DOCSLIB.ORG

Views on Violence in the Tibetan Diaspora on the Homeland Conflict and the Buddhism- Violence Nexus

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Views on Violence in the Tibetan Diaspora on the Homeland Conflict and the Buddhism- Violence Nexus Bachelor Thesis Peace and Development Views on violence in the Tibetan diaspora On the homeland conflict and the Buddhism- violence nexus Writer: Amanda Mindus Tutor: Manuela Nilsson Examiner: Chris High Course: 2FU32E Autumn 2016 Amanda Mindus Bachelor Thesis Peace and Development Abstract The academic interest in diasporas has mushroomed in recent decades. More specifically, a debate about the role of diasporas in violence/peace and whether these groups should be seen as spurring violence from afar or acting as agents of peace. This thesis contributes to this debate by investigating the Tibetan diaspora in Sweden. The Tibetan diaspora has not yet to featured in this debate, and their role has in general been undertheorized. As this diaspora is traditionally considered a Buddhist diaspora, the work also relates to and draws on a second academic debate, ie. the Buddhism-violence nexus. The research questions addressed were: (1) In what way has the conflict in Tibet had an impact of the lives of the members of the Tibetan diaspora in Sweden, and how, if at all, do they respond to it? and (2) Do members of the Tibetan diaspora in Sweden believe that there is room within Tibetan Buddhism to legitimize violence, and if yes; how and under what circumstances? These questions were answered through semi-structured interviews with fourteen adult members of the Tibetan diaspora in Sweden. Two analytical frames were adopted, one being the Triadic Relationship of diasporas and the second Igor Kopytoff’s Frontier Model. The findings suggest that the conflict in Tibet has influenced the interviewees both practically and emotionally. The interviewees shared a view of Buddhism as utterly non- violent but saw Buddhists as human beings, and as such; capable of violence. Buddhism is perceived as something distant and as posing ideals that cannot be achieved. Besides what the Frontier Model suggests two other potential explanatory models presented themselves. Firstly, that the answers were influenced by the particular-ness of the diaspora setting as detached from the homeland conflict, hence enabling diaspora members to keep an idealized stance. Secondly, that Tibetan Buddhism is a particularly peaceful branch of Buddhism and that a more nuanced understanding of the religion is needed when discussing the Buddhism- violence nexus. Keywords Diaspora, Tibet, Sweden, Integration, Buddhism, Violence, Nonviolence 1 Amanda Mindus Bachelor Thesis Peace and Development Acknowledgements As with all things, this work is dependent on causes and conditions; without the help and support from others it could not have been achieved. First and foremost, my heart’s deepest gratitude goes to all Tibetans I have met, who have given me of their time and experiences and patiently answered my questions. You have all showed me great hospitality, generosity, and joy. Most notably, Jamyang’s great perseverance and guidance must be mentioned. Her contacts have been irreplaceable as well as her openness. Furthermore, a heartfelt thanks goes out to my tutor Manuela Nilsson at Linneaus University who with her great expertise and cosy office has guided me through the newness of conducting research and my examiner Christopher High. Thank you Ylva for letting me go on for hours about the windy roads of the writing process, Patrik for your constant source of insight and laughter, and Kiwi for your endless support. Lastly, my deepest, sincerest gratitude to Lama Yeshe, may your wishes come true immediately! 2 Amanda Mindus Bachelor Thesis Peace and Development Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ 1 KEYWORDS .............................................................................................................................. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................... 2 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................... 4 LIST OF APPENDIXES ............................................................................................................. 4 LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................................... 4 1 INTRODUCTION AND RESEARCH PROBLEM .............................................................. 5 1.1 RELEVANCE ................................................................................................................. 8 1.2 OBJECTIVE ................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ................................................................................................ 9 1.4 METHODOLOGICAL AND ANALYTICAL APPROACH ........................................................... 9 1.5 DISPOSITION .............................................................................................................. 10 2 LITERATURE REVIEW AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION ................................... 10 2.1 PRIMARY ACADEMIC DEBATE: THE ROLE OF DIASPORAS ON VIOLENCE/PEACE .............. 10 2.2 SECONDARY ACADEMIC DEBATE: THE BUDDHISM-VIOLENCE NEXUS .............................. 13 2.3 A SHORT HISTORY OF TIBET AND TIBETAN BUDDHISM ................................................. 14 2.3.1 Some central points on modern Tibetan history .................................................. 16 3 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................. 18 3.1 INTERVIEWEES AND INTERVIEWS ................................................................................ 18 3.2 LIMITATIONS AND DELIMITATIONS ................................................................................ 20 3.3 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ......................................................................................... 20 4 ANALYTICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMES ............................................................... 21 4.1 TWO ANALYTICAL FRAMES .......................................................................................... 21 4.2 CONCEPTUAL FRAMES ................................................................................................ 23 5 FINDINGS ........................................................................................................................ 24 5.1 LIFE IN THE TIBETAN DIASPORA IN SWEDEN ................................................................ 24 5.1.2 Background and integration ................................................................................. 