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Journalists to promote human values: His Holiness the Dalai Lama Vol. 03, Issue 112, Print Issue 36, 30 June 2014

Chime released at midnight in Kardze

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A Voice For Tibet

B o d - K y i - Cha-Trin

Cameron: Do not allow China to buy your silence on human rights Bi-monthly

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Make the 21st century a more peaceful and compassionate century

By Jane Cook: 17 June 2014

Local people and nuns from Lanza Monastery presented Karda for Chime. on June 25, 2014. Photo/TPI

By Yangchen Dolma: 28 June 2014

DHARAMSHALA. A Tibetan nun Chime was released

by Chinese authorities on June 25 after three years of imprisonment.

Chinese authority released Chime at mightnight to avoid welcome ceremony for her, which usually Tibetans are doing when Tibetan prisoner are released.But after one day local Tibetan heard Chime ‘s release and they welcomed her warmly with Tibetan traditional scarves.

She was working as a nurse in a clinic in Lamdrok Nunnery, was arrested with her helper nun Choega on their way to Lamdrag Hospital in Kardze city as travelling to Kardze without travel permit during an uprising in Kardze County against Chinese government and she was imprisoned by charges of separatist.

An open Tibet to assess Huamn Rights: US lawmakers

By Yeshe Choesang: 15 June 2014

Dharamshala: - A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have introduced a legislation in the House of Representatives asking an open and accessible Tibet to objectively assess the human rights situation in the Tibetan areas.

This bipartisan bill, called “The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act,” promotes access to Tibetan areas of China for U.S. officials, journalists, and average citizens, Mr McGovern said. Currently, travel restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on Tibet are more severe than for any other provincial-level entity of China.

These restrictions have negative consequences for both U.S. citizens and Tibetans. After an October 2013 bus crash with Americans on board, U.S. consular officers faced prolonged delays in obtaining access to Tibet, hindering their ability to serve Americans in distress, he said.

“Restricted access to Tibet leaves Tibetans in virtual isolation from the world community, limiting international exchange and the ability to objectively assess the human rights situation there,” said Mr McGovern. “I am grateful to the Tibetan community in Massachusetts and to the International Campaign for Tibet for all of their hard work and activism on this important issue.”

“Our aim is not to limit exchange; it is to foster exchanges between America and Tibet, Rep. McGovern continued. “Our goal is an open and accessible Tibet, where Americans can visit and learn from the wonders of the Tibetan Plateau – its natural beauty, its people, and its rich culture and religious heritage.”

U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) is the lead Republican cosponsor of the bill.

Livorno, Tuscany, Italy, 15 June 2014 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama said he is sending out a message to youth everywhere that he is with them in their efforts to make the 21st century a more compassionate century. His Holiness began the last day of his Italian visit at the Modigliani Forum to do preparatory prayers for the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment.

“It is a great honor to have a spiritual brother from a major religious tradition present here ahead of my teachings of the Buddha. I always mention that all religions teach the same message, the practice of love. Philosophically there are major differences between our two religions but the aim is the same - to make everyone a better person with moral ethics.” His Holiness said.

His Holiness expressed his desire to participate in a Christian prayer service during his next Italian visit, as he said it would not be possible this trip. He once again conveyed his warm welcome and deep appreciation to Bishop Simone Giusti on behalf of the Buddhist community in Italy.

Bishop Simone Giusti thanked His Holiness for his words and welcome saying that he was extremely happy and equally honored to be in the presence of His Holiness. He said there are many people in this world who have lost their way and for whom His Holiness’ message of love and compassion brings new hope.

His Holiness held on to the hands of Bishop Simone throughout their conversation and also walked with him as he left the stage.

His Holiness then conferred the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment.

In the afternoon His Holiness gave a public talk on Compassionate Ethics attended by more than 6000 people.

He began by talking about the Tibetan national flag, having signed one on his way to the stage. He recalled his conversation with Chairman Mao in Peking in 1954-55, during which he told His Holiness that he should display Tibet’s national flag if they had one. His Holiness said that the Chinese leaders at that time were dedicated people and that he admired them.

His Holiness said that he had enjoyed his Italian visit. Whenever he met members of the public they show genuine human feelings towards him and he thanked everyone for the love that they had shown. He had just one complaint, and that was the hot weather, which is beyond everyone’s control, he said.

Speaking on ethics, His Holiness said that he considered all

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visiting the Lhungtok Choekorling Monastery in Pomaia, Tuscany, Italy on June 13, 2014. Photo/FilmPRO

actions carried out for the welfare and benefit of other’s wellbeing as ethical. He advised people to develop a sense of concern for the well-being of others. Ultimately, this will benefit oneself and he said that sincerely caring for others well-being leaves no room to bully, cheat or harm others.

At the time of birth a child does not know any word, any language, but is totally dependent on its mother’s love and affection.

Scientists have found through study that for a new born child a mother’s touch is very crucial for the proper development of the brain in the initial few weeks after birth. His Holiness said that the affection of mother at an early age in life is very important.

He concluded his talk saying that the first person who benefits from showing compassion to others is oneself. “So please practice love and compassion,” he said.

The question and answer session started with questions from

young children and one from a young man in his teens who told His Holiness that like him there are many teens in Europe who are worried about their future and asked for advice.

His Holiness said that he places high hopes on the new generations of young people belonging to the 21st century and asked them to take the lead in being the change that they want to see. He called for them to pay more attention to inner values and moral ethics, over and above the current education system.

He said by his talks and other appearances he is sending out a message to youth everywhere that he is with them in their efforts to make the 21st century a more peaceful and compassionate century.

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Spain drops case against China’s leaders over ‘genocide’ in Tibet

Tibetan writers Jangtse Donkho and Buddha released from prison

Spain’s National Court issued international arrest warrant for the former Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin and four other top officials as part of a probe into alleged genocide by China against Tibetans in Tibet. Photo: Media File

By Peggy Cheng: 28 June 2014

Dharamshala – Spain’s Supreme Court has cancelled an investigation toward several former Chinese leaders including Jiang Zemin and Li Peng on charges of racial extermination in Tibet, a probe that had made Beijing government furious.

Acourt statement late Monday said the investigation is dismissed because it did not comply with a new universal jurisdiction law that stops Spanish courts’ use to pursue crimes against humanity committed abroad.

The law was drawn up after China expressed anger over the probe and hinted it could damage relations. The officials under investigation included two former presidents.

Under the new law, Spanish judges can prosecute crimes against humanity committed abroad only if the suspect is Spanish, a foreign resident in Spain or a foreigner who happens to be in Spain and whom the Spanish authorities have refused to extradite.

China steps up repression during religious festival in Tibet

Tibetans and supporters in Swiss rally for UN support Undated photo of Jangtse Donkho aka Nyen and Buddha shortly after his release. Photo: TCHRD Chief Election Commissioner Jampel Choesang (C) with the two additional election commissioners announce the result of Domey parliamentary bypoll in Dharamshala, India, on 24 June 2014/Photo by Jamyang

By Yeshe Choesang: 25 June 2014

Dharamshala: - Tashi Dhondup of Golok Serta and resident of Nepal won the by-election for the Domey Parliamentary seat with 586 votes (57.17%).

Announcing the results of the final round of polling, the election commissioners said out of 3,986 registered voters, 1,025 cast their ballots with a voter turnout of 25.72%, the Tibetan administration official media “Tibet Net” reported.

Tashi Dhondup, native of Golok Serta and currently residing in Nepal, got the highest number of 586 votes (57.17%), followed

by Tsangyang Gyatso of Golok and resident of Dharamshala with 317 votes (30.93%) and Karma Gelek of Jakhyung and resident of Bhandara with 113 votes (11.02%).

The final round of voting took place on 9 June.

By Yangchen Dolma: 28 June 2014

Dharamshala: - Two Tibetan writers, Jangtse Donkho (pen name: Nyen/”The Wrathful”) and Buddha were released earlier today on 20 June 2014 after serving four years in Mianyang Prison in Sichuan Province.

According to The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Jangtse Donkho was arrested on 21 June 2011 from his home in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County and accused of writing a “reactionary” essay entitled ‘What Human Rights Do We Have Over Our Bodies?’ which commented on the Chinese government’s bloody suppression of the 2008 Uprising.

