The Tibet Post International e-Newspaper

Secular ethic is most relevant for creating peaceful world P-5 .....

Vol. 03, Issue 114, Print Issue 38, 31 July 2014 Monk commits suicide against China’s repression in Tibet

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Severe repression in Tibet says US religious freedom report

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Secular ethics is appropriate for 21st century: HH the Dalai Lama

By Tenzin Jamchen: 21 July 2014

Undated Photo: Thabkhe, a 24 year old Tibetan monk from Labdrang Monastery in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI

By Tenzin Jamchen: 22 July 2014

Dharamshala: - Sources coming out of Tibet say that a young Tibetan monk from Labrang monastery hanged himself in protest against the repressive policies of the Chinese government in Tibet.

‘On April 9, Thabkhe, a 24 year old Tibetan who was studying as a monk at Labrang Monastery in Sangchu County (Gansu Province) hanged himself from a tree in front of his monastery in protest against restrictions and limits imposed by the Chinese Government on the number of monks to be allowed in the monastery,’ the sources said.

P-5.....

Three Tibetans detained by Chinese police for unknown reason

Undated photos of Gyalten Phelpye and Geddi. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: 18 July 2014

Dharamshala: - Sources coming out of Tibet say, Chinese authorities have arrested three Tibetans from Sog County, Kham region of Eastern Tibet for unknown reasons.

‘Gyalten Phelgye, 29 (Monk) and Gedhi (Nun), 52 both from the Gartsa family, and Choedak, 49 of the Atso family, were taken into custody on Wednesday morning, 9 July in Rongpo Township in (Chinese: Naqu prefecture’s Suo, Nagchu) Sog county, eastern Tibet,’ a Tibetan living in exile told The Tibet Post International.

“In the early morning of this day, a bunch of Chinese police led by Sangye Tashi arrived at the town and the three were taken away from village No. 13. The current whereabouts and reasons for their arrest still remains unknown,” Ngawang Tharpa said, citing local sources.

P-5.....

Dharamshala: - His Holiness the Dalai Lama was welcomed into the council chamber of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh (LAHDC) on 15 July, where His Holiness heard about the hardships the Ladakhi people have overcome and spoke of the importance of secular ethics in modern education.

The Chief Executive Councillor, Rigzin Spalbar gave a brief overview of the 18 year existence of the LAHDC. “Ladakh is a region of strategic importance which has led to an instability in the Ladakhi way of life” he said. He then explained that the life the Ladakhis led included an optimum use of resources and preservation of traditional values while also embracing modernity. He admitted that it was the concern for a greater local role in decision making in the year 1995 that led to the establishment of the LAHDC. His Holiness then thanked for the opportunity to meet everyone and for the account of their activities. “You have faced hardships and have coped with them. I have no special contribution to make for I am only a guest here, but we have been close friends for many years.” said His Holiness and congratulated them on the hardships they have overcome.

“Your plans for the future are good and now implementation is in order. Other than that, you know better about your needs than I.” said His Holiness.

“One thing I would like to talk to you about though is education.” continued His Holiness, “I had the opportunity to visit universities in countries all over the world. Many scientists, educationists and thinkers agree that our existing education systems are inadequate. Not enough time and energy is given to nurture inner values and ethics. I tell people that we need a more complete system of education that includes training in ethics; secular ethics. India’s constitution is based on secularism, a respect for all religious traditions and even individuals who have none.

Secular ethics is appropriate for modern society.”

His Holiness the Dala Lama posing for a photo with members of the he Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 15, 2014. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

“I’m not talking about God, Allah or Buddha, but about developing a better society which revolves around education.

We need to think of ourselves belonging to one human family.

If we can do that, then there is a possibility that by the end of the 21st century we can create a happier, more peaceful society and this depends on our own actions and not on who we pray to. The 7 billion human beings alive today are our brothers and sisters; therefore we need cooperation based on trust and self-confidence to create an open, compassionate, harmonious society.” continued His Holiness.

His Holiness said that although many agree, they do not yet know how to introduce secular ethics into our current

China again vows to crackdown on Tibetans in Tibet

By Yeshe Choesang: 25 July, 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.

Dignitaries including Hollywood star Richard Gere greet His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the Kalachakra teaching in Ladakh/Photo/Tenzin

Dharamshala:- The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama returned to Dharamshala from Delhi on July 21 at around 2:30 pm after sucessfully concluding the 33rd Kalachakra teaching in Ladakh.

His Holiness had been in Ladakh from June 26 to July 21 visiting various communities and monasteries. The 33rd Kalachakra teaching began on July 3 and ended on July 13.

During the course of the teachings, His Holiness had called for religious and social harmony among the different communities in Ladakh.

“All religions talk of love and compassion. It is very sad that followers of these religions are indulged in violence,” said His Holiness while talking to media persons at the Gaggal Airport expressing his concern over the ongoing violence in various parts of the world.

His Holiness’s upcoming schedule includes a visit to Germany in August, where he will lead a discussion on ‘Secular Ethics Human Values In Our Lives,’ in Hamburg on August 23.

His Holiness will also give teachings on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) on August 24 and 25; and will confer an Avalokiteshvera Initiation on the morning of August 26.

Tashi Dhondup wins Domey parliamentary bypoll

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

His Holiness The Dalai Lama returns to Dharamshala

By Tenzin Jamchen: 22 July 2014

curriculum and hence are working to develop a study program that can be piloted in a couple schools and if successful then it could be extended to other schools taking into account of its members rights and aspirations.

“If you harm and bully others, it will not do good to oneself.”

His Holiness pointed out. “The scientists have shown that constant fear and anger damages our immune system, while warmheartedness is good for our health” “Here in Ladakh you have long been living in harmony which you must work hard to keep it up” encouraged His Holiness.

Commemorating 100 years of Shimla Convention China again vows to crackdown on Tibetans in Tibet

By Yeshe Choesang: 24 July 2014

Dharamshala: - Further tightening of the restrictions in Tibet to maintain social stability, the Chinese totalitarian regime has again vowed this week to severely crackdown on Tibetans who oppose its repressive policies toward Tibet’s culture and religion.

‘Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee urged efforts to maintain social stability in Tibet, saying it is vital to national security,’ the state controlled media, ‘Xinhua’ news agency reported.

The report claimed that Meng, made the remarks during his five-day visit to Tibet which ended on Tuesday, 22 July.

“Local officials should have a profound understanding of the long lasting nature of the anti-secession efforts, and always take them as the primary political task,” Meng said, “vowing a harsh crackdown on separatist activities or terror attacks.”

‘During the inspection, Meng called on Buddhist monks to make

contributions to ethnic unity while visiting Jokhang Temple and other well-known religious sites,’ report said.

Despite Tibet being described as one of the most monitored internet and tightly controlled areas in the world, China in May this year vowed to “seal and stifle” the internet in an effort to crackdown severely on Tibetans who oppose its repressive policies and share news and images with the outside world through emails, phone conversations, blogs, and social media.

Tibetans are being imprisoned, tortured for merely sharing news about their views about the ongoing situation in Tibet with the outside world. The communist regime has sought to impose a complete information blackout, blocking the internet and cutting off mobile phone signals in many Tibetan areas, in an attempt to prevent any news reaching the outside world.

Dong Yunhu, the head of Tibet Autonomous Region’s propaganda department vowed to “seal and stifle” the internet in an effort to defang separatist groups. Dong made his remarks during a meeting of the State Council’s information office on 12 May. P-5.....

From left: Lobsang Yeshi, Dr. Dibyesh Anand and Tenzin Tsundue during the panel discussion held in Dharamshala, India, on 23 July, 2014. Photo: TPI/Tenzin jamchen

By Choneyi Sangpo: 24 July 2014

Dharamshala: - A panel discussion was held in Dharamshala to commemorate hundred years of the Simla Convention of 1914, which Tibet negotiated on an equal footing with Great Britain and China.

