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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.

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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.

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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’.

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Editorial:

The ‘Middle Way Approach’ of Tibet and Chinese Lies 15 June 2014

Dharamshala: - In recent years, authorities of the People’s Republic of China have travelled around the world meeting heads of states and important, influential individuals, trying to convince them that Tibet is seeking separation from China, a move that affects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Chinese nation. However, this is far from the truth, and these blatant lies and propaganda being spread by the Chinese government, have negatively affected people’s perception of the cause of Tibet.

The Middle Way Approach is the long term sustainable solution to the issue of Tibet, proposed

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Also known as Umaylam in Tibetan, the Middle Way Approach is representative of the middle path between ‘repression and separation.’ According to the Middle Way Approach, a non partisan and moderate position has to be reached which safeguards the vital interests of all concerned parties-for Tibetans: the protection and preservation of their culture, religion and national identity; for the Chinese: the security and territorial integrity of the motherland; and for neighbours and other third parties: peaceful borders and international relations.

It has long been established that the Tibetans are not seeking independence from the Chinese government, but want ‘genuine autonomy’ for the three traditional provinces of Tibet- Kham, Amdho and U-Tsang, which have been forcefully occupied by the Chinese since 1959. The Chinese government claim that the Middle Way Approach is separatist in nature, even though all that it seeks to do is unify the Chinese and the Tibetans.

Talking about the Middle Way Approach, the Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay recently had said “Having been to many capitals around the world and met many political leaders and influential people, I know that there are a lot of people are informed about the middle way approach, but they have certain misunderstandings and incorrect notions about the middle way approach. Hence, the Tibetan administration felt the need to introduce this campaign to create awareness in , particularly because the Chinese government deliberately mislead international leaders and the international community about the middle way approach, which brings into question our intentions.”

He also added, “The Middle Way Approach refers to the middle way between repression and separation. We are all aware of the repression and social discrimination, environmental destruction, economic and cultural degradation by the Chinese in Tibet. All this repression has led to the Tibetans being resentful towards the Chinese government and its policies, resulting in so many forms of protests.

To end this oppression is of primary interest to the Chinese government as well as the Tibetan people.

By ending the repression and granting autonomy

to the Tibetan people, the Chinese government will gain stability, and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will remain unchallenged. Hence, It’s a win win proposition for both the parties.”

Responding to the Sikyong, Beijing called him an “out and out separatist” and ruled out any form of “independence or semi independence under disguise” for Tibet. Refusing to acknowledge Dr Sangay’s leadership, Hong Lei, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said “Nothing he has done so far is beneficial to the Tibetan area and this so called government-in-exile is against Chinese law.

It is well organised with its own agenda to separate Tibet from China and no country in the world has recognised such a government.”

He also went to add, “The door for contact is open but I want to stress that we only talk with personal envoy of Dalai (Lama) and we will only talk about the future of Dalai not anything about Tibet.

What Dalai should do is to discard his position of separating Tibet from China and halting all such separatist activities, much with his actions and win the trust of the Chinese government and the Chinese people. The Middle Way proposed by Dalai in nature is seeking for independence under disguise. Our position on this issue is clear, we will not allow any independence or semi-independence under disguise and our policies in having contact with Dalai are consistent and clear.”

Autonomy through the Middle Way Approach is the most basic demand being made by the Tibetans, after decades of oppression and subjugation by the Chinese. Without autonomy, there remains no way for the Tibetans to reconcile with the Chinese government. The Chinese, hell bent on not granting the autonomy Tibet, has not provided a single reason for doing so. In the absence of valid reasons, it has resorted to false propaganda and name calling.

The only logical and political reason for the Chinese not to grant autonomy to Tibet is because the Tibetans are not Chinese, and Tibet is not Taiwan, or Macau or Hong Kong. Another possible reason is that historically and politically Tibet has never been a part of China. The Tibetans under Chinese occupation are not treated as citizens of China, and there are regular impositions on their cultural and religious practices which are globally respected but neglected by China as they feel it is not a part of their own country. Furthermore, the Tibetans have had their basic fundamental and human rights being infringed upon by the Chinese military occupation.

However, these political manipulations by China are out in the open and the entire international community is watching. It would be juvenile on behalf of the Chinese government to believe that they are capable of hoodwinking people around the world with their malicious and grossly incorrect interpretation of the Umalayam or Middle Way Approach.

Tibetan delegation visits Zurich Parliament and Berne

A warm welcome by Zurich City Parliament for TPIE delegation. Photo: TPI By: Choneyi Sangpo 12 June 2014

Zurich , 11 June 2014 - This afternoon a delegation of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPIE) will be received by Mrs. Dorothea Frei, Speaker of the City Parliament of Zurich.

The TPIE delegation is led by Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and consists of the TPIE members Mr. Karma Choephel, Mr. Dawa Phunkyi, Mr. Jamyang Soepa and Mr. Wangpo Tethong.

The TPIE delegation will be tomorrow visiting Berne and will meet Mrs. Tiana Moser and Mr.

Martin Näf members of the Multiparty Tibet Group in the Swiss Parliament.

International Campaign for Tibet Europe (ICT Europe) invited the TPIE delegation to meet with their counterparts in Europe and discuss the grave situation in Tibet.

The mission to Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland included meetings on parliamentary and government level, university lectures and public talks.

The Tibet Post International OPINION The Tiananmen Square massacre: a rehearsal in Tibet

By Claude Arpi: 15 June 2014

The Tiananmen Square massacre: a rehearsal in Tibet There was a rehearsal for the Tiananmen incident which saw the Army taking over the Square and killing hundreds of students. It happened in Lhasa, Tibet three months before the Square’s crackdown; a young Party Secretary then demonstrated to the Elders in Beijing that he had the capacity to handle the most difficult situations.

He was suitably rewarded; a few years later, he became General Secretary of the Party and President of the People’s Republic of China. I am reposting here an article written in 2002 for Rediff.com.

As you can see, it pays to be tough in China.

At the Tiananmen’s incident, I like the remarks made yesterday by Bill Bishop in his Newsletter Sinocism. He wrote: I first came to China 25 years, to spend the second semester of my junior year at Peking University. We arrived in late January and I stayed until the third week of June. No one who was in Beijing then will ever forget the Beijing Spring and subsequent crackdown.

The one lesson I took away from those first few months in China is that it is always a mistake to underestimate what the Party will do to stay in power.

That lesson, which has held up very well over the last quarter century, is why I continue to believe that Xi Jinping is very serious about both economic reforms and reining in corruption. There is no shortage of people, inside and outside China, who believe Xi’s efforts will fail without said political reform, but Xi and his colleagues appear to disagree. Political reforms in any Western or liberal sense seem even less likely now than they have in decades.

China is not going to change soon and China will remain aggressive.

Te problem is that Beijing still believes that all its problems are due to her ‘bad’ and ‘provocative’ neighbours.

On May 30, The People’s Daily reported that Fu Ying, the Chairperson of the National People’s Congress Foreign Affairs Committee, suggested during a TV show that “all issues in the seas around China were caused by the provocative behavior demonstrated by China’s neighboring countries”.

She, of course, mentioned that Japan which ‘faces the question of whether it will continue on the path of being a peaceful nation or not”.

After saying that China will not give up on peaceful resolutions, Fu added that “however, strong responses are necessary when facing challenges. This position is also needed to maintain the peaceful and stable order in the entire region”.

India too will have to cope with these strong ‘peaceful’ responses from Beijing.

From Roof of the World to Top of the Party Claude Arpi, Rediff.com, December 10, 2002 The suspense ended on the last day of China’s 16th Communist Party Congress in Beijing when the nine chosen ones emerged in the Great Hall of the People.

Hu Jintao, freshly appointed general secretary of the party, was leading his eight comrades. China had a new leadership. Hu’s presence was not much of a surprise as the world knew he had been groomed for years by his mentor and China’s last emperor Jiang Zemin.

However, there was speculation about who Hu, the ‘grey man of the party,’ really was.

Most international media repeated that very little was known about China’s new boss. However, one part of his life is quite well documented: the period before he ascended to the standing committee of the CCP’s Politburo in 1992.

At that time, the ‘core leader of the Forth Generation’ was for four years party secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region in Lhasa. It is interesting to have a closer look at the way Hu used his post in Tibet as a stepping stone to reach the top rung of the Middle Kingdom.

Hu always knew that to ‘seek fame’ does not help to climb the party’s ladder. That is probably why he never liked to be in the limelight or give interviews to the foreign press. One can closely follow his steps by his declaration either on Lhasa television or through the official organs of the party.

Of his earlier years, we know little except that one of his best friends was Zhang Hong, who later became Deng Xiaoping’s son-in-law. As a mechanical engineer, Hu was posted at different sites throughout China, but in 1980, he was noticed by Song Ping, the party boss in Gansu province and was rapidly promoted. He finally joined the Young Cadre Course at the party school in Beijing in 1981. It was there that he is supposed to have met Hu Yaobang, general secretary of the CCP, who became his first mentor.

The elder Hu was certainly one of the most remarkable leaders of modern China and a great reformer.

Remember it is his funeral, after his sudden death during a meeting of the Politburo, which triggered the Tiananmen student revolution.

One of the most remarkable facts about the Elder Hu was that when he visited Tibet in 1980, he was so moved by the suffering of the Tibetan people under Communist rule, that he decided to address 5,000 officials assembled in Lhasa. He publicly admitted

that the party ‘has let the Tibetan people down’ and he added: ‘the life of the Tibetan people has not been notably improved’ after the Chinese invasion in 1950.

When the Elder Hu tried to introduce reforms in China in the early eighties, he was violently opposed and criticized by conservative forces within the party. During this period, it seems Hu Jintao, who was first secretary of the Communist Youth League, defended him.

However, by the mid-eighties, the direction of the wind had begun to change in Beijing. This is when the Younger Hu showed he was already a Grand Master.

With the balance of power slowly shifting, the Elder Hu began losing to the most conservative elements led by Li Peng and Qiao Shi, and the Younger Hu realigned himself dexterously.

The changes in the party were reflected on the Tibetan question. After the Elder Hu’s visit to Tibet in 1980, Beijing had for a few years an open Tibet policy. The Dalai Lama was allowed to send four fact finding delegations and two negotiating teams to Tibet and China. Discussions were held on the Dalai Lama’s future role in Tibet. But in 1985, due to the changes in Beijing, the opening came to a sudden halt and a visit to Tibet and China by the Tibetan leader was cancelled.

Sensing the wind, Hu Jintao began leaning towards his new mentor Qiao Shi who was in charge of internal security in the Chinese cabinet.