24 5.1.3 Identity, community, and ”Tibetan-ness”.............................................................. 25 5.1.4 Research question one ........................................................................................ 26 5.2 THE BUDDHISM – VIOLENCE NEXUS ........................................................................... 28 5.2.2 Three common responsens ................................................................................. 28 5.2.3 Some points on the future situation in Tibet ........................................................ 30 6 ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................................... 32 6.1 LIFE IN THE TIBETAN DIASPORA IN SWEDEN ................................................................ 32 6.2 THE BUDDHISM – VIOLENCE NEXUS ............................................................................ 35 7 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 36 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................. 38 APPENDIXES .......................................................................................................................... 50 APPENDIX I: ACADEMIC DEBATE ON BUDDHISM AND VIOLENCE ................................................ 50 APPENDIX II: HISTORY OF TIBET AND TIBETAN BUDDHISM ....................................................... 54 ADDITIONAL REFERENCES USED IN THE APPENDIX ................................................................. 59 APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE .............................................................................................. 61 3 Amanda Mindus Bachelor Thesis Peace and Development List of Abbreviations IRA Irish Republican Army KLA Kosovo Liberation Army LTTE Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam PRC People’s Republic of China PLA People’s Liberation Army SFI Swedish For Immigrants UN United Nations US United States USD United States dollar List of Appendixes APPENDIXES........................................................................................................................... 50 APPENDIX I: ACADEMIC DEBATE ON BUDDHISM AND VIOLENCE ................................................ 50 APPENDIX II: HISTORY OF TIBET AND TIBETAN BUDDHISM ....................................................... 54 Additional References used in the Appendix ................................................................... 59 APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE .............................................................................................. 61 List of Figures FIGURE 1: THE TRIADIC RELATIONSHIP OF DIASPORAS .............................................................. 22 FIGURE
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 25 Handbook of Bibliography on Diaspora and Transnationalism.Pdf
    BIBLIOGRAPH Y A Hand-book on Diaspora and Transnationalism FIRST EDITION April 2013 Compiled By Monika Bisht Rakesh Ranjan Sadananda Sahoo Draft Copy for Reader’s Comments Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism www.grfdt.org Bibleography Preface Large scale international mobility of the people since colonial times has been one of the most important historical phenomenon in the human history. This has impacted upon the social, cultural, political and economic landscape of the entire globe. Though academic interest goes back little early, the phenomenon got the world wide attention as late as 1990s. We have witnessed more proactive engagement of various organizations at national and international level such as UN bodies. There was also growing research interest in the areas. Large number of institutions got engaged in research on diaspora-international migration-refugee-transnationalism. Wide range of research and publications in these areas gave a new thrust to the entire issue and hence advancing further research. The recent emphasis on diaspora’s development role further accentuated the attention of policy makers towards diaspora. The most underemphasized perhaps, the role of diaspora and transnational actors in the overall development process through capacity building, resource mobilization, knowledge sharing etc. are growing areas of development debate in national as well as international forums. There have been policy initiatives at both national and international level to engage diaspora more meaningfully since last one decade. There is a need for more wholistic understanding of the enrite phenomena to facilitate researchers and stakeholders engaged in the various issues related to diaspora and transnationalism. Similarly, we find the areas such as social, political and cultural vis a vis diaspora also attracting more interest in recent times as forces of globalization intensified in multi direction.
    [Show full text]
  • Tibetan Refugees' Rights and Services in India by Claudia Artiles
    HUMAN RIGHTS & HUMAN WELFARE Tibetan Refugees' Rights and Services in India By Claudia Artiles The Chinese invasion of Tibet, and the Dalai Lama’s subsequent decision to flee in 1959, resulted in the mass influx of Tibetan refugees into India that continues today. It has become clear to the Indian government, as well as to the Tibetan community in exile, that repatriation is unlikely in the near future. Consequently, an evaluation of India’s protection of, and assistance for Tibetan refugees is necessary to ensure their treatment is in accordance with international standards. Unfortunately, such an assessment shows that there is a lack of proper protections and services; this ought to be of particular concern to the international community as India has served on the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) since 1995. How can a country be trusted to lead an international organization dedicated to the protection of refugees when it has such unstable and inadequate refugee policies itself? Central to the assessment is India’s lack of legal obligation to provide refugee protections or services. This is largely a consequence of India’s abstention from the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the subsequent 1967 Protocol, which, in addition to defining a refugee according to international law, outlines certain rights and services host states must afford them. With the exceptions of the customary international practice of non-refoulement and the obligation to provide asylum as outlined in Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), India does not have international, regional, or national obligations to refugee populations on its soil (Feller 2006).