Dr. Dibyesh Anand, Associate Professor at University of Westminster, London; Lobsang Yeshi, P-2.....

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Editorial:

Why struggle of Tibet matters: 100 years of ‘Shimla Convention’ 31 July 2014

Dharamshala: - Since 821 A.D. Tibet have signed treaties as a sovereign nation with several countries, namely China, India, Nepal, Burma and Great Britain up until 1918. The issue of Tibetan independence needs to be recast worldwide. The historical argument that Tibet has “always been an inalienable part of Chinese territory” is unconvincing. It is generally agreed that China and Tibet were independent prior to the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368).

Tibet wished to live peacefully by itself, so much so that it became known to the outside world as magnetising country to those people fascinated by its remoteness, inaccessibility, and tales of a people living in complete harmony with themselves and nature.

Tibet has maintained an independent, sovereign nation with a unique, and distinctive culture, religion and political system for centuries. If you look at the history, even very recent history, an old Tibetan passport was rediscovered in Nepal in 2003. Issued by the Kashag (The Cabinet) to Tibet’s finance minister Tsepon Shakabpa for foreign travel, dated “26th day of the 8th month of Fire-Pig year (Tibetan)” (14 October 1947 in the gregorian calendar) has received visas and entry stamps from several countries and territories, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Pakistan, Iraq and Hong Kong.

China still claims that Tibet has never been recognized by other nations as in independent nation given the history since the 1950s. The US and other world governments’ position, that Tibet is a part of China, is not based on history. Rather, it is a position that is simply self-consciously stated without further articulation.

If the question of Tibet in terms of the necessity of granting “Genuine Autonomy” to Tibet - a meaningful that respects the uniqueness of Tibet’s culture and religion and permits the Tibetan people to develop along the lines that they freely choose. Considerable space is left for both sides to negotiate the precise details of constructing that autonomy; without undue threat to China and one that would be mutually beneficial to both sides.

China may argue that it’s already granted autonomy to Tibet, that Tibet after all, is an “autonomous region.” The only logical and political reason for the Chinese not to grant meaningful 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.

By treating Hong Kong differently under ‘one county two systems’, the Chinese government has, and is still, systematically destroying the unique Tibetan culture and people. Over half a century, more than 1 million Tibetans have died through starvation, torture, imprisonment, etc.

Countless others were beaten to death, driven to suicide or dragged through the streets in public humiliation parades known as ‘struggle sessions.’

The violent crackdowns were replaced by a state-led drive for rapid economic growth after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. Today the ancient capital Lhasa is a sprawling modern city with lavish facilities, vast shopping malls, multi-screen cinemas, increasing wealth and high-tech infrastructure. Regardless of these improvements, expressions of dissent are not tolerated, all decisions are firmly in the hands of the Chinese officials, and the voice of any Tibetan is increasingly maligned by the Chinese government and media.

China must understand that the whole world believes in human rights, and democracy is deeply held. Similarly, Beijing must understand the very high regard that the international human rights organisations hold. Not in just a hand full of countries but in the world in general. In order to raise the issues of other governments and to act on behalf of our common humanity, regardless of government.

Only years after the Cultural Revolution the

west and the whole world have finally been able to see the full extent of its turmoil, destruction and violence. In the 1990s, those westerners who visited Tibet saw for themselves the damage done to the monasteries (more than 6,000 destroyed during the “cultural revolution”) and the destruction of the capital Lhasa. They also saw numerous People’s Liberation Army, some of whom they witnessed acting with arrogant and insulting behaviour toward the Tibetan people.

Few would be willing to make the same mistake again by not believing the stories of refugees from Tibet. Chinese scholars made a terrible mistake during the Cultural Revolution. Many did not believe or did not give proper credence to the stories of violence and world disintegration being told by the refugees who had risked their lives to flee out of China, including Hong Kong.

So long as those stories continue to tell of human rights abuse in Tibet and the international human rights abuse in Tibet, the international human rights organization will continue to bring those abuses to the attention of the world and demand redress from the Chinese government.

Many Tibetans say that the Chinese communist clique in Beijing still seeks to restore the Mao’s “Old Chinese Political System” commonly wellknown as the “Cultural Revolution” to China and Tibet, a huge disaster from the start in the contemporary history of China and Tibet.

Nearly all the promises the Chinese government made about keeping freedom and liberation for Tibet have been broken. Recently, this freedom and liberation has been further reduced as now not even pictures of the revered spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama may be displayed in the monasteries and Tibetan homes.

China claims to have ended those abuses and their assertions that there are no political prisoners in Tibet would be greatly enhanced by cooperating with such international human rights groups and inviting them to learn more about recent selfclaimed reforms in Tibet.

China must know how profoundly different their picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not only to those inside Tibet, but also the international public. He is viewed in most parts of the world as the quintessential man of peace. The Chinese separatist clique that seeks to restore the self system to Tibet is at glaring odds with the modern world.

The contrast between the man who claims “my message is always the same: to cultivate and practice love, kindness, compassion and tolerance” with those who claim the Dalai Lama is “Openly” trumpeting for the independence of Tibet” and “splitting the motherland, is not designed to win much moral support for the Chinese side.

These political manipulations by China are out in the open and the entire international community is watching. With all the attention on the reversion of Hong Kong to China, Tibetans hope that the world does not forget the plight of Tibet, illegally and brutally occupied by the Chinese for almost half a century.

It is a fact that out of some 130 self-immolations in Tibet protesting against the Chinese rule since March 2009, 94 per cent of them occurred outside of the officially designated Tibet Autonomous Region, who call for the return of their beloved spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who still rules the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people despite Beijing’s self-claimed billions of dollars in investment and the heavily subsidised economy in Tibet.

China should revisit its history to learn that the 1914 Shimla accord was concluded at a time when China steadily lost its traditional dependencies in international politics. Many scholars argue that it’s important to know that Tibet was a state that had treaty-making capacity, saying only an independent state has the treaty making capacity, so the reason why Shimla Convention is equally so important for Tibet today is because it is a reminder to the world that Tibet was once historically and politically an independent nation.

OPINION

The Tibet Post International

Legality is one of the major impediments for the Growth of Tibetan Entrepreneurs in India.

For the first of its kind, with help of so many individuals and organizations, I was able to conduct a study titled “Survey Research on Tibetan Entrepreneurs in India” in association with Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives in India limited.

More than 70% of Tibetan refugees in India depend on agriculture, handicraft and other small enterprises as their primary source of income. Tibetans in India begin their new life in exile by constructing roads in difficult terrain of Indian Himalaya. Gradually these Tibetans were resettled in various settlements in south India and agricultural related activities became their major sources of income. While there were plenty of time after agricultural activities, few Tibetans refugees came up with an idea of selling sweaters in various Indian cities and towns during winter season. Eventually this particular business activity spread widely among Exile Tibetans and it is still practiced by significant number of exile households. As exile life prolongs, many Tibetan started small and medium enterprises, both collectively as well as individually. This particular sector is growing.

Although the overall experiences of Tibetans in exile have been successful and have widely lauded as the most successful refugee community in the world. However, the high unemployment rate and continued migration of Tibetans from their respective settlements in India to various India cities and Western Countries, including the United States, Canada and other European countries, threatens the stability and sustainability of Tibetan refugee settlement in India.