In Tibet, events took a turn for the worse in September 1987 when some monks demonstrated in Lhasa against Chinese rule. During these days, hundreds of visitors and media persons were present in the Tibetan capital and the images of the repression which followed were reported the world over. In the following months, incidents continued to occur and several Tibetans lost their lives.

Beginning 1988, the Chinese leadership became more and more nervous as they felt they were losing face in the world’s eyes. The monks, the very same people they were supposed to have ‘liberated’ from the clutches of the clergy, were now revolting against the ‘motherland.’

But worse for Beijing: if the situation was allowed to drift, China could follow the Soviet Union on the way to disintegration.

Something had to be done.

The first scapegoat was Wu Jinghua, the Elder Hu’s protégé who lost his job as party secretary in Lhasa.

Officially he had a heart attack during a meeting in June 1988 ‘due to a frigidly cold climate and the lack of oxygen, plus being overloaded with work for a long time.’ His mistake was that he had scrupulously implemented the Elder Hu’s policies towards Tibet.

In Beijing, Hu Yaobang was replaced by Zhao Ziyang who would be purged after the Tiananmen Square events.

The strong men in the Politburo were Li Peng and the Younger Hu’s new mentor Qiao Shi who visited Tibet in July 1988. It is probably at that time that it was decided to appoint Hu Jiantao to replace Wu Jinghua as Tibet chief. It was to be the crucial turn in Hu’s career. He probably knew he had to show results in very short time to repay the confidence placed in him by Qiao Shi. Hu knew he could not afford to fail.

Had not Qiao Shi threatened of ‘merciless repression’ if the demonstrations were not immediately stopped?

The Younger Hu took over the rebellious region on January 12, 1989.

A Hong Kong paper Kuang Chiao Ching wrote at that time: ‘If he can stabilize the situation in Tibet that would, of course, be the first step towards a rapid rise in Hu Jintao’s political fortunes… If he rules Tibet successfully, perhaps the question on everyone’s mind in the near future could be: Will Hu Jintao become a superstar on China’s political stage?’

On January 19, Hu had a meeting with the People’s Liberation Army. During his speech, he spoke about the ‘the CCP Central Committee’s new instructions on work in Tibet.’ Referring to the PLA’s role: indeed it was a bad omen for Tibetans, especially after Hu told the army: ‘We must strengthen control of monasteries and temples.’

A week later a Beijing newspaper Zhongguo Xinwen She published an interview with Hu in which he described his two main tasks in Tibet: ‘To safeguard the unification of the motherland, adopt a clear-cut stand to oppose separatism, and stabilize the situation in Tibet,’ and then: ‘to continue to carry out economic construction, make redoubled efforts to develop the commodity economy.’ This would later be known as Hu’s strategy of ‘grasping with both hands.’

From that day, events moved very fast.

On January 23, Hu visited the Tashilhunpo monastery in Shigatse. He was accompanied by the Panchen Lama, the second highest ranking Tibetan Lama after the Dalai Lama. The official occasion was the consecration of a stupa containing the mortal remains of one of the previous Panchen Lamas. To everyone’s surprise, during the function, the Panchen Lama denounced the Communist Party’s role in Tibet: ‘although there had been developments in Tibet since its liberation, this development had cost more dearly than its achievements. This mistake must never be repeated.’

Four days later, he passed away in mysterious

circumstances. Though Tibetans believed he was murdered, it has never been proven. It is said the Panchen Lama had a serious quarrel with Qiao Shi just before he left for Tibet. Whether this was true or not, the stage was cleared for ‘merciless repression.’

When a demonstration erupted on March 5, the People’s Armed Police quickly took control of the situation. Chinese journalist Tang Daxian, who had connections in the party and witnessed some of the events, later wrote in London’s The Observer that many events were stage managed by the PAP. Beijing had ordered repression. His information was that on March 6 alone, 387 Tibetans were massacred around the Central Cathedral in Lhasa.

The next day, Hu declared that ‘the PAP following the instructions of the Central Committee (read Qiao Shi) had maintained the unity of the Motherland… the majority of Tibetans who had joined the disturbance… must be made to feel guilty and promise they would never do so again.’

Martial law was clamped on March 8. The tragic events in Lhasa seem to have been a rehearsal for an even more important episode: the student rebellion on Tiananmen Square three months later.

Hu Jintao told Xinhua news agency a few days after the events: ‘We should maintain vigilance against possible activity by the handful of separatists and strike them with relentless blows. We should mete out more severe punishment to those who would start troublemaking after the declaration of martial law.’

His ruthless implementation of his bosses’ orders and the subsequent replay of Lhasa events at Tiananmen Square proved he was a leader who could be relied upon. When, after the massacre at the Square, Jiang Zemin replaced Zhao Ziyang, he remembered this.

Hu was to stay on for four more years in Tibet, though the job was done in three months. Hu never liked Tibet.

He once told a journalist he ‘disliked Tibet’s altitude, climate and lack of culture.’ During the following months and years, he began shuttling between Lhasa and Beijing where the real power was. There was a common joke about Hu amongst Tibetan cadres: ‘Where is Hu?’ The answer was: ‘Hu is in Beijing Hospital.’ He had to officially report sick each time he was going to Beijing!

In the following months, Hu further stabilized the situation by targeting Tibetan cadres ‘harbouring separatist thoughts.’ He believed the main ‘evil’ was religion, and particularly the monasteries which were ‘using feudal and superstitious beliefs to swindle and harm people,’ thereby delaying the ‘socialist spiritual civilization’ heralded by Jiang Zemin.

On April 30, 1990, martial law was finally lifted. Hu used his remaining years as party secretary to completely reverse the Elder Hu’s policies. Instead of providing support to the Tibetans to safeguard their culture, the Younger Hu tried to assimilate it into Han culture. While the Elder Hu wanted the Tibetans to be autonomous and take their future into their own hands, he created schemes to bring in more Han officials and colonizers to the Roof of the World, further destroying Tibetan uniqueness.

During a visit to Tibet in 1990, Jiang Zemin echoed Hu’s views: ‘It is necessary to strengthen education in patriotism and socialism in the light of conditions in China and Tibet, so as to make the students know from childhood that Tibet is an inalienable sacred part of the big family of the motherland, and that there will be no socialist new Tibet if there is no CCP.’ It appears that during Jiang Zemin’s visit to Tibet, a close relationship was established between the general secretary and his future protégé.

There is no doubt that the events of the three first months in Tibet earned Hu the admiration of many in Beijing. While the Chinese empire was on the verge of disintegrating and could have followed the example of the Soviet Union, his firm handling of the situation and obedience to party orders were rewarded in 1992 by a seat on the standing committee. It was the next step towards the summit.

It is probably true that in 1989 Hu saved China which could have plunged into the ‘chaos’ so feared by the Chinese emperors. Had Tibet been lost, no doubt other provinces such as Xinjiang would have followed in quick succession.

Now that the Younger Hu has reached the top, will he continue to ‘grasp China with two hands’ and tighten security to economically develop China? In many ways, China faces more serious problems now than 1989: unemployment, wild capitalism, corruption, regional aspirations, pollution, food problems are some of the issues the Younger Hu will have to tackle. For this, will he use force as his party elders had instructed him to do in Tibet, or will he choose the path of the Elder Hu, open up the system and ultimately give more power to the people, with all the risks it implies?

Only the future will tell, but he will certainly need more than two hands to grasp the future of the People’s Republic.

Born in Angoulême, France, Claude Arpi’s real quest began 40 years ago with a journey to the Himalayas. Since then he has been an enthusiastic student of the history of Tibet, China and the subcontinent. He has authored several books, including “The Fate of Tibet.”

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the The Tibet Post International’s editorial policy.

3 TPI NEWS Exile News “Education is top priority”: Tibetan and Indian activists protest Chinese FM visit to India Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay The Tibet Post International

15 June 2014

By Yeshe Choesang:

Sikyong with the resource persons and teachers during the conclusion of the workshop. Photo: CTA/DIIR

08 June 2014

Delhi – On Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to Delhi on June 8, Students for a Free Tibet- India took to social media to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to raise the issue of border incursions in Ladakh, territory conflict in Arunachal and the draconian crackdown in TibetTibet when they meet Minister Wang Yi. The crisis in Tibet over the past few years has only worsened, which is why Tibetans and Tibet activists around the world are intensifying efforts to urge countries like India to build pressure on China to end the severe repression in Tibet.

“We take this opportunity to welcome the new government of India and are thankful to the new Central Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting Tibetan Exile PM Lobsang Sangay of Tibetan Government in exile to the swearing in ceremony of the PM of the largest democratic nation in the world. In doing so, India made a strong and clear statement on its stand on Tibet, along with their longstanding support and understanding” said Dorjee Tseten, Asia Director, Students for a Free Tibet. “China’s imperialist and draconian plans for regional domination

By Rajdip Ray: 10 June 2014

Talking about the role of teachers in Tibetan schools,

Dharamshala: - At a workshop for primary school

the Sikyong said “The job of a teacher is of Himalayan

teachers, organized by the Education department to

proportion. However, a Tibetan teacher has a special

bolster early grade reading in Tibetan schools, Sikyong

and additional responsibility, as they are teaching not

Dr. Lobsang Sangay said that education continues to have

just for a career but for a cause.” Admiring the work

top priority and that he spends 25-30% percent of his time

done by Tibetan teachers, he said that the education

trying to enhance the educational system.

department has complied with all the suggestions and

By Jane Cook: 08 June 2014

“Education is a must for each and every Tibetan in exile.

views expressed by the teachers during meetings and

Therefore, we have to be ambitious in our approach. We have

conferences. The DoE has been developing new ways

to make every effort to build on the capacity of every Tibetan

and systems to develop human resource as well as the

by fully exploiting our available resources,” Sikyong said.

core mindset towards education in Tibetan community.

The Sikyong also pointed out that education is a key for

Apart from these, several workshops and professional

sustaining and strengthening the Tibetan struggle. He

development programmes have been conducted for

explained that it is only through education that the 2.5%

teachers as well as the public, to keep them abreast with

of the Tibetans in exile can project the aspirations of the

the recent development in education.

97.5% of Tibetans in Tibet.

In keeping with its innovative exercises and development

With the prioritization of education under the 14th

programmes, the education department held a children’s

Kashag, the Department of Education has launched a

story-writing competition recently to boost Tibetan

series of projects to broaden the scope and effectiveness

writing enthusiast, awarding the eleven best entries with

of education in Tibetan schools. This resulted in a

cash prizes. The selected candidates were also given an

remarkable progress for Tibetan students this time in the

opportunity to get trained as children’s book writers and

Class 12 board exams, with a 150% increase from 2010

work on the ‘Soen-Tsa-Series’, a graded reading series

in the number of students who scored above 75 percent.

initiated by the Department of Education (DoE).

