VOLUME XII ISSUE I SEPTEMBER 2017

THE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE HHDL graces the Exhibition on Ngawang Dorjee Page 01 The Tibet Museum Marks the 40th International Museum Day Page 02 Exhibition at “Mainpat Carnival 2017” Page 02 Photo Exhibition on Younghusband’s 1904 Mission to Page 03 Photo Exhibition in Delhi on the Cultural Revolution in Tibet Page 04 His Holiness the Dalai Lama looking at the Photo Exhibition held at Taj Hotel, New Delhi The University of Photo Courtesy: Artem Savateev Wyoming Hosts a Talk on the History of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Department of Information and Page 05 Lama Graces the International Relations (DIIR), the CTA President Inaugurates Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) the Exhibition on Tsenshab Photo Exhibition on and the Office of Tibet, Moscow, Russia. Ngawang Dorjee Page 06 Ngawang Dorjee Photo Exhibition in Tamil Conference participants, consisting of Nadu & Goa Page 06 August 7 - 8, 2017 Russian scientists, Buddhist scholars “Thank You India” A photo exhibition chronicling the life and monks, viewed the exhibit. A Program in Chennai of Ngawang Lobsang Dorjee (Agvan Russian observer at the conference Page 06 Dorjiev in Russian) was showcased expressed astonishment at learning that Exhibition at Partap World in conjunction with the “Dialogues Tibet and Russia shared such a unique School, Indora Page 06 between Russian and Buddhist political and cultural relationship Tibet Awareness Talk Scholars” conference at the Taj Hotel, and that he was ignorant of it prior to Series Page 07 New Delhi from August 7-8, 2017. The witnessing this photo exhibition. exhibition, entitled “Remembering The Tibet Museum Newsletter Ngawang Lobsang Dorjee,” highlighted Ngawang Lobsang Dorjee (1854–1938), is published bi-annually and with its rare photographs and was a Russian-born monk of the Gelug welcomes articles, letters, textual descriptions the numerous school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was photos and materials that contributions of Ngawang Lobsang commonly referred to by his scholarly are relevant to the Tibetan Dorjee to the annals of Tibetan history. title, Tsenyi Khempo. He was one culture and history. Articles of the seven dialectical instructors may be submitted by e-mail to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in (Tsanzhabs) to the 13th Dalai Lama and [email protected] attendance at the conference, graced was pivotal in building communications Edited by: the photo exhibition on August 7 and between Lhasa and the Russian czar. Helmut Obermeir and looked attentively through the photo He is also remembered for building the Tenzing Ramjam exhibit guided by Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Buddhist temple of St. Petersburg in director of the Tibet Museum. The photo 1909 with a financial contribution from Published by: exhibition was a joint collaboration the 13th Dalai Lama, and for signing the The Tibet Museum, DIIR between the Tibet Museum of the Tibet-Mongolia Treaty in 1913.

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Exhibition at ‘“Mainpat Carnival 2017” February 10 - 12, 2017 With the objective to inform the Indian public about Tibet issues and its relationship with India, the Tibet Museum showcased a three-day photo exhibition coinciding with “Mainpat Carnival 2017,” from February 10 to 12, 2017. The three-day annual event is organized by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Department to promote Mainpat as a tourist hub.

President Dr. Lobsang Sangay addressing the inaugural ceremony of Chief guest, Sh. Ujjawal Porwal, two-day International Museum Day at the Tibet Museum the deputy collector, Mainpat, inaugurated the exhibition in the The Tibet Museum Dr. Lobsang Sangay said that presence of a large gathering of th the Tibet Museum remains one Tibetans and locals. Mr. Porwal, Marks the 40 of the most powerful mediums guided by the settlement officer, International in preserving the rich cultural Mr. Dawa, and staff of the Tibet heritage and political narrative Museum, viewed each photo Museum Day of the Tibetan struggle and called panel attentively. May 18 - 19, 2017 on Tibetans, particularly those The president of the CTA, Dr. still in school and college, to call The exhibition was comprised of Lobsang Sangay, inaugurated the on others, including tourists, to two themes: “Biography of His 40th International Museum Day visit the Tibet Museum to gain a Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama,” at the Tibet Museum on 18 May deeper insight into the Tibetan a photo exhibition consisting 2017. The inaugural function was political struggle and life of of 38 panels detailing with attended by Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Tibetans in exile. rare photographic and textual director of the Tibet Museum, and description the contribution of Ven. Bhagdro, former political In his address, Mr. Tashi His Holiness the Dalai Lama to prisoner, along with students of Phuntsok spoke of the Tibet world peace and the Tibetan the Tibetan Children Village and Museum being a treasure trove cause, whereas “India and Tibet representatives of Tibetan non- of information and photos - Ancient Ties, Current Bonds” governmental organizations in depicting Tibet’s culture, religion, elucidated the millennia-old Dharamshala. history, and the plight of Tibetans relationship between Tibet and under Chinese rule. India. The two-day event included guided tours of the museum, The two-day event concluded film screenings, and lectures on May 19 with Tibetan cultural on Tibetan history, culture, performances by the students of environment, the current Mewoen Tsuglag Peteon School situation and gender equality. and a closing address by Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, deputy speaker of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in- Exile (TPiE). Visitors at the Photo Exhibition in Mainpat, Chattisgarh