According to the ‘Tibetan Demographic Survey 2009’ conducted by Planning Commission of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Dharamsala, in ten years, 1998-2009, about 9309 Tibetans have moved to Western countries. Some other source even indicates that each year around 3000 Tibetan move to Western countries. If this trend is to continue at the current rate, by the end of 2019, the total numbers of Tibetans in India will be reduced from current 94203 (TDS. 2009, CTA.) to just 64203 Tibetans (excluding new arrivals from Tibet) in India. Looking at this ever-increasing movement of Tibetans from their settlement to other places, it seems to me that what we call Tibetan refugee settlement is not really a settlement, but more like a transit camps and it is very possible that in near future that most of these settlements in India will turn into large old-age homes.

This survey seeks to understand the present state of Tibetan Entrepreneurs in India by identifying and analyzing the strengths, positive trends, core competencies and best practices by Tibetan entrepreneurs. It also seeks to identify and analyze the internal weaknesses and external impediments faced by existing and potential Tibetan entrepreneurs and bring fact-based recommendation to all the concerned stakeholders.

The method of sampling used for this study was stratified random sampling. In this the businesses were stratified in 5 different stratums and samples were randomly selected from these five stratums. These five different categories were, manufacturing, retail outlet, hospitality business, health and wellness business, itinerant trade of sweater selling and others.

The sample size for this survey is 96. This sample size is determined with +/-10% of margin of error (confidence interval) and confidence level of 95%.

The estimate of total population for this study is 70,000, (estimate number of Tibetan in India whose main source of income is from small enterprise, agriculture and handicraft) which are based on Tibetan Demographic survey of 2009, conducted

by Planning Commission of Central Tibetan Administration. These 96 Tibetan entrepreneurs are randomly selected from above stratum from four major Tibetan settlements in India, i.e.

Byllakuppe, Mudgod and Bangalore in Karnataka State and Delhi. This stratification and different location for data collection ensured an inclusion ofdifferent perspectives of Tibetan entrepreneurs in both urban and rural context as well as five major types of business that exist among Tibetan refugee community in India.

The data were collected using multiple modes of data collection that include, online questionnaire, face-to-face interviews, telephonic interviews and focus-group

By Tsewang Rigzin: 31 July, 2014

Tsewang Rigzin, a graduate student of Development Practice from Laney Graduate School at Emory University.

Photo:TPI

interviews. This mixed-mode of data collection method enhanced the quality of collected data by reducing the weakness of each individual mode. Although, many interesting findings were made through this study, I would like to share few of them with the readers and those who are interested in reading full report, I suggest them to go to the link provided above.

The interesting finding from the demographic part is the formal educational attainment of respondents. Each year on average 1479 Tibetan student graduate from 12th grade (An average number of students graduated from 12th grade from 2011-2014, Department of Education, CTA.) out of which more than 80% these graduate continue with higher education in various Indian universities. This clearly shows that the over all rate of Tibetans with higher educational degree is relatively high. However, the formal education level of these randomly selected 96 Tibetan give rise to one very important question; where are these graduate Tibetans? Not definitely in private enterprise sector as only 14% of respondent indicate that they have bachelor or higher degree. There are only three possible answers for that; a) working in Tibetans or India institutions, b) unemployed or c) have migrated to western countries.

The possibility ‘A’ seems not to be a strong justification as employment capacity of various Tibetan institutions including CTA is limited and at the same time to be employed in Indian institution is very competitive. So therefore it can be concluded that many of these graduate Tibetans are either unemployed or have already moved to western countries.

Another important finding suggested by this study is that there are various barriers that impede the growth of this sector and all the concerned stakeholders should put effort in eliminating these barriers. Among the barriers, one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs across the categories is related to government trade rules and regulations or lack of proper registration and licenses. This problem is more prevalent among the enterprises that are operating in settlements. Without these documents and licenses, it is impossible to grow their enterprises into a further growth, although they have capacity to do so.

Prior to this study, my assumption was that people do not register their enterprises intentionally to avoid tax and other obligation mandated by these acts. But in the process of this study, I realize that I was wrong. Through the numbers of interaction with around 100 entrepreneurs, I learnt that people do want to register their businesses but, so far not able to obtain these licenses due to various reasons. One of the primary reasons that I heard from people is that they are not aware of the process as it involves very long and complicated procedure. It is therefore, highly recommended that the concerned stakeholders especially CTA should appoint special officer under the office of entrepreneur development desk of Ministry of Finance. The primary responsibility of this officer should be supporting the established and potential entrepreneurs in legal matters such as registration of their enterprises and obtaining licenses for operation of their trade. This officer/s should further train these entrepreneurs on various legal issues pertaining to small and medium enterprises in India.

Training in general is very important for growth of any business. Especially in case of Tibetan entrepreneurs, it is more so as most

of these entrepreneurs have limited technical know-how. As indicated in the finding, there is positive relationship between training and netprofit. The net-profit seems to be higher among those who have attended one or other training.

Access to finance is still a major barrier for established and potential Tibetan entrepreneurs in the growth of their enterprises. Except for sweater sellers, who get easy loans fromlala and banks, most of the respondents indicate that their biggest source of loan is friends and relatives. As finding suggest, more than 35% of respondent indicated that their major source of loan and credit is friend and relatives. It is highly recommended that the concerned stakeholders, especially CTA, FTCI and other regional Nyamdel(cooperatives) should attempt to fill this gap by providing low interest rate and collateral free loans to these entrepreneurs.

Given the ground reality of decrease in agriculture related activities in settlements, and increase in other business establishment, the regional Nyamdel(cooperatives) and other organizations should make all attempts to expend their present crop-loans and sweaterselling loan to other business as well.

As intrigued by entrepreneur’s decision making process, I tried to look at how our traditional culture influence the overall decision making process of these surveyed Tibetan entrepreneurs and it is found out about 37% of respondents said that they do Mo divination before making some important business decision-making. Out of these 37% about 70% of them base their decision making solely on basis of outcome of the Mo divination.

In nutshell, it is of no doubt that overall performance of Tibetan refugees communities in India and other countries have been very successful under the wise leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA. However, in the field of entrepreneurship among Tibetans in India, there are many areas upon which there is need of urgent improvement.

One indication of this stagnation is that itinerant trade of sweater-selling is still the most prevalent trade practices among the Tibetan refugees in India. As far as this trade is concerned, it is not a sustainable trade from many different angles. The dependency of their profit on other factors such as weather conditions and availability of sites for market are so high. They are growing numbers of progressive entrepreneurs among Tibetan diaspora and all the concerned stakeholders should facilitate these growing entrepreneurs in whatever manner they can. The Stable and cohesive settlement as one of main goal of current administration cannot be achieve without improving this sector. If this sector improves and perform efficiently, in shortrun, it will solve two major problems that we face, i.e. unemployment and out-migration from settlements. And in long run, we will be in a better position to safeguard our unique cultural heritage. * Tsewang Rigzin is Graduate student as Laney Graduate School of Emory University and he can be reached through tsewangrigzin59@gmail.com

Commemorating ......

...... continued from front page m e m b e r o f Ti b e t a n P a r l i a m e n t a n d Tenzin Tsundue, Tibetan activist and writer, took part in the discussion held on Wednesday (23 July) at the TCV Day school hall, Dharamshala.

“Only an independent state has the treaty making capacity, so the reason why Shimla Convention is so important for Tibetans today is because it is a reminder to the world that Tibet was once historically independent,” said Dibyesh Anand.

Lobsang Yeshi said that ‘during the nine month long meeting, ten member Tibetan delegation led by Lonchen Shatra presented over fifty documents that prove Tibet as an independent nation. There is no any prove that says Tibet was a part of China.’

Tenzin Tsundue said that ‘India must recognize Tibet as an independent nation to lay its claim over Arunachal Pradesh.’