“The Sister Shichak project was initiated by the 14th Kashag as per its three guiding principles of Unity, Innovation and Self-Reliance. The project is currently administered by the Department of Home and is aimed to create a self-reliant Tibetan society by enhancing the economic and social well-being of the settlements with the help of the Tibetan communities in the west. The project also fosters closer community relationship between Tibetan settlements in India, Nepal and Bhutan, and the Tibetan communities in western countries to benefit both the communities,” she said.

The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey is one of the oldest Tibetan communities in the US. The conduct several programs and awareness campaigns to safeguard Tibetan culture and promote the cause of Tibet.

A four member delegation from the community’s Board of Directors including President Kunga Thinley, Vice-President Kelsang Gyatso and, coordinators Lobsang Samdup and Samten Sammy recently visited the two Tibetan settlements to review the condition of the settlements. The delegation was accompanied by Home Secretary Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang during the visit.

Dharamshala: - The Dharamshala based Tibetan Youth Congress the largest Tibetan Youth organization and NGO in exile Congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party on recent elections victory.

“The success of their victory serves as an example to the world that when democratic rights are exercised to its fullest then history can be made. We look forward to the coming years and believe that under the current leadership India will grow and progress - and at the same time we also understand that you will always be a champion for freedom, human rights and justice,” Tenzing Jigme, TYC President said in a statement issued on June 4, 2014.

The statement said that “TYC is pleased to hear about Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming visit to India. While we acknowledge that the visit will mainly consist of talks in regards to the overall benefits of the two nations, we urge you to speak to your Chinese counterpart on the issue of Tibet. The situation inside Tibet remains critical and perhaps one could even claim that the current crisis therein is the most volatile it has been since China’s occupation of Tibet.”

“Since the illegal occupation of Tibet in 1959, over 1.2 million Tibetans have died. Reports have confirmed 131 Tibetans self-immolated since February 27, 2009. These ultimate sacrifices by Tibetans inside Tibet are conscious decisions made with unwavering determinations solely dedicated towards a nation’s independence and for its people’s freedom. The Chinese government must understand the gravity of the situation in Tibet and fear the potential magnitude that it represents, rather than foolishly viewing it as enthusiastic trends that can easily be subdued by enforcing more violent and draconian policies,” Jigme further added.

The exile group said that “the world cannot continue the blunders of remaining blindly dependent on the Chinese government’s misrepresentation of the Tibetan independence movement shamelessly framed as ethnic conflict or simply reduced as a struggle for religious freedom. So long as China continues to illegally occupy Tibet, the indefinable oppression of the Tibetan people will only continue; and so will continue Tibetan’s

give up, and hope that there will be more contestants in the next year’s pageant,’ Wangyal added.

It is the fourth time that the pageant has seen only one contestant for the crown. This is the second consecutive year with only one contestant, and this occurred in two earlier editions in 2003 and 2005.

Tenzin Yangzom has prepared well and was willing to have a competition. After she was informed that she was the only contestant she wondered why the others dropped out, and why there were not more contestants.

Yangzom Palkhang is from Gangtok, Sikkim. She was born in 1991, and stands 170 cm tall. Yangzom has a BA in Psychology, Sociology, and English, as well as a B Ed degree. She said ‘she likes dancing, basketball, singing, painting, photography, modelling, driving, and swimming.’

Yangzom believes that education is very important in today’s world, and even more important for Tibetan children as stated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She says, “We lost our country because Tibetans were not educated in their own

country. Therefore, I took Bachelor of Education after my degree, and would like to pursue School Management for further studies.

The Tibetan Government need qualified people to run Tibetan schools. The future of Tibet depends on the education of present generation. I will be more than happy to extend my contribution wherever necessary.”

About the Miss Tibet role, Yangzom says, “The title of Miss Tibet is well known everywhere. It is a forum through which I can draw the attention of the world to the just cause of Tibet and seek their support. Tibetans inside Tibet are undergoing innumerable sufferings. More than a hundred of them have been driven to self-immolation, which is unparalleled in Tibet’s history. Miss Tibet can voice the worsening human rights situation in Tibet through a number of national and international forums, and gain worldwide support.”

Yangzom will be crowned and sashed the new Miss Tibet, and will be given a cheque of one lakh (100,000) rupees, on Sunday, 8 June.

Tibetans from New York and New Jersey adopt two settlements

Home Kalon Dolma Gyari (centre) accompanied by Mr. Kunga Thinley (right), President of the Tibetan community of New York and New Jersey today, 5 June 2014. Photo: CTA/DIIR

By Rajdip Ray: 10 June 2014

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey Thursday [5 June] formally adopted two Tibetan settlements in India as part of the Sister Shichak project of the Central Tibetan Administration’s 14th Kashag.

Kalon Dolma Gyari of the Department of Home announced the adoption of the two settlements by the US-based Tibetan community. She expressed her gratitude towards the Tibetan community of New York and New Jersey for taking the lead in the Sister Shichak project.

Dharamshala: - Lone contestant Tenzin Yangzom, a 23-year old Tibetan girl from Gangtok, Sikkim, will be crowned the new Miss Tibet 2014. The coronation ceremony will be held at Tipa on 8 June.

‘We received eight applications for this year’s Pageant.

Five were confirmed, but four withdrew at the last minute expressing various personal problems,’ Mr Lobsang Wangyal, Producer of Miss Tibet told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday, 3 June.

“Since the Miss Tibet Pageant is to empower young Tibetan women, we see it important to respect and appreciate the commitment and enthusiasm of the lone contestant,” Wangyal said.

“We were ready to welcome more contestants and put on a full-fledged pageant, but how many would come is not in our hands. There should be individual as well as community initiative for a bigger number,” he said.

‘On our part, we have not given up, and will never

Tibetans protest against Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit in Delhi, on 8 June, 2014. Photo: SFT India

According to news reports, security has been beefed in Majnu Ka Tila and New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area which houses the Chinese embassy.

“There were around 100 protesters. They have dispersed on their own,” said deputy commissioner of police (north) Sindhu Pillai.

Additional commissioner of police (New Delhi) S B S Tyagi said that there was no such protest in the New Delhi district.

Tibetan activists said that hundreds of Tibetans in Delhi protest against this visit condemning China for killing and atrocities. But yet another unfortunate incident of total lock down of Tibetans from many areas in Delhi.

Tibetan Youth Congress urges Prime Minister Modi to talk Tibet

Tenzin Yangzom from Sikkim to be crowned Miss Tibet 2014

By Yangchen Dolma: 3 June 2014

now expands beyond Tibet with the incursions

by Chinese troops on Indian Territory in Eastern Ladakh, conflict surrounding Arunachal Pradesh or rerouteing of the river, Brahmaputra. With the growing security and border tensions between India and China, Tibet’s freedom is the only viable and permanent solution to the conflict.”

Since Xi Jinping became China’s President over an year ago in March 2013, China’s grip on Tibet has tightened. The renewed clampdown includes mass detentions, violent military responses to peaceful protests, increased use of “patriotic re-education” campaigns and the criminalization of family members of those 130 people who have protested by burning their bodies to protest Chinese rule in Tibet.

“We ask the Government of India to issue a strong statement in light of the current human rights violation, the provocative policies and crisis in Tibet. It’s time now for the Government of India to devise a counter-strategy by reinforcing the issue of Tibet in the talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi,” said Rashi Jauhri, Deputy Program Director of Students for a Free Tibet-India. “I urge my new government to deal China with strength by bringing Tibet’s issue on table. Tibet’s freedom is India’s security.”

In Delhi: TYC delivers memorandum to PM Modi urging him to talk Tibet on his upcoming meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: TYC

demand for independence.”

India has been more than a good friend to Tibetans.

India is host to the largest number of Tibetans in exile and home to our beloved leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We remain forever grateful to this great nation for the kindness and support it has shown to the Tibetan people. TYC President states, “as we forge our movement forward we are constantly reminded of the struggle and the determination of the Indian freedom fighters who got rid of the British occupation while remaining steadfastly committed to the principles of

ahimsa and non-violence”.

Today, TYC urges Prime Minister Modi to help bring about immediate and positive change for Tibet as well as India. We believe that a lasting peace and security for India lies only in a free Tibet. A Tibet without China’s military presence is the only assurance you can have of an India free from constant Chinese incursions as well as ludicrous claims on the borders. TYC delivered a memorandum to PM Modi today in Delhi, urging him to raise the issue of Tibet when he meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi next week.

Youth Congress urges India for positive talk on Tibet

By Yeshe Choesang: 08 June 2014

Delhi, June 8: Over 500 Tibetans and Tibet supporter were to gather at Chinese Embassy in Delhi Sunday to highlight the situation inside Tibet but protest organisers said that the Delhi police department banned any such gathering at the Chinese embassy.

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)the organizers of the protest were put under lockdown and Delhi police barred Tibetans from the Tibetan colony at Majnu ka tilla preventing anyone from moving out of the colony. Since the illegal occupation of Tibet in 1959 over 1.2 million Tibetans have died.

The situation inside Tibet remains critical and perhaps one could even claim that the current crisis therein is the most volatile it has been since China’s occupation of Tibet. Over 130 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in self-immolation calling for the freedom and independence of their nation.

This protest coincides with the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Delhi. Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) the organizers of this protest states that they are pleased to hear and welcome Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India. While TYC acknowledges that the visit will mainly consist of talks in regards to the overall benefits of the two nations, they urge Indian Prime Minister to speak on the issue of Tibet.

TYC appeals Prime Minister Modi to help bring about immediate and positive change for Tibet as well as India. TYC President Tenzing Jigme states, “we believe that a lasting peace and security for India lies only in a free Tibet. A Tibet without China’s military presence is the only assurance you can have of an India free from constant Chinese incursions as well as ludicrous claims on the borders”. TYC delivered a memorandum to PM Modi on friday urging him

to raise the issue of Tibet when he meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to Indian news reports, Chinse government on Sunday made contact with the new Indian government as its Foreign Minister Wang Yi, special envoy of President Xi Jinping, held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, during which “all issues of significance” were on the table, including the unsettled border, Tibet, stapled visas and trade imbalance.

Mr Wang’s visit comes a fortnight after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him, which conveys “a flavour of the keenness with which both our leaderships are engaging with each other”, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

He described the talks between the two ministers as “cordial and useful, comprehensive covering all important issues, substantive and productive”.

Mr Wang said the “new Indian government had injected new vitality into an ancient civilisation”. He said the international community “was closely following developments in India” and that “the Chinese and Indian dreams have a lot of commonalities”.