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Photo Exhibition exhibition, said, “In the 1980’s, a German professor decided to on Younghusband’s make a journey across Europe 1904 Mission to and assess all of the Tibetan collections that European Lhasa museums held. And when he got April 14, 2017 to Liverpool, he found out that The Tibet Museum inaugurated Liverpool’s Tibet collection was a photo exhibition entitled unique in terms of its breadth “Capturing Tibet: Colonialism and and number.” the Camera during the Mission to Lhasa” at the Tibet Museum “The discovery of this incredible on April 14, 2017. The exhibition, collection of photographs a joint collaboration between the captured during British India’s Tibet Museum and the National military expedition offered a Museums of Liverpool and fresh historical context. The the University of Manchester, collection is precious not only featured 12 panels and two photo because of what it represents but albums of previously unseen also because it shows the way the photographs captured during British understood Tibet at that DIIR Secretary Sonam N. Dagpo the Younghusband military point of time,” she added. addressing the gathering expedition to Lhasa in 1904. The photographs were taken by two Secretary Sonam N. Dagpo in to declare that ‘the so-called British officers, John Claude his address said, “To further their suzerainty of over Tibet White and Gerald Irvine Davys, political influence and safeguard [is] a constitutional fiction, a and sourced from the collections their colonies in Asia, Britain political affectation which has of the National Museums of treated Tibet as a suzerainty of been maintained because of its Liverpool. China during the intrigues of convenience to both parties.” the Great Game era. The failure Addressing the inaugural session, to influence Tibetan government Secretary Tenzin Dhardon Dr. Emma Martin, lecturer through the Chinese at that time Sharling spoke about the impact in Museology at Manchester has prompted Lord Curzon, of colonialism on the post- University and curator of the the British viceroy in India colonial world. She also shared her views on photography as a powerful tool to inform and galvanize people into action. “The rare photographs that are being exhibited here shed a light on how the British back then had an appetite for colonial photography to showcase their conquest and also to capture the ways of the natives,” she said.

The exhibition was the Tibet Museum’s first joint venture with any foreign institute or university. It was displayed at the Tibet Museum’s temporary exhibition space from April 14 to June 6, 2017. Dr. Emma Martin, the curator of the exhibition explaining the exhibits to DIIR Secretaries, Sonam N. Dagpo (center) and Dhardon Sharling (left)