The essay was published in the Shar Dungri (Eastern Snow Mountain) literary journal, which was later banned. Jangtse Donkho was 33 at the time of his arrest. Before his arrest, he was working as a researcher at Kyungchu (Ch: Qiongxi) town, Ngaba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

Dhonkho wrote the book Rolang (Eng: ‘Zombie’) and along with

Buddha, edited a few more journals including Du Rab Kyi Nga (Eng: ‘Consciousness of the Century’). Buddha is a writer, poet, and medical doctor whose work is regarded as influential in Tibetan society. He was detained on 26 June 2011 at the hospital where he worked in Ngaba County town. He was 34 at the time. His essay ‘Hindsight and reflection’ published in Shar Dungri uncovered the Chinese government’s propagandistic version of the 2008 Tibetan uprising: “On TV and in the newspapers they say the demonstrations were intended to obstruct and oppose China’s emergence as a great power and the improvement of the living standards of the Tibetan nationality. Supposing that such things were true, some questions must be asked. If the living standards of Tibetans had really improved so much, why would they feel so unhappy as to try to stop this? If Tibetan living standards are so developed, and the demonstrations were exclusively Tibetan, why should their not enjoying a ‘decent standard of living’ be greeted with such dismay?”

[ICT Translation, click here for more.]

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Tibetans and Tibet supporters today took out a rally in front of the United Nation’s building. Photo: Media file

By Tenzin Dawoe: 17 June 2014

Dharamshala: - Hundreds of Tibetans and Tibet supporters to held a rally in front of the United Nation’s building, urging for UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s intervention to resume dialogue between Tibetan representatives and China. The protest coincided with the UN P-2.....

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30 June 2014

TPI NEWS

My Take on Misinformation About the Middle Way Approach By: Tsering Wangchuk : 20 June 2014

The writer is press officer of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala, India. The views expressed in the piece do not necessarily reflect those of the Central Tibetan Administration. Photo: Media File

Being part of the recently launched international awareness campaign on Middle Way Approach which aims to counter the Chinese government’s misinformation campaign, I am elated to see the response it is generating world over. The Campaign generated one of the biggest media coverage in recent times from New York Times to Guardian to Straights Times to South China Morning Post and not to mention about Indian and Tibetan media.

On June 7, on a positive note, the US government urged for an unconditional dialogue. “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,” said US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf.

At the far end, caught on back foot, the Chinese government issued a series of baseless statements.

On the next day of the launch, the spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry termed Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay as “100% splittist”. On June 9, just three days after the launch, a Chinese government website posted an article titled “Tibet independence in Middle Way disguise : Zhu Weiqun”. The article impinges on the exact misinformation that the MWA campaign has sought to clarify. Zhu Weiqun, former executive vice director of theUnited Front Work Department, who was also the key person in previous dialogue, resorted to misconstruing Middle Way Approach to confuse world opinion on Tibet issue.

The premise of Chinese side misinformation is based on Strasbourg Proposal. However, it must be noted that the Strasbourg proposal is no longer binding since 1992 when His Holiness the Dalai Lama declared in his 10th March statement that ” the Strasbourg Proposal is no longer valid”.

Even few individuals within the Tibetan community, in their writing, insinuates that the Kashag, headed by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, is proposing a different version of Middle Way Approach than that of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Interestingly, they have also based their argument on the Strasbourg Proposal that was long termed invalid. Like the Timeline of MWA document, Legal Materials on Tibet published by Tibet Justice Center also documented that Strasbourg Proposal is invalid. The individuals who leveled these allegations are either deliberately misleading or do not know about this crucial fact, which is hard to believe as these individuals also sit on the board of Tibet Justice Center.

However, this is not new. Similar efforts to create an impression of difference between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the then Kashag led by Prof.

Samdhong Rinpoche were made in 2010 when the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People was alleged to be formulated without the consent of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

This allegation was put to rest after a live televised special Parliament Hearing with a parliament resolution declaring that the Memorandum enjoyed full confidence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

This time, documents published during MWA international awareness campaign is entirely based on the official documents of CTA. It was launched with the blessings of His Holiness and former Kalon Tripa, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche also participated in this Campaign through appearing in the documentary video.

These unfortunate trends of distorting information also signify that every individual must read and understand the MWA documents, now easily accessible at www. middlewayapproach.org, on its own merits and not through a third party interpretation. One must form his/her opinion based on facts.

The reality is, 97.5% of Tibetans in Tibet are under repression and that it should be the most urgent concern of the Tibetans who live in free world. The exile population is only 2.5%, though important, but is secondary to ending the repression in Tibet. As

Sikyong has clearly explained in the MWA video, the objective of MWA is to replace political repression by basic freedom, economic marginalization by economic opportunity, social discrimination with social equality, cultural assimilation by cultural preservation and environmental destruction by environmentally sustainable policies.

Some in exile have raised the issue of democratic system of governance in Tibet, which I feel may not be the most urgent concern compared to alleviating Tibetans inside Tibet from persistent cycle of repression. Therefore, the Memorandum and the Note clearly mentioned that given the Chinese government’s compliance on the Tibetan proposal for self-governance covering 11 basic needs, the Tibetan side will accept the ‘Three Adherences“.

This was made clear in a column by reputed journalist Nicholas Kristof, published in New York Times titled “An Olive Branch From the Dalai Lama” on August 6, 2008.

In short, such baseless allegations and intentional attempts by the Chinese government and some from within Tibetan diaspora to create confusion on MWA is a wastage of time, energy and resources.

I am afraid these unwarranted negative campaign will try the Tibetan patience to the point of snapping into a more problematic issue for the Chinese government and tragedy for the Tibetan people.

Under these circumstances, Tibetans creating distortion is amount to playing right into the hands of hardliners in Beijing.

The Tibet Post International OPINION UN to facilitate safe passage of Tibetan refugees in Nepal

By Kathryn Middel - Katzenmeyer: 22 June 2014

Dharamshala: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has stated that it will facilitate the safe passage of Tibetan refugees through Nepal.

“UNHCR facilitates the safe transit of Tibetan new arrivals through Nepal to India, where they visit to meet their spiritual Guru the Dalai Lama, and ensures that their protection and material needs are addressed while in Nepal,” the UNHCR said today at a press conference to mark International Refugees Day. This statement came in the midst of a recent report by Human Rights Watch entitled ‘Under China’s Shadow: Mistreatment of Tibetans in Nepal’ which documented restrictions imposed on Tibetans in Nepal as a result of strong pressure from China. Over 20,000 Tibetan refugees have entered Nepal since 1959.

Human Rights Watch has urged the Nepalese government to uphold its legal obligation towards Tibetans, under the terms of the “Gentleman’s Agreement” signed between the government of Nepal and UNHCR. Under the terms of this agreement, Nepal guarantees Tibetans who reach its territory safe passage to India, where they can obtain refugee status.

International law prohibits Nepal from forcibly repatriating Tibetan refugees because they would be at risk of torture or persecution in China.

Human Rights Watch has stated that it is becoming more difficult for Tibetans to obtain documentation that would allow them to go to school, seek employment, run businesses, travel abroad, or engage in other activities.

The consequences of Nepal’s hardening stance are being felt across the Tibetan community. Nepal continues to deny at least half the Tibetans in Nepal

Make the 21st century ......

There was one question on the subject of the demonstrations held for the past two days by Shugden supporters. One man asked His Holiness how does one differentiate between the actor and action in this case and what should the attitude of Buddhists like him be towards these protestors.

His Holiness replied that the Shugden problem is nearly 400 years old and that the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the 13th Dalai Lama considered this spirit harmful and advocated against its worship. He said that he considers Shugden worship as just a spirit worship and not a religion. His Holiness further said that this practise was very sectarian, while he always advocated non-sectarianism. He said that even he had worshipped this spirit from 1951-70 out of ignorance.

But after thorough investigation and experimentation he found the practise very sectarian in that it restricted him from taking teachings from other Buddhist sects.

After stopping this practise he became free to receive teachings from the Tibetan traditions of Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya, thereby actually gaining freedom of religion, he said, refuting the baseless charges of the Shugden followers that His Holiness restricts their freedom of religion.