“China welcomes and supports the development of India and is ready to engage with the new government of India,” Mr Akbaruddin quoted Mr Wang as saying during his meeting.

During the talks, “all issue of significance were raised in a frank and cordial manner,” the spokesperson said. Asked whether the Tibetan and stapled visas issues and other niggling matters were raised, the spokesperson said: “All issues of perennial nature were discussed in a cordial and forthright manner and were understood very clearly by the interlocutors on the other side.”

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TIBET Global awareness campaign for Tibet’s Middle Way launched There 15 June 2014

By Rajdip Ray: 05 June 2014

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and DIIR Kalon Ms Dicki Chhoyang just before the Middle Way policy campaign launch at TCV school in Dharamshala, India, on 5 June 2014. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang

Dharamshala: - The political leader of Tibetans, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay accused the Chinese government on Thursday of blanket repression in Tibet as he launched a ‘Middle Way Approach’ campaign for genuine autonomy in the Himalayan region.

Before the official launching conference, His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed the Middle Way Approach Campaign, which is said to be the “Most concerted effort till date to secure basic freedom through genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people.”

During the swearing-in ceremony of Lobsang Sangay, His Holiness said: “I took over the political responsibility from regent Tagdrag Rinpoche at the age of 16. Now, after 60 years, as I hand over the political authority to the democratically-elected political leader Lobsang Sangay, one of my longcherished aspirations was fulfilled.”

‘Today there is a programme on explanation of political situation by the Sikyong and some documents for dissemination. It is most appropriate if you ask questions regarding this to the political leader,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said on the occasion of the launch of Middle Way Approach campaign in Dharamshala.

“There is total repression and total discrimination” in Tibet, Lobsang Sangay told reporters at the headquarters of the central administration in northern India. The Sikyong unveiled the administration’s most concerted effort to date to bring about basic freedom for Tibetan people.

Four years after talks reached a stalemate in 2010 and following the self-immolation of 130 Tibetans since 2009, Dr. Lobsang Sangay said the Middle Way Approach Campaign would help people across the globe understand exactly what the Tibetan people were calling for – genuine autonomy.

In his speech, the Sikyong said “Having been to many capitals around the world and met many political leaders and influential people, I know that there are a lot of people are informed about the middle way approach, but they have certain misunderstandings and incorrect notions about the middle way approach. Hence, the Tibetan administration felt the need to introduce this campaign to create awareness in , particularly because the Chinese government deliberately mislead international leaders and the

international community about the middle way approach, which brings into question our intentions.

The recent news coming in from Tibet indicate that more restrictions are being posed during this holy month. Even after 50 years, the hardline policies imposed by the Chinese in Tibet have not worked, with numerous protests having taken place, including the recent cases of more than 130 self immolations, resulting in 112 deaths.”

He also added, “I hope that the new Chinese leadership will realize their hard line policies are not working, and review the current policies and implement new policies in Tibet which are liberal in nature, in order to find a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue.”

Talking about the Middle Way Approach, he said “The Middle Way Approach refers to the middle way between repression and separation. We are all aware of the repression and social discrimination, environmental destruction, economic and cultural degradation by the Chinese in Tibet. All this repression has led to the Tibetans being resentful towards the Chinese government and its policies, resulting in so many forms of protests. To end this oppression is of primary interest to the Chinese government as well as the Tibetan people. By ending the repression and granting autonomy to the Tibetan people, the Chinese government will gain stability, and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will remain unchallenged. Hence, It’s a win win proposition for both the parties.”

“By visiting our website (www.middlewayapproach. org OR www.tibet.net/mwa) anyone can learn the exact nature and intent of the policy, and then by clicking on through to such forums as our UMAYLAM page on Facebook and making a ‘Like’ or ‘Share’ they can show their support for the Middle Way.” The Middle Way Approach is already supported by international leaders including US President Barack Obama and many Chinese intellectuals, such as imprisoned Nobel Peace Laureate, Liu Xiaobo. The name, the Middle Way, refers to ‘the middle way’ between repression and separation.

Dr. Sangay said the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) had spent the past year creating a set of documents and multimedia materials that would

Dharamshala: - Former Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche visited Russian Federation from 26-May – 7 June. He was there at the invitation extended by the Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, a branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kalmyk Buddhist Temple and Save Tibet Foundation in Moscow.

The first leg of his visit had Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche participating in the “ International Conference on Buddhism in the Changing World,” which was held from 28 – 31 May and organised by the Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences.

It was held at Ulan Ude, the capital of Buryat Republic. Prof. S. Rinpoche gave a talk on “The Challenges Faced by Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Community in the Modern World”.

The next day he gave a talk on “The Challenges Faced by Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Community in the Modern World”. He co-chaired the panels on “Buddhism, Philosophy, Science and Comparative Studies” and also participated in the round-table discussion on “Buddhism in the West” and “ Russian-Mongolian Cooperation in Studying Buddhism”.

Ven. Samdhong Rinpoche spoke about the “Role and Activities of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

for the Modern World” at the public presentation of Prof. Robert Thurman’s book “Why The Dalai Lama Matters”. The two of them met several public figures and organizations and visited the Buddhist temples in Buryat Republic, before having lunch with members of the Tibetan community.

After that, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche visited Elista, the capital of Kalmyk Republic, from 3 – 6 June where he was invited by Shadjin (Head) Lama of Kalmykia and President of Kalmyk Buddhist Union, Rev. Telo Tulku Rinpoche, and former Prime Minster of Kalmyk Republic, Mr.Vladimir Sengleev. Following a warm reception at the airport

by Kalmyk Buddhists, Tibetans and members of Tibet Support Group. Ven. S. Rinpoche visited the main temple of Kalmykia “Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” and met with resident monks headed by Rev. Telo Tulku Rinpoche. He was warmly received by the President and Culture Minister of Kalmyk Republic.

Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave public teachings on “Commentary on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend” in the main temple hall. He also had meetings with members of Friends of Tibet Society.

On 7 June, the Professor gave a public talk in Moscow on the topic “Meditation as Tool for Inner Transformation: How to deepen one’s Spiritual

make it clear how long His Holiness and the Tibetan administration had stuck firm to this policy, about its impact to date and its intentions for the future.

During an auspicious inauguration ceremony today, the Sikyong presented His Holiness the Dalai Lama – who has devolved his political responsibilities to the elected leader – with the information package.

Introducing the information materials for the campaign, Dr. Sangay said “The Middle Way Approach information materials – including an interactive website, short documentary video, Social Media campaign, timeline of the Tibetan struggle and FAQs – many of them available in 7 languages including Chinese – will make it very easy for people around the world to understand exactly what the Tibetan administration is proposing in terms of genuine autonomy within China.”

He said that His Holiness and the then-Tibetan administration formulated the “Middle Away Approach” policy in 1974 as a realistic option to solve the issue of Tibet. This foresight of His Holiness was affirmed in 1979 when Chinese paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping, stated that, “apart from independence, all issues can be discussed” and offered talks with His Holiness.

His Holiness presented the Middle Way Approach to the Chinese leader, and a long period of contact and discussions between Dharamshala and Beijing resulted.

“Since this time, there have been 9 Rounds of Talks, four fact-finding delegations to Tibet and regular visits by Tibetans to the Tibetan regions,” Dr. Sangay said “We are calling on the people of the world – young and old – to join the UMAYLAM: Middle Way Approach Campaign and help secure the future of the Tibetan people.”

Dr. Sangay’s speech was followed by a speech by Miss Dicki Chhoyang, Kalon for Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibet Administration.

Miss Chhoyang spoke of The Middle Way Approach as a peaceful means of conflict resolution based on principles of non violence which we can all relate to.

“Any situation of conflict seeks to find a resolution which is mutually beneficial to all the concerned parties,” she said. “The Middle Way Approach was conceived by His Holiness the Dalai lama, following the forceful occupation of Tibet by Chinese forces in 1959, which led His Holiness to flee to India, along with 80,000 other Tibetans.”

Stating that the Middle Way Approach has helped to establish direct contact between the Tibetan leadership and the Chinese government, she said “In the early years following the repression, the Tibet government wanted complete independence.

However, the international obligations and situation in Tibet called for a more pragmatic and realistic solution. In 1997, through a resolution passed by the Tibetan parliament in exile, a resolution was passed unanimously to adopt the Middle Way Approach, which represented the official view of the democratically elected government of the Tibetan people.”

There are 6 million Tibetans in Tibet, and another 150,000 around the world.

Former Kalon Tripa attends Int’l Conference on Buddhism

By Rajdip Ray: 10 June 2014

Practice and Avoid Mistakes”. It was organized by theSave Tibet Foundation in Moscow.

Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche was warmly welcomed and received during the recent visit to Moscow, Ulan Ude and Elista, which was coordinated by the Tibet Culture and Information Center, an official agency of the Central Tibetan Administration.

This was his first visit to the Russian Federation. He had earlier visited the Soviet Union in the 1980s as a member of the Tibetan delegation to the conference on peace organized by Russian Orthodox Church.

Buddhism, alongwith Russian Orthodox Church, Islam and Judaism are recognized as the four state religions in Russia.

The Tibet Post International

is no copyright on compassion: 17th Karmapa

By Yeshe Choesang: 04 June 2014

On 4 June, Karmapa Arrives in Berlin on First European Tour, the Tibetan Buddhist Leader speaks on environment, meets with Jewish, Catholic heads. Photo: TPI

Berlin: - Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, arrives Wednesday [4 June] in Berlin on his first European visit.

The Karmapa will meet this week with members of the Jewish community in Berlin, and visit the Holocaust Museum and the Berlin Wall. On a stop in Cologne, he was specially invited by the Archdiocese of Cologne to address faculty and students at the Katholische Fachhochshule NRW and was offered a private tour of the Cologne Cathedral.

Although this is only the Karmapa’s third trip outside his dramatic escape from Tibet to India, he enjoys a wide following in the West, where his message of social responsibility and environmental sustainability has been warmly embraced. At the age of 29, he is the head of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage, one of the largest schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

The five-day visit to Berlin marks the second stage of this Tibetan Buddhist leader’s European visit, centred on Germany. From 5-8 June, the Karmapa will be teaching daily to a sold-out hall at the Estrel Convention Centre in Sonnenallee in Berlin. He will

deliver public addresses on social responsibility for youth, Buddhism and the environment, and will also give a religious transmission from the 13th century to his followers. In keeping with the inter-religious themes of his visit, he will meet Rabbi Ben-Chorin and Rabbi Gesa Ederberg, leaders of the Jewish Community of Berlin.