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Photo Exhibition in Delhi on the Cultural Revolution in Tibet April 2 - 8, 2017 The Tibet Museum in collaboration with the India International Centre (IIC) and the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Delhi organized a week-long photo exhibition Sh. Yashwant Sinha inaugurating the Photo Exhibition in India International entitled “Revisiting the Cultural Centre. From left: Tashi Phuntsok, director of the Tibet Museum, Dhardon Revolution in Tibet: A Photo Sharling, secretary, DIIR, Air Marshal Sh. Naresh Verma, director of IIC Exhibition,” showcasing the Cultural Revolution in Tibet, will persist and the sacrifices Churches and now to the its ramifications on Tibetan of Tibetan people will not go in ongoing destruction at Larung culture and religion, and how it vain. Gar Buddhist Academy at Serthar is reviving in Tibet today. in Tibet,” said Dhardon. In his introductory remarks, Former Indian Foreign and Tashi Phuntsok, director of the She further said that, “Though Finance Minister Sh. Yashwant Tibet Museum, said, “Although the Cultural Revolution will Sinha graced the inauguration of the Cultural Revolution is said bring back bitter memories of an the photo exhibition as the chief to have ended forty years ago, atrocious past […] on the brighter guest. Other dignitaries included China’s continuing hardline side the cultural resilience of Archarya Yeshi Phuntosk, deputy policies in Tibet serve as an Tibetans inside Tibet have kept speaker, Tibetan Parliament- evidence of its attempt to erase alive the hope for a peaceful in-Exile; Dongchung Ngodup Tibet’s past, present and future.” resolution to the Tibet issue.” Dorjee, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Delhi In her address, Ms. Dhardon The photo exhibition brings and former minister of CTA; Sharling, information secretary to light some of the horrifying Dhardon Sharling, information of the DIIR, said the Cultural episodes that occurred during secretary of DIIR; Air Marshal Revolution is a big blot in China’s the ten-year-long (1966 - 76) Sh. Naresh Verma, director of history that cannot be erased, assault on and IIC; and Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, and claimed that the Cultural religion under the name of secretary of the Bureau of His Revolution continues to this Cultural Revolution. Holiness the Dalai Lama in Delhi. day as evidenced in the case of Larung Gar. While addressing the gathering, chief guest Sh. Yashwant Sinha “Today’s China, while desperately said, “In the history of humanity, trying to break away from the never has there been anything image of a totalitarian system, more anti-cultural than the so driven by a failing ideology, called Cultural Revolution.” still sees personal choice and religious belief a threat to its own He also expressed confidence survival. This fear of people of that people of Tibet will see faith follows a disturbing trend a new dawn and assured the from the pervasive state control steadfast support of the Indian over its Muslim population Ms. Dhardon Sharling, information government and people to during the Ramadan month, secretary of DIIR addressing the ensure that the Tibetan struggle to the bulldozing of Christian gathering

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The University of renovation of the Tibet Museum material as well as digitization with Nicole Crawford, curator of initiatives. Wyoming Hosts a collections, UW Art Museum and Talk on the History Isadora Helfgott, associate history Mr. Phuntsok also had an professor and curator of academic opportunity to tour the Legacy Hall of Tibet engagement, UW Art Museum. at the UW Gateway Center. The April 25, 2017 While in Laramie, Mr. Phuntsok exhibition in this facility makes Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, director of met with faculty, students, innovative use of technology the Tibet Museum, spoke on the museum and archives staff,in order to present both a clean history of Tibet during an event at community members and and accessible overview of the the University of Wyoming (UW) local artists. His visit resulted history of the university with in the United States. in substantial progress on the digital access that enables visitors Tibet Museum Case Statement to go into greater depth in terms His public presentation was and extensive information of archival and photographic primarily focused on correcting gathering with regards to UW materials within each topic area. the historical narrative that exists in practices in museum and Finally, Mr. Phuntsok met with the China by demonstrating the long- archive management, exhibition director of the Center for Global term independent status of Tibet development and installation Studies (CGS), which sponsored within its borders and in relation to techniques. It also resulted in his visit to UW. They discussed the the global diplomatic community. robust conversations across scope of UW’s internationalization The talk was wonderfully illustrated campus and in the community efforts and its interdisciplinary with a helpful timeline and images about the history and culture emphasis, including the Faculty of important archival materials of Tibet and the experiences of of Environment and Natural that demonstrate the long history Tibetans in exile. Resources. of Tibetan sovereignty. At the UW Art Museum, Mr. Lastly, Mr. Phuntsok met Mr. Phuntsok’s lecture was Phuntsok had the opportunity to with two groups of students extremely well attended with meet with staff across a variety on campus. First, he gave a 66 people packed into a room of areas of expertise, including presentation on his own personal with an official capacity for 60. curatorial, educational, exhibition and professional background Significantly, attendees included preparation and installation, and the redevelopment of the faculty, students and a large collections management and Tibet Museum to Global Studies number of Laramie community community engagement. He also graduate students, and then members who engaged in a robust had the opportunity to talk about engaged them in conversation Q&A at the conclusion of his administrative matters with the about some of the complex presentation. His talk was profiled director of the UW Art Museum. contemporary issues facing Tibet in the local newspaper, the Laramie He observed a school group visit in its relations with China. Then, Boomerang. to the museum led by the master he met with a group of current teacher and met with the chief and former Museum Studies After the talk, Mr. Phuntsok had preparator to discuss questions students who had previously the opportunity to talk in some of installation strategy, building been involved in a research depth with Mark Jenkins, a materials and lighting. He also had capacity with international prominent reporter for National the opportunity to meet with the museum development projects. Geographic who has extensive registrar and collections manager They presented their work on travel experience in Tibet and who to discuss collections care researching artifacts looted from is also a writer-in-residence at UW. procedures and to take a behind- Cambodia during the Khmer the-scenes tour of UAM storage Rouge period as an example Mr. Tashi Phuntsok was invited facilities. At the American Heritage of how UW students might be by the Center for Global Area Center, Mr. Phuntsok met with the engaged in substantive projects Studies and the UW Art Museum collections manager and discussed in support of the Tibet Museum’s to give a public presentation on the storage and preservation practices redevelopment project and larger history of Tibet and consult on the for both archival and photographic outreach goals.