Responding to a question about leadership, His Holiness said that studies have found that

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biologically females are more sensitive towards the welfare and well-being of others. He advocated that females take a more active role in leadership. He also spoke about Buddha having given equal rights to monks and nuns alike. His Holiness mentioned how he has advocated for a similar kind of education for both monks and nuns in Buddhist monasteries in Tibetan settlements in India and that he was glad his words are being implemented these days in the Tibetan monasteries and nunneries in India.

After more than an hour of questions Lama Zopa Rinpoche concluded the program with thanks to His Holiness for blessing Lama Tzong Lhapa Institute with his presence and he also thanked all concerned for making His Holiness’s visit a success.

His Holiness then offered scarves to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Mr Fillipo and all the interpreters.

Before leaving the venue, His Holiness gave his farewell remarks. “I had a very memorable visit here in Italy. We are separating for the time being but in spirit we are together. We will remain friends until our death. Everyone please realize that the ultimate source of our happiness is within oneself, and does not depend on outside sources. So please pay more attention to inner moral values. Please keep this in mind.”

China’s new campaign to crackdown on free publications in Tibet

Dharamshala: – In further crackdown on freedom of information in Tibet, the Chinese government has said it will start new repressive measures on free publication in the Himalayan.

The propaganda department of the Chinese government had on Jun 23 said China will launch a new campaign to stem illegal publications whose content involves “Tibet independence” as well as terrorism, separatism and extremism, reported the Chinese state controlled media ‘Xinhua’ news agency Jun 23.

Jiang Jianguo, vice head of the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, has stressed at a meeting on Jun 23 that the campaign against illegal publications should safeguard long-term social stability and security.

Reporters Without Borders ranks China’s press situation as “very serious”, the worst ranking on their five-point scale.

Photo: Media File

By Yeshe Choeyang: 26 June 2014

With the theme of “anti-separatism, antisabotage and anti-infiltration,” the campaign will also include “a severe crackdown on illegal religious activities and promotional materials as well as the online dissemination of illegal religious information.”

Jiang has called on local-level offices to focus their actions on “illegal publications that promote separatism, religious extremism and instigate terrorist and violent activities.”

Xinhua also cited Li Changjiang, a senior official with the office, as having urged anti-illegal publication officials at all levels to “strengthen management and control of key aspects and intensify online supervision.”

In Tibet today, Tibetan writers, intellectuals, musicians, artists, environmentalists, and religious figures are being arbitrary arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for merely posting an article to a blog, writing an essay, editing a magazine, sending information by text message, or singing songs that express the suffering of the Tibetan people.

China is ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the press freedom index that Reporters Without Borders published in February and is more deserving than ever of inclusion in the Reporters Without Borders list of Enemies of the Internet, the latest version of which was issued earlier this month.

Nepal cracking down on Tibetan refugees. Photo: Media File

proper identity documents, making Tibetans more vulnerable to increased surveillance, monitoring, and abuse by police or the criminal justice system, regardless of whether they are politically active.

It is harder for Tibetans to obtain documentation that would allow them to go to school, seek employment, run businesses, travel abroad, or engage in other activities, Human Rights Watch said.

Nepal is home to more than 20,000 Tibetans - for many from as far back as 1959, when their spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, fled to India after a failed uprising against China’s rule.

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR),

there are an estimated 15,000 long-staying Tibetan refugees who arrived in Nepal prior to 1990, of whom more than half lack any form of documentation, preventing them from getting regular access to education and legal employment.

UNHCR continues to advocate for the issuance of documentation to long-staying Tibetan refugees.

Tibetans in Nepal say they face restrictions from Nepalese authorities, particularly around significant Tibetan anniversaries, with activists accusing Beijing of using aid and investment in Nepal to ensure the government prevents any anti-Chinese activity.

Both writers were accused of inciting separatism through their writings. Chinese authorities have consistently used Articles 103 and 105 of the Criminal Code as a tool to silence criticism and dissent from inside Tibetan areas as being “reactionary” or”splittist.” Both articles are linked with China’s “State Security Law,” which proscribes “any act endangering the security, honor, and interests of the State.” In application, Chinese courts “make no attempt to assess whether the speech in question posed an actual threat to national security.”

The vague wording of China’s national security crimes provides police and prosecution authorities with wide discretion for the abusive suppression of freedom of expression. Chinese authorities have always expanded the scope of activities criminally punishable as splittist or subversive to include peaceful, internationally protected forms of expression.

Essays, books, blog posts, and songs that express Tibetan identity, honestly convey the experience of being Tibetan under Chinese rule, or are otherwise inconsistent with Party policy, are being targeted; the authors, artists, and intellectuals responsible for them are being detained and imprisoned.

Jangtse Donkho’s essay ‘What Human Rights Do We Have Over Our Bodies?’ was published in Vol. 21 of the Shar Dungri journal in 2008. In the essay, Donkho exposed the state-sponsored violence inflicted on the Tibetan people in the aftermath of the 2008 uprising in Tibet. Bearing witness to the violence, he documented the death of specific Tibetans who were killed by the state security forces in Ngaba County (Sichuan Province): “Shikalo, a man in his 40’s from Charo Township in Ngaba, was beaten to death. This father who was the cornerstone of his household left behind him a widow and three orphans in grief. Toesam and Jinpa, two monks from Ngaba’s Kirti Monastery, were forced to take their own lives because they were unable to bear torture in prison.”

The essay also condemned how the state media exploited the protests, showcasing it to the outside world as ethnic conflict between Tibetans and Chinese, rather than the government taking responsibility for causing “darkness, cruelty, occupation, oppression ... spilling blood in our homeland,’ which Donkho asserted were the true cause of Tibetan resentment: “It’s just like the Tibetan proverb ‘getting angry with the Yak but whipping the horse’. There was no contradiction between Tibetans and Chinese but opposition to the state soon became a fight between the two.

The TV, newspapers and so on have become tools for the power-holders to defend themselves. Any one who thinks that they can tell the truth must be crazy.” The essay did not spare the Tibetan elites working with the Chinese state for failing to stand up for what he calls as “our rights and viewpoints.”

They were criticized for doing the state’s bidding by regurgitating the official Chinese narrative of the 2008 protests as “orchestrated by the conspiracy of the Dalai clique” and defending the state-sponsored violence as “a necessity to safeguard law and order.”

In the essay, Donkho warned that the government’s reliance on brute force to quell the Tibetan people’s demand for their rights would be a mere futile exercise. Instead, he portended that they would cause further resentment and more protest in future. He alluded to the possibility of Tibetans resorting to more desperate and severe forms of protest if the Chinese government did not reverse their policy of “enforcing stability through violence, fear and terror”: “On closer consideration, even if this current disturbance can be quelled with armed force, the wounds thereby inflicted and stench of the spilled blood have filled the minds of the coming generation [...] the present situation in our society is that people are hiding indoors with pain in their hearts. Our pleas for freedom, equality and happy life are considered illegal and criminal. What is our real reason for living?”

Since 2009, more than 130 Tibetans inside Tibet have set themselves on fire, out of which 118 died, calling for “human rights, freedom, and the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.” The series of self-immolation proved a turning point in the way Tibetans protest. TCHRD welcomes the release of Jangtse Donkho and Buddha, who were unjustly imprisoned for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and opinion. Four years after their arrest and imprisonment, the Chinese authorities continue to carry out abusive political prosecutions to silence critics and maintain its authoritarian rule over Tibet.

The peacefully expressed opinion and activity of Tibetans such as Jangtse Donkho and Buddha posed no actual threat to state security. Despite recent pronouncements from the Chinese leadership to respect and promote ‘rule of law’ and introduce judicial reforms, there has been no change in the way the Chinese government exploits vague, overbroad state security law as legal tools to press politically motivated charges against Tibetans who peacefully express their discontent with Chinese rule. So long as the Chinese judiciary directly serves Party objectives and wields legal tools in order to stifle freedom of expression in Tibet, Tibetans will continue to be victimized for exercising their basic rights and fundamental freedoms.

Tibetan writers Jangtse Donkho ...... ...... continued from front page

Tibetans and ......

