TIBETAN BulletiN The Official Journal of the Central Tibetan Administration Volume 25 - Issue 2 March- April 2021

News from and Exile

Tibetans in Exile Hold Final Elections for CTA President and Tibetan Parliament

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Feature

His Holiness the Dalai Teaches the and the Two Truths

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Focus

Tibet was Historically Never a Part of China: Webinar on Tibet

www.tibet.net/en/tibbul www.tibet.net/en/tibbul

News From Tibet and Exile 04 Tibetans in Exile Hold Final Elections for President and TIBETAN Tibetan Parliament BulletiN Tibetan Bulletin is an official bi-monthly 05 State Department’s ‘Country Reports on Human Rights Practices’ journal of the Central Tibetan Refuses to Describe Tibet as “Inalienable Part of China” Administration.

06 Eminent Tibetan Scholar and Writer Go Sherab Gyatso Held in Incommunicado Detention

07 China Arrests Two Tibetan Students for Self-designed Football Team Flag and Logo

Documentation Signed articles or quotations do not 09 Statement of the President of the Central Tibetan Administration on necessarily reflect the views of the Central the 62nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day Tibetan Administration.

11 Statement of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on the Commemoration of Contributions are welcome and may be the 62nd Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day addressed to the editor, Tibetan Bulletin. However the publisher regrets its inability to return unused articles unless they are accompanied by a self-addressed envelope Focus with adequate postage. 15 Tibet was Historically Never a Part of China: Webinar on Tibet Tibetan Bulletin is distributed free of charge. To subscribe please email the Feature circulation manager or see back cover.

20 His Holiness the Teaches the Four Noble Truths and Editor the Two Truths Jamphel Shonu Email: [email protected]

World Press Circulation Manager 26 China’s Techno-Authoritarianism Has Gone Global - Foreign Affairs Magazine Norbu Wangdue Email: [email protected] 28 China’s Plan for Mega Dam in Tibet Raises Concern in India - AFP Tibetan Bulletin is published by: Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, Obituary Dharamshala - 176 215 H.P. India Tel: +91-1892-222510 / 222457 30 Central Tibetan Administration Mourns Demise of CTA Legal Advisor Late Shri J. M Mukhi Vol. 25, Issue 2 MARCH - APRIL 2021

Regulars News From Tibet & Exile ...... 4 Contact ...... 31 Quotes ...... 32 EDITORIAL

Can Democracy Sustain Future of the Tibetan Movement? Tibetan exiles in twenty-six different dian government and people. Moreover, number of Tibetans are also voluntarily countries went to the polls on 11 April India, as the birthplace of standing for elections to serve the Cen- to elect their and the forty-five and the source of ’s tral Tibetan Administration. Irrespec- members of the Tibetan Parliament-in- rich philosophical wealth, has an un- tive of the diversity of opinions that is Exile. This election comes at a crucial deniable spiritual and moral role. From a part of any democratic polity, these time for Tibet and the Tibetan movement a security perspective as well, India is facts help communicate an important due to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s home to the Himalayan Buddhist Belt message that the Tibetan movement advancing age, and China’s growing stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal with its democratic set up will continue international heft. As such, many have Pradesh where the Dalai tradi- to endure and prosper in the long run. gone to the polls with one eye on the tionally enjoy deep spiritual influence future of Tibet and the other on China. and share historical and cultural bond. Although it is difficult to predict the This makes India an important actor in future, the coming years could bring Although there are no immediate con- determining the next Dalai Lama, and great challenges for Tibet and the Ti- cerns with His Holiness the Dalai no matter what steps China take, with- betan exile community, perhaps unlike Lama’s health, His Holiness the Da- out India’s official endorsement, China’s anything that Tibetans have ever faced lai Lama is reaching the advanced age choice is likely to be ignored globally. before. However, concerted efforts to of 86 this upcoming July. As such, the internally strengthen Tibetan democ- inevitable issue of succession to the Meanwhile Tibetans in exile led by His racy and practices, and ensuring the next Dalai Lama remains in the back Holiness the have al- continued support of the international of everyone’s mind, most of all, China. ways anticipated significant challenges community could help in alleviating from China with regard to the succes- the situation. From that perspective, the Che Dalha, chairman of the so-called sion issue. Although China doesn’t Tibetan people’s deep commitment to Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), pub- have any spiritual interest in the Dalai its democratic institutions, as symbol- lished an article in the State-run Peo- Lamas, it is obsessed with the issue to ized by their ardent participation in the ple’s Daily on 25 March emphasizing fulfill their political goal to rule Tibet Tibetan elections, is a bulwark that will sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism and with a Chinese-controlled Dalai Lama. thwart any possible interventions in sus- revamping China’s efforts to recog- This is based on China’s fallacious be- taining the future Tibetan movement. nize the next Dalai Lama. This article, lief that the Tibet issue would eventually coming on the heels of China’s annual dissipate once the current Dalai Lama Reviving Culture and Religion gathering of its two major political passes away. With foresight of such bodies, the Chinese People’s Political Chinese designs, His Holiness the Dalai Following the 7th Tibet Work Forum last Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Lama has already taken proactive steps year, China has intensified its concerted the National People’s Congress (NPC) to overcome these challenges to ensure efforts to homogenize the diverse ethnic from 4 - 11 March, signal China’s con- the continued solidarity and unity of the and cultural nationalities into a mono- stant attention on the issue of Dalai Tibetan people. Aware of the importance lithic communist nation. To achieve this, Lama succession and paints a poten- of educating the youth, His Holiness China has enacted a number of draconi- tially gloomy picture ahead for Tibetans. has set up a number of separate Tibetan an laws hidden behind ambiguous terms schools to maintain Tibetan culture and like ethnic unity and social harmony. Another article that also focused on the language in exile. He also reestablished Although these laws seem reasonable same issue appeared in Bloomberg on most of the major Tibetan monasteries in on surface, it’s all directed towards com- 15 April by Sudhir Ranjan Sen. This exile to preserve Tibetan Buddhism from pletely annihilating the Tibetan identity. article discussed how various countries the onslaught of Chinese Communists are vying with each other over the next inside Tibet. However, one of the most To combat these designs of the Chi- Dalai Lama. An interesting fact that the enduring political measures were the nese government, it is important to article mentioned was about India’s se- development of sustainable democratic maintain the Tibetan freedom struggle curity officials discussing how New Del- institutions in exile such as the Central and preserve the unique Tibetan iden- hi can influence the choice of the next Tibetan Administration and strengthen- tity through a robust democratic culture. Dalai Lama. Irrespective of the vested ing of Tibetan political leadership. In The promotion and preservation of Ti- interests of the various nations in the is- the last sixty years, these democratic betan cultural identity is equally impor- sue, India does have an important role institutions have become the vanguard tant, if not more, than sustaining politi- to play over the matter. Following his of the Tibetan movement. According to cal strength to outlive CCP’s design to escape from Chinese forces, His Holi- tibet.net, the recent Tibetan general elec- completely obliterate the Tibetan nation. ness the Dalai Lama has spent the ma- tion saw over 83000 Tibetans exercise jority of his lifetime in India under the their franchise to elect the leadership of Jamphel Shonu benevolence and hospitality of the In- these democratic institutions. Increasing Editor

MARCH - APRIL2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 3 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE Tibetans in Exile Hold ers and sisters inside Tibet. By this, we social media. The post received many are sending a message directly to Beijing likes and comments. In November Final Elections for that while they do not have democracy 2015, he took to WeChat and shared nor grant freedom to Tibetans in Tibet, videos linked to His Holiness the Dalai President and Tibetan however, under the great leadership of Lama and Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay. Parliament His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we, the Ti- betans in exile have been given the gift As a result, on 16 May 2020, the lo- of democracy.” cal authorities detained and inter- rogated Tashi Gyal for 15 days, re- “A proud day for Tibetans around the ported Rights Defenders. The Chinese world,” Dr Sangay explained. authorities called his actions illegal aimed at “splitting the nation” and China Jails Tibetan “endangering the national security.” Nomad for Sharing On 12 June, he was officially arrested A Tibetan exile casting his ballot for Sikyong Tibet-related Content and held in custody. On 13 October andmembers of the 17th Tibetan Parliament 2020, the Golog Prefecture Interme- at Dharamshala, 11 April 2021. Photo/Tenzin on WeChat diate Court sentenced Tashi Gyal to Jigme/CTA one year in prison until 30 May 2021. Tibetan exiles worldwide held the fi- nal elections for Sikyong (President) of The trial was held behind closed doors, the Central Tibetan Administration and and apparently without the knowledge members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament of his family members or friends, a in Exile on Sunday, 11 April. common practice by the Chinese au- thorities against Tibetans charged for Around 83,000 Tibetan exiles scattered political acts. Hence, the news of the across 26 countries participated in the 51-year-old Tashi Gyal’s sentence got democratic exercise to elect their politi- 51-year-old Tashi Gyal who faces one-year out 10 months after his arrest. At the cal leaders. imprisonment for sharing Tibet-related informa- end of the trial, the Chinese authori- tion on WeChat is seen standing in a court. Photo/ ties also confiscated his mobile phone. The two final contestants for the post of wqw2010.blogpost.com A Tibetan nomad has been sentenced Sikyong were Penpa Tsering and Kel- Tashi Gyal, born on 24 May 1970, is to one year in prison on charges of sang Dorjee Aukartsang. One of the two from Machen County, Golog (Ch: Guo- “inciting separatism” and “endan- will take over the executive reins of the lou) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Central Tibetan Administration from the gering national security” by the Go- two-term Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay log Prefecture Intermediate Court in Filmmaker and Music Tibet’s traditional Amdo province. in late May. Scholar Ngawang As many as 93 candidates were also in According to a report by a Chinese web- Choephel Appointed the run for the 45-seat Tibetan Parlia- site Rights Defender, Tashi Gyal was ment-in-Exile for the three traditional arrested on 30 May 2020 for sharing in- TIPA Director provinces of Tibet, the four schools of formation related to Tibet including His Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion, Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dr. Lob- and the Tibetan communities of North sang Sangay, Sikyong of Central Tibetan America, Europe and Australasia. Administration on WeChat in 2015.