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CTA President Photo Exhibition in and India-Tibet Relations, the two-day event featured cultural Inaugurates the Tamil Nadu & Goa performances by the Tibetan Exhibition on March 28 & 31, 2017 Institute of Performing Arts, talks Continuing its initiative to reach out by eminent tibetologist Claudi Tsanshab Ngawang to the Indian public and students Arpi, Brigadier (rtd) R. S. Vasan, Dr. Lobsang Dorjee in particular, the Tibet Museum Sonika, Dr. Bernard D’Sami from June 9, 2017 in collaboration with the Delhi- Loyola College, Ven Geshe Nyima based India-Tibet Coordination Tashi, academic head of Sera Jey CTA president, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Office (ITCO) showcased a photo Monastery and Dr. Dorje Rapten inaugurated a photo exhibition exhibition on Indo-Tibet relations from the Men-Tsee-Khang Clinic on the life of Ngawang Lobsang and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s based in Bangalore. Dorjee, a Russian-born Buddhist Biography, in Nagercoil, Tamil scholar and an envoy of the great Nadu and Goa on March 28 and 31, 13th Dalai Lama, at the Tibet Exhibition at Partap 2017, respectively. Museum on June 9, 2017. World School, The daylong photo exhibition in The inaugural ceremony was Nagercoil was held at St. Francis Indora, H.P. attended by Tarba Lama, president Higher Secondary School and June 16 - 17, 2017 of Agvan Dorjiev Foundation; Dashi attracted more than 300 students Continuing its association with Lama; Ms. Vllena Sanjievna, last from the host school and students Partap World School (PWS), the living relative of Ngawang Dorjee; from St. Joseph Higher Secondary Tibet Museum showcased a Elvira, secretary; Ms. Dhardon School. The exhibition in Goa photo exhibition at PWS, Indora, Sharling, DIIR information was held at Janta Vachanalaya, Himachal Pradesh from June 16 secretary; Ms. Tsering Yangkyi, the public library of the Vasco - 17, 2017. Mr. Surjit Mahajan, the DIIR additional secretary; Mr. Tashi Municipal Council. Hundreds chancellor of PWS, inaugurated the Phuntsok, director of the Tibet of locals, including Tibetan exhibition. While addressing the Museum; and staff of the Tibet shopkeepers, in Vasco came to see inaugural ceremony, Mr. Sunny Museum. the exhibition. Mahajan, joint secretary of the While addressing the gathering, school, thanked the Tibet Museum President Sangay said, “Ngawang “Thank You India” and added that the exhibition was Dorjee was a seminal figure very informative, particularly for in the Tibetan political history, Program in Chennai students to learn about the life particularly in the early 20th century. March 24 - 25, 2017 and messages of His Holiness the His contribution as one of the The Tibet Museum and ITCO Dalai Lama, and to gain a deeper authors of the Tibet-Mongolia treaty jointly held its fourth and last leg knowledge about the India-Tibet signed on January 11, 1913 and of the “Thank You India” program relationship. most importantly, he was one of the at Madras University in Chennai Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, director of the Tibetan representatives who signed from March 24 to 25, 2017. The chief Tibet Museum, thanked the PWS the treaty that declared the Tibetan guests at the program were Dr. and Mr. Sunny Mahajan for taking and Mongolian independence from Bhumo Tsering, principal of Dalai a keen interest on the Tibetan issue the Qing government and severed Lama Institute of Higher Studies and for the invitation to showcase all political relations with China.” and Mr. Micheal Hubert, president the exhibition at the prestigious of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society, Tarba Lama, president of the Agvan school. In the afternoon, Mr. Chennai Chapter. Other guests Dorzhiev Foundation, spoke on Phuntsok gave a presentation on included Ms. Asha Reddy, a long how Ngawang Dorjee secured the history of Tibet to a group of time Tibet supporter, Dr. Ramu support from the Czar to build senior students at the school. His Manivannan, professor of social Buddhist monasteries in Russia presentation focused on correcting science and Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim, and on his boundless contribution the historical narrative that exists coordinator of ITCO. to the rich cultural and spiritual in China by demonstrating the history of Russia. In addition to the photo exhibition long-term independent status of on His Holiness the Dalai Lama Tibet.