During the first leg of the trip, the Karmapa addressed large gatherings of the Buddhist faithful at his European seat in Eifel, and joined Benedictine monks for vespers service at Maria Laach Monastery. Abbot Benedikt hailed his visit as an auspicious meeting of two religious cultures, remarking that the Karmapa lineage and the Maria Laach Monastery were both founded 900 years ago.

“There is no copyright on compassion,” the 17th Karmapa told the assembly at the Catholic university in Cologne on 2 June. “It is certainly not owned by Tibetan Buddhism, but is shared commonly by all religions.” He also visited the Cologne Cathedral, where he was greeted by Auxiliary Bishop Dominikus Schwaderlapp and Bishop Ansgar Puff, with Vicar General Msgr. Stefan Hesse acting as managing head of the archdiocese since the recent retirement of the esteemed Archbishop of Cologne, Joachim Meissner.

The Karmapa currently lives in North India near His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with whom he maintains a close relationship of mentor and protégé. While fully upholding the traditions of his lineage, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, has actively modernized its religious practices in keeping with 21st-century needs. He has founded an environmental association of Himalayan monasteries and nunneries in grassroots sustainability work.

Indian government to extend welfare schemes to Tibetans

By Rajdip Ray: 04 June 2014

His Holiness the Dalai Lama escaping Tibet to take political refuge in India (March 1959). Photo: Media File

Dharamshala- India has thousands of Tibetan refugees spread across various settlements, mainly in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and other smaller pockets, recently the state governments are considering extending schemes of public welfare to them.

According to a Hindustan Times report, in a letter dated 15 May from the union Ministry of Home Affairs, the States have been given new guidelines from the Centre in this regard.

The new policy makes it mandatory for all the state governments to sign lease documents for the land occupied by the Tibetan refugees. The policy also clarifies that the state government should sign lease agreements with the Central Tibetan Relief Committee and not with individuals.

As of now, there are more than 1.2 lakh Tibetans spread across 45 settlements in more than 10

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states of India. The Central government wants the state governments to bring about uniformity in extending different benefits to the Tibetan population. The Centre has now directed that State and Centre backed schemes should be made to reach out to the Tibetans in exile.

Tibetans living in India can now avail the benefits of the MGNREGS (The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme), Rajiv Awas Yojana which envisages a “Slum-free India”, NHRM (National Rural Health Management) and the public distribution system. Tibetans can also avail loans from nationalised banks. There is also a proposal to give scholarships to Tibetan students.

The new guidelines have directed to provide special subsidies to Tibetan children pursuing professional courses. The states have been asked to give special permission for separate land allocations to Tibetans for running ‘Tibetan bazaars’ and all the co-operative societies run by the Tibetans will be registered in the state.

However, it remains to be seen if the Modi led NDA government adopts the proposals made by the UPA government through a letter dated 15 May, a day before the Lok Sabha election results were announced.

The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, had fled from Lhasa in 1959 and came to India when the Chinese attacked the erstwhile capital of Tibet.

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Dr Franz Pahl Mr Thomas Kemeil Mr Shalinder Kumar Ven Thupten Yarphel

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Former speaker of South Tyrol, Italy A software engineer, Austria A professional graphic designer, India A Tibetan writer, India

Editor in Chief Mr Yeshe Choesang Chinese Editor Miss Keary Huang Tibetan Editor Mr Choneyi Sangpo Tibet Political Analyst Mr James Dunn Photographer Mr Artemas Liu Layout & Design Mr Yeshe Choesang Circulation Mr Tashi

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Prof Samdhong Rinpoche speaking at a conference in Buryat Republic, Russia. Photo: CTA/DIIR

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Tuscany, Italy

His Holiness the Dalai Lama being greeted by Dr. Francis Sharp, representative of the Central Government in Pisa along with Dr. Andrea Pieroni, President of the Province of Pisa, and Dr. Marco Filippeschi, Mayor of Pisa on his arrival at Pisa Airport in Pisa, Tuscany at the start of his seven-day visit to Italy on June 10, 2014. Photo/Tenzin Taklha/OHHDL

By Nick Hilton: 11 June 2014

Pomaia, 10th June: - The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Pomaia, Tuscany, Italy, Tuesday, 10 June, to begin his 7-day tour of Italy.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at Lama TzongKhapa Institute in Pomaia, located in the heart of Tuscany, Tuesday morning. This is His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 5th visit to Pomaia in Pisa district, Italy.

During the six day (10th to 16th June) visit, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will consecrate a 5 meter tall four-armed Chenrezig Statue and give a teaching on developing love and compassion at the Lama TzongKhapa Institute on the 13th of June.

At Livorno city’s Modigliani Forum, His Holiness will give commentaries on the great Buddhist scholar Nagarjuna’s”Letter to a Friend” on the 14th of June. Nagarjuna wrote this letter as advice to his friend King Gautamiputrait gives a concise and comprehensive introduction to the path and practice of Buddhism.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give the AvalokiteshveraJigtenWangchuk empowerment presentation on the 15th of June in the morning

and a public talk on Ethics and Compassion in the afternoon.

The teachings and the public talk will be available as a live webcast via www.dalailama. com. There will be translations into Italian, English, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese including Sign Language.

Lama TzongKhapa Institute was founded in 1977. It is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist centres in Europe. The centre offers regular courses on Buddhism.

The centre offers courses from, basics to 7years Master’s programs in Tibetan Buddhist studies, attracting students from around the world. The Master program consists of four years of Sutra studies, two years of tantric studies, and one year of solitary retreat. It is offered both as a full-time residential and on-line course.

One of its unique projects is the Liberation Prison Project, which offers spiritual advice and teachings to people in prisons interested in Tibetan Buddhism.

This project has touched the hearts of thousands of prisoners in Italy. The teachings will be available as a live webcast to some 1,200 prisoners in Milan.

This is His Holiness the Dalai Lama 25th visit to Italy. The first visit was in September 1973.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama prays on 25th Tiananmen anniversary

The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo: Media File

By Yeshe Choesang: 04 June 2014

Dharamshala: - June 4 marks the 25th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-Democracy protests that ended in bloodshed, and His Holiness Dalai Lama, issued a statement to pray for “those who died for freedom, democracy and human rights.”

In his Message on June 4, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s said “Today, as our Chinese brothers and sisters commemorate the 25th anniversary of the June 4, 1989 event in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, I offer my prayers for those who died for freedom, democracy and human rights.”

“These values are the foundation of a free and dynamic society. They are also the source of true peace and stability. While great progress has been made to integrate China into the world economy, I believe it is equally important to encourage China to enter the mainstream of global democracy,” the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate said.

The spiritual leader of Tibet sai that “this will help China to gain the trust and respect of the rest of the world, enabling China to fulfill its potential in playing a leading role in global affairs. “ The series of student-led pro-democracy demonstrations, which took place in the spring of 1989, spotlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s

shortcomings and exposed deep divides within China’s leadership.

Protesters took part in hunger strikes and sit-ins and occupied Tiananmen Square to call for an end to government corruption and more freedom of speech and of the press.

On the night of June 3 and the early hours of June 4, the military was ordered to enforce martial law in the country’s capital. The impression of that moment is epitomized in the iconic image of an anonymous protestor, dubbed “Tank Man,” standing alone in front of more than a dozen military tanks.

The bloodshed that ensued remains one of the most sensitive subjects in Chinese politics and is something that the Chinese government has gone to great lengths to try and cover up. Some estimate that more than 1,000 pro-democracy protesters were killed.

According to media reports, ‘foreign journalists were ushered away from the square as passers-by were frisked and had their documents verified.’ ‘his comes after the authorities, in recent weeks, detained dozens of activists to ensure that no untoward situation occurs on the 25th anniversary of the bloody crackdown that defined a generation of activists and shocked the world.

H.H THE DALAI LAMA

15 June 2014

5

Tibet’s spiritual leader speaks on Living, Loving, Laughing and Dying

By Rajdip Ray:

02 June 2014

Dharamshala: - His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet was in Mumbai for 3 days at the invitation of the Nalanda Shiksha, a collection of Indian Buddhist groups from places such as Bangalore, Bir, Sankisa and Nasik. Having come to Dharamsala in 2012 and 2013 to listen to him, this was the first time they had gathered in Mumbai, where the teachings were hosted by Somaiya Vidyavihar, an eclectic education institution.

His Holiness was introduced by Mr Samir Somaiya, President of the Somaiya Trust. The motto of the trust is “Knowledge Alone Liberates”.

His Holiness started off the session with a recitation in Pali of the ‘Mangalam Sutta’, followed by ‘An Invocation of the Seventeen Great Sagacious Adepts of Glorious Nalanda,’ recited simultaneously in Tibetan, Hindi and English.

“We should be 21st century Buddhists with a thorough knowledge of what the Buddha taught,” he said. His Holiness explained that when we examine the teachings we should investigate them without bias. He said we need a degree of scepticism, which prompts questions, leading to an eagerness to investigate, which in turn will yield answers. This was the approach of the great masters of Nalanda who stressed on reason.

“Why do we need inner peace?” His Holiness asked.

“Because, for one thing, a calm mind is important for our health. Constant fear, anger and stress can make us ill. All sentient beings want to live a happy life, but most, like animals and birds seek to do so only a sensory level. Their intelligence is limited and yet they respond to affection and kind words. We human beings have intelligence that allows us to project into the future and remember the past. We invented language and writing, but we also developed faith.”

His Holiness explained that in theistic terms there is faith in a creator god, but in non-theistic terms there is faith in causality. Both approaches have been of great benefit to humanity in the past and will continue to be so in the future.

With regard to the Buddha’s teaching, he taught the Four Noble Truths, explaining them three times in terms of nature - that there is suffering, its cause, cessation and the path; in terms of function - that we should know suffering, overcome its causes,

and attain cessation by following the path; and in terms of result - having eliminated the cause, suffering is overcome, having followed the path, we attain cessation. He said that suffering is based on ignorance. Ignorance of causality is rooted in ignorance about reality.

His Holiness also answered several questions from the audience including a request for advice about how to meditate.

On the second day, His Holiness emphasized that China was not yet a democracy, though he pointed out that things were changing. He also said that India must build a future based on its ancient values. His Holiness stressed the need to prevent our human intelligence being diverted by destructive emotions.

The latter half of the day was spent fielding questions on vipasyana and teaching excerpts from Nagarjuna’s ‘Precious Garland’.

His Holiness started the final day’s teaching session with an explanation taken from Shantideva’s book, ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’. He spoke about the relevant sections on anger and hatred, which stands as obstacles in the way of developing infinite altruism.

He said we can distinguish two kinds of compassion, one that wishes for others to be free from suffering and a second determination that says: “May I be able to free others from suffering.” He said we

could go about with this only by understanding determinate origination.