The 2021 general election is the third di- In May and October of 2014, Tashi rect election of Tibetan leadership since Gyal reportedly posted four pictures of the complete devolution of political au- His Holiness the Dalai Lama on We- thority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Chat and shared them with his friends. in 2011. Then on 1 January 2015, he had posted and shared pictures of His Holiness the Ngawang Choephel at the press conference on 10 April 2021. Dalai Lama and Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Speaking to reporters after casting his Noted filmmaker and music scholar Nga- Sangay. During Tibetan Losar, on 1 ballot, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay de- wang Choephel is appointed as the new March 2015, he posted pictures of the scribed Tibetan democratic elections as Director of Tibetan Institute of Perform- Tibetan national flag and called for the a proud day for Tibetans worldwide. He ing Arts (TIPA), the premier institution return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: “The Tibetan democracy-in-exile of Tibetan cultural and performing arts to Tibet and Tibet’s independence on reflects the true aspirations of our broth- based in exile. The announcement was

4 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE made by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay at betans inside Tibet, is a such as torture, arbitrary detentions, a press conference held on Saturday, 10 very very important religious figure but corruption of the judiciary and elec- April, at the Lhakpa Tsering Memorial they are denied this basic right to be with tions, lack of freedom of association/as- hall of the Department of Information you, to seek his blessings, and to receive sembly/movement/religion, censorship, and International Relations (DIIR). teachings from him. Six million Tibet- forced sterilization, and violence against ans would like to be with him, to feel indigenous peoples. The forced disap- Dr Lobsang Sangay who is the Chair- him, and to be blessed by him. pearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima man of the institute’s governing body (11th Panchen Lama), Derung Tsering joined the press conference virtually. The abduction and disappearance of Dhundrup (a Tibetan scholar), and Gen This is in accordance to the health de- Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is a denial and Sonam (a senior manager of the Potala partment’s Covid-19 safety measures a violation of basic human rights. I de- Palace) was highlighted. The Tibet sec- as he has just returned to Dharamshala mand and urge the , hu- tion also mentions the Chinese Com- from a nationwide farewell tour. Tsering man rights rapporteurs, and journalists munist Party’s forced labor program for Choezom (Ms) and Ngawang Choephel all over the world to write about him; approximately 500,000 rural Tibetans, (Mr), the incumbent and new Director go to Tibet and ask the Chinese govern- which was noted last September. of the institute respectively, joined the ment for his immediate release so that he press conference in person. could enjoy basic human rights like any In the Country Reports on Human other human being. Rights Practices’s China section, the Sikyong in his felicitation of the new Di- report affirms the Trump Administra- rector Ngawang Choephel described him Till then, Tibetans all over the world tion’s assertion that the Chinese Com- as an extremely well-qualified appointee particularly inside Tibet will be with the munist Party is conducting genocide: who is a graduate of the Tibetan Institute 11th Panchen Lama. We will work in “Genocide and crimes against humanity of Performing Arts in Dharamsala, with solidarity till he is released, till he could occurred during the year against the pre- years of music teaching expertise in Ti- practice his spiritual duties, till he could dominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other betan schools and specialization in film be the leader that he should be. ethnic and religious minority groups in studies and international music from Xinjiang. These crimes were continuing the Middlebury College in the United and include the arbitrary imprisonment States. State Department’s or other severe deprivation of physical Sikyong Appeals for ‘Country Reports on liberty of more than one million civil- ians; forced sterilization, coerced abor- Immediate Release of Human Rights Practic- tions, and more restrictive application es’ Refuses to Describe of China’s birth control policies; rape; Panchen Lama on his torture of a large number of those ar- 32nd Birthday Tibet as “Inalienable bitrarily detained; forced labor; and the Renewing calls for the release of Pan- Part of China” imposition of draconian restrictions on chen Lama on his birthday that is freedom of religion or belief, freedom of The US State Department published its expression, and freedom of movement.” marked, once again, in absentia, Presi- annual “Country Reports on Human dent of the Central Tibetan Administra- Rights Practices” report on 30 March. The Biden Administration’s report high- tion Dr. Lobsang Sangay demanded that Organized by the Bureau of Democracy, China immediately free him and allow lights the concerning mass surveillance Human Rights, and Labor, this year’s re- of Tibetans, Uyghurs, dissidents, and him to return to his monastery, Tashi port includes over 50,000 words detail- Lhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet and assume religiously affiliated peoples by China’s ing the US’s assessment of the deterio- Ministry of Public Security. The China his vital role as Tibet’s second-ranking rating human rights in China. religious leader. section details how the Chinese govern- ment installed surveillance cameras in This year’s report marks a victory for monasteries in the Tibetan Autonomous “On behalf of Tibetans all over the Tibetans, for the report’s Tibet section world, I want to wish Panchen Ged- Region and Tibetan areas, which would does not describe Tibet as an “inalien- allow the CCP to cut communication hun Choekyi Nyima, a very very happy able part of China”—a departure from birthday. systems during “major security inci- past reports. This symbolic yet impor- dents.” The report cites Human Right tant gesture has been repeatedly cam- Watch’s findings that the Ministry of Normally on anyone’s birthday, your paigned by the Central Tibetan Admin- siblings join you, your friends come to- Public Security has been partnering with istration, and this change was welcomed technology companies to create “mass gether, your neighbours surround you by the Office of Tibet-DC. and your parents bless you but sadly for automated voice recognition and moni- 26 long years, this basic right is denied toring system,” systems that were creat- Reminiscent of past briefings, by the ed to help the Chinese government more to Panchen lama. Tibetans all over the CTA and others, the report details the world, particularly for six million Ti- easily understand Tibetan and Uyghur ongoing human rights issues in Tibet, languages. Fingerprints and DNA pro-

MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 5 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE files and other biometric data were also Officials from the “Tibet Autono- Budapest Deputy being stored by the Ministry of Public mous Region” (TAR) had detained the Security—this practice is implemented 45-year-old monk from Chengdu, Sich- Mayor Protests Chinese for all Uyghurs applying for passports. uan Province on 26 October 2020. The news of Go Sherab Gyatso’s arbitrary Defense Minister’s The report addresses the racist discrimi- detention surfaced after five months, Visit by Raising natory practices that deprive Tibetans, as his near ones waited in hope for his Mongolians, Uyghurs, and other ethnic quick release. However, there has been Tibetan National Flag minority groups of their fair right to lan- no progress or news about Go Sherab In protest against the visit of China’s guage, education, and jobs. The report Gyatso’s well-being and whereabouts, Defense Minister, the deputy mayor of details how Han Chinese benefit from raising concerns for many over his con- Budapest’s district I Ference Garencsér these racist policies, “Government de- dition in detention. hoisted Tibetan National flags on the velopment programs and job provisions district town hall on 24 March. disrupted traditional living patterns of According to some news reports, Go minority groups and in some cases in- Sherab Gyatso was detained by the se- During the visit of China’s Defense cluded the forced relocation of persons curity personnel from TAR, although he Minister Wei Fenghe, Tibetan National and the forced settlement of nomads. is a resident of Ngaba Prefecture. flags and a protest banner calling for Han Chinese benefited disproportion- justice for people suffering under the ately from government programs and Sherab Gyatso was born on 9 September Chinese Communist regime, including economic growth in minority areas. As 1976 in Khashul (Ch: Kaxiu) village in people of the Uyghur Muslim communi- part of its emphasis on building a ‘har- Ngaba. He became a monk at Kirti Mon- ty, were placed on Budapest’s I. district monious society’ and maintaining social astery at a young age and later continued town hall. stability, the government downplayed his studies in Drepung and Sera Monas- racism and institutional discrimination teries in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa. Expressing disappointment over the against minorities and cracked down on Hungarian government move in wel- peaceful expressions of ethnic culture According to International Campaign coming the member of the Communist and religion.” The State Department for Tibet, Go Sherab Gyatso has pub- regime of China, he said there must be report mentions how Chinese officials lished several books on Tibetan Bud- “red lines” for country including the restrict NGOs that provide assistance to dhist philosophy, tradition, and culture. members of the European Union while Tibetans as well. These include commentaries on the “befriending” with a communist coun- autobiography of the Tibetan Buddhist try. No country can afford to overlook Eminent Tibetan master Tsongkhapa, Sakya Pandita’s the violations of human rights commit- Scholar and Writer Go book of advice, and Gedun Choephel’s ted by China. In order to raise awareness “The Golden Surface.” He has also writ- and in protest against the Hungarian Sherab Gyatso Held in ten critiques about the Tibetan monastic government “befriending” China, which Incommunicado education system, calling for the open- constantly violate human rights, Tibetan ing up of the monastic community’s ex- flags and banner were placed on the dis- Detention posure. trict town hall located in the vicinity of the Prime Minister Office of Hungary, Prior to his October 2020 detention, his explained Deputy mayor of Budapest. advocacy work for academic freedom in Deputy mayor Ference Garencsér vis- the monastic education settings resulted ited Dharamshala in 2013. Tibetan cul- in his multiple detention and imprison- ture, history and suffering under -com ment as well as a forced exile from his munist China have made his solidarity monastery. In an interview with a Tibet and sympathy stronger, he said. University student, he states that he un- derwent “reform through labor” sessions Despite indifferent attitude by Hungar- from 30 March 1998 to 30 November ian government over violations of hu- Go Sherab Gyatso. Image sourced from VOA 2001. Then in 2008, he was arrested and man rights by China and restrictive mea- imprisoned in Lhasa for a year around sures in staging political protest against Chinese authorities have detained an the time of the mass protests across Ti- China, Namgyal, a Tibetan resident of eminent Tibetan Buddhist scholar and bet. Budapest, commemorated Tibetan Na- writer Go Sherab Gyatso, also known as tional Uprising day, in front of Chinese Gosher, a monk from Ngaba in Tibet’s In 2011, a report of his arrest surfaced Embassy, this year. Similarly, Shambala traditional Amdo Province, incorporated after a monk of Kirti monastery staged a Tibet Center in Budapest marked the into China’s Sichuan Province. The rea- self-immolation protest in Ngaba. Tibetan National Uprising Day by orga- son for his detention is not known at this nizing Tibet related book reading in the time. Center.