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Tibet Awareness Talk Series In order to enhance awareness of Tibet and its overall situation, the Tibet Museum conducts a talk series every month inviting researchers, scholars and others.

The target audience is comprised of Tibetan and Indian participants, as well as tourists from different parts of the world. The audience gets the opportunity to participate in question and answer sessions A visitor getting her doubts cleared during the question and answer and other post-talk activities. session after the presentation from Thubten Samphel, director of the TPI

All past talk series can be viewed May 18, 2017 June 26, 2017 online via www.youtube.com. Ven. Bhagdro, a former political Mr. Tenzin Jigdal, international prisoner, author and activist coordinator of the International April 14, 2017 gave a talk on the topic “Enforced Tibet Network gave a presentation Disappearance of 11th Panchen on the topic “Natural Selection: A Dr. Emma Martin, Manchester Lama.” Tale of Tibet’s Struggle in Exile.” University professor and Tibet curator for the Liverpool Museum, gave a presentation May 18, 2017 July 12, 2017 entitled “The Mission to Lhasa: Ms. Dechen Palmo, a researcher Dr. Tenzin Tsultrim, a research How the Objects and Images at the Environment and fellow at TPI, gave a presentation Challenge the British Narrative of Development Desk (EDD), TPI, on “Chinese Military Exercises the Events.” gave a presentation on the “Global Conducted on the Tibetan Significance of Tibetan Plateau.” Plateau: An Assessment.”

May 19, 2017 July 26, 2017 Ms. Tenzin Choezin of the Zamlha Tempa Gyaltsen, a Tibetan Women’s Association researcher at the EDD, TPI, gave gave a presentation on “Gender a presentation on “Increasing Equality in Tibetan Society.” Natural Disasters in Tibet: Looking at the Possible Causes.” May 19, 2017 Mr. Tenzing Rigdol, a Tibetan August 9, 2017 contemporary artist, gave a Ms. Tenzin Choedon, headmistress Dr. Emma Martin giving her presentation on “Tibetan Art: of Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen School presentation Then and Now.” gave a talk on “The Aim of Giving May 10, 2017 Education as per Basic Education Policy for the Tibetans in Exile.” Mr. Thubten Samphel, director June 21, 2017 of the Tibet Policy Institute Dr. Rinzin Dorjee, a researcher at (TPI), CTA, gave a presentation TPI, gave a presentation entitled August 23, 2017 on the topic “Tibetan Outreach “China’s Urbanization in Tibet - Mr. Tsewang Dorji, Ph.D candidate, to Chinese” to an audience Boon or Bane?” University of Madras, gave a talk on mostly consisting of foreign and the “Question of Droklam in Indo- domestic tourists. China Geo-Strategic Relations.”

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How to support Your support will benefit the benefited from donations from Museum’s core projects: the friends and supporters. If you the Tibet Museum Tibet awareness program, the have an object, photograph or digitization of our collections, collection that would be pertinent 1. Donate Funds to the capacity building programs for to the Tibet Museum, we would the Museum staff, the photo be happy to receive and display it. Tibet Museum identification project, traveling The Tibet Museum project was exhibitions, and others. 3. Donate time made possible through the kind The Tibet Museum greatly support of our donors, both Supporters will receive a letter benefits from volunteers from individuals and organisations. of acknowledgment and will different communities, and it Your financial contribution can be mentioned in our next is always in need of graphic help us keep history alive through newsletter. In addition, they designers, archivists and exhibitions on Tibet’s history, will be subscribed to our future museum specialists. culture and traditions. newsletters.

If you are interested in 2. Donate Artefacts and 3. Host our exhibition in contributing to the Tibet Museum Photographs your community you can do it by sending us a The Tibet Museum is collecting You can also support the cheque or bank draft in favor contemporary and historical Tibet Museum by hosting the of “SARD” (Social and Resource objects and photographs related Museum’s traveling exhibition in Development Fund). We cannot to Tibet and Tibetans from around your community by sponsoring accept cash donations. the world. We have always greatly traveling and other expenses.

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