He also added that some of the problems we face may persist for another 30-40 years, but if take steps to amend them now, in the long run things will change.

This is why he promotes the idea of secular ethics, the importance of warm-heartedness based on the notion that we all belong to one human family.

In the afternoon, His Holiness met several business leaders at Somaiya Bhavan. He suggested that business leaders can make a significant contribution to the betterment of society. He observed that there are still too many people living in poverty, that among our grand buildings are people living in slums, people who are still human beings like us. He said that the wealthy have some responsibility to help the poor by providing facilities for education and health, but that the poor also have a responsibility to build their own confidence and work hard.

His Holiness advised that faced with an ever increasing global population, the huge gap between rich and poor, and dwindling natural resources, concern for others is crucial. Asked about the purpose of life, he said it is in finding happiness and satisfaction.

His Holiness concluded the session by having his photograph by many of those present, and signing books for them.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the his four day teaching at Somaiya Vidyavihar campus in Mumbai, India. from 30 May to June 1, 2014. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses tourists in Dharamshala

By Becky Bargh:

29 May 2014

Dharamshala: - It was a warm day in McLeod Ganj on Wednesday 28 May 2014 when His Holiness the Dalai Lama the spiritual leader of Tibet gave the second public audience in recent weeks, attended by approximately 1500 people from 62 countries, including 300 Indians nationals.

His Holiness arrived at 10am and walked from his office down to the Tsuglagkhang courtyard where people had been organised in to national groups, he then posed for pictures, shook hands and exchanged greetings with well-wishers.

Once photographs had been taken His Holiness went into the Tsuglagkhang to pay his respects while the busy crowds settled and rearranged themselves in order to listen to him. Firstly, he began by expressing his decision to revive his custom of periodically meeting with the pubic and those foreigners who travel many miles to come and visit Dharamshala.

“We are all the same,” he said, “physically, mentally and emotionally. We all want to lead a happy life

and we have a right to do so.”

He spoke about how people depend on sensory objects and experiences to be happy in a materialistic world, but these experiences are short lived. He said that by developing inner peace can be more effective in the search for happiness; he conceded that each of us are driven by self-interest he said: “The key is to follow self-interest wisely by developing concern for others rather than foolishly being only concerned for ourselves.”

In Tibetan Buddhist traditions the knowledge involved in mental training derives from the traditions that have flourished from the Nalanda University in India. His Holiness expressed gratitude to the ancient Indians who he regards as Tibet’s gurus, while urging contemporary Indians to keep up their longstanding practice of ahimsa, a non-violent approach and the inter-religious harmony the exists throughout the country, that derives from a respectful secular approach to each other’s spiritual traditions.

When answering several questions from the audience he affirmed that no matter how troublesome the world around us may be, it is always wiser to resolve conflict through non-violence and dialogue. When asked how friends can support Tibetans he said the Tibetan cause is a just cause, so to support it is to support justice.

He said he sometimes characterises the situation as a struggle between the power of the gun and the power of truth. In the short term, the gun seems stronger and more effective, but in the long term it is the power of truth that will prevail. He expressed optimism that the present younger generation, who belong to the 21st century, will be able to shape a happier, more peaceful world.

Rajdip Ray, from Pune attended the public talk with His Holiness, he said, “The speech from his Holiness was very enlightening and inspiring,” he added, “I thought it was great that His Holiness reached out to the foreigners and Indians who come to Dharamshala and I feel very privileged to have seen him speak.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the TCV school auditorium in McLeod Ganj, India on June 4, 2014.

Photo: TP/Yeshe Choesang

philosophical education rather than just a religion. His Holiness said that the sustenance and advancement of Buddhism in the world will depend on the Tibetan people’s determination to study the essence of Buddha’s teaching.

His Holiness also emphasised the development of mental faculty and learning the wisdom of morality as very essential. He said that the source of moral values lies in learning the profound and pristine teachings of Buddha, available only in Tibetan language, therefore urging Tibetan youths to improve their Tibetan language proficiency to fully understand Buddha’s teachings.

The first two days of teachings was held indoors while the initiation on the third day was held outdoors on the TCV grounds where over 6,000 devotees attended his teachings.

The teaching sessions were requested by the Buddhism Introductory Committee of Dharamsala (BICD), a voluntary committee aimed at associating Tibetan youths with Buddhism. These are the eighth such teachings since the Committee’s formation of the practice in 2007.

According to BICD, the teachings were conceived to keep Tibetan youths in touch with Buddhism and Tibetan culture.

Study Tibetan language to fully understand Buddha: His Holiness

By Yeshe Choesang:

06 June 2014

Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama urged the Tibetan youths to improve their Tibetan language, as the profound and pristine teachings of Buddha is available only in Tibetan language.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Wednesday began the annual series of introductory teachings for Tibetan youths at the Upper Tibetan Children’s Village school in Dharamshala.

Over 4,000 Tibetan youths, including 840 registered college students gathered in the TCV school auditorium to listen to His Holiness’teachings for Tibetan youths, aimed to create more awareness about Tibetan Buddhist teachings and culture among the youth.

The two-day teachings include commentaries on ‘The Heart Sutra’ (Tibetan: Sherap Nyingpo), and praise of Manjushri Buddha(Tibetan: Gangloma) on the mornings of June 4 and 5. On June 6 morning, His Holiness will confer the Avalokiteshvera Initiation (Tibetan: Chanrigzig Gi Wang.

His Holiness said that young generations should not perceive Tibetan Buddhism as related to just faith alone but study the Buddhist philosophy as an academic branch of study. “Based on reality and your own

experience you can study the nature of mind, ways to control it and you shall be a happier person once you understand the essence of the teachings of Buddha.”

His Holiness said that the logical studies of the teachings are being preserved in the Tibetan monastic institutions through debate. “It is not only the monks and nuns, but that of lay people’s responsibility to study the teachings of Buddha,” he added Addressing the youths before the formal initiation of the teaching, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that Buddha’s teachings should be treated as a branch of

6

TPI NEWS

15 June 2014

Horoscopes for the month of June, 2014 Sorces: Always Astrology

(Mar. 21- April 20) Travel will stimulate your need to experience exciting new things. Losses are likely if you get involved with uncertain individuals. You may want to tell someone how you really feel. You need a change and you need to earn more cash. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Expect your workload to be heavy. You will have the getup and go to contribute a great deal to groups of interest. It’s time to get yourself back on track. Empty promises could be likely where work is concerned.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Avoid disputes with family; their complaints can’t change anything anyway. Don’t push your luck with authority. Take action. Children may cause limitations.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Dream a little this month. You are best not to say too much to colleagues. Don’t let any money slip through your fingers this month. Added knowledge will give you the edge when dealing with peers. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Stick to your work and avoid emotional confrontations.

Social events should be the highlight of your day. You may find that purchases or entertainment could be expensive. You will enjoy socializing and unusual forms of entertainment. Take time to relax. Stress and pressure at home may have worn you ragged. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your intellectual charm will entice mates who have common interests. You need to keep everyone on your domestic scene too busy to complain. You’ll have problems with authority figures if you don’t play by the rules. Financial investments that deal with joint money can be extremely prosperous. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

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LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You probably aren’t getting straight answers to your questions. Do a little extra work at home. Be sure to get involved with those who can introduce you to unusual forms of entertainment. If you’re uncertain of your feelings, keep your opinions to yourself. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Turn your present relationship around or start a new one. Don’t expect romantic encounters to be lasting.

Be aware of deception when it comes to your position, and be sure not to jump to conclusions. The knowledge you have will enhance your reputation. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Spend some time with people who can shed some light on your personal situation. Travel will be fun, but expect it to cost you. Any financial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. Try not to be too emotional with those around you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Don’t evade issues or twist the truth around. Think about starting your own small business, You should be looking into making changes around the house. Don’t let children or elders put demands on your time. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Lack of funds may add stress to your already uncertain situation. Dream a little this month. Get involved in sports events that will benefit your physical appearance.

Do not sign your life away. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Family responsibilities are mounting. You can expand your circle of friends if you get out and socialize. You should socialize with clients or upper echelons of your industry if possible. Direct your energy into physical exertion. Residential moves will be favorable. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

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We seem to cal “luck” that factor which overrides external conditions to bring about a positive situation. But that too is a cause; it is an inner cause, which we call “merit.”-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from “Answers: Discussions with Western Buddhists”

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Public schedule of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Month Of July/Ausgust, 2014 eaching in Likir, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 1: His Holiness will give a teaching on The Heart Sutra in the morning at Likir Monastery.

Kalachakra in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India from July 3 to 13: His Holiness will be giving the Kalachakra at the request of the two main organizers, the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gonpa Association. The Tibetan Kongpo Association and the Tibetan Jonang Association are co-sponsors. During the first three days of the Kalachakra, from July 3 to 5, 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 rituals. From July 6 to 8, His Holiness will give preliminary teachings on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend (shetring). On July 9, the Kalachakra Ritual Dance will be performed by the monks of Namgyal Monastery. His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from July 10 to 12. On July 13, a long life empowerment (tsewang) and a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be performed. Contact Website: www.ladakhkalachakra2014.com Discussion in Hamburg, Germany on August 23: His Holiness will lead a discussion on Secular Ethics - Human Values In Our Lives. Contact Website: www.dalailama-hamburg.de Teaching in Hamburg, Germany from August 24 to 26: His Holiness will give teachings on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) on August 24 and 25. He will confer an Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wang jigten wangchuk) on the morning of August 26. Contact Website: www.dalailama-hamburg.de Sources: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

International 7 TPI NEWS Slovakian Parliament Foreign US urges China for ‘unconditional’ talks with Tibetan envoys Affairs welcomes Tibetan MPs 15 June 2014

The Tibet Post International

By Yeshe Choesang: 09 June 2014

Tibet Group of the Slovakian Parliament with Tibetan Parliamentary Delegation members at the Slovakian Parliament, Bratislava.

By Kathryn Middel-Katzenmeyer: 08 June 2014

Bratislava, 5 June: - Five Slovakian Parliamentarians including the Chairman of the Slovakian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee welcomed the Tibetan Parliamentary Delegation today at the Slovakian Parliament in Bratislava. Mr. Martin Poliacik, the chairman of the Tibet Group of the Slovakian Parliament organized the meeting.

“I wish to express my solidarity with the Tibetan people,” said Mr. František Šebej, the Chairman of the Slovakian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Šebej continued on to say that he was happy to fly the Tibetan national flag every year on 10 March. This year, 160 Tibetan flags were hoisted across Slovakia.