6 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE China Arrests Two Tibetan opposed to flying the Chinese ing countries from Tibet, to Pakistan, flag are considered as “splittist” and Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Tibetan Students for “threatening national unity” and are met Indonesia and Sri Lanka comes as no Self-designed Football with unlawful sentences. surprise, adding “President Xi Jinping Sikyong Releases has declared socialism with Chinese Team Flag and Logo characteristics as the vision for China Human Rights Report and the whole world and China’s dream Chinese authorities in Tsolho (Ch: Hain- is another of his vision based on which an) in the traditional Amdo province of of Seven Neighbouring they want to ideologically dominate the Tibet have charged two Tibetan students world, specifically on human rights.” for “inciting separatism” for displaying Countries of India a self-made flag and logo during a foot- “If you look at the 15 UN agencies, 5 ball match and sharing pictures on social are headed by Chinese officials because media. China happens to be the second-largest donor to the UN after America by which Jampa Tsering and Dugkar Tsering were they can appoint their personnel. China accused of publicly displaying the “ille- also happens to be the largest borrower gal flag and logo” of the football team at of the World Bank, at least 2 years ago. the 6th “Holy Lake Cup” football match They get a loan at a low-interest rate in Chabcha (Ch: Gonghe) County, in the from the World Bank, more than a bil- so-called Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay along with legal and lion or two and they donate 100 million Prefecture, in Qinghai province. The human rights experts at the Centre for Democ- racy, Pluralism and Human Rights report launch. dollars to the UN and they can appoint two were also charged for sharing “il- Photo/Tenzin Wangchuk/CTA their personnel,” he said explaining how legal pictures” of the flag and logo on Dr Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong of the China manoeuvres its UN membership social media platform QQ, which the Central Tibetan Administration, released status to redefine human rights and re- court referred to as an act of “subvert- a human rights report published by the structure the UN body. ing national unity”. Tibetan Centre for New Delhi-based Centre for Democra- Human Rights and Democracy reported cy, Pluralism and Human Rights at the His Holiness the Dalai that “photos and videos from the event Constitution Club of India in Delhi on Lama Receives Second were shared on their WeChat Moments Friday, 2 April. that were seen by many local Tibetan Dose of Vaccination netizens”, which the authorities main- The Centre for Democracy, Pluralism Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness tained created “a bad political impact”. and Human Rights consists of a robust the Dalai Lama has received the second team consisting of university academics, dose of Covid-19 vaccination at his resi- According to the source of the news, a legal experts, community volunteers in- dence in Mcleod Ganj on Monday, 26 Chinese rights group, on 3 August 2020, volved in promoting and advocating for April. The vaccine was administered by the Hainan Prefecture Intermediate human rights, basic freedom, equality, a medical team of Court sentenced Jampa Tsering to one justice and dignity to all irrespective of led by Dr Tseten Dorjee, personal physi- year and six months in prison, suspend- gender, religion, class or caste. cian to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. ed for two years under probation, and one-year deprivation of political rights, Experts from the field of legal and hu- According to Tseten Samdup Chhoeky- while Dugkar Tsering was exempted man rights led by Chief Guest, Dr Lob- apa, Secretary at the Office of His from criminal punishment as it was his sang Sangay, President of the Central Ti- Holiness the Dalai Lama (OHHDL), first offence. betan Administration, Guests of Honour, the entire staff and security detail of Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Former Chief His Holiness, including those living The details on the exact design of the Justice of India Former Chairperson, in the residence, also got vaccinated. flag and logo are not known but it is sus- NHRC of India, Prof. Paramjit Singh pected that they could be linked to the Jaswal VC, SRM University, Sonepat His Holiness had taken the first dose of Tibetan national flag banned in Tibet. Former VC, RG National University of the vaccination on 6 March at the local Tibetans in the past have been criminal- Law, Punjab, Dr Prerna Malhotra Presi- government hospital in Dharamshala in ized and sentenced in connection to the dent, CDPHR, Dr Ravindra Gupta Prin- a bid to bolster public confidence in the Tibetan national flag. While China has cipal, PGDAV College, Delhi Univer- vaccine. Taking the jab, His Holiness made possessing, let alone hoisting, the sity, Adv. Sandeep Mahapatra Trustee, encouraged everyone to get the vac- Tibetan national flag illegal in Tibet, as CDPHR were present at the launch. cine, describing it as “something help- part of the “Chinese flag flying - cam ful” for the greater good of humanity. paign”, the Chinese authorities have reg- Speaking as the chief guest of the cer- For detailed news visit: ulated laws mandating every Tibetans to emony, Dr Sangay noted how China’s fly the Chinese flag on their house. Any presence in most of the neighbour- www.tibet.net

MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 7 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE 16th Tibetan Parliament Representative Karma Singey for Aus- the Tibetan language has been replaced tralia, New Zealand and South East by Mandarin and the self-reliant nomad- Approves CTA Budget Asia, formally took charge from the out- ic way of life is destroyed in the name going Representative Lhakpa Tshoko in of poverty alleviation. For these reasons, for Fiscal Year 2021-22 a ceremony on 14 April. since 2009, over 155 Tibetans in Tibet The 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile have resorted to self-immolation pro- held its 10th session from 15 to 27 March. Kasur Chope Tsering bore witness to the tests, calling for freedom and the return handing-taking over of the Represen- of the Dalai Lama. The main agendas for the session inl- tatives in person. Similarly, Secretary OOT Canberra cuded the discussion and approval of Karma Choeying of the Department of the Centeral Tibetan Administration’s Information and International Relations Releases Book to Hon- annual budget followed by ’s was witness to the handing taking over clarification and discussion, review- ceremony virtually. our Australian Govern- ing of the annual audit report, and ment and People discussions and deliberations on the The brief ceremony was attended by activitities of the CTA departments. other Board members of the Tibet Infor- mation office as well. The 12-day session approved a budget of 2,698.13 million rupees for the fiscal Representatives and members of various year 2021-22, of which political cam- Tibetan community leaders greeted the paigning received maximum allocation outgoing and the new Representative by of 637.78 million rupees, followed by them traditional scarves. education with 602.32 million rupees. Representative Mr Lhakpa Tshoko presenting the book to Senator Kimberley Kitching from the Representative Karma Singey was the Australian Labour Party. Similarly, 590.23 million rupees was former Secretary of the Department of The Office of Tibet Australia, released a approved for administrative expenses, Education while outgoing Representa- book titled ‘Growing the Tibetan Iden- 506.98 million rupees for welfare ser- tive Lhakpa Tshoko has been appointed tity in Australia – Thank You Australia’ vices, 235.41 million rupees for health the new Secretary of the Department of to acknowledge and express gratitude to care services, 62.21 million for leg- Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan the government and people of Australia islature purposes and 60.57 million Administration. for their generous help towards Tibetan rupees approved for the preservation people. and promotion of religion and culture. Bring China to Account to End Repressive The book covers all the major events The 10th session also saw the re- related to Tibet in Australia and New placement of the Tibetan Supreme Policies in Tibet: UN Zealand that has happened in the past Justice Commission’s Chief Justice At the 46th session of the UN Human 60 years, starting from His Holiness the Commissioner and the two other Rights Council, Kalden Tsomo, UN Dalai Lama’s visits to Australia and the chief justices following a floor test. Advocacy Officer at the formation of the Australian All-party Geneva, expressed concerns over dete- Parliamentary Group for Tibet, to Pan- The Parliament decided to hold an addi- riorating human rights situations in Ti- chen ’s historic visit to Austra- tional session in May before adjourning bet, in particular, “a double lockdown” lia in 1986. on 27 March. repressive situation since the outbreak Secretary Karma Singey of Wuhan originated COVID-19. She The book was published as part of Thank called upon the UN Human Rights You Australia campaign launched by the Assumes Office as Council to urge China to cease all its Tibet Information Office under the direc- Representative of repressive policies against the Tibetan tion of the Central Tibetan Administra- people. Furthermore, she urged China to tion in 2018. It was edited by Dr Anna OOT Canberra give unfettered access to UN experts to Alomes and Jigmey Passang. assess the situation of people suppressed by the government of China. The book was presented to various Aus- tralian Members of Parliament along While giving an overview of the “lock- with a copy of the US Tibetan Policy down” situation of Tibetan people under and Support Act (TPSA) 2020. Repre- China in the past sixty years, she said sentative Lhakpa Tshoko and Executive photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Secretary Lhawang Gyalpo are accom- are banned, Tibetan human rights de- panied by Jigmey Passang, one of the Incoming Representative Karma Singey & outgo- fenders are criminalized and environ- ing Representative Lhakpa Tshoko with TIO board editors of the book. members. mentalists are politicized. Furthermore, 8 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 For more details visit: www.tibet.net DOCUMENTATION Statement of the President of the Central Tibetan Administration on the 62nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day In its annual report last year, the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (US CECC), reported worsen- ing human rights and religious freedom in China. It expressed concern over the Chinese government’s sinicizing of Ti- betan identity and over the widespread arbitrary arrests of Tibetans. In fact, China’s State Administration of Reli- gious Affairs last month produced an order titled “The Administrative Mea- sures for Religious Personnel,” which aims to enforce new strictures on re- ligious gathering, teachings, and reli- gious activities. The new order set to be enforced from May 2021 also aims to eradicate perceived ‘foreign influence.’

One crucial example of the Chinese Sikyong addressing the 62nd anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day. government’s blatant disregard and in- Sixty-two years ago, on this day, thou- lives in the past six decades under Chi- trusion on the Tibetan people’s religious sands of Tibetans in Lhasa rose in unison nese rule. Today, we have come to- freedom is found in the story of Gendhun to protest against the rule of communist gether to collectively mourn this loss. Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama. China. The Central Tibetan Administra- But we are also here to mark the un- This May will mark the 26th year since tion remembers and honors the courage daunted resilience of Tibetans in Tibet. the abduction and forced disappearance and spirit of the martyrs. We remem- Even under the threat of losing their of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, his fam- ber too, Tibetans in Tibet who remain lives, they continue to protest by pro- ily and Chadrel Rinpoche, the former in the clutches of tyranny. Our prayers tecting and preserving our language, abbot of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery. and thoughts are with them and we con- our religion, our land, and our identity. tinue to stand in solidarity with them. For years, the UN Committee on the On 19th January this year, 19-year old Rights of Child and the Working Group On 10th March 1959, His Holiness the Tenzin Nyima, a monk from Dza Won- on Enforced or Involuntary Disap- 14th Dalai Lama was invited to a the- po monastery in Karze prefecture died pearances, international organizations, atrical performance at the Chinese army of injuries sustained in prison. He had parliaments and governments, and Ti- headquarters in Lhasa. A day before the been brutally tortured. What was his bet supporters worldwide have passed event, His Holiness was asked to attend crime? He had participated in a peace- resolutions and reports seeking in- the event unaccompanied by his guards. ful protest. We cannot help but think formation and the release of the 11th When this information reached the about the fate of other young monks Panchen Lama. A month-long global people, thousands of Tibetans formed and laypeople who were at the same advocacy campaign was launched by a human chain around the Norbulingka protest in November 2019 and who the Central Tibetan Administration palace to protect His Holiness. Seven were also detained and imprisoned. through the Offices of Tibet in 2020. days later, shells of the two mortars fired We remain steadfast in our advocacy for from a nearby Chinese army camp fell Barely a month after the death of Ten- the release of the 11th Panchen Lama. outside the palace’s northern gate, and zin Nyima, another Tibetan political His Holiness was forced to leave that prisoner, Kunchok Jinpa, a 51-year- Despite these joint concerted efforts, very night. In the early hours of the old tour guide from Chagtse town- China continues to parrot lies justifying 20th March, mortars and gun fire rained ship in Driru county, died of injuries the abduction of a six-year-old and his down on the Tibetan people and in the inflicted while in prison. He had been enforced disappearance. If there is any following days thousands were massa- serving a 21-years sentence in prison truth to the Chinese government’s deni- cred. These acts further confirmed that since 2013 for his alleged role in shar- als of abduction and harm to the Panchen China, who had positioned itself as a ing the news of local environmental Lama, it must be able to provide evidence “liberator” since invading Tibet in 1949 and other protests in his region to for- through recent authenticable photo and was, in fact, the colonizing oppressor. eign news outlets. The tragic stories of video of the 11th Panchen Lama along Tenzin Nyima and Kunchok Jinpa help with his family and Chadrel Rinpoche. Over a million Tibetans have lost their illustrate the gruesome reality of Tibet.

MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 9 DOCUMENTATION

Censorship and surveillance in Tibet Shurmo is one of 155 Tibetans who have Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist lead- have reached unprecedented levels fur- self-immolated since 2009. 133 Tibetans ers are religious matters and all decisions ther escalating the violation of the Tibet- have died following their protests. The pertaining to reincarnations rest solely an people’s fundamental rights. On 24th stranglehold of Chinese rule in Tibet has on the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people December 2020, authorities in the so- driven Tibetans inside Tibet to resort to and the Tibetan Buddhist community. It called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) extreme measures to voice their resent- further warns of sanctions against any announced criminal prosecutions against ments against the policies and practices Chinese authorities who interfere in individuals who use online communica- that threaten Tibetan identity, religion, this matter. The bill formally acknowl- tion tools to “split the country” and “un- and culture. Even as they were engulfed edges the Central Tibetan Administra- dermine national unity”, which will fur- in flames, they called for the freedom tion and recognizes the significance of ther aid the government in its persecution. for the Tibetan people and the rightful the Tibet’s environment and its plateaus. return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama It is not surprising that China has been to Tibet. The reality in Tibet is reflected We thank the United States govern- listed as the worst internet abuser in the in the Freedom House’s annual report ment, Congress and the Senate, and world in Freedom House’s 2020 report of 2021, which lists Tibet as the least especially the bill’s sponsors and co- on Internet freedom. Similarly, China free region in the world alongside Syria. sponsors. We also thank all the orga- is ranked at the near bottom at 177th nizations and individuals who sup- in the 2020 World Press Freedom In- Today, China’s tentacles have reached ported in the swift passage of the bill. dex, compiled by Reporters Without beyond Tibet by using its growing Borders (RSF). Every year the Index economic clout to jeopardize global We are grateful to the US Secretary evaluates the situation for journalists democracy. According to Freedom of State Anthony Blinken for assur- working in 180 countries and territories. House, China conducts the most so- ing a speedy appointment of the US phisticated, global, and comprehensive Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues. Last December, a 30-year-old Ti- campaign of transnational repression in We also urge the Biden Administra- betan nomad Lhundup Dorjee from the world.” It highlights the CCP’s ef- tion for swift appointment of the US Machin Golog Prefecture was sen- forts to control and pressure Chinese Special Coordinator and also for the tenced to one-year imprisonment for citizens, political dissidents and mi- further implementations of key legis- posting a video of His Holiness’ teach- nority communities such as Tibetans, lations such as the Reciprocal Access ing on Weibo, a micro blogging site. Uighurs and Hong Kong beyond its to Tibet Act 2018 and TPSA 2020. borders. The democracies around the Heavily fortified in a digital cage, it globe must come together to thwart The US CECC has recommended the US is near impossible to get information such assaults on global democracy. Congress and the US Administration to out of Tibet. This past January, we re- urge the Chinese government to “cease ceived news of the self-immolation On 27th December 2020, then President treating the Dalai Lama as a security protest by 26-year-old Shurmo from of the United States signed into law the threat” and resume dialogue with the en- Driru Shagchukha village, five years Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2020 voys of His Holiness without any precon- after the event. This sheds light on the (TPSA). The TPSA significantly updates ditions. My administration is committed extent of information control and sur- US policy and support for Tibet. It firmly to the Approach in seek- veillance being carried out in Tibet. asserts that the reincarnation of the Dalai ing genuine autonomy for all of Tibet.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Expresses Condolences Over Taiwan Train Crash

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Ms. Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan, to express his deep sadness on seeing reports of the tragic train crash on 2 April near Hualien.

“I would like to offer my condolences to Your Excellency,” he wrote “and to those families who have lost loved ones as well as others affected by this most unfortunate accident.”

“The Taiwanese people have long been close to my heart. When incidents like this occur, it is as if a calamity has befallen us all.”

10 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 DOCUMENTATION We stand united with our brothers and Statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on sisters in Tibet, especially with the po- litical prisoners who remain resolute de- the Commemoration of the 62nd Anniversary of spite the inhumane treatment and torture they suffer in Chinese prisons. We wel- Tibetan National Uprising Day come the recent news of the release of Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wang- chuk after a five-year sentence. We call on the Chinese government to release all the political prisoners of conscience, including the 11th Panchen Lama.

As we move to the final round of elec- tions for the Sikyong and the 17th Parlia- ment, we urge responsible participation, especially on social media. We enjoy the benefits of the democracy bestowed upon us by our great leader, and we must exercise this right responsibly. We must remember to honor the hopes and aspira- tions of our people in Tibet. We can do so by strengthening our democracy in exile and our cause for freedom and justice.

Speaker Pema Jungney delivers 10th March statement of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, 10 March 2021. We bow in obeisance to His Holiness Photo | Tenzin Jigme | CTA whose tireless efforts have led to global Today, the 10th of March 2021, marks that, during the rule of His Holiness the support for the Tibet cause and the es- the completion of 62 years since the Ti- 13th Dalai Lama, Tibet signed a series tablishment of a resilient Tibetan ad- betan people revolted against the brutal of treaties with several countries of the ministration and community in exile. imposition of occupation power by the world as an equal party. What these and communist Chinese enemy. It was in or- other evidences show is that the long My Administration has worked towards der to be able to regain our freedom that history of Tibet’s status as an indepen- furthering our cause and carrying the the Tibetan people staged a mass upris- dent country under customary and other voices of Tibetans in Tibet to the world. ing on that day. Therefore this is a mo- aspects of international law can never At the same time, we have directed our mentous day worthy of being commem- be erased by anyone. Nor can anyone efforts to further the welfare of the Ti- orated with the solemnity the occasion cover up the geographical reality of Ti- betan diaspora. It has been an honor, and deserves. What we all need to remember bet’s historical status as an independent we thank all of you for your support. and, at the same time, bear in mind, is country. Even so, ever since they took our common knowledge that for thou- political control of the entire territory Our continued struggle for freedom sands of years Tibet as a nation was a of China, the communist Chinese enter- would not be possible without the sup- self-governing, independent entity from tained utterly shameless and viciously port of our friends from around the whatever perspective anyone may look cruel plans to take territories belonging globe. The Kashag, on behalf of the Ti- at it. This was so in terms of the outer to other peoples and put them under their betans in and outside Tibet, especially vessel of its geographical configura- rule. Through the vicissitudes of its his- thanks the government of India and its tions that includes its rivers, mountains, tory, Tibet had a “patron and priest” re- people for their continued generos- rocks, snow mountains that encircle it lationship of diverse kinds and range of ity and support. We thank leaders, gov- and so forth. This was also true in terms closeness with successive emperors of ernments, parliaments, organizations of its inner contents mainly of ethnic China. Making absolutely untrue claims and individuals who stand for justice, Tibetan people with Tibetans’ own lan- about the nature of that relationship, the equality and freedom and who con- guage, script, costumes, traditions, reli- communist Chinese government took to tinue to support the just cause of Tibet. gion, and so forth. This is also obvious keep asserting that Tibet was historically from the point of view of the fact that for a part of China. And it has doctored a to- Lastly, we pray for the long and healthy over a thousand years Tibet as a country tally false historical discourse about it. It life of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai was ruled by a succession of kings. It is was on this basis that from the year 1949 Lama. We pray for the earliest arrival of also obvious from the history of the suc- onwards, following its proclamation of the day when the ray of peace and free- cession of the reincarnations of His Ho- the founding of the People’s Republic of dom will shine upon the Land of Snows. liness the Dalai Lamas who have con- China, the communist Chinese govern- tinued to rule Tibet later on. Apart from ment launched a succession of territo- Bhod Gyalo! MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 11 DOCUMENTATION rial aggressions against Tibet. Finally, practice were made targets of criticism developments. And their pent up feeling in the Tibetan Iron-Tiger Year in 1950, and debasement. Religious places and of anguish from the accumulated chron- it launched a full-scale invasion of Ti- people belonging to religious orders ic affliction from these developments bet from Chamdo in the east. And in the were subjected to destruction and plun- burst forth on the 10th March, 1959. Tibetan Iron-Rabbit Year in 1951, the der. Both religious and lay people who On that day, Tibetans from all strata of communist Chinese leaders compelled dared to speak their mind on the Chinese society in capital Lhasa, being of one a Tibetan government delegation, whose invasion were killed or otherwise im- thought and feeling, rose in an unprec- members they had kept under a hostage- prisoned. The general mass of the hap- edented, spontaneous act of peaceful like situation, to sign a “17-Point Agree- less Tibetan public was put to hard la- protest demonstration against the com- ment”. This was a document drawn up bour, as if they were beasts of burden, in munist Chinese. It was a historic event entirely by them and contained only the name of various campaign programs. whose effect touched the very essence what the Chinese side wanted to include By such and numerous other means, the of its purpose and opened a new chapter in it. communist government of China sub- in the history of our Snowland of Tibet. jected the Tibetan people to multitudes It is therefore most important that this Following the signing of this so-called of inhuman and unimaginable atrocities. event in the history of our country be agreement, the communist Chinese lead- And this remained a continuing state of remembered for the sacrifices made by ers sought to charm the Tibetan people repression in Tibet. In fact, this remains the patriotic Tibetan men and women of by claiming in their statements that Ti- the situation there even today. To sum outstanding bravery for the sake of Ti- betans and Chinese were members of up, throughout the Chinese occupation betans’ religious heritage and temporal one big family, and that the Chinese rule, the Tibetan people remained with- governance. people were there only to render service out even a moment of respite. On the to the Tibetan people. They sought to contrary, the Tibetan people at all levels From that time onwards, the occupy- reinforce this charm offensive by being of society were forced to remain in a ing Chinese government launched a se- limitless in their spending of money on a perpetual state of anxiety and insuffer- ries of campaigns or movements which number of Tibetan people. By such acts able anguish. Such was the situation in included those called “Quelling the of apparent generosity and numerous which the government of China took to Disturbance”, “Democratic Reform”, other means, the communist Chinese showing open and outright disdain for “Class Struggle”, “People’s Commune leaders set out to win over the Tibetan Tibetan traditions and habits in general System”, “Cultural Revolution”, rule by people. Eventually, however, they un- and, in particular, on their religious sys- “Martial Law” and so forth. More than masked themselves; they bared the tems and practices. Besides, it continued one million Tibetan people were killed ferocity of the dark storm of their true to plot evil designs that targeted nothing or caused to die unnaturally under the face of violent hatred against the Tibetan less than the personal safety of His Holi- vagaries of these campaigns and move- people, untampered by any pretension ness the Dalai Lama while also schem- ments. Many thousands of religious of friendliness. The religiously devoted ing numerous other stratagems that were centres were destroyed completely. monks and nuns were their principal utterly reprehensible in whatever way Through such and other campaigns, targets of hatred. The Buddha and every one looked at it. The Tibetan people China subjected the outer vessel of Ti- individual who engage in any religious were long aware of and resented these bet and its inner contents of human and

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Expresses Condolences on the Passing Away of the Duke of Edinburgh

Following the announcement of the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to express his condolences to both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.

To the Queen he wrote: “I am sorry to learn the sad news that your husband, H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has passed away. I will pray for him and offer my condolences to Your Royal Highness and your family at this sad time.

“As we all remember him, we can rejoice that he lived a meaningful life.”

In his letter to Prince Charles he declared: “I have written to your mother, Her Majesty the Queen, offering my condo- lences at this sad time. As someone who counts you as a dear, respected friend, I would also like to offer my condolences to Your Royal Highness and your family.”

He repeated his appreciation that the Duke lived a full and meaningful life.

