all kinds of problems that it’s going to be your responsibility to solve and clear up. Since many of the problems we face today are manmade, we won’t solve them by prayer but by taking action. Since Independence, India has made great progress, the economy has grown, and yet every year there are more mouths to fill. We need material development, but we may have to rethink how to achieve it.” He mentioned how the centralised economies of the USSR and Eastern Europe collapsed due to stagnation and acknowledged the dynamic force of market driven economies. However, he observed that the capitalist system seems to neglect the huge gap between rich and poor, all of which he said suggests a need for fresh thinking. His Holiness expressed his admiration for Pope Francis’ reprimanding a German Bishop for his opulent life-style. He said that when the people in them are no longer sincere, but only go through the motions, even religious institutions can become corrupt. However, while some people refer to religion as the opium of the people, no one refers to love and compassion, which are the essence of the message of religion. He recalled that Mao Zedong had made such a remark to him and reflected that the Chinese leader might

His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Somaiya Vidyavihar campus in Mumbai, India on June 2, 2014. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

have been surprised to see the interest that scientists today take in Buddhist knowledge of the mind and emotions. “The reason I emphasize our need for secular ethics,” His Holiness said, “is that many people neglect love, compassion, tolerance and contentment because they think of them as religious qualities. However, so long as we are human beings, social animals, we need such values to be able to live together. What’s more, scientists are finding that falling prey to destructive emotions is bad for our health.” When a student pressed His Holiness to comment on the Buddha’s silence in response to a question about the existence of a creator, he answered that from a Buddhist point of view the explanation of the Four Noble Truths contains an implicit denial. It says that beings and their experiences come about as a result of their action and delusion. Nevertheless, the Buddha also made it clear that his followers should

Tibetan medical college marks 53rd founding anniversary

Famous Tibetan filmmaker freed after six years in prison Graduating students posing with the dignitaries after the ceremony. (CTA/DIIR Photo) By Rajdip Ray: 02 June 2014

China steps up repression during religious festival in Tibet By Yeshe Choesang: 02 June 2014

Dharamshala: - Reports coming out of Tibet indicate that Chinese authorities are making every effort to restrict the number of devotees and tourists congregating at Mount Kailash, particularly during Saka Dawa, one of the most sacred months observed by Tibetans. Saka Dawa is celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calender, falling this year on 13 June. The day is very auspicious and sacred for Buddhists as the Buddha was born, got enlightened and achieved Pari-Nirvana on this day. ‘The government officials in the Tibet Autonomous Region have been ordered not to take their annual leave from the month of April to September this year. Any government official found taking leave during these months shall be dismissed from their posts,’ the Tibetan administration website Tibet Net reported, citing a source in the region. The report said that ‘similar restrictions have also been imposed on general Tibetans in Tibet. The Chinese authorities have also stopped issuing new or renewing old passports to Tibetans, the source said, adding that those who have already obtained their passports in the past have been asked to submit it back to the authorities.’ It is also reported that any Tibetan found to be attending the Kalachakra teaching by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Leh in India in July this year would face deprivation of their them-tho (Chinese: Huokou), a household registration system.

not accept what he said merely out of faith or respect for him, but by investigating and examining it for themselves. In answer to a question about women, he explained that when human need for leadership first emerged, the criterion was physical strength. Today, when education has rendered men and women equally capable, women should also be more active in leadership. When asked if Buddhism is best, he said he never propagates Buddhism and as stipulated in the Vinaya, the code of monastic discipline, only teaches when invited to do so. He repeated his usual advice that it is generally safer and better to stick to the faith you were born to. P-7.....

Dhondup Wangchen at his home on Thursday, 5 June after released from Chinese prison. Photo: Filming for Tibet By Yeshe Choesang: 05 June 2014

Dharamshala: – Dhondup Wangchen, who exposed China’s harsh policy in Tibet, was released from Chinese prison in Qinghai’s provincial capital Xining Thursday morning [5 June] after serving a six year sentence. “After some discussion with the authorities, he was finally driven by the police to Khotse (in Chinese, Keque, about two hours drive away from Xining) where he reached his sister’s home after at around 15.00hrs local time,’the Swiss based Tibetan group “filming for Tibet said in a statement. After six years in prison, the Tibetan filmmaker thanked his family, friends and supporters for their tireless efforts and hopes to see them soon. In a phone call to Gyaljong Tsetrin, cousin and president of Filming For Tibet, living in Switzerland, a very emotional Dhondup Wangchen said: “At this moment, I feel that everything inside me is in a sea of tears. I hope to recover my health soon. I would like to express my feeling of deepest gratitude for all the support I received while in prison and I want to be reunited with my family.” Lhamo Tso, wife of the imprisoned filmmaker who was granted US asylum in 2012 and now lives in San Francisco, is overjoyed: “Six years of injustice and painful counting the days ended today. It is a day of unbelievable joy for his parents in Dharamsala, our children

and myself. We look forward to be reunited as a family.” Gyaljong Tsetrin, his cousin and co-producer of “Leaving Fear Behind”, said after talking him to: “Though Dhondup is still under the control of the Chinese authorities I am very relieved that he finally could leave prison and has now the possibility to consult a doctor.” Dhondup Wangchen’s case is known internationally. He has been awarded by various international organisations such as Committee to Protect Journalists for his courageous work making the documentary “Leaving Fear Behind” and his case was the focal point of many campaigns of international human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Reporters without Borders. Government representatives around the world have brought up his case in their talks with their Chinese counterparts. The self-taught cameraman and video-activist travelled across Tibet with his assistant Golog Jigme in 2007/2008. His film “Leaving Fear Behind” (28 min.) has been translated into a dozen languages and has been screened in more than 30 countries worldwide. Golok Jigme, a Buddhist monk and human rights activist who worked on the the film “Leaving Fear Behind” with Tibetan film-maker Wangchen escaped Tibet after more than 18-months in hiding. He arrived at Dharamshala Tibetan Reception Center to a hero’s welcome on 19 May 2014.

Dharamshala: - The college of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (Tibetan: Men-Tsee-Khang) Monday [2 June] marked its 53rd founding anniversary of its auditorium in Gangchen Kyishong. The function was attended by chief guest Mr. Tsering Wangchuk, Kalon for the Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration and special guest Mr. Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Heath Kalon lauded the institute for its notable social work for looking after the medical needs of the Tibetan people as well as Indians and foreigners alike. At the same time, he urged the Tibetan doctors to continue serving the community through their noble profession and fulfil the advices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, while imbibing universal medical ethics. P-7.....

Ladakh to witness a mega musical event ‘Tashi Delek Concert’

Press conference for ‘Tashi Delek Concert’ held at Hotel Tibet, McLeod Ganj, India, on 7 June, 2014. Photo: TPI By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 08 June 2014

Dharamshala: - The newly-found HITA (Himalayan International Tradition Arts) Music Agency from Japan had launched its upcoming music event, the ‘Tashi Delek’ Concert at Hotel Tibet, launched by renowned Tibetan artist ‘Jhola Tehchung’. P-7.....


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