Panelists also discussed issues relating McMahon Line, Panchsheel Agreement and the ongoing India - China border crisis.

Tibet had signed treaties as a sovereign nation since 821 A.D. with China, Ladakh, Kashmir, Nepal, Burma, Sikkim and Great Britain up until 1918.

3 TPI NEWS Tibet News Exiled delegation calls on Indian Awareness campaign for Tibet’s Middle Way Approach Kicks Off MPs to support Tibet cause The Tibet Post International

31 July 2014

By Yeshe Choesang: 23 July 2014

A week-long lobbying campaign by the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation concludes in New Delhi on 20 July following meeting with over 28 Indian MPs from 13 different political parties. Photo: TPI

By Kathryn Middel-Katzenmeyer: 21 July 2014

New Delhi: - As the newly elected members of the Indian Parliament attended the First Session of the 16th Lok Sabha in the capital Delhi, a five-member Tibetan Parliamentary delegation called upon the Indian lawmakers from various political parties to felicitate them for their election victory and to garner their support for the Tibetan cause.

During the weeklong lobbying campaign that began on the 14th of July, the delegates met with the Indian lawmakers from various political parties including former Prime Minister, Mr. H.D.Deve Gowda of Janata Dal (S), Former Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Human Resource Development, Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Mr. Digvijay Singh of Indian National Congress (INC), Former Union Minister, Mr. Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal (United), Former Union Minister, Mr. Ajit Singh and Mr. Jayant Chaudhary of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Mr. P.D. Rai of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Mr. Konakalla Narayana Rao of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), D Kupendra Reddy of Janata Dal(S) and Mr. Kirti Azad, Mr. Ajay Nishad and Mr. Thupten Tsewang of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The delegates also called upon Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs at the North Block.

During the meeting, the delegates congratulated the MPs on their recent election victory and thanked them for their support for the Tibetan cause. The delegates also request their participation in the All-India Parliamentary Forum for Tibet to help revitalize the Forum aimed at bolstering advocacy for Tibet in the Indian Parliament and various international platforms.

Mrs. Dolma Tsering, who led the delegation, apprised the Indian MPs of the current situation in Tibet and stressed, “In sheer contrast with the Chinese propaganda, the Chinese occupation of Tibet has led to the death of over 1.2 million Tibetans, destruction of over 6,000 monasteries and Tibet’s natural resources and environment, and the ancient Tibetan culture and the civilization. Its forcible resettlement of over 3 million Tibetan nomads and farmers from their traditional land had virtually rendered them hapless, with Chinese demographic aggression in Tibet unabated”.

The delegation further submitted a Memorandum specifying demands to the Indian lawmakers and the Indian Government that includes; 1) Call upon China to immediately end the human rights violation in Tibet and grant freedom, justice and human rights to the Tibetans. 2) Call for unfettered access to Tibet for the media, the United Nations and International fact-finding delegations to investigate and report on the real causes behind the self-immolations. 3) To urge the Chinese Government to resume dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration for early resolution of Tibetan issue. 4) Express your solidarity by raising the issue of Tibet in the Indian Parliament and help intensify

diplomatic and international pressure on the Chinese government; and 5) Urge the Indian Government to make Tibetan issue a priority in India-China relationship and make India’s position on Tibet more pronounced.

Mr. Choekyong Wangchuk, a member of the delegation while briefing on the current situation inside Tibet stated that “China’s repressive policies have resulted in the growing resentment against the Chinese government, leading to massive protests and spates of self-immolations.” He further added that “Already 130 Tibetans have selfimmolated since 2009 and that these Tibetan protestors have called for the ‘Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet’, ‘Freedom and Independence for Tibet’ and ‘Preservation of Tibetan Religion, Culture and Language’.

Sadly, all these efforts are being met with more and more harsh repressions instead of reforms and solutions.”

The Indian leaders assured the Tibetan delegations of their unstinted support for the Tibetan people and stated that the sincere commitments to the Tibetan people by their political parties and the senior party members would be carried forward. While urging the Tibetan delegates to keep updating them of the Tibet situation in future too, the Indian lawmakers further reassured that they will do whatever possible at their disposal and raise the issue in the India Parliament during the sessions.

A week-long lobbying campaign by the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation concludes in New Delhi on Sunday following meeting with over 28 Indian MPs from 13 different political parties. The Indian lawmakers that the delegates called upon included 1 former Prime Minister, 9 former Union Minister, 5 former Chief Minister and 13 party leaders.

During the entire campaign, the Indian leaders accorded a heart-warming reception to the Tibetan MPs and assured them of their continuous support and solidarity with the Tibetans.

They expressed utmost love and reverence for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and vow to carry forward the commitments of their senior leaders and the party towards the Tibetan people.

The leaders unanimously acknowledged the importance of reviving the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet and expressed their willingness to participate in the same.

They also urged the Tibetan delegation to keep them updated of the Tibet situation and to call on at regular intervals in future. They earnestly offer their valuable guidance regarding the future course of actions for Tibet etc.

The delegation comprising of Tibetan exile MPs; Mrs Dolma Tsering, Ven. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Ven. Monlam Tharchin, Mr. Choekyong Wangchuk and Mr. Lobsang Yeshi is the preliminary group of the series of Tibetan Parliamentary Felicitation and Lobbying Team being launched through a resolution adopted by the Standing Committee following a discussion meeting of the Tibetan lawmakers during the 7th Session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament in Dharamshala, H.P. The delegation will continue to lobby the Indian lawmakers till the end of this week.

Dharamshala: - Top officials, including Sikyong, ministers and secretaries all the departments of Central Tibetan Administration on 18 July has begun a Tibetan settlement-to-settlements’ awareness campaign informing the public about the Middle Way Approach which is proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet.

CTA stated that the top officials are visiting “Tibetan settlements across India to speak on the Middle Way Approach in throughout July and August.”

‘The Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, ministers and secretaries of all the departments of Central Tibetan Administration have started to raise awareness amongst Tibetans in exile about the Middle Way Approach began on 18 July,’ CTA stated.

The administration said the top officials ‘also highlight the remarkable achievements of Holiness the Dalai Lama for the Tibetan cause and world peace as part of the Kashag’s initiative to dedicate 2014 as the ‘Year of His Holiness the Great Fourteenth Dalai Lama’.

“The Middle Way Approach is a democratically adopted viable and realistic solution to seek genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the Chinese constitution. It is increasingly supported by the international community, including governments, parliaments and the Chinese people,” said Sikyong Dr.

The newly launched website of Middle-Way Approach, which is proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet. Photo: TPI

Lobsang Sangay.

“Overwhelming majority of the Tibetan people endorse the Middle Way Approach. The mass awareness campaign is being launched to make a concerted effort on the part of Tibetans in exile to end the sufferings of Tibetans inside Tibet and preserve the Tibetan identity given the urgency of the situation in Tibet under the Chinese government’s repressive rule,” Sikyong said.

The publc awareness campaign follows the successful launch of the international awareness campaign on the Middle Way Approach by the Department of Information & International Relations (DIIR) of CTA on 5 June.

The DIIR launched Middle Way Approach information materials – including an interactive website, Social Media campaign, timeline of the Tibetan struggle and FAQs – many of them available

in 7 languages including Chinese – to 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.

The international awareness campaign was aimed at engaging the international community – young people, diplomats, media, people from all walks of life across different nations — to counter the Chinese Government’s misinformation campaign about the policy.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama 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 the Dalai Lama 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.

Tibetan administration said that 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.’

Portrait of Tibet’s spiritual leader displays at summer festivals

By Jane Cook: 30 July 2014

Dharamshala: - Sources coming out of Tibet say His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 79th birthday was celebrated in different parts of Tibet despite heavy restrictions imposed by the Chinese government, including a ban on cultural festivals and an intensified deployment of armed Chinese troops in the region.