The delegation is led by Khenpo Lopon Sonam Tenphel, the Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile based in Dharamsala. The other members of the delegation were Mr. Karma Chophel, Mr. Dawa Phunkyi and Mr. Jamyang Soepa.

“There is no freedom of any sort in Tibet.

Tibetans continue to be oppressed due to the wrong policies in Tibet which has resulted in the self-immolation of 130 Tibetans since 2009,” said Mr. Karma Choephel on behalf of the delegation.

Mr. Choephel stated that Tibetans in the free world have a moral duty to speak on behalf of fellow Tibetans living in Tibet and seek support for the Tibetan issue on their behalf. In his opinion, the delegations’ main objective was to highlight the very urgent situation in Tibet.

To their Slovakian allies, Choephel said,”We seek your support for the Middle Way Approach

to resolve the Tibetans issue with China through dialogue. We are not seeking independence or separation from China but want genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people”.

He called on the Tibet Group within the Slovakian Parliament to impress the Chinese government to re-start the dialogue with Tibetans.

Mr. Poliacik said on 10 March 2014, the Tibet Group of the Slovakian Parliament requested the Chinese government to resolve the Tibetan issue through dialogue.

In the evening, a panel discussion on Tibet was organized at the prestigious Zichyho Palace in the city center. Mr. Choephel and Prof. Martin Slobodnik, a China expert at the Comenius University of Bratislava, were the main speakers.

Responding to a question from the audience about Tibet’s relations with China moving into the future, Mr Choephel acknowledged that indeed, there are different opinions within the Tibetan community. But the Tibetan Administration’s official policy to resolve the Tibetan issue through dialogue is the Middle Way Approach.

Prof. Martin Slobodnik said that though the situation in Tibet was extremely difficult, yet he saw three opportunities for Tibetans to cultivate positive attitude from the Chinese towards the Tibetans.

He said the existing contacts between the Tibetans and the Chinese intellectuals must be strengthened. Secondly, as more and more Chinese tourists visit Tibet, they will witness the actual situation of the Tibetans in the region, and will perhaps act in solidarity. The third area was to change the stereotype Chinese attitude towards Tibetans amongst the growing number of Chinese Buddhist.

In concluding the panel discussion, Mr. Poliacik asked the audience to tell their family members, friends, and neighbors about the things that they had heard that day, and to write a blog about the Tibetan issue to raise further awareness.

The Tibetan Parliamentary Delegation has visited Belgium, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tomorrow they will travel Austria and Switzerland.

Living, loving, laughing and ......

Regarding forgiveness he said it is important to distinguish between the agent and his or her action. He said that when necessary it is appropriate to take steps to counter the wrong actions of others, but not to give in to being angry with them. He said this is what Tibetans do when they openly oppose and resist the actions of hardliners among Chinese officials, but draw the line at being angry with them.

In the afternoon, the final session of teachings requested by the Nalanda Shiksha, he explained the essence of Chapter 8 of Shantideva’s ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’, highlighting particular verses in the course of his explanation.

The theme of Chapter 8 is meditation and His Holiness began by contrasting concentration and analytical meditation. In the course of general instructions he discussed objects that may be the focus of meditation and mentioned that taking the mind itself as the object can be particularly effective. However, it is important, but also difficult to identify the mind. He compared trying to identify the mind that changes from moment to moment to trying to pin down the present. We may feel clear about the past and the future, but the present remains difficult to pin down.

Because to begin with the mind tends to be agitated, His Holiness demonstrated how to perform the nine round meditation which involves physical and mental discipline. It can be effective in clearing away distractions, followed by simply observing and counting the breath in lots of 20, 50 or 100. Later, the chapter deals with generating the awakening mind of bodhichitta.

The text says: “Having calmed the mind, generate the awakening mind.” He outlined generating equanimity towards all sentient beings as part of both the Seven-Point Cause and Effect Method and the Equalizing and Exchanging Self and Others, quoting Shantideva’s advice: “When happiness is equally dear to others and myself, what is so special about me that I strive

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after happiness for myself alone? All who are unhappy in the world are miserable because of their desire for their own happiness. All who are happy in the world are delighted by their desire for the happiness of others.”

In conclusion, His Holiness told his audience that they had copies of Shantideva’s text and urged them to read it whenever they can.

“This is a teaching about how to lead a meaningful life,” he said. “Essentially, help others whenever and wherever you can and even if you can’t do that, at least restrain yourself from harming them.”

Samir Somaiya stepped forward to express gratitude to His Holiness for coming and teaching and thanked everyone who had contributed to making the visit a success. For the Nalanda Shiksha, Anita Dudhane added her thanks and recited in Sanskrit His Holiness’s favourite verse: “For as long as space endures and as long as the world remains, may I too live to dispel the miseries of the world.”

Tibetan medical college ......

...... continued from front-page Speaker Penpa Tsering congratulated the institute for completing 53 glorious years of existence and said that the institute has preserved the rich traditions of Tibetan cultural science for over 50 years and has served the Tibetan community in various capacities. He also talked about the need for specialisation

by Tibetan doctors and astrologers to further develop these cultural sciences. Furthermore, he highlighted the essence of moral discipline and value of principles while catering to the needs of the patients.

The College of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology (Men-Tsee College), which has till date produced 200 Tibetan medical practitioners and 60 Tibetan astrologers, was incepted on 2 June 1961 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Dharamshala: - The United States has called on China to start “unconditional” talks with Spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and address the failed policies that have created tensions in Tibet.

“As we have long said, we are deeply concerned about the poor human rights situation in Tibetan areas of China,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson, Marie Harf told reporters at a press briefing on Friday, 6 June, 2014.

“As we’ve long said, we are deeply concerned about the poor human rights situation in Tibetan areas of China. We have continued to urge the Chinese Government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions as a means to reduce tensions, obviously urge China to address policies that have created tensions in Tibetan areas and that threaten the Tibetan unique culture,” Harf said.

“As envisioned in the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, we continue (our) efforts to open a consulate in Lhasa, also continue to request the Chinese Government allow a consular officer to visit Tibet and ethnically Tibetan areas of China,” Ms. Harf added.

“Having been to many capitals around the world and met many political leaders and influential people, I know that there are a lot of people are informed about the middle way approach, but they have certain misunderstandings and incorrect notions about the middle way approach.

State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf answering the journalists during the daily press briefing on 12 December 2013. Photo/Getting Images

Hence, the Tibetan administration felt the need to introduce this campaign to create awareness in , particularly because the Chinese government deliberately mislead international leaders and the international community about the middle way approach, which brings into question our intentions,” Sikyong said on Thursday as he launched a ‘Middle Way Approach’ campaign for genuine autonomy.

The recent news coming in from Tibet indicate that more restrictions are being posed during this holy month. Even after 50 years, the hardline policies imposed by the Chinese in Tibet have not worked, with numerous protests having taken

place, including the recent cases of more than 130 self immolations, resulting in 112 deaths.”

He also added, “I hope that the new Chinese leadership will realize their hard line policies are not working, and review the current policies and implement new policies in Tibet which are liberal in nature, in order to find a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue.”

Response to the Tibetan campaign, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei Friday said, “the door to talks is always open, but China will only talk to the Dalai Lama’s personal representatives and only about his personal future, not anything to do with Tibet.”

Community UK said, “All peoples in China, including Han, Tibetans and Uyghurs, live in fear under a dictatorship that ruthlessly suppresses any form of dissent. Freedom of expression is a basic human right that the international community must insist the Chinese government uphold.”

‘Reclaiming Tiananmen 2014’ is a series of events organised by Chinese Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK, in conjunction with Amnesty International UK to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and to remember the victims of the massacre which took place on 4 June 1989.

On 31 May in Trafalgar Square, London, members of Chinese Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK re-enacted the famous scene from Tiananmen Square of an anonymous Chinese man stopping a line of tanks.

The Paris based global media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders also said it condemns the many violations of freedom of information in the run-up to tomorrow’s 25th

anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

“Chinese journalists have been arrested, social networks and websites have been censored, and virtually all Google services, from Gmail to Picasa, have been rendered inaccessible since 1 June”, the media watchdog group said in a statement issued on 3 June.

“Journalists, bloggers and other news providers are being subjected to harassment t h a t i s i n c r e a s i n g a s t h e Ti a n a n m e n anniversary approaches,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

“We call on the authorities to assume their responsibility by freeing those who have been detained and by lifting the taboo that stills exists on any reference to the massacre.

The Chinese public has the right to know the truth that has been hidden from it for the past 25 years.”

Tiananmen Square: The wound that remains unhealed

By Jake Thomas: 03 June 2014

London: - On the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, Chinese Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK calls on the Chinese government to end its censorship of the 1989 protests and massacre, stop the persecution of survivors and instigate measures to bring about justice for those who lost their lives.

In the words of Shao Jiang, one of the Chinese student organisers of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests who now lives in the UK, “The wound of Tiananmen Square 1989 remains unhealed. We must seek the truth, expose the perpetrators of the massacre and bring justice for all those who lost their lives on 4 June 1989.”

As part of ‘Reclaiming Tiananmen 2014’, on Wednesday 4 June, a flower-laying ceremony will be held at 11am outside the Chinese Embassy in London to remember the victims of the massacre. Flowers will be laid by survivors and relatives of Tiananmen Square protestors plus representatives of NGOs involved in human rights and democracy in China, Tibet and East Turkestan.

Tenzin Samphel, chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain, said, “Twenty-five years on, the Chinese government continues to brutally suppress peaceful protests, with violence, arbitrary arrests and harsh prison sentences. The international community must demand an end to the oppressive autocratic rule of the Chinese Community Party.”

Rahime Mahmut, a member of Ughur

By Tenzing Dawoe: 12 June 2014

Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, in mid-May of 1989, the tanks and armored personnel carriers rolled into the square, killing several thousands of them. Photo: Media File

Ladakh to witness a mega ......

The production also included a wonderful performance by special guest, Tenzin jigme, from JJI Exile Brothers. He attended to support the concert and was pleased to see new steps being taken towards promoting Himalayan based artists. He also sang a few songs to celebrate the launch.

HITA will be organizing a 4-day mega musical concert from 29th June - 2nd July at Choglamsar TCV School ground in Ladakh.

More than 25 prominent, young and budding musicians, from the entire Himalayan Region, from across various genres including folk to fusion to pop, have been invited.

Among the many artists coming from all parts of the world to perform at the concert, are, Prashant Tamang (Indian Idol 3 Winner), Techung (renowned folk and freedom singer/songwriter), Nima Rumba (Popular Nepali Singer & Actor),

Tibetan United Association Celebrates Golden Jubilee

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Dechen Zang (Bhutanese lead pop singer and actress), and many more.