12 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 DOCUMENTATION natural resources to horrifying degrees On the 17th of September in 2015, a put in jail be release as soon as possible of smashing, looting and destruction. man named Shurmo who belonged to without any precondition. We urge that But more than that, it has remained unre- Shagkchukha Village in Driru County of the ongoing evil routine of carrying out lenting in devising ways and means for Nagchu Prefecture carried out a protest torture, persecution and other forms of its vicious plans to annihilate the very self-immolation. Chinese police at once ill-treatment in the prisons in Tibet be identity of Tibet and its ethnic people by arrested and rushed him to the local hos- stopped. Tibetan language activist Tashi targeting the Tibetan religious heritage, pital. However, he passed away the same Wangchuk-la, who was persecuted and culture, language and so forth. The com- day. And the sad information about all jailed for five years, was released on the munist Chinese government employs these tragic developments reached the 28th of January this year after complet- brutal violence to deprive the Tibetan outside world only towards the end of ing his sentence. However, even after people of even the most fundamental of January 2021. What this reveals with he was released, it remains difficult to their human rights and freedoms. The unmistakable clarity is that the govern- know what his health situation is and life of the Tibetan people under such a ment of China applies such tight control whether he is free to move about and policy of relentless atrocity has resem- on the movement and activities of the act as he likes. Hence we wish to call bled that of enduring hell on earth, and Tibetan people under its brutal policy of on the government of China to allow it is a situation which continues to this violent repression in Tibet that informa- Tashi Wangchuk-la to fully enjoy his day. It is a situation of persecution and tion about what is going on there rarely basic human rights without any precon- torture with no end in sight. This sinister reach the outside world. dition. During the period he was previ- move to Sinicize Tibet and its people has ously under detention before trial, Tashi today reached such critical juncture as to It is a fact all too well known to every- Wangchuk-la was subjected to beating warrant a most urgent intervention. one that it is the desire of His Holiness and torture. We therefore urge that those the Dalai Lama and the resolute posi- who were responsible as leaders in those The policy of violent repression fol- tion of the Central Tibetan Administra- incidents be investigated without being lowed by the communist Chinese gov- tion that we should strongly adhere to left untouched with impunity. Likewise, ernment in Tibet has long been impos- the Middle Way Policy and strive to we intend to strongly press the govern- sible for the Tibetan people to live with. revive the Sino-Tibetan dialogue. Un- ment of China through the good office In order to make this explicit in a new fortunately, while we have continued of the United Nations Organization to phase of protests, Tibetans began to car- to try to reach out, the government of seek information with regard to the true ry out self-immolations. Since the year China has not reciprocated in a proper current situation of Tibetan political 2009, a total of 155 patriotic Tibetan manner to our gestures thus far. On the prisoners and former Tibetan political men and women have displayed great contrary, it has continued to maintain prisoners, notably including the situa- valour in sacrificing their all, includ- its policy of inflicting an astonishing tion of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun ing their precious lives, by carrying out level of religious destruction, violent Choekyi Nyima. protest self-immolations. Even so, many repression, all manners of obstructions Tibetans are still being killed under and so forth in Tibet. Not only that, it China’s policy of violent repression. For has trampled on the Tibetan people’s example, take the case of Tenzin Nyima, freedom of speech, continued to indis- also known as Tamey, a monk of Dza criminately arrest and put them on trial, Wonpo Monastery in Sershul County subjected them to ethnic discrimination, “The foundation of the of Kardze Prefecture, who was arrested put a large number of them into mili- on the 19th of November in 2019. He tary-style vocational trainings and re- Buddha’s teachings lies in died on the 19th of January in 2021 as education through labour programmes. compassion, and the reason a result of torture and merciless beating It has also carried out numerous other in prison. The same thing happened to forms of repression and persecution of for practicing the teachings a man named Konchok Jinpa, who was the Tibetan people in a continuing policy is to wipe out the persis- arrested on the 8th of November in 2013 of denying them their human rights or tence of ego, the number- from Village No. 5 of Chagtse Township otherwise trampling on them. We there- of Driru County in Nagchu Prefecture. fore appeal to the duty-bound United one enemy of compassion.” He died on the 6th of February in 2021, Nations Organization and its top human also a victim of torture and merciless rights body, the Human Rights Council, beating in prison. Likewise, a 36-year- to take interest and show a much-needed old woman named Lhamo-la from Driru concern for protecting the basic human - His Holiness the 14th County in Nagchu Prefecture was also rights of the Tibetan people. We urge Dalai Lama subjected to indiscriminate beating dur- them to confront or deal with the gov- ing interrogations after she was arrested ernment of China in whatever way it is with false accusations. As a result, she appropriate and necessary for this pur- died in August 2020. pose. We urge that the large number of innocent Tibetan people who have been MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 13 DOCUMENTATION

Today is a day when we especially re- with them, as well as delivered to them same time, we wish to appeal everyone member with outpouring of emotions edifying talks through online meetings. to continue taking responsibility to en- our compatriots, the heroic men and Hundreds of thousands of people across sure a successful conduct of the sched- women of Tibet, who sacrificed their the world have benefited, and continue ules of the process for the upcoming all, including their precious lives, for the to benefit, from these online interactions final poll for both elections with suc- Tibetan religious, political, and ethnic with Him. And thanks to the solidly un- cessful conclusions. causes. We offer our esteem and respect wavering courage and determination of to them for their sense of determina- the Tibetan people in Tibet as well as to During the period of 62 years thus far tion and feats of accomplishment. Even the efforts of the Central Tibetan Admin- the Tibetan people have remained in ex- to this day, there are so many Tibetan istration and the Tibetan people living in ile, the people and government of India people who continue to be subjected to exile, those coming forward to extend have extended such fraternal generosity all manners of hardship from torture and support for our just cause keeps increas- of support and help as to make us feel ill-treatment inflicted under the - com ing by leaps and bounds year after year. like living in a second homeland. We munist Chinese government’s policy of Including the Reciprocal Access to Tibet owe great debts of gratitude and offer violent repression of the Tibetan people. Act of 2018 and Tibet Policy and Sup- our heartfelt thanks for extending finan- To all of them we express our feeling of port Act of 2020 passed in the United cial and other forms of support and help anguish as well as solidarity and empa- States of America, in many countries of in the struggle for the just cause of Tibet, thy. And we offer solemn prayers to the the world, parliaments have seen dis- the education of the Tibetan people liv- almighty ocean of victorious ones of the cussions held, resolutions and motions ing in exile, facilitating Tibetan people’s Three Precious Jewels that Tibetans liv- passed, and feelings expressed on the is- good health and numerous other purpos- ing in Tibet may see their tribulations sue of Tibet in greater numbers than ever es to the Indian government, individuals come to an end in all speediness and re- before. And it remains our abiding ap- and other entities from across the world. alize a state of bliss in which they can peal and hope that such legislations and amuse themselves in joyousness. discussions be seen implemented into In conclusion, we pray that His Holi- action so as to exert such pressure on the ness the Dalai Lama, the protector and After His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s government of China as to compel it to ultimate source of comfort for all sen- escape from our homeland occupied by take steps to resolve the issue of Tibet. tient beings across the world in general, China, followed by some eighty thou- but especially to the Tibetan people in sand Tibetan subjects, He newly set up Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 Tibet and in exile, may live for a hun- in India a Tibetan administration in exile. pandemic from the central Chinese city dred aeons, that all his wishes may be He also established settlements, schools, of Wuhan, the year 2020 became one of seen fulfilled with spontaneity, and the religious centres and so forth for the bleakness and misfortune to the entire just cause of Tibet attained with utmost Tibetan people living in exile. His suc- world. The losses the pandemic inflicted certainty. cess in these efforts carried out with ac- on people in each country across the complished means have won Him deep world in terms of their health, economic The Tibetan Parliament in Exile admiration from all concerned persons undertakings, social construction proj- and entities. We owe enormous debts ects and so forth have been truly enor- 10 March 2021 of gratitude especially to His Holiness mous. Tibetans in Tibet as well as Tibet- the Dalai Lama as well as to our elders ans in living in exile have also suffered of the different time periods in exile for hardships similarly. In the case of the our success in reaching the current stage Tibetan Parliament in Exile too, many where the voice of the Tibetan people’s official works for which budgetary- al struggle for their just cause reverberates locations had been sanctioned could not all across the wide world. They have be carried out. We pray that the spread “People were created to be worked with great diligence and made of this Covid-19 pandemic may subside loved. Things were created to be enormous personal sacrifices with - im and come to an end at the soonest pos- used. The reason why the world mense sense of determination to make sible moment; that the sun of happiness is in chaos is because things are the realization of this success possible. may finally emerge out of the clouds of being loved and people are be- this pandemic to shower joy and happi- While continuing to carry out his tradi- ness over the entire world. ing used.” tional and routine works of enormous magnitude, His Holiness the Dalai Lama The preliminary poll for the Sikyong - His Holiness the 14th has made use of the avenue of internet to and Parliament-in-Exile elections for Dalai Lama interact with prominent figures as well the year 2021 have been concluded in an as large numbers of his devotees in nu- atmosphere of harmony and in a digni- merous countries of the world. He has fied manner and the Tibetan Parliament given them religious teachings and held in Exile wishes to express its cheers discussions and other forms of meetings and compliments for the success. At the 14 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 FOCUS Tibet was Historically Never a Part of China: Webinar on Tibet Brief 2020 before the protection of Tibetan’s basic right to self-determination.

He excoriated the false historical narra- tive used by China to claim sovereignty over Tibet as legally baseless, pointing out that it derives its justification from a retroactive appropriation of foreign empires and their territorial scope to misrepresent history and likened it with India claiming sovereignty over former British colonies. He further asserted that the presence of PRC in Tibet, particu- larly China’s armed invasion of Tibet in 1950 is in violation of fundamental Former President of Botswana, HE Seretse Khama Ian Khama delivers the opening address. modern international laws citing the pro- Screengrab image hibition of the use of force against an- Contrary to the claims of the PRC gov- given what is rightfully theirs.” HE fur- other state and UN laws on colonialism ernment, Tibet was historically never a ther described China’s undemocratic be- which states that “colonialism in all its part of China. China does not possess haviours on the international platform as forms and manifestations is a violation sovereignty over Tibet and its occupa- a “spillover” of how they deal with their of international law”. tion of Tibet is in breach of international own people. “We see their threats against law. World governments, therefore, the Republic of China Taiwan, which is He noted the growing international have the obligation to help end the il- an independent and sovereign state that pushback against China’s expansionist legal occupation of Tibet. Such was the will one day take its place alongside policies citing the recent sanctions im- overarching conclusions of the webinar other nations at the UN; we see cruelty posed by the US, Europe and the UK, organised by the Office of Tibet, South and oppression of people of Hong Kong; however, he added that the global si- Africa. the illegal occupation of South China lence on Tibet’s ongoing occupation de- Sea; the general abuse of human rights nies Tibet its rightful status and right to Premised on Dr Michael Van Walt’s of Chinese people and people of Tibet.” self-determination. newly launched ‘Tibet Brief 2020’, the webinar rebuts China’s so-called his- While condemning China’s horrendous In his conclusion, he presented two torical claims over Tibet, concocted on human rights record in the recent past, propositions: 1)treating the situation in a self-serving historically fabricated nar- the former Bostwana president com- Tibet, Sino-Tibet relations and conflict rative. mended the United States, UK and oth- as falling within the international com- ers that recently announced a slew of munity and government’s purview and “It is all known that before the invasion, sanctions against China over its human responsibility and stressed that stating, Tibet has always been an independent rights abuses, and especially the US asserting and acting upon it repeatedly nation with its own territory, distinct cul- govt. on passing the Tibetan Policy and is key. 2) Actively countering Beijing’s ture, and a fully functional government Support Act of 2020. narrative which is part of their annexa- system,” ” Former President of Botswa- tion strategy. na, HE Seretse Khama Ian Khama said. “The biggest threat to democracy and “One way or the other, China needs to be peaceful and stable world order is Com- Highlighting the euphemistic use of lan- pushed out.” munist China. As a friend of the Tibetan guage to refer to Tibet he said the use of people, I will continue raising awareness the phrase “Tibet issue” is meaningless “This is despicable in today’s age,” HE for free and liberated Tibet. The evil of and implies a lack of confidence and a said, as he criticized China’s assault China will be conquered.” non-committal attitude harming Tibet’s on Tibetan people and exploitation of plight and recommended his well-re- Tibet’s environment and resources for Dr Michael Van Walt, Tibet expert and searched book, ‘Tibet Brief 2020’ to be “economic and industrial expansion” renowned advisor for global peace pro- versed on Tibet. and in the process, polluting the erst- cesses, in his address spoke about the while pristine environment and displac- now 70 year-spanning occupation of Ti- Representative Ngodup Dorjee in his ing thousands and leaving them impov- bet by China emboldening it to carry on welcome remarks thanked His Excellen- erished. with its expansionist agendas elsewhere cy Ian Khama and Dr Michael van Walt and called out the international silence for addressing the webinar. “It is high time that people of Tibet are which prioritises its economic interests