Despite China’s ban, Tibetans displayed portraits of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and other high-ranking spiritual leaders at a traditional horse-racing festival in Bathang County, in the east of Tibet this week.

‘The Bathang horse racing festival is a traditional festival that was held on July 27 in high-elevation Bathang County in the Kham region of eastern Tibet (Chinese: Batang county in Ganzi). The festival was opened with the hosting of a large portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, also displayed were portraits of 10th Panchen Lama, 17th Karmapa, and Sakya Trizin,’ an exiled Tibetan told The Tibet Post Int’l (TPI).

Another source told TPI that ‘Tibetans from Lithang Golok areas in Nyakchukha County also held a horse racing festival this week; the hoisting of prayer flags and thousands of wind-horse leaflets on sacred mountains and the displaying of portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche occurred in their camp during the festival.

They performed the traditional lha sol ritual throwing tsampa (roasted barley flour) in the air and burning incense in celebration of the birthday.’

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 79th birthday was clebrated in many other parts of Tibet over recent weeks, despite tightened security restrictions including a ban on the traditional religious and cultural festivals in Tibet and an intensified deployment of troops in many areas.

‘Large portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama displayed in many areas in Amdho and Kham regions of eastern Tibet during picnics in the grasslands,

Tibetans carrying His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait at the Bathang County Festival, July 27, 2014. Photo: TPI

horse races, hoisting of prayer flags on sacred mountains and burning of incense,’ sources said.

‘Tibetans gathered at the festival in Bathang on 27 July having offered their traditional scarves to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama after which the organizers placed it on a throne,’ sources said.

Sources also stated that ‘the crowd gathering reportedly offered prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life and that of other Tibetan spiritual teachers. They also prayed for a peaceful resolution of the issue of Tibet.’

Tibetans Lithang, Drakgo also marked His Holiness’ birthday on July 6 and displayed images of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, burnt incense and made prayer offerings.

His Holiness’ birthday also celebrated in Tawu county in Kham region on July 6, with incense burning and hoisting of prayer flags.

In Amchok, the Tibetan area of Amdho, His

Lithang Golok County horse racing festival, July 27, 2014. Photo: TPI

Holiness’ birthday celebration was held with a traditional horse racing festival. Tibetans wearing traditional costume walked to a sacred mountain where they were draped with white blessing scarves and prayer offerings were made. Monks from Labrang Tashikyil Monastery in Amdho chanted long life prayers for His Holiness in the grasslands beyond the monastery.

Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented interest among the Tibetans inside Tibet to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday, sources said.

In Lhasa, the capital of Tibet restrictions were tightened over the sensitive birthday period, with Chinese armed troops deployed in Barkhor areas, site of the Jokhang Temple, and Norbulingka, His Holiness’ former summer palace.

Social networking services were also blocked in many areas of Tibet, possibly with the intention of preventing Tibetans from hearing news about the 33rd Kalachakra and the teachings held in Ladakh from July 03-14, 2014.

Traditional celebrations to mark His birthday on 6 July, known as “Trunglha Yarsol” in Tibetan, have been officially banned throughout the 1990s.

The Chinese authorities issued a public notice in June 2001 reinforcing the ban on celebrations of His Holiness’ birthday in Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet, stating that Tibetans were not permitted to “give prayers and blessings” for their spiritual leader or to “eulogise his merits and virtue”.

In the public notice the authorities focus on the “consolidation of the achievements” made in banning the “illegal activities of Trunglha Yarsol” - a reference to the security measures that have been implemented over the past 15 years to crack down on the celebrations.

Restrictions on Trunglha Yarsol were tightened in 1999 when an incense-burning stove normally used for the birthday celebrations in the eastern suburbs of Lhasa was reportedly destroyed by the authorities and access to the site was blocked.

4

TPI NEWS

31 July 2014

Horoscopes for the month of August, 2014 Sorces: Always Astrology ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Follow your gut feeling regarding your business ventures. Love relationships will flourish.

Communication will be the source of your knowledge and you must be sure to spend time with those who have more experience. Your ability to be a self starter will help get things done and motivate others. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can come into money; however, perhaps not under the best circumstances. You can win points if you present your ideas this month. You need to look into some private matters before you can proceed with your plans. Attend seminars that will bring you in contact with the right people. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Go out with friends. You can make reasonable bids on real estate or large items for your home. Don’t be too confident that coworkers are on your side.

People who try to persuade you to do things their way will annoy you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You may have a tendency to put on weight. Romantic encounters will develop through colleagues.

Children may be on your mind. Those close to your heart may be difficult to reason with. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Do something special for them. Exercise is always a good way to relieve stress. Your sensitive nature will allow others to read you well. You are best not to nag or criticize. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Do not invest in ventures that only appear to be lucrative. Overindulgence could cause problems for you with your loved ones. Don’t spend too much in order to impress others. Be careful not to hurt the ones you love. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your talents are likely to be discovered. You might find added popularity with those around you this month. Don’t let your partner start any arguments.

Passion should be redirected positively. Investments concerning your residence will be profitable. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Problems with female members of your family may play on your emotions. Catch up on overdue paperwork. You can expect opposition from family as well as colleagues. Don’t give your heart too readily. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) If you can get away for a vacation, do so. Opportunities to make advancements through good business sense are apparent. This will not be the time to give too much to your children. You can enhance your cash flow if you pick up additional skills. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Friends and relatives may be hard to take this month.

You can deal with large institutions or government agencies successfully this month. Pay attention to small but important details. You will do best to entertain those you wish to close deals with. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Don’t blow situations out of proportion. You’ve been a little down and you need a lift. Your outgoing, aggressive nature will attract someone you’ve been eager to meet. Your lover will be annoyed with your participation. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Travel will be favorable. You have to believe in yourself and your talents. Don’t let others know about your private affairs. You can develop your creative talents if you take the time to practice your art. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

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Public schedule of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Month Of Ausgust/September/October, 2014

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 Teaching in Dharamsala, HP, India from September 24 to 26: His Holiness will continue to give teachings from Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) at the request of a group of Southeast Asians at the Main Tibetan Temple. Contact Website: www.tibetanbc.org Teaching in Dharamsala, HP, India from October 6 to 9: His Holiness will give teachings on Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Wisdom Treatise of the Middle Way (uma tsawa sherab) at the request of a group of Taiwanese at the Main Tibetan Temple.

Discussion in Vancouver, BC, Canada on October 21: His Holiness will participate in a forum with leading scientists in economics, neuroscience, psychology and public policy on the theme Science of Education of the Heart in the afternoon at the Vancouver Convention Center. Contact Website: www.dalailamacenter.org Teachings in Vancouver, BC, Canada on October 23: His Holiness will give a Buddhist teaching based on Geshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses of Training the Mind (lojong tsikgyema) and confer the Avalokiteshvera Empowerment (chenrezig wang) organized by the Tibetan Cultural Society of British Columbia and Tsengdok Monastery at UBC Thunderbird Arena. Contact Website: www.dalailamavancouver.com Dialogue in Birmingham, Alabama, USA on October 25: His Holiness will participate in a dialogue on Neuroplasticity and Healing organized by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Interfaith Event in Birmingham, Alabama, USA on October 25: His Holiness will participate in an interfaith dialogue entitled Beyond Belief at The Alabama Theater.

Public Talk in Birmingham, Alabama, USA on October 26: His Holiness will give a public talk in the afternoon at the Regions Field.