When asked about the concert, Techung remarked, “I support HITA’s work. Through their love of traditional and contemporary music and culture, HITA has brought about a platform for various talented artists from the rich Himalayan musical traditions. Music brings the community together. I am honored to be part of HITA’s upcoming 2014 “Tashi Delek Concert” in Ladakh. I ask everyone to join in and wish them success.”

The concert will be one of the biggest to ever happen in Ladakh. Music enthusiasts from all across the world are expected to attend.

HITA Music Agency is a socially oriented Himalayan music agency that promotes Himalayan artists, and works to find them various stage and promotion opportunities.

D h a r a m s a l a : T h e Ti b e t a n U n i t e d Association(TUA) commemorated its 50th founding anniversary on 23rd April, 2014, at the Hotel Bhagsu Club House. The chief guest at the function was the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, Mr. Penpa Tsering.

Other guests included officials from various institutes, representatives of NGOs, former members of the TUA and the general public.

The ceremony was initiated with a prayer lamp offering by the chief guest to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It was followed by a speech by the president of TUA, Mr. Tenzin Dakpa, on the history of the association and its objectives. The chief guest addressed the gathering on the need for unity within the Tibetan community among people of the three provinces. He also stressed on the recent allegations by the Dogyal community against His Holiness and urged Tibetans to stand in support of His Holiness.

The organisation first started out as a welfare association in 1959, and later emerged as the Tibetan United association in 1964. It was the first such organisation to be founded in the exiled community. It aims to carry out the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, provide assistance to the CTA and help the poor and destitutes in the Tibetan Community.

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TPI NEWS

Back Page Focus Tibetan filmmaker freed, assistant describes detention and escape Tibetan 15 June 2014

Paris, 6 June, 2014: - Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that Dhondup Wangchen, the Tibetan filmmaker who was arrested in 2008 for making the documentary Leaving Fear Behind, was released yesterday on completing a six-year jail sentence.

His release came three weeks after Jigme Gyatso, the Tibetan monk who helped him make the documentary, arrived in Dharamsala, in northern India, after escaping from detention in Tibet.

“We are extremely relieved by Wangchen’s release and hope he will now get the necessary medical treatment that was cruelly lacking in prison,” Reporters Without Borders said.

“His state of health and his first statements after his release constitute new evidence of the mistreatment of prisoners of opinion. Gyatso also said he was tortured. We hope the authorities will not now place Wangchen under surveillance.”

Wangchen was convicted of subversion over “Leaving Fear Behind,” a 25-minute documentary in which 108 Tibetan interviewees describe what it is like to live under Chinese occupation. Screened clandestinely in Beijing while the 2008 Olympic Games were getting under way, it received the Committee to Protect Journalists’ International Press Freedom Prize in 2012.

Held in Xining prison (in Qinghai province),

Wangchen received no medical treatment for his hepatitis B while detained. After his release, he told relatives: “I feel that everything inside me is in a sea of tears. I hope to recover my health soon (...) and I want to be reunited with my family.”

He also voiced gratitude for all the support he received while in prison. His wife, Lhama Tso, now a political refugee in the United States, said: “Six years of injustice and painful counting the days ended today.”

Escape after torture Gyatso, the monk who help Wangchen make the documentary, arrived in Dharamsala on 19 May after escaping from a detention centre in Gansu province and spending 20 months crossing Tibetan mountains and forests to reach northern India, where he is now safe.

He described his detention and escape at a press conference at Dharamsala’s Tibet Hotel on 28 May. He said that he was tortured, beaten and left hanging from a ceiling for 10 hours, that several of his ribs were broken and that he sustained serious injuries to his knees and back.

Originally detained for seven months in 2008, he was arrested again and tortured in 2009, and was detained yet again in 2012, following which his relatives ceased to receive any news of him.

By Reporters Without Borders: 07 June 2014

After his arrest in 2012, he decided to escape on being told that the prison authorities planned to kill him with fake medicine during a hospital visit. He succeeded in freeing himself from his chains and managed to walk out through the prison’s main gate while it was open and the guards were not looking.

In reaction to his escape, the Chinese authorities accused him of murder and put a price of 200,000 yuan (23,500 euros) on his head.

Gyatso was one of the 100 “information heroes” that Reporters Without Borders profiled this year for World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. These accounts of torture give the lie to the Chinese government’s claims that it has banned all use of torture in its detentions centres and works camps.

Reports by Amnesty International and Christian Action for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) confirm that the ban on torture is being ignored.

An Amnesty International report issued last month said China and North Korea were among the AsiaPacific region’s “worse culprits.” China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in October 1998 but has yet to ratify it.

China is ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

Italian Rights group supports Tibetan Youth in exile

By Tenzin Dawoe: 8 June 2014

Administration and and representatives from various Tibetan NGOS. The group is requested the Tibetan schools to add Human Rights as a course in their subject area. The delegation also said they came up with the idea after suggested by Kasur Jetsun Pema.

During a press conference in Dharamshala, on 7 June, Cerchiara said her ‘organisation is happy to support the Tibetan communities in exile to educate Tibetan youths about general awareness of basic human rights principles with education materials.’

Italy- based NGO, Youth for Human Rights, has produced a guide to help educators to educate the youth about human rights- which is also available in Tibetan. The organisation aims to create a world where people treat each other with respect and dignity through effective education.

As the organisation states, “many human rights organizations focus on research and advocacy for the victims of abuse. Youth for Human Rights International complements this work by addressing those issues with educational materials and activities.”

The Youth for Human Rights Educator’s Guide is provided free to teachers and contains lesson plans and enrichment activities to help cultivate an understanding of human rights in the children. The translation of this book into Tibetan has been arranged by the Association Diritti Umanni e le Tolleranza Onlus and contains a foreword by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

the cancellation of the first runner-up position for Ngodup Dolma, one of the contestants in the Miss Tibet Pageant 2011, due to her unprofessional and unethical behaviours. Read the announcement here.

In her speech, Yangzom called for Tibetan unity,

and said that she will work to bring awareness about the education of Tibetan youngsters.

On 9 June, new Miss Tibet along with her mother, the pageant director, and staff members went to greet Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the elected political leader of Tibetan people.

Italian delegation speaking to Tibetan media in Dharamshala, India, 7 June, 2014. Photo: TPI/ Yeshe Choesang

Dharamshala: - An Italian delegation of the ‘Youth for Human Rights’led by its President, Ms Filorella Cerchiara, recently visited Tibetan communities, including schools and institutions in Dharamshala, India.

The group met top Tibetan officials, including Dr Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan

Tenzin Yangzom from Gangtok crowned Miss Tibet 2014

By Yangchen Dolma: 10 June 2014

Dharamshala: - Miss Tenzin Yangzom was crowned the 12th Miss Tibet on Sunday evening, [8 June] in a modest coronation ceremony held in the hill town of McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Northern India.

Miss Tibet 2011 Tenzin Yangkyi crowned Yangzom, whom the director of the pageant Lobsang Wangyal sashed and presented with a cheque for one lakh (100,000) rupees. According to the pageant organisers, ‘she announced the donation of the prize money to two schools for 25,000 rupees each, and another 20,000 rupees for old people’s home in McLeod Ganj, and offered 30,000 back to the Pageant.’

‘About 1000 people attended the show,’ the organisers said, adding: “Fireworks and upbeat music welcomed Mr Lobsang Wangyal, the director of the pageant, who surprised the audience with his new neon green suit. Emcee Suzanne Borton from the UK gave a brief speech and then invited the new Miss Tibet on stage for a short introduction round.”

Yangzom displayed a stunning evening gown for the next round, and then in traditional costume she played yang chin (hammered dulcimer) for the final third round. She was then crowned the new Miss Tibet by Miss Tibet 2011 Tenzin Yangkyi.

Among the entertainers of the night included nine-year-old Tenzin Choenyi playing a traditional Tibetan song. Sonam Bolaria, an upcoming local singer, presented two hindi songs. Techung, a well-known Tibetan singer accompanied by artistes of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, delighted the audience with some of his popular songs.

Jigme of the JJI brothers also performed with a group of artistes from TIPA. The Himalayan Band also performed some popular songs before the coronation.

Before the crowning, the director announced

Miss Tibet 2014 Tenzin Yangzom, a 19-year old Tibetan girl from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, India. Photo: Miss Tibet

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admin. condoles demise of the 14th Sharmapa Rinpoche By

The 14th Shamarpa Rinpoche. Photo: Media File

Dharamshala: - The Dharamshala based Tibetan Administration (CTA) Wednesday has conveyed its condolences over the demise of the 14th Sharmapa Rinpoche, a senior religious leader of Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

“We are deeply saddened to hear the sudden demise of Shamar Rinpoche and offer our prayers,” Kalon Pema Chhinjor of the Department of Religion and Culture said in a press statement issued on 11 June, 2014.

“Shamarpa Rinpoche passed away - he got a sudden heart attack. The emergency doctors came here right away but couldn’t do anything anymore,” ‘the International Bodhi Path Organization’ said in a statement dated 11 June, 2014.

The statement said, “Rinpoche already had a short black out during the course but the doctors confirmed that even an immediate transfer to the hospital wouldn’t have changed anything.”

“Our founder and spiritual leader Shamar Rinpoche, passed away on 11 June 2014 in Renchen-Ulm, Germany.”

The statement also stated that “Jigme Rinpoche and we all ask you to offer prayers for Shamar Rinpoche.”

“Shamar Rinpoche died suddenly in Germany at the age of 62. He had just completed several days of teachings at his main European seat in Renchen-Ulm, Germany,” the ‘Administration of Shamarpa Rinpoche’ said in a statement issued on the same day.

“Shamarpa Rinpoche’s unexpected death leaves

Yeshe Choesang: 11 June 2014

thousands of his disciples in Asia and the Western world greatly saddened and in a profound state of shock,” the statement said, adding: “He touched the lives of countless numbers of people. His accomplishments as a spiritual leader will benefit sentient beings for years to come.”

In the interview by iSikkim.com, Shamarpa Rinpoche said, His Holiness the Dalai Lama never opposed his recognition of Thaye Dorjee as Karmapa.”

Shamarpa Rinpoche met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on 13 August, 2010, in Dharamshala. “We had a discussion for approximately one and a half hours and had a very important and detailed exchange of views regarding the ongoing Karmapa controversy and its possible solution,” Shamarpa said in a letter after the meeting. “lthough this matter is not easily resolved, since it is connected to the politics of China and India as well, with His Holiness Dalai Lama’s blessing and support I am confident that there will be an amicable solution, which will be beneficial for the Karma Kagyü lineage, as well as for Tibetan Buddhism in general,” he added.

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