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 TIBETAN BULLETIN 15 FOCUS Italian Parliamentarians and Civil Societies Discuss Human Rights Abuse and Environmental Degradation by China in Tibet and Xinjiang ghurs, Hong Kongers then it means we are supporting the violations” he added. On. Antonella Incerti who has previ- ously visited Dharamshala and received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, discussed the environmental de- struction carried out by China in Tibet, the third pole. The huge and excessive dams being built on the Tibetan plateau is causing immeasurable and irreversible damage to the environment, she noted.

On. Paolo Formentini, Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, noted that China is propagating its policy aggres- sively and is threatening the world. He also noted that his efforts are concen- The Italia-Tibet Association in col- awarding of Winter Olympics Games trated towards declaring the elimina- laboration with Bitter Winter- an online 2022 to Beijing and called for its boycott. tion policy adopted by China towards magazine on religious liberty and human Uighur as “genocide” similar to what rights in China, the Heritage of Tibet and Piero Verni, founding President of US and Canada have already done. AREF International organized a virtual the Heritage of Tibet, spoke about the event with Italian parliamentarians to One-China Policy and how it has been Thinlay Chukki, Special Appointee for discuss the human rights abuse and envi- used to silence critics of human rights Human Rights, highlighted the ongo- ronmental degradation by China in Tibet abuse against countries supporting the ing human rights violations in Tibet in- and Xinjiang on 29 March. The session policy. He also touched upon the vio- cluding the custodial torture deaths of was moderated by Claudio Cardelli, lation of the international agreement Tibetans, systematic discrimination and President of the Italia-Tibet Association. on Hong Kong by China and empha- Sinicization policy adopted by China sized the importance of calling for against Tibetans. She also spoke on the Members of the Italian Parliament On. boycott of Beijing Olympics 2022. retaliatory sanctions by China aimed at Luciano Nobili, who is also co-president silencing the international community of Intergroup of Italian Parliamentar- On. Luciano Nobili commended the as well as the Belt and Road Initiative ians for Tibet, On. Roberto Rampi, team for the successful organization of which encapsulates expansionist agen- On. Antonella Incerti and On. Paolo the press conference in the Italian Par- da of China. She appealed for interna- Formentini participated in the event. liament on 10 March commemorating tional community’s continued support On behalf of the Tibet Bureau Geneva, the 62nd commemoration of the Tibet- and urged them to continue to speak Thinlay Chukki, Special Appointee for an National Uprising Day in the pres- up for , Xinji- Human Rights participated in the event. ence of Tibetan President Dr. Lobsang ang, Hong Kong and Mainland China. Sangay. Speaking about the US Tibet Marco Respinti, Director-in-Charge Policy and Support Act 2020, he wel- Dolkun Isa, President of the World of Bitter Winter, discussed at length comed this important US initiative and Uyghur Congress, participated in the religious persecution perpetrated noted that it is supported by the current the event via a video message and by Chinese authorities against Uighur US administration as well. He noted that called for boycott of Beijing Olym- Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Christians he had appealed the Olympics Com- pics 2022 as a protest against the and Falun Gong practitioners. High- mittee against awarding it to Beijing. genocide being carried out against lighting the policy of elimination of Uighurs by the Chinese authorities. cultural identity Uighurs and Tibetans On. Roberto Rampi noted that he has adopted by the Chinese Communist been an ardent supporter of the Tibetan Antonio Selvatici, a journalist and au- Party, he noted that what is happening movement and will continue to support thor, noted that Italy’s signing of the in Xinjiang is an extension of this policy it. He further noted that holding of Olym- Belt and Road Initiative has resulted in and repetition of history. The Uighur pics in Beijing violates the basic values China taking over the control of two genocide is an expansion of cultural for which the games stand for. “If we do important naval base of Italy. He called genocide carried out by China against not speak against the human rights vio- the Belt and Road a military strategy Tibetans.Therefore, he criticized the lations perpetrated against Tibetans, Ui- in the guise of infrastructural project.

16 TIBETAN BULLETIN SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 FOCUS CTA President Visits South India on Farewell Tour cultivating equanimity, especially from ment with an address to the students of his own experience as a public servant Sambhota Tibetan School, Mundgod. who constantly faces public scrutiny, both positive as well as negative and Dr Sangay congratulated the Principal, how the rational approach helps him staff and students of Sambhota Tibetan overcome the challenges and carry out school for the overall improvement of his duties regardless of public opinion the school’s performance in academic throughout his 10-year tenure. field since handing over the school’s administration to Sambhota Tibetan He spoke about the spiritual appeal of School under the Department of Educa- Tibetan Buddhism which has flourished tion, Central Tibetan Administration in in exile through the efforts of the Tibetan May 2018. monastics and lay public. Ths success of CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay Tibetan Buddhist revival in exile under On 7 April, Sikyong addressed Gomang President (Sikyong) Dr Lobsang San- the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai and Loseling monasteries of Drepung as gay of the Central Tibetan Adminis- Lama and other Tibetan spiritual teach- well as Ratoe, Kagyud and Sakya mon- tration visited the Tibetan settlements ers have enabled the Tibetan cause to en- asteries. In his address, Sikyong offered in South India from 2 - 9 April. As joy great support among the government his gratitude to the community his second term for Sikyong conlcu- as well as the public, evidenced by the for the steadfast support extended to his des in May, this visit was seen as a opinion polls which indicate high favor- administration over the course of his farewell tour to meet the Tibetan pub- ability for the Tibetan movement regard- political leadership noting the success it lic. Earlier in February, he visited Ti- less of triggering China’s displeasure. has attributed to his administration and betan settlements in Northeast India. aligning with the wishes and prayers of On 6 April, Sikyong addressed the gen- His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Dr Sangay began his farewell tour at eral public of Bylakuppe. In his address Sangha Community. Dhondenling Tibetan settlement in Kol- to the general public, Sikyong talked legal on 5 April. At the settlement, he about a range of issues relating to his On 8 April, Sikyong addressed the took part in a public program dedicated two-term tenure as the Sikyong of the general public at the community hall to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration particu- of Doeguling settlement in Mundgod. talked about the importance of Tibetan larly highlighting the passage of the Ti- During the address, he re-emphasised unity. He also distributed Record of Ten- bet Policy and Support Act 2020. his wish for a united Tibet and warned ancy Certificates (RTC) to 122 Tibetan against internal discord created by a few families in the settlement. The Kollegal He pointed out the significance of the individuals with a vested interest that Tibetan settlement since its inception in bill in acknowledging the Central Ti- could prove detrimental to the cause in 1973 has remained a forest land and the betan Administration and the Sikyong the long run. legal transfer of land was rendered im- as the legitimate representative of Ti- possible for years due to lack of survey betans, giving Tibet recognition at par As part of the ceremony, the Tibetan lay number of the area. The legal certificate with the rest of the countries. He called community and monastics felicitated issued by the Karnataka government on Gaden Tripa Rinpoche, the head of Sikyong with appreciation awards in comes after the implementation of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, dur- honour of his excellent leadership and Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014 in ing the visit to Bylakuppe. achievements in the past ten years. A to- the Tibetan settlements of the state. tal of 26 organizations in Mungod unan- Following his visit to Sera, Sikyong imously decided to give the appreciation From Kollegal, Dr Sangay visited visited Namdoling Nyingma Monastery award to Sikyong. He also addressed the Lugsam and Dekyilarso in Bylakuppe where he addressed the monks and nuns monks of Jangtse and Shartse monaster- following a brief visit to Rabgayling of the monastery. He then visited Tso ies of Gaden. Settlement in Hunsur. At Bylakuppe, he Jhe Khangsar hospital that caters to the addressed the Tibetan Children’s Village health and medical needs of the commu- He hailed the rich history of the Gaden and Sambhota Tibetan schools. nity. monastery and stated that the monastic founded by Je Tsongkhapa invariably After addresing the Tibetan schools, he From Bylakuppe, Sikyong Dr Lobsang represents an extraordinary legacy in the visited Sera monastery and addressed Sangay left for Doeguling Tibetan set- restoration of Tibetan Buddhism. the monks of Sera Jey and Mey mon- tlement in Mundgod. Upon arrival at asteries. He talked about his ten years Mundgod Tibetan settlement on 7 April, He returned to Dharamshala on 9 April of service as Sikyong of the Central Ti- Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay kicked off and stayed in home quarantine as per betan Administration. He also linked the his two-day programme in the settle- health Department’s Covid regulations. importance of the Buddhist approach of SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 TIBETAN BULLETIN 17 FOCUS

OOT DC Hosts Online North America Sino-Tibet Dialogue: 62 years of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Exile love and devotion to His Holiness and also those who were born in Tibet after 1959.

He also mentioned that the Tibetan gath- erings in North America are better or- ganized and attended than the Chinese events, although the Chinese population in North America are much higher. In comparison to His Holiness, who regu- larly meets with global leaders and the international community, and has earned the love and respect of Chinese leaders, there are no such Chinese leaders who can be like him.