Teaching in Boston, MA, USA on October 30: His Holiness will give a day-long Buddhist teaching based on Geshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses of Training the Mind (lojong tsikgyema) and confer the Generation of Bodhicitta (semkyi) organized by the Vietnamese Buddhist community at the Wang Centre for Performing Arts. Contact Website: www.prajnaupadesa.net Talk in Boston, MA, USA on October 31: His Holiness will give a talk at the International Symposium for Contemplative Studies organized by the Mind and Life Institute in the morning at the Boston Marriott Copley. Contact Website: http://www.mindandlife.org Panel Discussion in Boston, MA, USA on October 31: His Holiness will participate in a panel discussion entitled Global Systems 3.0: Equitable Solutions and Global Change organized by The Dalai Lama Centre for Ethics and Transformative Values in the afternoon. Contact Website: http://www.thecenter.mit.edu

Sources: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a symbol of peace: Muslims in Leh

By Kathryn Middel-Katzenmeyer: 21 July 2014

seen him visit several mosques, making many Muslim friends, he referred to events since September 11th 2001.

He recalled attending the first anniversary memorial service in Washington and expressing his conviction that just because the terrorists involved had a Muslim background was no reason for generalizing about a whole community.

He pointed out that there are mischievous individuals amongst Hindus, Jews, Christians and Buddhists, not only among Muslims, and that to generalize about any of these communities on such a basis would be wrong and unfair. He said: “I’m a Buddhist, but now I often step forward to defend Islam. I often repeat what my friend Farooq Abdhullah the former Chief Minister, explained to me about jihad, that it is not about attacking other people, but about making combat with your own disturbing emotions. If you are about to do someone harm, but you restrain yourself, that’s an instance of jihad, which also has a lot to do with self-discipline.”

His Holiness went on to praise India as a living example of tolerant pluralism, a place where all the world’s major religions live together peacefully side by side. He cited the small Parsee community in Mumbai who have long flourished there without fear. He reiterated that India’s example is a model for the world to follow.

Commenting on the sadness he has felt to hear reports of Buddhists in Burma and Sri Lanka attacking Muslims, he recounted the appeal he had made to them when moved to attack to remember the face of the Buddha. His Holiness is convinced that if the Buddha were present there he would offer the victims protection. In a similar context, considering the conflicts between Sunnis and Shias in various parts of the Middle East and between Christians and Muslims in parts of Africa, he appealed to his listeners to consider ways in which they might influence their Muslim brothers to exercise restraint. He acknowledged that Ladakhi Muslims by themselves might not achieve much, but as part of a larger Indian Muslim community their voice would be heard.

Finally, His Holiness noted that although they had invited him to lunch, on this occasion his hosts would not be joining him because they are observing the Ramadan daytime fast. His teasing them that he would eat twice as much on their behalf raised a friendly laugh.

Dharamshala: - Describing him as a symbol of peace and harmony for the whole world, the Muslim Coordination Committee in Leh, Ladakh prayed for His Holiness’s long life and the fulfillment of his wishes.

The morning of July 16, 2014, on the edge of Leh town, the Muslim Coordination Committee had invited His Holiness to lunch. In welcoming remarks Saeed Naqvi praised His Holiness for his efforts to promote mutual understanding and for being a symbol of peace and harmony for the whole world. Saif ud din paralleled these remarks, saying: “Today is a great day for us as we are honored by His Holiness’s presence. We admire your work for peace and assure you that Islam denounces violence and bloodshed.

Like many in the international community we support your Middle Way Approach to resolving the difficulties in Tibet. We Muslims and Buddhists of Ladakh have long lived in harmony and will continue to do so. We pray for His Holiness’s long life and the fulfillment of his wishes.”

“My Muslim spiritual brothers and sisters,” His Holiness replied, “you organized this meeting and invited me to it, which I greatly appreciate. In the small village where I was born near Kumbum Monastery there were Muslim families so I have long been familiar with people of Islam.

When I reached Lhasa at the age of five, about 1,000 Muslims lived there and whenever there were government functions Muslim representatives took part. Many of them wore a red hat with a tassel on it.”

30“You may have heard me tell this story before, but the 13th Dalai Lama had had a pocket watch that I began to use.

Then one day it stopped and we invited an expert Muslim watchmaker to come and have a look at it. He fixed it, but solemnly told me that a person who carries a watch in his pocket should behave as if he was carrying an egg!Agentle rebuke that I should be more careful.”

His Holiness mentioned that after 1959 many Tibetan Muslims left Tibet and settled in Srinagar. For many years, he said he had been unable to visit them, but renewed his acquaintance two years ago. He spoke of being surprised and touched to discover that their young children spoke good Tibetan with a Lhasa dialect, an indication that they still use Tibetan within their families.

In addition to describing his practice since 1975 of making pilgrimage to other people’s places of worship, which has

His Holiness the Dalai Lama launches book series in Buddhism

Ven Tromthog Rinpoche, abbot of Namgyal Monastery and his team of Tibetan Buddhist Scholars with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the launch of a new book, the ‘Compendium of Buddhist Science. Photo/Manuel Bauer

By Yangchen Dolma: 15 July, 2014

other and to pay more attention to the general teachings of the Buddha.

His Holiness also commended the recent launch of two volumes dealing with Buddhist science extracted from wider Buddhist literature. He looks forward to these books being studied on a more academic basis, making the knowledge within them available to interested people whatever their personal faith.

Dharamshala: - The ‘Compendium of Buddhist Science’, a series of books that draw scientific material from the Kangyur and Tengyur texts that was launched

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the Kalachakra teachings in Leh, Ladakh, India, on 6 July, 2014.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama reiterated his advice to be less attached to one Tibetan Buddhist tradition or the

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31 July 2014 H.H THE DALAI LAMA 5 Secular ethic is most relevant for creating peaceful world

TPI NEWS

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By Jane Cook: 18 July 2014

Dharamshala: - Reaffirming the importance of education everywhere in the world, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 16 July 2014, in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India said that secular ethics is most relevant for creating a happier and more peaceful world. In the 21st century secular ethics is what is most appropriate and relevant for creating a happier and more peaceful world.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Choglamsar, where he first consecrated a new set of statues representing the Buddha and his first five disciples.

He entered the auditorium where faculty members and students awaited him as Jamyang Khyentse’s Prayer for His Holiness’s Long Life was recited. The Director welcomed His Holiness and recalling his gratitude for his own education avowed his dedication to the training of students today.

His Holiness expressed his admiration for the progress the Institute is making and reaffirmed the importance of education everywhere in the world. He said: “Of course we need to make material progress, but we need inner development too. We need the inspiration to develop within ourselves. We need secular ethics, that is a sense of ethics that has universal appeal while respectful of the followers of all religious traditions and even those who have none. In the 21st century secular ethics is what is most appropriate and relevant for creating a happier and more peaceful world.”

He reiterated his advice to be less attached to one Tibetan Buddhist tradition or the other and to pay more attention to the general teachings of the Buddha. He also commended the recent launch of two volumes dealing with Buddhist science extracted from wider Buddhist literature.

He looks forward to these books being studied on

China again vows ......

...... continued from front page Tibetans who oppose the repressive policies imposed

by The Chinese totalitarian regime have been labelled as separatists and Tibetan self-immolators have ben considered as terrorists. Although the only innocents who have suffered by their action have been their relatives and communities heavily punished by attributing to them guilt by association, targeting hearts and mind of the Tibetan people.

“Since 1950s, all the successive Chinese regimes have failed to win the hearts and minds of the Tibetans inside Tibet. The totalitarians are now desire to control the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people by forcefully conducting “patriotic education,”campaigns across the Himalayan region,” Nyima T.J, a Tibetan political analyst in exile said, adding: “The hard-line policies in Tibet targeting the Tibetan Culture and identity will never be successful unless China make a change and past policies toward Tibet has been harmful to China’s interest and image.”