    [Show full text]
  • Tibetan Migration to India
    Tibetan migration to India Why, when, how and with what consequences ? Charlotte Pehrson BA Thesis Human Geography (SGE302) Departmentof Social and Economic Geography Lund University Autumn Term 2003 Supervisor: Franz-Michael Rundquist ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to a number of individuals for helping me to complete this essay. Many thanks to Ulla Thoresen and Erik Törner for agreeing to be interviewed as well as for helping me finding relevant material and letting me test my ideas on them. I would also like to express my gratitude to Janusz Lipinski at IM in Lund for lending me material. Special thanks must be given to Louise Fournier at TIN in London for her kind assistance in providing me with material and for helping me to find my way among the bookshelves at the TIN office. Last but definitely not least, I would like to thank my supervisor Franz-Michael Rundquist. For contact with the author, please e-mail: [email protected] 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................... 2 LIST OF MAPS AND FIGURES................................................................................................. 4 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 PURPOSE ...............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Tibetan Diaspora in India and Their Quest for the Autonomy of Tibet
    MANEKSHAW PAPER No. 24, 2010 The Tibetan Diaspora in India and their Quest for the Autonomy of Tibet Preetika Rathee D W LAN ARFA OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C CLAWS VI CT N OR ISIO Y THROUGH V KNOWLEDGE WORLD Centre for Land Warfare Studies KW Publishers Pvt Ltd New Delhi New Delhi Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief : Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd) Managing Editor : Dr N Manoharan Deputy Editor : Mr Samarjit Ghosh Copy Editor : Ms Ruchi Baid D W LAN ARFA OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C CLAWS VI CT N OR ISIO Y THROUGH V Centre for Land Warfare Studies RPSO Complex, Parade Road, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi 110010 Phone: +91.11.25691308 Fax: +91.11.25692347 email: [email protected] website: www.claws.in The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi, is an autonomous think tank dealing with national security and conceptual aspects of land warfare, including conventional and sub-conventional conflicts and terrorism. CLAWS conducts research that is futuristic in outlook and policy-oriented in approach. © 2010, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not represent the views of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies.
    [Show full text]
  • Ways of Knowing Tibetan Peoples and Landscapes
    HIMALAYA, the Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies Volume 24 Number 1 Himalaya; The Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies Article 18 No. 1 & 2 2004 Ways of Knowing Tibetan Peoples and Landscapes Wim Van Spengen Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya Recommended Citation Van Spengen, Wim. 2004. Ways of Knowing Tibetan Peoples and Landscapes. HIMALAYA 24(1). Available at: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya/vol24/iss1/18 This Research Article is brought to you for free and open access by the DigitalCommons@Macalester College at DigitalCommons@Macalester College. It has been accepted for inclusion in HIMALAYA, the Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Macalester College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WIM VAN SPENGEN WAYS OF KNOWING TIBETAN PEOPLES AND LANDSCAPES In this concluding essay, I first sketch a brief outline of a Peoples and Landscapes perspective within a wider and changing social science context; second, present an overview of the field of Tibetan studies with particular refer- ence to recent work in geography and anthropology; third, reflect briefly on ways of knowing “Tibetan Peoples and Landscapes;” and, fourth, situate the contributions of the authors to this special issue within their fields. uite a few will remember the 1995 movie clearly delineated, and that their substance would go The Bridges of Madison County in which unchanged and unchallenged over space and time. Qthe main characters Clint Eastwood and These new insights and interpretations also shattered Meryl Streep have a brief affair set against the notions of fixed identity: social, cultural, as well as background of a wooden bridge, so characteristic territorial.