...... continued from front page Human Rights Council’s 26th session, Simultaneously, 17 Tibetans have held a sit-in protest in front of the United Nation’s Human Right’s Commissioner’s Office and Palais des Nation (UNHRC Building) for the last four days to draw UN member’s attention to the Tibetan cause.

As part of its yearlong campaign to urge UN Secretary General and member states to press China to resume dialogue to resolve the Tibet issue, the Tibetan Community of Swiss and Liechtenstein organized this rally. It also called for access to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Tibet at the earliest.

Tibet Bureau staff Dawa Gyatso addressed the rally as Mr René Longet, a long time supporter of the Tibetan cause, expressed his personal sympathy and solidarity with the Tibetan people.

TPI NEWS

The Tibet Post International

Karmapa saddened by demise of Shamarpa Rinpoche other monasteries to make offerings and perform pujas as grand as possible for 49 days. As Rinpoche had taken rest from the degenerate age of strife into the expanse of peace for a while.”

Karmapa Rinpoche said, Sharmapa was a great master: “Until the 10th Shamarpa, the omniscient Shamarpas have been great masters respected throughout Tibet, especially within the Karma Kamtsang Lineage.

Here he was known as the Victorious Lord of Dance an embodiment of wisdom, compassion and power.

Evidence of the lineage’s strength.

“Despite a ban on the Shamarpas’ enthronement since 1792 (almost one hundred and seventy years),” he added.

The letter said that “In consideration of the historical significance and for the benefit of Buddha dharma and all beings,His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, sought consent from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Upon receiving consent, he enthroned his nephew as the The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee Rinpoche. Photo: Media File

Shamarpa, taking him under his wing for the guidance

By Nick Hilton: 15 June 2014

However, as the folk saying goes, “one may be fortunate

of his body, speech and mind.”

Dharamshala: - The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Triley

to have a cow but not enough to get its milk”.

Dorjee, has condoled the demise of the 14th Shamar

“Similarly, after the Parinirvana of the16th Gyalwang

Rinpoche, Mipham Chokyi Lodro, a senior religious

Karmapa, due to a wavering of commitment amongst his

leader of Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

followers, a great schism occurred within the lineage. It

“I have had an unshakable faith and respect towards

was an unprecedented disharmony that is unimaginable

Rinpoche from the time I was young,” Karmapa Rinpoche

even in a dream,” Karmapa Rinpoche further added.

said in a statement issued on Thursday, 12 June, 2014.

He said that “Shamar Rinpoche’s activities have also, in

“I had the good fortune of meeting Rinpoche once, with

various forms, beenboth favourable and unfavourable;

the hope of benefiting the Buddha dharma in general

these many past circumstances are similar to endless

and the lineage in particular, and with the expectation

ripples across water.”

that I may be able to offer some service towards his

“These unfortunate situations are, I think, simply due to us

Dharma activities,” he said, adding: “Unfortunately, my

not being aware of the omnipresence of our root guru and

aspirations have not, as yet, been fulfilled.”

not being able to generate farsightedness for the benefit

Karmapa Rinpoche said that Sharmapa Rinpoche’s

of Buddha dharma and all sentient beings.”

“sudden passing away is a matter of great sadness.”

“I live with great hope and strong aspirations that Shamar

He urged his followers to offer prayers: “As soon as I

Rinpoche’s reincarnation will embody the life stories of his

came to know of this hard to believe news, I instructed

predecessors, and that good fortune and harmony within

Rumtek Monastery,(the main seat of our lineage) and

the lineage will arise soon,” he concluded the statement.

Tibetan NGO observes Int’l Day in support of Victims of Torture Dharamshala, 26 June 2014: - The Tibetan rights group in exile joins the international community in commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

“On this day, we honor and support those who have suffered unjust, cruel and degrading forms of physical and mental torture. We also express our deep concern over the use of torture against persons exercising their basic rights and freedoms,’ the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) said in its statement to mark the event.

The group said that they reaffirm their commitment to fulfilling the goal of the UN General Assembly Resolution 52/149 passed 12 December 1997,which proclaimed 26 June as ‘the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.’That goal is total eradication of the torture and the effective implemention of the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel,Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment,which entered force on26 June 1987.

As declared by the United Nations,torture is a crime under international law. It is a crime against humanity,’one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow human beings,’ because torture aims to annihilate the victim’s personally,denying him or her the inherent dignity of a human being. Torture strikes at the core of the physical and psychological integrity of a human being. Further more ,the practice of torture often triggers heightened levels of human rights violations such as disappearances,extra judicial killings and genocide.

In Tibet, torture is one of the key instruments which the Chinese government deals with political dissidents who express views deemed as ‘subversive’. In Tibet,Tibetans engaging in peaceful forms of protest,such as expressing faith in His Holiness the Dalai lama and demanding human rights and freedom,are routinely arrested without any due process of law and tortured with impurity in many in many visible and invisible detention centers.Such dissidents are invariably subjected to cruel and degrading forms of torture that include: electrocution, burning with cigarettes,severe beating, sleep deprivation,hand and foot cuffs,thumb manacles ,aerial suspension,exposure to cold temperature and long hours of solitary confinement.

Apart from the horrors of physical pain, torture leaves behind deep emotional and psychological scars, manifesting in post-traumatic disorders that include symptoms such as anxiety, alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, and in the worst cases, suicidal thoughts.

By Yangchen Dolma : 27 June 2014

‘Fighting Impunity’ is the theme for this year’s commemoration. The theme is relevant to the persistent problem of torture in Tibet where impunity for the perpetrator is common practice and torture goes unpunished. Law enforcement officers often in the name of ‘national security’ enjoy unbridled discretion in using torture to intimidate and terrorize political dissidents, and extract confessions.

In commemoration of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, TCHRD presents the first-cut screening of a new documentary film on torture entitled ‘THROUGH FLESH AND BONES: Stories of Torture and Survival in Tibet.’ The documentary is centered upon in-depth interviews with six Tibetans, each of whom were subjected to torture by Chinese authorities for participating in non-violent protests for Tibet’s freedom.

The story of the six Tibetan torture survivors is a testimony to enduring human virtues such as courage, dignity and tolerance in the face of inhumane brutality. By retaining their humanity, including their willingness to forgive their torturers in favor of peaceful China-Tibet reconciliation, these six Tibetans, and countless other victims of torture, have triumphed over their torture.

As former political prisoner Tsering Gyamtso, 27, says in the documentary, “Chinese authorities use torture to make political prisoners like us useless in society after our release. They have it all planned to make life after prison useless. Therefore, after release my resolve to get a good education and to use my innate talents to the best of my ability became stronger than ever before. I will not let them succeed at their plans to make our life useless.”

Produced by TCHRD, ‘Through Flesh and Bones’ is made by Abhishek Madhukar and Jean Lepcha.

Over the past decade, Mr Madhukar has worked as a print, photo and video-journalist. His work has been published in various national and international magazines and newspapers.

For the last six years, he has been based in Dharamshala, India, primarily reporting as a freelancer and a correspondent for Thomson Reuters publishing over a hundred articles and photographs on the Tibet issue. Ms Lepcha is a video journalist from Sikkim, based in New Delhi. She is a one-man band working on video reports for Global Post, Russia Today, Ruptly wire services, News Modo, and the likes. Her work mostly takes her to rural Indian villages, which is a welcome change for her in escaping the urban madness of the capital.

Exile News

Tibet and its cause: A Mission and a Message

By James Rinaldi:

23 June 2014

New York: - Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the current Sikyong, or political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamshala, recently announced a big push. The Tibetan community would begin a renewed struggle for the “middle way” approach which stresses autonomy over outright independence. It was a serious and courageous statement of resolve by the CTA and represents a new chapter in the Tibetan struggle.

As a 25 year Western campaign to “Free Tibet” with its juggernaut of awareness campaigns, Beasty Boy concerts, Richard Gere and feature films such as Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet, seems to have permanently stalled and conditions over the last decade inside of Tibet have worsened, one has to ask: “What took the CTA so long?” Perhaps they were waiting for a new champion to enter their corner, and perhaps that time has now come.

The recent swearing-in ceremony of Minister Narendra Modi was punctuated by a very prominent invite of Mr. Sangye to the proceedings.