Mr. Chen Pokong, a famous Chinese Online North America Sino-Tibet Dialogue: 62 years of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Exile political commentator and leader during the Tiananmen Square Massacre, ex- 31 March 2021 marks the 62nd anniver- the purpose of the dialogue. plained for over half a century, the Chi- sary since His Holiness the Dalai Lama nese Communist Party-controlled Tibet stepped on Indian soil in 1959. To re- Mr. Chen Guagcheng, an eminent hu- but His Holiness and the Central Tibetan member this historic day, the Office of man right lawyer, specified the impor- Administration has remained as the hope Tibet-Washington, DC organized the tance of the Sino-Tibet dialogue and its and legitimate representation of the Ti- “Online North America Sino-Tibet Dia- significance to continue. He admires the betan people. He shared his experience logue” joined by 15 prominent Chinese preservation of Tibetan language and of visiting and seeing a number of Ti- scholars, lawyers, and political com- culture by His Holiness and Tibetan betan monasteries and schools in India. mentators living in North America. people in exile. Mr. Chen described the CCP’s brutal destruction of Tibet, East “Due to His Holiness,” he said, “Tibetan Representative Ngodup Tsering greeted Turkestan, and Mongolia—even Han Buddhism has become a global reli- the speakers and thanked them for at- Chinese are victims under this authori- gion,” he said. tending the special event by highlight- tarian regime. He agreed that the ongo- ing the importance of the day which ing massive atrocities by the CCP are Mr. Jianli, the founder of Citizen changed the political relationship be- due to a lack of resistance to the regime. Initiative for China, established the In- tween Tibet and China and also between While sharing his optimism on the coali- terethnic Interfaith Leadership Confer- Tibet and India. tion of the international community, he ence with guidance from His Holiness. maintained that the only solution is the He interprets the success of His Holiness “It opened up a new chapter in their end of the communist party in China. as follows: First, His Holiness’s vision history,” he said. “While His Holiness of Middle Way Policy offers a new path and [the] CTA were very sincere and Mr. Hu Ping, the renowned Chief edi- for conflict resolution. Second, Tibetan genuine in their offer to address the Sino tor of the Magazine and Buddhism became a global religion. Tibet problem, Chinese authorities are one of the Chinese scholars who met His And third, the democratization of Tibet- taking harsh and aggressive measures Holiness in the early 90s, applauded the an governance is a lasting solution for to completely annihilate Tibetan people development of a successful democratic the sustainable Tibet movement. and culture.” system in the exile Tibetan community. He remarked, “This is a marvellous Sheng Xue, a renowned writer, reporter Tsultrim Gyatso, the OOT-DC’s Chinese achievement.” and activist, shared her perspective on Liaison Officer, welcomed the speakers witnessing the most successful exile de- and highlighted the achievements in the Paying tribute to His Holiness’s wisdom velopment in the history of global exile preservation of Tibetan language and and leadership, Mr. Hu explained that stories. She considers the importance of culture under the guidance of His Holi- the Tibetan issue has become an interna- coalition above all. Commending the Ti- ness the Dalai Lama, both in Tibet and in tional issue that CCP cannot afford to ig- betan community for excellent advocacy exile. Tsultrim explained the four prin- nore. He was amazed that Tibetans who work, she emphasized the need to work cipal commitments of His Holiness and are born in exile have such profound hand in hand.

18 TIBETAN BULLETIN SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 FOCUS

Mr. Ding Yifu, a researcher who has at- Tibet, even those in government agen- respect from the entire global commu- tended a Mind and Life Conference, an cies, respect and carry their hope for His nity for his great leadership in exile. initiative of His Holiness, and his wife Holiness. Mrs. Wang described CCP’s He suggested recognizing the change in Li Jianglin, a renowned scholar and genocidal policies can be traced back Chinese political plans and global stance historian who wrote “Tibet in Agony” to Mao’s era and sinicization is contin- on China, Tibetans should move forward emphasized the importance of educating ued till these dates in religious policies with a strategy to resist in coalition. Chinese people as to what has happened in monasteries and language policies in to Tibetans. He added that more dialogue school. Mr. Wang Juntao, Chairman of the Chi- between His Holiness and leading scien- nese Democratic Party, gave the story tists can potentially bring a solution to Mr. Pei Yiran, former director of the of meeting with His Holiness in 1995, a the Tibet issue. Mrs. Li urged the Tibet- department of Humanitarian studies at time when he had different perspectives an youth not to forget all the sacrifices Shanghai University of Finance and on Tibetan modernization. “His Holi- made by the elder Tibetan generation to Economics, shared his respect for His ness focused more on the preservation of preserve Tibetan culture and language. Holiness and the gradual change in his Tibetan language and culture than on po- understanding of Tibet from seeing the litical advocacy, which is why the exiled Mr. Zhou Fengsuo, a student leader dur- movie on serfdom in China to interact- Tibetan community thrived successfully ing the Tiananmen massacre who once ing with Tibetan history and culture. Mr. without losing their identity,” he said. sat down with premier for a Pei believes the nonviolent path with a resolution, recounted his time in prison simple request for preservation of lan- Chairman Wang thinks His Holiness’ when His Holiness received the Nobel guage and culture as mentioned in Mid- compassionate approach on every is- Peace Prize. He learned that the martial dle Way Policy should be considered by sue is different from what most of the law imposed in Lhasa were similar to China. scholars deal with conflict. He thinks the martial law imposed upon the stu- the Chinese scholars still lack the under- dent movement in Beijing. He said he Mr. Li Hengqing, media personnel and standing of compassion and wisdom that became very emotional to see a photo scholar requested China to let His Ho- His Holiness promotes. Mr. Wang men- of His Holiness looking towards the liness return back to Tibet. He believes tioned His Holiness has some profound mountains, which gave an impression of the solution to every discriminated com- suggestions for society as a whole and a profound longing for Tibet: his home. munity in China will come when there that should be learned by the Chinese Mr. Zhou believes that many Tibetans is a change in the authoritarian govern- and international community. and Chinese share a similar longing to ment structure. Mr. Li thinks the Middle return home. He praised the vigorous Way policy is the only method that can Moderator thanked the speakers for their energy maintained by the Tibetan youth solve the Tibetan issue and urged for support and insight shared in the two and promised to do his best to be a part more dialogues and events to let the Chi- and half hours of dialogue. He then con- of the movement. nese understand His Holiness vision of cluded with the promise of more Sino- Middle Way Policy. Tibet Dialogue events in the future and Mr. Han Lianchao, the cofounder of in-person meetings when the pandemic Citizen Power Initiatives for China and Mr. Zhang jie, media personnel and legal is over. policy researcher, affirmed that His Ho- expert stated that His Holiness gained liness defeated the CCP. Although the tried to com- mit genocide in Tibet with the siniciza- tion of Tibet’s culture, language and re- Heavily fortified in a digital cage, it is near impossible to ligion, Tibetans have preserved them in exile. get information out of Tibet. This past January, we received news of the self-immolation protest by 26-year-old Shurmo “The first victim of one country two from Driru Shagchukha village, five years after the event. system policy is Tibet,” Mr. Han main- This sheds light on the extent of information control and tained. Mr. Han explained the 17 Point surveillance being carried out in Tibet. Agreement in detail, and he said he strongly believes that the reincarnation issue will solely remain the rights of the - CTA President (Sikyong) Dr Lobsang Sangay in his 10th Tibetan people. March statement to commemorate the 62nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day Mrs. Wang Ruiqing, a former member of the People’s Congress in China and an oral historian on Tibet, shared her find- ings on the problems that Tibetans are facing inside Tibet. She said Tibetans in SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 TIBETAN BULLETIN 19 FEATURE

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Two Truths dalailama.com plexity, uncompounded luminosity— I have found a nectar-like . Yet if I were to teach it, no-one would un- derstand, So, I shall remain silent here in the forest.

“But when he encountered his five for- mer companions, and they requested him to teach, the Four Noble Truths are what he taught them.

“According to the Tradition, the Buddha turned the wheel of dharma three times—three rounds of teach- ing. The first concerned the Four Noble Truths, which he disclosed in terms of His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking on the Four Noble Truths and the Two Truths during his online nature, function and result. When he teaching requested by the Italian Buddhist Union from his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on explained their nature, he declared that April 7, 2021. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel suffering is to be known, its origin is to His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave teach- between East and West, more and more be eliminated, and cessation is to be ac- ings on the four noble truths and the two people have taken an interest in Bud- tualized by cultivating the path. And the truths to the Italian Buddhist Union 7 dhist teachings belonging to both the origin to be eliminated was karma and April. The session began immediately and Sanskrit Traditions. mental afflictions, which, in addition to with a recitation of the ‘Heart ’ selflessness, were explained in greater in Italian. When that was complete, “When Shantarakshita was invited to detail in the second and third rounds of President of the Italian Buddhist Union, Tibet by King Trisong Detsen, he intro- teachings. Filippo Scianna extended a welcome to duced the Nalanda Tradition. He was a His Holiness on behalf of the Union. that great master of philosophy as well as “With regard to their result, the Buddha he explained includes members from a logic and epistemology, as revealed in stated that suffering must be known and wide range of Buddhist traditions. Be- two books he wrote: ‘A Compendium of yet there is nothing to be known. Karma sides their interest in Buddhism, mem- Reality’ (Tattvasamgraha) and the ‘Or- and mental afflictions are to be -over bers provide humanitarian aid where it nament of the Middle Way’ (Madhya- come, but there is nothing to be over- is needed and cultivate friendly relations makalalamkara). come. with other religious traditions. He de- clared that His Holiness is their source of “Since the eighth century Tibetans have “We can understand the words, ‘pro- inspiration and requested him to teach. followed or Middle Way found and peaceful’ in the verse I quoted philosophy through logic and reason. In above to refer to the first round of the “Today, you Italians have asked me to so doing they took inspiration from the Buddha’s teachings and the Four Noble talk about the Four Noble Truths and the Buddha who counselled, “As the wise Truths. ‘Free from complexity’ indicates Two Truths,” His Holiness responded. test gold by burning, cutting and rubbing the perfection of wisdom of the second “There are many different religious tra- it, so, bhikshus, should you accept my round. ‘Uncompounded luminosity’ re- ditions in the world. They may differ words—only after testing them—and lates to the content of the Buddha’s third from a philosophical point of view, but not merely out of respect for me.” Be- round of teachings, especially Buddha they share a common message about cause our tradition is based on logic and nature and the ‘Tathagatagarbha-sutra’. the importance of love and compassion. reason, today, even interested scientists During the second round he dealt with In India, the practice of ‘ahimsa’, non- can relate to it. the object clear light, which refers to violence or non-harm, and ‘karuna’, emptiness, while in the third round he compassion, have flourished over the “The Four Noble Truths are the founda- alluded to the subjective clear light—the last 3000 years or so. What’s more, in tion of the Buddha’s teaching. However, mind of clear light. India, all the world’s major religions live immediately after his enlightenment he together peaceably side by side. is reported to have said: “Mental afflictions are distorted concep- tions. explained that the ig- “Since better contact has been achieved “Profound and peaceful, free from com- norance that is at their root refers to the

20 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 FEATURE misconception that things have true exis- tence. His disciple Aryadeva pointed out that ‘as the tactile sense [pervades] the body, ignorance is present in all [mental afflictions]. By overcoming ignorance, you will also overcome all mental afflic- tions.’ He remarked that ignorance can be eliminated by understanding depen- dent arising.”