Three Tibetans detained ......

...... continued from front page

According to the sources, “a relative from the Gartsa family with some food and clothes went to inquire about the conditions of Tibetans who are detained by the Chinese authorities has also been arrested when he arrived in Sog County.”

Tharpa said that “despite pleas from family members, no information has been given to families of their arrests. “Many Chinese police are now stationed at the Rongpo town and people traveling on this streets are thoroughly searched.”

Although the reason for their arrests was not given, many people in this county were arrested under suspicion of contacting Tibetans in exile and sharing information to outside world.

Monk commits suicide ......

...... continued from front page

Chinese authorities have reportedly imposed a severe restriction on the monasteries in the area limiting the number of monks down to only 999 monks per monastery resulting in an uproar among the local Tibetan public.

Before his suicide, Thabkhe had reportedly disclosed to his close friends about his intention to end his life in protest against those restrictions.

He had also expressed his dissatisfaction with the prohibitions on the display of photos of his spiritual teachers.

“Many monks and nuns had to abandon their pursuit of Buddhist studies against their will to lead ordinary lives,” Thabke had mentioned to a friend.

Thabkhe was a native of Sangchu County, Kanlho, North-eastern Tibet.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama offering a traditional Tibetan scarf to a member of the Muslim Co-ordinating Committee in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 16, 2014. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHD

a more academic basis, making the knowledge within them available to interested people whatever their personal faith.

Gentle rain fell as His Holiness drove to Saboo Thang in the undeveloped area above Choglamsar, where the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) have launched a new project.

He unveiled first the foundation stones for the LBA Lotus Eco Village and a Passive Solar Hostel Block, followed by a large graphic representation of the master plan. The Director explained that the intention is to benefit the poor and needy. Dr Tondup Tsewang explained that the impetus for the project had arisen as a result of the flash flood of 2010. His Holiness responded: “Dharma friends and guests, I’m only able to make a brief visit now, but I’m honoured by your invitation. I’ve been coming to Ladakh for the last forty years or so and have seen rapid

progress in many places, especially in the field of education. Among Ladakhis are Muslims and Christians as well as Buddhists by faith, but all of them are influenced by Ladakhi culture, which is Buddhist by and large; a culture of peace, nonviolence and compassion. Therefore this project fostering those values will surely contribute to Ladakh’s development.”

Turning to the students sat before him, he asked them to study hard, telling them how he now regrets that when he was their age he preferred to play. He announced that he would like to make a donation of ten lakh rupees from the Dalai Lama Trust to the project, also recommending that any surplus from the Kalachakra Empowerment funds could be put towards it too.

“I’ll see you again,” he said with a smile, “but remember that the real development we seek is not in the buildings but in our hearts and minds.”

Severe repression in Tibet says US religious freedom report

By Yeshe Choesang: 30 July 2014

Dharamshala: - The US released the 2013 International Religious Freedom Report on Monday in which they said the Chinese government imposed severe repression on the religious freedom of Tibetans across Tibet.

“The release of this report here today of the abiding commitment of the American people and the entire U.S. Government to the advancement of freedom of religion worldwide,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said during a press conference at the State Department in DC on July 28, 2014.

The Secretary was joined by Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski and Rabbi David Saperstein, President Obama’s nominee to serve as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

‘75 percent of the world’s population still lives in countries that don’t respect religious freedoms, we have a long journey ahead of us, We have a long way to go when governments kill, detain, or torture people based on a religious belief,’ Kerry stressed.

“In China, authorities harass Christians. They arrest Tibetan Buddhists simply for possessing the Dalai Lama’s photograph,” Kerry said, adding: ‘And they prevent Uighur Muslims from providing religious education to their children or fasting during Ramadan.These tactics continue to pose an incredible test. But make no mistake: These tactics will fail the test of history.’

John Kerry said US is “committed to working with governments as partners to help them ensure full respect for the human rights of all of their citizens.”

The report said the Chinese government’s respect for and protection of religious freedom in the Tibetan areas were poor, with widespread official interference in religious practice, especially in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries.

Repression was severe and increased around politically sensitive events and religious anniversaries, the report said, adding that official interference in the practice of Tibetan Buddhist religious traditions continued to generate profound grievances.

There were reports of detention, sentencing (including two death sentences, one with a twoyear reprieve), three deaths attributed to police, and other government-initiated violence related to religious issues. According to reports by journalists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 26 Tibetans, including monks, nuns, and laypersons, self-immolated, it said.

Tibetans face societal discrimination in employment, while engaging in business or when traveling, but because Tibetan Buddhists’ ethnic identity is closely linked with religion, it can be

US Secretary Kerry delivers remarks at the rollout of the 2013 Report on International Religious Freedom at the Department of State in Washington, DC, on 28 July, 2014. - State Dept Image

difficult to categorize incidents of intolerance as purely ethnic or religious, the report said.

“Tibetans, particularly those who wore traditional and religious attire, regularly reported incidents in which they were denied hotel rooms, avoided by taxis, and/or discriminated against in employment opportunities or business transactions,”it said.

“Many ethnic Han Buddhists were interested in Tibetan Buddhism and donated money to Tibetan monasteries and nunneries. Tibetan Buddhist monks frequently visited Chinese cities to provide religious instruction to ethnic Han Buddhists. In addition, a growing number of ethnic Han Buddhists visited Tibetan monasteries, although officials sometimes imposed restrictions that made it difficult for ethnic Han Buddhists to conduct long-term study at many monasteries in ethnic Tibetan areas,” the report said.

The report said “the US government repeatedly urged authorities at multiple levels to respect religious freedom for all faiths and to allow Tibetans to preserve, practice, teach, and develop their religious traditions. The US government raised individual cases and incidents with the Chinese government.

US officials urged the Chinese government to engage in constructive dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, as well as to address the policies that threaten Tibet’s distinct religious, cultural, and linguistic identity; such policies are a primary cause of grievances among Tibetans.”

The report said the ability of US diplomatic personnel to speak openly with Tibetan residents and members of the monastic community was severely restricted during their visits to Tibet.

Secretary Kerry submitted the 2013 International Religious Freedom Report to the US Congress.

Mandated by Congress, the International Religious Freedom Reports help inform US government policy and foreign assistance. They also serve as a reference for other governments, international institutions, non-governmental organisations, legal professionals, scholars, interested citizens, and journalists.

6

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31 July 2014

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The Tibet Post International

A grand prayer for HH the Dalai Lama of Tibet in 2015 Violence in Gaza unthinkable:

By Yeshe Choesang: 28 July 2014

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan administration in exile said a ‘grand long-life prayer ceremony will be held on behalf of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet to celebrate the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an especial in next year.’

The Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in collaboration with the International Gelug Association and the Executive Committee of Dhomay is organising a grand long-life prayer ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2015.

Addressing a press conference on Monday (28 July), Dhondup Dorjee, Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture said : “We will be organising a grand long life ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the momentous occasion of his 80th birthday in 2015 to express our gratitude and reverence to his remarkable contribution to the Tibetan cause and universal values.”

“The three organising groups have initially requested to organise the long-life prayer ceremony

individually. However, we are advised to organise the prayer ceremony in collaboration with each other, as the collective merit of prayers have more effect and value,” he explained.

‘A long-life prayer offering initially accepted by at an earlier request of the Executive Committee of Dhomay, Ven Tromthok Rinpoche, the abbot of Namgyal Monastery said, adding ‘we must thank the committee for its great effort and preparation.’

‘Representatives of the International Gelug Association, including all abbots and former abbots from 11 major Gelugpa monasteries led by Ganden Tri Rinpoche actually requested to organise a longlife prayer ceremony. However we are well advised to organise the prayer offering in collaboration with the Dhomay committee at our meeting with His Holiness during the annual Monlam festival teaching in Dharamshala last year,’ Rinpoche told reporters.