The symbolism of this gesture—and Mr. Sangye’s front-row seat—sent a strong signal to China and the world that India has no intention of bowing to Chinese pressure on the issue and will approach any future negotiations with Beijing from a position of balance and strength.

This also represents new way of thinking for Tibetans. Initially, it was the Tibetan’s choice to rely on the international community to advocate on their behalf up to this point. This new move by the CTA points to a more reflective and less West-dependent Tibetan diaspora that has lost patience not only with their current status, but with the efforts of those in the West who purport to advocate on their behalf.

Tibetans may have wearied from the plodding calculations of Western-based efforts that seem to find their struggle more useful as a political pawn than as a compelling human rights issue.

The recent announcement by the CTA is not only a call for Tibetans to take more control of their own fate, but a none too subtle message to the West that enough is enough, you have had your chance, we will control the narrative from here forward and India will give us their wise counsel and the freedom to do so.

Not surprisingly, the initial reaction of the international Tibet support community has been tepid.

Theirs is a world where the idea of freeing Tibet is one that should be viewed through the lens of a status quo that must be maintained. It points to an entrenched infrastructure based on fundraising and self-preservation that occasionally spits out the odd condemnation of conditions in Tibet from Congressmen and Parliamentarians who are ultimately afraid of angering China.

They like to call it the “institutionalization” of the Tibetan movement, but in reality, this just means that the agenda is not set by the Tibetans themselves. It moves at the whims of Western governments and is demonstratively not proactive. Unfortunately, the status-quo is not sustainable for Tibet during these times.

Dr. Sangay knows this and is making an attempt to shake free of the current stagnation. If the West truly wants to help Tibet, they should get behind India’s effort to support its Tibetan community and back any initiatives that come from Dr. Sangye’s announcement. In this way we can place control of the Tibetan movement back where it rightly belongs: in the hands of the Tibetans themselves.

James Rinaldi is the current Director of Himalayan Aid and author of the upcoming memoir: “Tibetan Fire Drill.” Reach him at: kegarne@gmail.com The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and does not necessarily reflects the editorial policy of The Tibet Post International.

30 June 2014

Indo-Tibetan event held to foster friendship and awareness on Tibet

By Yeshe Choesang:

23 June 2014

Dharamshala: The Himalayan Parivar, a Tibet Support Group based in India, organised an educational event at Lower TCV school in Dharamshala last Saturday to foster friendship between Indian and Tibetan communities and mobilise international community’s support for the Tibetan cause.

According to the Tibtan administration official media “Tibet Net”, eighteen schoolchildren from 5 Indian schools and 2 TCV schools took part in the speech competition on various Tibet-related issues, such as significance of Tibet’s culture and environment for Asia particularly peace and stability in India.

The participants spoke eloquently on their in-depth research on the various issues facing Tibet and India.

The topics of their speeches include cultural and spiritual bond between India and Tibet, threat to Tibetan culture and human rights violations under the Chinese rule, repercussion of the ongoing destruction of Tibetan culture and rampant exploitation of environment on peace and stability in India and other parts of Asia and restoration of freedom as key to genuine peace and stability in India.

Addressing the event, Mr K C Sharma, former chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh, said China should stop its exploitation of ecology and natural resources on the Tibetan plateau, adding it would be detrimental for India.

“Atrocities against Tibetans in Tibet hurt India and the people of India. We need to redouble our efforts to help the Tibetan people to restore their freedom

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary K C Sharma (2nd L) and DIIR Secretary Ngodup Dorjee (3rd L) after distributing prizes to all the participants. Photo: CTA/DIIR

in Tibet,” he added.

He said the programmes organised by the Himalan Parivar to boost our dedication towards helping the Tibetan people and help mobilise people’s awareness on the issue of Tibet.

In his address, Mr Ngodup Dorjee, Secretary for the Department of Information & International Relations, said such educational events will help the younger generation of Indians in understanding the history of Tibet and relations between India and Tibet, significance of Tibet’s role for better relations between India and China.

Speaking to Tibet.Net, Rishi Walia, member of the Himalayan Parivar’s national executive, said the organisation strives to promote and keep alive a lasting friendship between Tibetans and India communities and support the issue of Tibet. He said plans afoot to hold such educational events in different Indian colleges and universities.

Pokhara FC Crowned Champions of Exiled Tibetan Football

By Tenzin Dawoe:

Dehradun: - The 20th Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Cup, the biggest football tournament in exile, was held in Dhondupling (Clementown), Dehradun this year. 27 teams from various Tibetan settlements in India participated, out of which 21 qualified for the tournament.

The teams reported at Dhondupling on 2nd June and the managers, coaches and captains met with the tournament officials the next day. The opening ceremony was held on 4th June, after which the opening game commenced between Manduwala FC and Dhondupling team A, ending in a 2-0 victory for the latter.

The teams had been divided into 7 pools, A-G. The tournament proceeded with the top team from each pool progressing into the quarter finals, where 8 teams played. The semi final was played Dhondupling FC Team A v/s Gulladhala FC and Pokhara FC v/s Mundgod FC. Dhondupling FC stormed into the finals with a 2-0 win over Gulladhala

FC as Pokhara FC matched their feat with two goals to nil against Mundgod.

Dhondupling also got to observe a friendly match between the Tibetan National Women’s football team and the women’s team from Dehradun’s Football Academy. The result was a disappointing 5-2 for the Tibetan Women’s team, yet an impressive display of football and sportsmanship from both teams.

The fan favorites Dhondupling FC, who were playing on their home ground had the locals for their support as the match kicked off on 15th June. The match was an exciting display of football with both teams almost equally matched, but Dhondupling failed to convert their chances into goals. The first blow came in the first half as Pokhara’s Dhudul scored. Dhondupling FC’s attempts at goal were thwarted by unimpressive shots and Pokhara defenders as the second half progressed.

Pokhara’s striker Norbu Dorjee sealed their victory with a clinical finish and the match ended 2-0 for the disappointed home team.

The closing ceremony was held after the final match, where the winning team lifted the GCM cup once again after 11 long years. Awards followed. With Mundgod FC recieving the Fair Play Award and Pokhara’s goal machine Norbu Jinpa announced the top scorer with 9 goals under his belt.

The 20th GCM was an event that put forth Tibetan’s love for football, as fans from near and far came to watch the matches. Others kept themselves updated on social networking sites such as Facebook, where a popular, page, “GCM” put up commentary, pictures and videos of the tournament.

Clockwise from top left: Tashi Dorjee of Dhondupling FC makes a world class save; A jubilant Pokhara Team with their cup; The final match between Dhondupling FC and Pokhara FC; GCM’s top goal scorer Norbu Dorjee (credits: GCM page on Facebook)

I Adviser Adviser Adviser Adviser

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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

Contributors to this editon Keary Huang Taiwan Becky Bargh UK Jane Cook UK Kathryn Middel-Katzenmeyer US Rajdip Ray India Tenzin Dawoe India Nick Hilton Australia Claude Arpi India Yangchen Dolma India Yeshe Choesang India Choenyi Sangpo India

What Is Tibet’s Cause About? Credits: Tibet Truth

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Himalayan Literacy Trust Room #, Top Floor, New Varuni House Temple Road, McLeod Ganj: 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P., India

E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com Skype: dhardhophonya1959 Mobile: +91-9882423566 www.thetibetpost.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/tpinews

TPI NEWS H.H THE DALAI LAMA 4 Journalists to promote human His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet arrives in Ladakh values: His Holiness the Dalai Lama The Tibet Post International

30 June 2014

By Tenzin Dawoe:

A member of the media asking His Holiness the Dalai Lama a question during their press meeting at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) in Pomaia, Tuscany, Italy on June 12, 2014. Photo/Olivier Adam

By Rajdip Ray: 13 June 2014

Dharamshala: - While visiting Tuscany in Italy, His Holiness the Dalai Lama stressed on the importance for journalists to promote human values and religious harmony. The visit attracted quite a lot of media attraction, and a meetig with more than 80 journalists was organized.

Remarking on the weather, His Holiness said that he had hoped to beat the summer heat of India in Italy, but was surprised to find that the weather was similar to that in Mumbai. He also expressed his happiness at being back in Italy, even though a lot has changed sice his first visit to Lama Tsong Khapa Institute.