    [Show full text]
  • In Recent Years, the Tibetan Community in Exile Has Been Torn by Religious Conflict
    Killing for the Dharma: An Analysis of the Shugden Deity and Violence in Tibetan Buddhism A thesis submitted to the Miami University Honors Program in partial fulfillment of the requirements for University Honors with Distinction by Michael Nau May 2007 Oxford, Ohio 2 ABSTRACT KILLING FOR THE DHARMA: AN ANALYSIS OF THE SHUGDEN DEITY AND VIOLENCE IN TIBETAN BUDDHISM by Michael Nau Violence is a problem endemic to organized religion. What this thesis will examine is a particular manifestation of violence in Tibetan Buddhism with the controversy surrounding the deity Shugden. In order to understand and contextualize this conflict, I examine the roots of how a supposedly pacifist religion can sanction bloodshed. This requires an analysis of Tibet’s slow and ongoing conversion to Buddhism and how this process occurred as a navigation of political, economic, and social transformations. This materialist basis for conflict is essential in understanding of the contemporary Shugden phenomenon, which has attracted the attention of Western media and several national governments who all have certain political objectives regarding the worship of Shugden. What this paper will therefore argue is that this violence is not a result of abstract theological debate, but rather due to changing demographics, economic pressures, claims to legitimacy, cultural adaptations, and control of resources. In this way, Shugden is best understood as a metaphor representing the interests of certain groups making claims to power. 3 4 Killing for the Dharma: An Analysis of the Shugden Deity and Violence in Tibetan Buddhism by Michael Nau Approved by: Dr. Homayun Sidky, Advisor Dr. Liz Wilson, Reader Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on the Ethnic Tibetan Community in Toronto
    Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 10-19-2017 3:00 PM ”Not Just Based On Land”: A Study On The Ethnic Tibetan Community in Toronto Diyin Deng The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Sherrie Larkin The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Anthropology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Master of Arts © Diyin Deng 2017 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Deng, Diyin, "”Not Just Based On Land”: A Study On The Ethnic Tibetan Community in Toronto" (2017). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 4970. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/4970 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Abstract The Tibetan identity first emerged as “resistance” (Winland 2002; Scott 1990). The united pan-Tibetan identity did not originally resonate with the diverse group of ethnic minorities living on the Tibetan plateau until post-Chinese occupation. Then, all the groups saw the mutual benefit of adopting the united Tibetan identity against what they perceived as a greater threat to their culture and values. As such the initial Tibetan identity that is projected internationally was harnessed as a “weapon”(Bauman and Vecchi 2004:74) against homogenizing Chinese citizenship and was intimately intertwined with activism. My research focuses on the formation of diasporic Tibetan identities within the Toronto Tibetan community.
    [Show full text]
  • Tibet Policy Journal Vol
    Tibet Policy Journal Vol. V No. 2 2018 The Tibet Policy Institute Central Tibetan Administration Published by: Tibet Policy Institute Central Tibetan Administration Dharamshala - 176215 H.P. INDIA Website: http://www.tibetpolicy.net Editor: Tenzin Desal Contact: [email protected] First Edition : 2019 October No. of copies : 500 Printed by Narthang Press (DIIR) CONTENTS Editor’s Note .........................................................................................5 Constructing Exile: Politics of Land Governance ........................... 1 Madhura Balasubramaniam and Sonika Gupta Tibet as a Factor in Nepal-China Relations ...................................... 13 Shishir Ghimire India’s stand on Tibet Issue and the Tibetan quest for Genuine Autonomous Status ..............................................................................28 Tenzin Nakdon Implications of Ramayana in Indo-Tibetan Interactions: A Study ...................................................................................................42 Abiral Kumar The Problematics of Re-Defining Identity and Diaspora: A Study of Kaushik Barua’s Windhorse ................................................................ 54 Priyanka Chakraborty Tibet in Diaspora Imagination: Representation of Tibet and “Tibetanness” in the Life Writings of the Tibetan Diaspora ...................................................................................67 Ranu Kunwar Where the two Rivers meet: Understanding the Bond between Bengal and Tibet through the lens of Mahāmudrā Teachings
    [Show full text]
  • Surivival and Revival of Tibetan Ethnic Identity in India
    SURIVIVAL AND REVIVAL OF TIBETAN ETHNIC IDENTITY IN INDIA By Dawa Dolma Submitted to Central European University Department of Political Science In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Supervisor: Professor Anton Pelinka CEU eTD Collection Budapest, Hungary 2016 Abstract Ethnic identity is a complex multifaceted phenomenon that is constructed or negotiated to form a nation-state. Once formed, it occupies an intrinsic part of the development of an individual. Multiple circumstances have led to the creation and recreation of Tibetan ethnic identity in exile, and such creation happens at both collective and individual levels. In this thesis, Tibetan ethnic identity in exile is examined at the individual level as part of Diasporic identity and statelessness. Also, the construction at the collective level is examined both among the Tibetan community in exile in India and the community in China. Community in China is studied in comparison so as to give a better understanding of the mentality of the exiles as opposed to ones in the homeland. Moreover, it analyzes the sustainability of Tibetan ethnic identity among the Diaspora and its significant role in the national movement. Tibetan Diaspora remains an understudied and under-theorized field despite the plight of Tibetans commanding international attention. Therefore, it is extremely crucial to study the survival and revival of Tibetan ethnic identity. CEU eTD Collection ii Acknowledgements This thesis could not have been written without the kind support and encouragement of many people. I would like to express my gratitude to my parents and family members for their unconditional love and support in every step of my life.