Ven Tromthok Rinpoche said that “all important topics related the Long Life Prayer Offering will be raised and discussed at the upcoming

International Gelug Association conference which will be held in September.”

Dedicating 2014 as the year of His Holiness the Great Fourteenth Dalai Lama to celebrate his 79th birthday this year, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has said ‘under this year-long program, his administration will organize 21 major events, which include some 300 smaller activities.’

“Looking further ahead, the Kashag will mark His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday by the Tibetan calendar—the fifth day of the fifth Tibetan month, falling on the 21st of June 2015—with an elaborate long life offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” the Sikyong added.

The grand long-life prayer ceremony is scheduled on 21 June 2015, the birthday of His Holiness according to the traditional Tibetan lunar calendar.

CTA has also announced earlier that it would observe 2014 as the “Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” to express deep gratitude to his remarkable achievements for the cause of Tibet and promote his ideals of non-violence, world peace, and universal human values.

At the birthday celebrations in 2013, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate said the “best gift” he could receive from all was the “warmheartedness” in every individual.

Hollywood star Richard Gere to speak was met with cheers in Ladakh this month. “This is exordanary moment for all of us.” He recalled that directly after his first meeting with His Holiness in Dharamshala 33 years ago he came to “Ladakh,” which he described as “one of the most beautiful places on earth.”

He described himself as humbled by the fact that he lived at the same time as His Holiness the Dalai lama, saying that not only to know him, but also to be able to listen to him was “extraordinarily fortunate and blessed. On behalf of the more than 4000 other foreigners in the audience Hollywood actor wished His Holiness a happy birthday.”

By Kathryn Middel-Katzenmeyer: 25 July 2014

assimilation and environmental destruction are two of the major causes which drive Tibetans to set themselves on fire in protest against the Chinese government.’ (White Paper on Self-Immolations) China’s expansion of its railway lines towards Tibet’s borders have also aroused fears and apprehension among its neighbors particularly India, with which Tibet shares a 3500 km long border.

In its efforts to forge closer ties with Nepal, Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj will head to Kathmandu on Friday to prepare the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in 17 years. India will offer Nepal a landmark pact to help develop its huge hydro-electric power potential as the South Asian

giant takes another step to re-assert influence among smaller neighbors where China has been forging closer ties, Reuters reported.

With the centrist Nepali Congress in charge in Kathmandu after the Maoists, India had a better chance of improving ties, said Reuters quoting Alyssa Ayres, a former U.S. State department official and a South Asia expert at the Council on Foreign Relations.

“Given the increasing Chinese footprint in Nepal – as a development partner, foreign investor, military supplier and a power increasingly shaping how Nepal treats Tibetan refugees – India would surely want to shore up its own ties to ensure Indian influence doesn’t dissipate,” Ayres said.

From left: Ven Tromthok Rinpoche, abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Dhondup Dorjee, Secretary of Religion and Culture; and Tenpey Ngodup, Chairman of Dhomay Excutive Committee during a press conference in Dharamshala, India, 28 July 2014.

Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo

Chinese railway line threatens Tibet’s cultural identity

Dharamshala: - The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) expressed concerns on Thursday about the Chinese government’s plans to extend a railway line linking Tibet and the rest of the country to the borders of India, Nepal and Bhutan by 2020. There is speculation that the rail line will threaten the unique cultural identity of Tibetan people.

“The railway network will accelerate the mass movement of Chinese migrants into Tibet which threatens the unique cultural identity of the Tibetan people through forced assimilation,” the Dharamshala based Tibetan administration said on Thursday.

China opened its 1,142 km railway line from Golmud in its Qinghai province to Tibet’s capital Lhasa in 2006. The 253 km Lhasa-Shigatse link, which includes 13 stations with altitudes ranging from 3,600 to 4,000 meters, is the largest investment project in the Tibet Autonomous Region in the 12th Five-Year Plan, Chinese state media reported.

Another report published by The Economist in June this year, stated that over 7.5 million passengers rode the railway from Golmud to Lhasa in 2013 alone — more than the entire population of Tibet itself.

The Chinese railway projects have also led to a rapid increase in Chinese mining companies and workers entering Tibet to exploit its natural resources.

Moreover, with the influx of the mining companies and rampant exploitation of Tibet’s resources, the ecological balance of the fragile Tibetan plateau is exposed to severe risks of disasters. In March 2013, over 80 miners were buried alive after a major landslide hit a part of the Gyama Copper Gold Polymetallic Mine near Lhasa, prompting fears of similar disasters in other parts of Tibet where mining is rampant.

The Environment and Development Desk (EDD), the environmental research desk of the Central Tibetan Administration, have called the Gyama mine disaster as “a man-made phenomenon rather than just a ‘natural disaster”.

They claimed that the tragic incident is a result of aggressive expansion and large-scale exploitation of mineral in the Gyama Valley.

The mass influx of Chinese migrants into Tibet has also led to illegal land grabs by unscrupulous Chinese businessmen and authorities. Tibetans inside Tibet have protested against illegal land grabbing of their lands and rampant exploitation of mineral resources.

The CTA stated it has ‘repeatedly said that cultural

The Tibet railway maps. The first tibet train map is of the new railway starting at Siling and ending in captial Lhasa.

Extensions of the Tibet railway will be made for Shigatse, Nyingchi, and eventually to Bangledash, India, and Nepal.

Photo: China Tibet Train

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H.H. the Dalai Lama of Tibet

By Jane Cook: 25 July 2014

A Palestinian woman walks past the rubble of a residential building, which police said was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City on July 22. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters)

Dharamshala: - Describing the ongoing violent conflict between Palestine and Israel in Gaza as ‘unimaginable’, The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said he did not expect such sort of violence from people who claim to hold religious principles.

“Unthinkable. All major religious traditions — Islam, Christianity, Hindu, of course, Jainism and Buddhism— teach us the practice of compassion, love, forgiveness, tolerance. So then a person who believes in certain faith, why do you involve in such violence?,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama told media-persons on Monday, July 21 at Kangra airport in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, India.

“The ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza is very sad and totally opposite to what their religion promotes,”His Holiness the Dalai Lama said.

Despite worldwide calls for a cessation of the worst bout of Palestinian-Israeli violence for more than five years, Israeli ministers ruled out any swift truce. For its part, Hamas, weakened by the loss of Egypt and Syria as allies, voiced determination to fight on to break Israel’s economic siege of Gaza.

Israel kept up its assaults in Gaza as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the region with a mission to seek a ceasefire in the conflict.

The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday held an emergency debate in Geneva to diffuse the crisis. The 16-day conflict has claimed the lives of 718 Palestinians, most of them civilians, Palestinian health officials say. Israel has lost 32 soldiers, all since July 17, when it widened its

air campaign into a full-scale ground operation aimed at halting rocket fire from Gaza and destroying a sophisticated network of crossborder tunnels.

Noting that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was currently in the region hoping to bolster support for a ceasefire, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said she hoped that the parties will respond positively, but cautioned that a lasting peace can only begin with respect for human rights and human dignity, and in the full realization of the right to self-determination.

Ms Pillay said Israel had not done enough to protect civilians, citing air strikes and the shelling of homes and hospitals.She also condemned Hamas and other militant groups for “indiscriminate attacks” on Israel.

Accoridng to aid agencies ‘a child had been killed every hour on average in the past two days and there had been a sharp spike in premature births. Gaza officials said more than 3,000 homes had been destroyed or damaged and 46 schools, 56 mosques and seven hospitals had been hit.’

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