His Holiness spoke about his three commitments in life. He said he always considers himself as one human being out of seven billion. Everyone has the same desire for love, affection and happiness, which is the basis for human love. Therefore he always advocates the promotion of basic human values. His main message is human love – the ultimate source of human happiness.

Human affection is basically a biological factor and the basis of our survival is human love. Irrespective of whether we believe in religion or not, whichever culture we belong to, all of us need love.

Speaking on his second commitment, His Holiness stressed the need for religious harmony. He mentioned that he always maintains contact with the practitioners of other faiths and traditions, who carry the same practice of love, compassion, tolerance and forgiveness. He cited India as an example of a country where several religions have coexisted peacefully for more than 2000 years.

His Holiness said he has always advocated preservation of Tibetan culture and its rich Buddhist knowledge and tradition. He emphasized his present role as just a spiritual leader, having handed over all his political responsibilities to the directly elected political leader in 2011. He said he had done so voluntarily, happily and proudly.

Emphasizing on the role played by journalists in promoting human values and religious harmony, His Holiness said that media people should have long noses like that of an elephant to smell in front and behind politicians and other people. In a democratic society people have the right to know the truth and journalists should inform the public of the reality. However, he said they must report truthfully, objectively and in an unbiased manner.

On a question about Chinese embracing Buddhism on a large scale, His Holiness mentioned that China has the largest population of Buddhists in the world: now over 400 million. He remarked about the genuine interest shown by a growing number of Chinese from mainland China, who come to receive his teachings in India. He mentioned that he had always advocated for genuine autonomy and living with the Chinese. “We are not seeking independence,” he reiterated.

Reflecting on the Kalachakra Initiation in Bodh Gaya, India in 2012 His Holiness spoke about the different reactions from the Chinese authorities towards the Tibetans and the Chinese on their return home after attending the Initiation.

He said while the Chinese did not face any problems on their return, the Tibetans were subjected to all kinds of questioning and also house detention.

On a question about religious conversion, His Holiness said that it was better and safer to keep one’s own traditional religious values. “Changing ones religion is not easy and sometimes it creates more problems. Of course there are some who have natural interest for other religions and it is their freedom to change,” he said. He also advised those interested in Buddhism to try to study Buddhist philosophy and to investigate for oneself and practice, rather than follow a teacher blindly.

Sympathizing with the increasing number of refugees in Italy, especially from Syria and North Africa, His

Holiness said that we should provide as much as we can to help; but when we can’t, we should say so. He said we must pay more attention to the problems in their country of origin such as the economic situation, the ever increasing gap between the rich and poor on a global level and urged nations to help bridge the gap.

He said that his main hope for peace in the world was with the younger generation. He called on the youth to seek ways to create a more peaceful and more compassionate world. He also spoke on the research on inner values being carried out by American scientists.

His Holiness then spoke on the topic of secular ethics education, again citing India as a successful example. He said that his main hope for peace in the world was with the younger generation. He called on the youth to seek ways to create a more peaceful and more compassionate world.

Answering a question on the Chinese leadership, His Holiness said he liked the hard working culture of the Chinese people, but jokingly said that common sense in the brains of the hard liners in the Chinese leadership was unfortunately lacking.

On a question regarding the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, His Holiness said that he had back in 1969 made it explicitly clear that the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama is ultimately for the Tibetan people to decide. He remarked that the Chinese government was more concerned about the reincarnation of the 15th Dalai Lama than the present Dalai Lama.Tomorrow afternoon, on the fourthday of his visit to Italy, His Holiness is expected to leave for Livorno city.

18 June 2014

Leh, Ladakh: The Buddhist spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama was given a grand welcome upon his arrival at Leh, the capital of Ladakh for the teachings and the 33rd Kalachakra. His Holiness was welcomed at Kushok Bakula Airport by dignitaries including Lok Sabha MP Thubten Tsewang and state tourism minister Tsewang Rinzin Jhora, two presidents of the Kalachakra teaching’s organising committee and Tibetan Settlement Officer Dhondup Tashi. Thousands of people lined the street on the way from the airport in Tibetan traditional attire to welcome His Holiness.

His Holiness was later welcomed on his arrival at Shiwatsel phodrang by senior spiritual leaders including His Eminence Gaden Tripa, H.E. Tsetrul Rinpoche, the head of Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism and other local religious leaders. Speaking to the public, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: “My greetings to everyone here. Tashi delek to Tsetrul Rinpoche, who is in good health and to all the lamas, trulku, abbots and Geshes. I have come to Ladakh many times since my first trip in 1967. The people’s faith and loveis unfailing and I am happy to be here again.

There also has been great development in infrastructure since my past visits and it is good to see many school children, Muslim and Buddhist alike.

For Buddhism to grow in the 21st century, modern education is of great importance. Buddhism should be learned through a proper understanding and not through mere faith. Schools play a crucial role in that. For Buddhism to last, the masses, especially the students, must have an understanding of it. In the exile community, it is scarce for the youth to read scriptures.

We are grateful to the Himalayan people, particularly in Ladakh, for keeping Buddhism alive at a time when the senior monks in Baksa passed away, one by one.

In Ladakh, there are Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Christains and also non-believers, I believe. But Ladakh as a community is referred to as a Buddhist community. In fact, the whole Himalayan range from Ladakh to Mon. The Buddha Dharma that came to Tibet from Nalanda, spread to the Himalayan regions, Nepal and as well as Mongolia and some republics in Russia. When I first visited Mongolia in 1979, there was a prayer at Ganden monastery. The monks were chanting in Tibetan. They didn’t know the Tibetan language, but they knew the scripts. When i visited the different monasteries in parts of Mongolia, sometimes, translators were not available. So the abbots would write a question to me in Tibetan and I would write them answers back in Tibetan.

In the Tibetan Autonomous Region, there is still quite a lot of restrictions on Buddha Dharma and Tibetan

culture. In India, we have freedom, being in a democracy.

But we also have more responsibility to preserve the Nalanda Buddhist tradition. And to properly preserve it, you must have a good education. When you have modern education, the faith combines with wisdom. The unique thing about Nalanda tradition is that it maximises the use of human intelligence to transform the emotion.

Thus, in the long run, monasteries are important, but more important than monasteries are the schools.

Over the last two years, we have been working on a curriculum about secular ethics, which includes ancient Indian psychology. The ancient Indian psychology is very rich and has detailed descriptions about the mind and emotions. It is highly developed even by standards of modern psychology. Western psychology is like a kindergarten thing compared to it. And it is our own treasure. We are working with some American scientists and universities in Delhi and Meerut to draft the curriculum based on secular ethics- not religion. Any education based on religion leads to complications. So Ladakhi Muslims can also study it.

This is universal. So once the curriculum is finalised, i think it will be worthwhile for Ladakhi Muslims to experiment it in schools. With fuller knowledge of human mind and emotions, it is much easier to tackle destructive emotions such as anger, hatred and fear.

One time in Thortuk, a Muslim spiritual leader addressed the public and said that if a person who claimed to be a follower of Islam creates blood shed, he was no longer a genuine Muslim practitioner. He then mentioned that a genuine Muslim practitioner must extend love towards entire creatures of Allah. The former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, during casual talk, mentioned to me that the real meaning of jihad is to conquer one’s own negative

emotion. So in that respect, Buddhism also has jihad, on daily basis- anger, jealousy, fear, all these.

It was here, last year, I met a group of Muslims from different Arab countries. They introduced one lady among them as a teacher. So they were liberal Muslims.

You see, hardliners are more reluctant to give equal opportunity such as education. I had visited Jordan a few times and over there, the girls wore hijab. But when we discussed, they were the same. So you see, education can really make a difference. Muslims in India, Malaysia, Indonesia are also very liberal because there are other Hindus, Buddhist, which makes them more open minded. So there can be hardliner Muslims in countries where there are only Muslims, due to lack of knowledge. I told the group they can hold an international conference of Muslims and invite Muslims from different countries. They should share their own experiences, which can be helpful. I think Ladakhi Muslims can make a significant contribution.”

His Holiness will give a teaching on Tsongkhapa’s Concise Stages of the Path to Enlightenment and confer an Avalokiteshvera initiation in Padum, Zanskar, on 23-25 June.