    [Show full text]
  • Diaspora Advocacy
    Voice After Exit: Diaspora Advocacy By Kathleen Newland Diasporas & Development policy project MIGRANTS, MIGRATION, AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Voice After Exit: Diaspora Advocacy Kathleen Newland Migration Policy Institute November 2010 Acknowledgments The author thanks Yvon Resplandy of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Renee Gifford of The QED Group, LLC, for their comments on earlier drafts of this paper, as well as the participants in a USAID/Migration Policy Institute (MPI) roundtable on advocacy and diplomacy held on October 19, 2009. The author also thanks Jocelyn McCalla of JMC Strategies LLC, and for their research assistance Dhriti Bhatta, Phoram Shah, and Carylanna Taylor of MPI. She also thanks Lisa Dixon, April Siruno, and Michelle Mittelstadt of MPI. MPI’s work on diasporas, including this paper, is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This report was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under The QED Group, LLC for the Knowledge-Driven Microenterprise Development project. The contents are the responsibility of MPI and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States government. © 2010 Migration Policy Institute. All Rights Reserved. Cover Photo: Modified version of Xenodream Background from pluswallpapers.com, copyright permission under the General Public License. Cover Design and Typesetting: April Siruno, MPI No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Migration Policy Institute. A full-text PDF of this document is available for free download from: www.migrationpolicy.org.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case of the Digital Tibetan Diaspora
    © Tenzing Wangdak All Rights Reserved, 2019 Dedication This Thesis is dedicated to the Tibetan diaspora, to which I belong, that has undergone six decades and more of hardship, suffering and loss yet continues to struggle and fight for a future where the destiny of one’s land is in one’s own hand. The past generations have sacrificed for the present and the present generation will move on with strength and determination to give meaning to those sacrifices. For my parents who have stood by me during times when I was not an easy person to deal with, but they remained steadfast in support of all my endeavors and trials. And finally, to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, who has been the pillar of our community and cause and whose guidance has kept us together. Without him our community and our vision for our futures would not have come to pass. iii Acknowledgements This Thesis is not a work of my own but rather a culmination of the efforts and time of a number of people. I would like to thank my Thesis Advisor, Prof. Alejandro Velasco, with whom I have had the good fortune of working alongside with for a year and a half. His insights and patience during my Independent Study and now this Thesis has fundamentally influenced the direction of my research. Prof. John Fousek, my Thesis Seminar Instructor, has been a patient mentor and a valuable source of knowledge and motivation. Through the course of writing this Thesis as well as over the past one and a half years, he has been a steadfast guide and a role model teacher.
    [Show full text]
  • Tibetan Diaspora in Bhutan
    TIBETAN DIASPORA IN BHUTAN By Sonam Yudon & Tshering Choki National Library and Archives of Bhutan Post box. 185 Thimphu: Bhutan Email: [email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT Bhutan is bordered by India to the south and Tibetan Plateau to the north. Having being bordered by Tibet on its entire northern and most of its western frontier, Bhutan received several influxes of Tibetan settlers at different periods of time in the annals of its history. Some were Buddhist masters, mystiques and monks who had considered perfect place for Buddhist missionary activities while others say that it is the merchants and traders who opted to stay back due to the serenity of the natural environment. While the Tibetan Diaspora that settled in Bhutan until 19th century were due to wars, political turmoil, transhumance and serenity of the environment ideal for practicing Buddhism, the mid 20th century saw a huge number of Tibetans refugees evading the Communist Chinese Invasion and subsequent occupation of Tibet between 1950-1961.Many Tibetans who were on their way to India had chosen to remain in Bhutan as they wanted to avoid the oppressive heat and humidity. This study presents the advent of Tibetans in Bhutan, how they have been able to adapt to changing conditions in Bhutan, their economic pursuit and the relevant markers of Tibetan identity in Bhutan. INTRODUCTION This is the first ever attempt to write about the Tibetan Diaspora in Bhutan. As a result, there is a lack of written resource on Tibetan Diaspora in Bhutan which inhibited the drawing of certain inferences.
    [Show full text]