From 3 to 5 July His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals to prepare and consecrate the venue for the Kalachakra initiations. From 6 to 8 July His Holiness will give preliminary teachings on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend. On 9 July the Kalachakra Ritual Dance will be performed by Namgyal Monastery monks. His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from 10 to 12 July.

On 13 July a long life empowerment and a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be performed.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is welcomed by thousands of devotees on his arrival at the airport in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India at the start of his 5 week visit on June 17, 2014. Photo/Jigme Tsering

His Holiness the Dalai Lama begins teachings in Livorno, Italy

By Jane Cook :

15 June 2014

Livorno, Tuscany, Italy, 14 June 2014 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama was greeted by the Livorno Mayor Filippo Nogarin on his arrival at the Modigliani Forum to begin his morning session of teachings. Mayor Nogarin said he was deeply honored and privileged to welcome His Holiness to Italy and to Livorno and presented him with the Key to the City of Livorno.

His Holiness thanked the Mayor for his kind words adding that the Mayor ’s democratic election victory places a huge responsibility on his shoulders, that of living up to his people’s expectations and trust. He expressed hope that the Mayor would discharge his official responsibilities faithfully and transparently and hoped that he would win a re-election with his good work.

His Holiness said that development and progress actually depends on people who need to have selfconfidence in spite of economic difficulties. Enthusiasm is a key factor for proper development and progress.

He cited the example of the Tibetan people who have

lived as refugees for the past 55 years, having endured much suffering but never losing their self-confidence.

His Holiness began his teachings with his customary opening addressing everyone as fellow brothers and sisters. He said that on a basic level all human beings have the same potential to use their intelligence to overcome negative and destructive emotions. His Holiness advised everyone to give more attention to the happiness that is related to the mental level, not sensory experiences. He noted that medical scientists, including brain specialists, have found through experimentation and study that mental peace is very important even for physical health.

His Holiness said that people pay too much attention to the self, having a strong self-centered attitude and thinking in terms of “we” and “they” which leads to problems.

We all need to understand the oneness of the 7 billion members of humanity instead of too much emphasis on secondary levels of differences. In doing so, all manmade problems could be gradually minimized. Problems such as global warming and environmental damage affect

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Livorno, Tuscany, Italy, June 14-15, 2014. Photo/FilmPRO

everyone irrespective of one’s religious beliefs and go beyond physical boundaries. Being a part of the 7 billion human community every individual should take moral responsibility to contribute to make a positive difference.

His Holiness said that he talks to everyone as fellow humans, without emphasizing secondary differences.

He said that emphasizing too much that he is the Dalai Lama actually distances himself from others. It is better to consider everyone as your brother or sister which brings a sense of ease and relaxation. If we truly consider the oneness of humanity and think of others as our brothers and sisters we can stop the killings that are happening today.

His Holiness said that Buddhism does not accept an independent self. But this does not mean the absence of self itself. Naturally everyone has the feeling of I, but attachment to a strong sense of self creates all problems.

To counter this it is necessary to develop altruism, thinking about the welfare of others rather than oneself.

His Holiness then remembered the great contributions from the learned scholars of Nalanda University in India such as Shantarakshita, Kamalashila and Dharmakirti.

He said that Nalanda was not just a monastery but a great learning center and expressed happiness that Tibetans have kept the Nalanda tradition alive.

After lunch His Holiness addressed a gathering of more than 200 Tibetans living in Italy and neighboring countries. He urged them to be proud of their ancient heritage. He cited a study done by archeologists who have found evidence in the Domey region of Tibet of a human civilization dating back to the Stone Age. He also mentioned about a stone excavation in Ngari region of Tibet dating back tens of thousands of years. “So ours is a very long and ancient heritage.” he said.

“The continuation of our struggle is primarily due to the determination, will power and persistence of Tibetans inside Tibet,” he said. He mentioned Tibetan officials in the Chinese Communist system who continue to have strong feelings for Tibet which can get them in

trouble and said how pleased he was that Tibetans have not taken to violence in the struggle.

He commended Tibetans living in exile for holding intact Tibetan language, religion and culture. However he cautioned Tibetans not to be complacent and not to take the Tibetan Buddhist culture for granted. He expressed his fear that Tibetans are gradually losing their culture of honesty and integrity.

Speaking on the importance and need to study the Tibetan language, His Holiness cited the example of Tibetan Muslims living in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir who speak a formal Central Tibetan dialect in its pure form even though they are not Tibetan Buddhists. He urged parents to develop the habit of speaking Tibetan at home so that the Tibetan younger generation continue to learn the language. He said that the Tibetan language is the only language that can understand the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism in it’s entirety.

Since there are many young Tibetans living abroad, leaving behind children andthe elderly in Tibetan settlements in India, it is important for Tibetans abroad to contribute towards community development in the settlements. His Holiness expressed hope that the exile Tibetan settlements can preserve and keep intact Tibetan language, religion and culture, even if the Tibetan struggle were to continue for more years or decades.

He advised all to think about their community and nation and work for the larger interests, rather than individual interests. He pointed to a Tibetan entrepreneur in the audience and acknowledged his contribution for an Old Age Home in the Bhandara Tibetan settlement in India. He made a special mention of the good quality air condition there and jokingly remarked that the air conditioning in the small remote settlement was far better than the ones here in Italy.

Later in the afternoon His Holiness returned to the Modigliani Forum and continued his teachings from Nagarjuna’s “Letter to a Friend” and Tsongkhapa’s “Praise of Dependent Origination”.

TPI NEWS

The Tibet Post International

Horoscopes for the month of July, 2014 Sorces: Always Astrology ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Your passionate mood will be well received by your mate. Someone may not be thinking of your best interests. You may be looking through rose colored glasses. You’re best to avoid disputes. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Realize that you don’t have to do everything yourself.

Look into physical activities that will help get rid of some of that tension you may be feeling. You should put your efforts into creative projects. You will find your personal partner taxing this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can make excellent purchases this month. Be sure to take care of any minor ailments. You can make financial gains if you are prepared to take a risk.

Relatives will want to get together. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Secret affairs will only lead to deception. Try not to get backed into corners. Everything is moving quickly, just the way you like it. You will easily capture the interest of those you talk to. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Get involved in groups that can offer intellectual stimulation. You need to take some time out to decide what you want to do. Uncertainties regarding your love life will surface if you have neglected your mate. Get involved in the activities of children. They will teach you far more than you expect. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) A passionate party for two might be just the remedy.

Such over indulgence due to emotional upset will be your downfall. Travel could bring you the adventure and excitement you require. Opportunities to learn important information will surface through discussions with peers or seminars you attend. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

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LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Ease the anguish by offering assistance. Beware of colleagues who don’t have your best interests in mind.

Anger may cause you grief; control your temper and try to sit back and calm down. This will not be the best day to sign deals or to take care of other people’s financial matters. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Try not to be so demonstrative. Love relationships will flourish. You may attract attention if you get out socially.

You can learn valuable information if you listen and observe what others are doing and saying. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don’t let your anger consume you and don’t allow important matters go unattended to. Stick to doing things that will make you a better person both physically and mentally. You should regain some of your self esteem if you get involved in organizational functions.

Travel for business or pleasure will be enlightening.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You will be highly sensitive to comments made by your lover. Unexpected bills may set you back. Don’t overspend to impress others. Your interests could lead you down avenues you never realized existed. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Don’t overspend on items for your home. Your courage and willpower will enable you to get rid of destructive habits as well. Opportunities to get together with friends will be enlightening and entertaining. Problems with gas, oil, or water in your home may disrupt your routine.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) This will be a great night to invite friend over to visit.

A little overtime may help you reduce the workload.

Don’t say something you’ll live to regret. Work hard on improving your living quarters. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

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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

6 TPI NEWS Back Page Focus Research on the monk who wrote a world geography China is guilty of large scale huThe Tibet Post International

30 June 2014

By Tenzin Dawoe: 18 June 2014

Top left: An early painting of Btsan Po wearing Chinese attire, bottom: Residence of Btsanpo and right: Lobsang Yongdan as a young monk in Tibet. Photo: University of Cambridge

London: - Research by Lobsang Yongdan, a PhD candidate in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Cmabridge on a Tibetan text might alter the standard description of Tibet being ‘isolated’, ‘mysterious’ and not knowing what lay beyond their borders before the 20th Century.

The text, Dzam gling rgyas bshad (DGRB) (translated as “Detailed Description of the World”), was written by Btsan po no mon han, a lama from Drepung Monastery. First published in Mongolia in 1830, is divided into several parts according to the different countries and continents that have been written on. A quarter of the text is on Tibet, which has been translated into European languages and has become one of Tibet’s most-read classics.

Little much is known about Btsan po. He was born in 1789 in U lan mu ru in Amdo. Identified as a fourth reincarnation of third Btsan po no mon han, Ngag dbang ‘phrin las rgya mtsho, he may have entered the Gser khog monastery as young as two.

As a child, he would have been taught Buddhist logic, literature and cosmology. From 1808, he studied at Drepung monastery, one of the largest

monasteries in Lhasa.

Around 1814, Btsan po travelled to Beijing to become a spiritual leader to the Qing emperor.

During his long residence in Beijing, Btsan po read early Jesuit works of geography and became friendly with members of the Russian orthodox mission in Beijing. He met European scholars and diplomats, scientists and conversed with them on matters of world geography and the events of the day. The country-by-country descriptions in the book contain evidence of his encounters. He passed away in Beijing 1839, the year that marked the first Opium War between the Manchu and the British.

Lobsang Yongdan’s resarch sets the entire text of the DGRB into a more deeply informed historical, political, anthropological context. He traces the author as he interacts with other thinkers in the intellectual circles of early 19th-century Beijing, which was host to missions, trading posts and diplomats from many parts of the world.

Yongdan reveals that Btsan po embarked on the compilation of a detailed world geography of his own volition, and as a Tibetan intellectual engaged

with western knowledge on an equal footing with Europeans and others.

“I first studied Btsan po’s work as a young Tibetan monk trying to understand the history of my country and how Tibetans studied world geography in earlier times,” he said. “I’ve spent the past four years looking in detail at the geographical conceptualisation, the creation of, and responses to the work.” He recalls coming across the text one night when “an older monk invited a group of us to supper. During the course of a conversation about Tibet and the world beyond our borders he told us that Tibetans knew about the world before the British and Chinese arrived – and that Tibetans charted the world like Europeans did in earlier times. We did not believe it as we had already absorbed the universal message that Tibetans knew little about what lay beyond their borders.”

In the style of the time, Btsan po makes sweeping statements – especially in his descriptions of people.

“In general, Chinese people are beautiful and well-shaped. They speak with gentle voices and are polite. Although they act as deep thinkers and honest, in reality, they are accustomed to trickery and cowardice. They have difficulty in trusting other people. If they do trust someone, they are loyal and steady.” The English do not impress him because “... compared to other Europeans, they are ill-mannered people as they like to drink so much”.

“My work contests the view that Tibet was a backward place, prior to the arrival of the British in 1904 and the Chinese in 1950. Independently of European participation, Tibetans were actively involved in translating, studying and writing about European mathematical, cosmological and geographical knowledge in Tibetan,” said Yongdan.

“Btsan po’s descriptions of countries in Africa, the Middle East and central Asia suggest that these countries were not new to him by virtue of his encounters with Europeans. Rather, he treats at least some of these countries as places that Tibetans had known for centuries.”

Cameron: Do not allow China to buy your silence on human rights

By Yeshe Choesang: 17 June 2014

London, 16 June 2014: - Human rights activists in the UK are urging David Cameron to use the visit of the Chinese Premier to the UK to speak out on human rights and make a public statement calling on China to uphold universally-accepted human rights values, adhere to the rule of law and implement political reform.

‘Chinese Uyghur Tibetan Solidarity UK (CUTS UK), a coalition of UK-based human rights organisations, is calling on the British Prime Minister to stand by his government’s stated policy of advocating human rights when he meets Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on 17 June,’ CUTS UK said in a statment.

In particular, the coalition is calling on David Cameron to: ? Raise human rights, including the issues of Tibet and East Turkestan, directly with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to the UK. ? Make a public statement calling on the Chinese government to commit to taking concrete measures on human and civil rights for all its citizens including ethnic minorities, to adhere to universally accepted norms of rule of law and implement policies to grant real democracy for its citizens. ? Work multi-laterally with other world governments to work together to put concerted pressure on China to improve its human rights record and instigate political and judicial reform.

“The visit of Premier Li to the UK is being purported to herald a new era of Chinese investment in the UK, however, it could also herald a worrying level of influence by China in the UK. David Cameron must be clear that universal values of human and civil rights are integral to any engagement we have with China and Britain’s relationship with China cannot be just about trade and economics,” said Philippa Carrick, CEO of Tibet Society, a founding member of CUTS UK. “Mr Cameron should not only be seen publicly to adhere to the government’s own stated policy of advocating human rights in its relationship with China, but also follow his own government’s guidelines, as set out in the National Action on Business and Human Rights,” added Ms Carrick.

Rahime Mahmut, from Uyghur Community UK and member of CUTS UK, said, “David Cameron

has an opportunity to speak out for all those in China, including Uyghurs, Tibetans and Han, whose voices have been silenced by the Chinese regime. I urge Mr Cameron: Do not allow China to buy your silence on human rights.”

Shao Jiang, a Chinese human rights activist, survivor of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 and member of CUTS UK, added, “The UK must not be bullied by China. The Chinese government seeks to deflect criticism from its human rights record by threatening withdrawal of trade.”

Shao Jiang added, “The truth is that China needs trade to prop up its autocratic regime. It is time for the UK and the international community to stand

up to the Chinese Communist bully and make the acceptance and adherence to the International Bill of Rights and human rights treaties core demands to help bring about human rights, freedom and democracy for all the people of China.”

CUTS UK calls on David Cameron to raise human rights with Premier Li, on behalf of the human rights defenders the Chinese government has imprisoned and attempts to silence, those who fight injustice in a Chinese judicial system which lacks due process, and on behalf of ethnic minorities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs, who live in a society considered to be one of the most oppressive in the world.

Prime Minister David Cameron (L) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) during the signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Media File

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man rights abuses: Nick Clegg

By Thomas Jake: 18 June 2014

British Prime Minister David Cameron (centre) and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama od Tibet (left) during his visit to receive the Templeton prize in London, May 2012. Photo: EPA

Dharamshala: - China is guilty of “large scale and systematic” human rights abuses, said Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister of Britain on the first day of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s three day visit to the UK. According to media reports, the deputy PM was speaking at the launch of the first phase of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the upcoming UK general election.

“The people of China are “politically shackled” to a communist one-party state. We can’t ignore the large-scale and systematic human rights abuses which still continue in China to this day and the very widespread use of the death penalty,” he said.

Relations between the UK and China have soured after the British PM and Deputy PM met His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011. British PM David Cameron was also prompted to cancel a planned trip to China in 2012 after Beijing said its leaders would not be free to meet him.

However, Deputy PM Nick Clegg today insisted that he had no regrets about the meeting saying he would be “more than happy” to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama again .

He added : “In fact I would hope that I can meet someone of his distinction sometime in the future but as I say there are no Government plans to do so right now.”

The Deputy PM further said that as China embarks on an extraordinary journey of economic emancipation, the one party doctrine of Communism is an anti-thesis to an open, democratic society.

The comments from the Deputy PM came ahead of British Prime Minister David Cameron’s meeting with the Chinese Premier later in the day.

The Chinese Premier’s visit is expected to boost bi-lateral trade between the two nations with hopes of generating a series of multi-billion pound trade deals.

David Cameron has said the UK’s relationship with China is “gaining in strength, depth and understanding” after talks with Premier Li Keqiang.

The two discussed bilateral economic links and international issues on the second day of Mr Li’s trip to the UK. Asked about its human rights record, Mr Li said China was “choosing its own path” but could learn from the UK and other countries. Earlier on Tuesday, the Chinese leader met The Queen at Windsor Castle.

On 17 June 2014 Great Britain and China signed trade deals worth 14 billion pounds with the aim to strengthen both countries economies and bilateral relations.

Despite worries that economic issues might draw attention away from human rights violations, Britain has stated that it would not shy away from raising China’s “large scale and systematic” human rights abuses.

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