His Holiness acknowledged that it is because of Shantarakshita that Tibetans follow the Buddha’s teaching in reliance on logic and reason. He noted that this makes aspects of the Buddha’s teaching, particularly in relation to the workings of the mind, accessible to scientists. This His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to the virtual audience from Italy during his teachings requested is relevant because there is a growing by the Italian Buddhist Union from his residence in Dharamsala, HP,India on April 7, 2021. Photo by understanding that talk about peace in Ven Tenzin Jamphel the world will only be fulfilled when in- When you understand that cessation can to the excellent far shore, the oceanic dividuals have cultivated peace of mind be achieved within yourself, you will be qualities of the conquerors. 6.226 within themselves. able to verify this truth from your own experience. His Holiness reiterated the importance A proper understanding of the Four No- of understanding the Buddha’s teaching ble Truths depends on understanding the His Holiness cited verses from the end in the light of reason and logic. He men- Two Truths. In this connection His Ho- of chapter six of ‘Entering into the Mid- tioned the popular saying that compares liness referred to verses from Chandra- dle Way’ that shed light on conventional the Madhyamaka or Middle Way view kirti’s ‘Entering into the Middle Way’. and ultimate truth, finally likening them and reason and logic to two lions yoked to the wings on which the king of swans together at the neck. These two tradi- And just as from an empty thing like a flies to the far shore. He encouraged his tions were introduced by Shantarakshita reflection listeners to listen, reflect and develop and Tibetan masters like Chapa Chökyi a perception can arise that bears its form, experience of these truths within them- Sengé (1109-69), the Abbot of Sangphu, 6.37 selves. later formalized the Tibetan mode of de- bate. likewise, although all things are empty, Thus, illuminated by the rays of wis- they do arise from emptiness in a robust dom’s light, When answering questions from the vir- way. the sees as clearly as a tual audience His Holiness touched on Since no intrinsic nature exists in either gooseberry on his open palm the Bön tradition that existed in Tibet of the two truths, that the three realms in their entirety are prior to the arrival of the Jowo statue of phenomena are neither eternal nor anni- unborn from their very start, Buddha Shakyamuni in Lhasa, brought hilated. 6.38 and through the force of conventional by the Chinese princess who married truth, he journeys to cessation. 6.224 King . Later, Shanta- Since actions do not cease in an intrinsic rakshita encouraged King Trisong Det- manner, Though his mind may rest continuously sen to translate Indian Buddhist litera- they remain potent even in the absence in cessation, ture into Tibetan. Buddhism took root, of a foundation consciousness. he also generates compassion for beings but the Bön tradition survives today. Indeed, in some cases, the acts them- bereft of protection. selves may have long ceased, Advancing further, he will also outshine Although people in the West are showing yet their effects will come about without through his wisdom interest in Buddhism these days, it’s im- fail; this you should know. 6.39 all those born from the Buddha’s speech portant that the prevailing Judeo-Chris- and the middle buddhas. 6.225 tian traditions continue to be accorded What this indicates is that although the respect. His Holiness emphasized again independent existence of things cannot And like a king of swans soaring ahead that all religious traditions teach the im- be found under scrutiny, they do exist of other accomplished swans, portance of ethics and compassion. by way of convention or designation. with white wings of conventional and An ignorant misconception of the true ultimate truths spread wide, His Holiness observed that the Buddha or intrinsic existence of things can be propelled by the powerful winds of vir- embraced the homeless life. Many of his eliminated by understanding emptiness. tue, the bodhisattva would cruise followers did likewise. The foundation

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afflictive emotions there is liberation. Karma and afflictive emotions come from conceptual thoughts.These come from mental fabrication. Fabrication ceases through emptiness,

He also mentioned several verses from chapter six of Chandrakirti’s ‘Entering into the Middle Way’,

If the intrinsic characteristics of things were to arise dependently, things would come to be destroyed by denying it; President of the Italian Buddhist Union, Filippo Scianna extending a welcome to His Holiness the Dalai emptiness would then be a cause for the Lama on behalf of the Union at the start of the online teachings on April 7, 2021. destruction of things. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel of their practice was the and its fering our negativities may be purified. But this is illogical, so no real entities precepts. He noted that if you can keep He cited a verse from the Guru Puja: exist. 6/34 the vows, well and good, but it is not necessary to do so to be a warm-hearted Therefore, O venerable compassionate Thus, when such phenomena are ana- person. gurus, lyzed, Bless me that all the obstructions from nothing is found as their nature apart Regarding what the future of Buddhism misdeeds, and sufferings from suchness. may be over the next fifty years, His Of mother beings ripen upon me right So, the conventional truth of the every- Holiness said it was difficult to say. The now, day world era of the previous Buddha, Kashyapa, And that I may give my happiness and should not be subjected to thorough came to an end. Buddha Shakyamuni’s virtues to others analysis. 6/35 teachings presently continue to flour- In order that all sentient beings have ish. However, the threat that global bliss. In the context of suchness, certain rea- heating poses simply to water supplies soning disallows arising from self or means the future is not guaranteed. He stressed that another aspect of bod- from something other, and that same hichitta, humility, expressed as regard- reasoning disallows them on the con- Asked about the arising of destructive ing yourself as inferior to others, is not ventional level too. So, by what means emotions His Holiness explained that a matter of being despondent. Since then is your arising established? 6/36 we develop attachment and aversion to it is linked to the wish to lead beings things because they appear to exist sol- from across the expanse of space to His Holiness disclosed that he regu- idly from their own side. When we re- enlightenment it reflects great cour- larly repeats these verses to himself alize that they actually depend on other age. As the practice of cherishing oth- and reflects that although things cannot factors and conditions and are not as ers is strengthened it gives rise to such be found under analysis, they do exist they appear, we react to them differently. courage, which in turn reinforces great by way of convention and designation. compassion. When you have great com- Quantum physics also states that things passion, you’ll have the fortitude to In her brief words of thanks, Giovanna do not exist as they appear, but it also help others overcome their sufferings. Giorgetti expressed the wish that His seems to challenge their external exis- Holiness will live long and the hope tence. This is reminiscent of the Mind Invited to compare the of an Ar- that he will visit Italy again in person. Only contention that objects and the hat the truth body of a Buddha, His Holi- subjective perceiving mind are of the ness clarified that whereas for an His Holiness announced his intention to same nature. This view may loosen the who has overcome mental afflictions, lead a ceremony for cultivating the awak- grip of mental afflictions, but it’s - nec obscurations to knowledge remain, ening mind of bodhichitta. He guided the essary to realize the Consequentialist the Buddha has eliminated them all. appropriate visualization of the Buddha view that things have no independent and so forth and invited the audience to existence whatsoever—they are mere Asked to recommend verses that aid the repeat the standard three verses after him. designations—to uproot ignorance. understanding of emptiness, His Holi- His Holiness advised that suffering can ness cited one from Nagarjuna’s ‘Fun- Finally, he released the Italian translation be transformed into an aspect of the damental Wisdom of the Middle Way’, of the first volume in the Science and path, in particular to the practice of bod- Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Clas- hichitta by wishing that through this suf- Through the elimination of karma and sics series —The Physical World— and expressed his gratitude to the translator.

22 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 FEATURE His Holiness the Dalai Lama Graces Virtual International Conference on the Three Trainings - dalailama.com from the four noble truths and the twelve links of dependent arising. The twelve links establish the reality of suffering, while the four noble truths embody the process of pacifying these sufferings and the enable us to pacify completely the causes of suffer- ing—this is the truth of the path.

If we practise ‘sila’, ethics, ‘’, concentration and ‘panna’, wisdom, we can purify desire, hatred and ignorance. We will understand what is to be ad- opted and what is to be abandoned. In this way, we will become more peace- ful human beings. Ven Bhikshu Jing Ms Ng Wee Nee from the Tibetan Buddhist Centre of Singapore opening the proceedings of the Interna- Yao concluded, “Let us all practise the tional Conference on the Three Trainings in the Pali and Sanskrit Traditions of Buddhism on March 5, three trainings for the sake of all mother 2021. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel sentient beings. May all be peaceful and His Holiness the Dalai Lama graces the dhists in the world for whom dependent happy.” virtual international conference on the arising is their philosophical view and Tisikkha or Trishiksha, the three train- for whom non-violence and compassion Ven Mahayano next requested the Most ings in the Pali and Sanskrit traditions are their basic conduct. She observed Ven Dr Dammapiya - Secretary General of Buddhism on 5 March. His Holiness that the internet has provided an oppor- of International Buddhist Confederation the Dalai Lama was invited to give the tunity for a virtual gathering of Buddhist (India) to offer his introductory remarks. inaugural address from his residence in communities. During the conference, He began by reciting the formula, Dharamsala. which will take place over two days, 38 “Buddham saranam gacchami, Dham- speakers from 14 countries will address mam saranam gacchami, Sangham sa- Ms Ng Wee Nee opened proceedings, the role of the Three trainings in the Pali ranam gacchami,” and then continued welcoming guests and participants and and Sanskrit traditions. in English. He noted that Tisikkha and explaining that the event had been orga- Trishiksha appear to be different terms, nized by the Tibetan Buddhist Centre of Functioning as moderator of the discus- but refer to the same teaching of the Singapore supported by 12 other Bud- sions, Ven Mahayano from in- Buddha. He also remarked that although dhist organizations: the Oxford Bud- troduced the first speaker, the Most Ven Buddhist tradition has many branches, dhist Vihara, Singapore; the Bhikshu Jing Yao, Chairman of Bud- it shares a common root. He expressed Buddhist Council of Malaysia; the Va- dhist Association of the Republic of Chi- gratitude for this opportunity for repre- jrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia; na (Taiwan), who spoke in Chinese. He sentatives of different Buddhist tradi- the Indapanno Archive observed that the purpose of the three tions to come together in discussion. Foundation; the International Network trainings in both the Pali and Sanskrit of Engaged Buddhists; the Sri Lankan traditions is to help beings overcome Previous deliberations have revealed Tibet Buddhist Brotherhood Society; the suffering. The Buddha taught the noble that the Vinaya upheld by all Buddhist Buddhist Society of Western Australia; eightfold path in order that sentient be- traditions is essentially the same. Now the Buddhist Union of Kalmykia, Rus- ings cease to develop afflictive emotions there is a chance to examine the three sia; the Department of , and can face death peacefully. trainings. He pointed out that the Bud- Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, dha began with objective observation. Taiwan; the Department of Religion and The Most Ven Bhikshu Jing Yao went on He saw a sick man, an old man and a Culture of Hsuan Chuang University, to say that the scope of the noble eight- dead man and recognised things as they Taiwan; the Kertarajasa Buddhist Col- fold path is wide. It includes the exten- are. There was no blind faith involved, lege, Indonesia and Labsum Shedrup sive practices of the four noble truths but objective observation. Ling, Korea. and the three trainings. We cannot estab- lish the reality of the four noble truths Understanding is deepened by vipassana, Ms Ng Wee Nee mentioned that there without practising the noble eightfold enabling the recognition of unsatisfacto- are presently at least 500 million Bud- path. The eightfold path is inseparable riness, and selflessness.

MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 23 FEATURE

“The tradition Shantarakshita introduced to Tibet was a comprehensive presenta- tion of the Buddha’s teachings. It relied on the exercise of reason and logic and encouraged analysis of what was writ- ten in the scriptures. Nagarjuna’s work depended on logic and reason. Dignaga and Dharmakirti focused on logic and epistemology, as exemplified by the ‘Compendium of Valid Cognition’.

“The Buddha advised his followers, “O monks and scholars, as gold is tested by burning, cutting and rubbing, examine my words thoroughly and accept them Most Ven Dr Dammapiya - Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation (India) offering only then—not just out of respect for his introductory remarks at the online International Conference on the Three Trainings in the Pali and me.” I recommend followers of the Pali Sanskrit Traditions of Buddhism on March 5, 2021. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel Tradition to adopt this logical approach These days, Dr Dammapiya remarked, the Pali and Sanskrit Traditions. and examine the Perfection of Wisdom there is a growing desire for more, but in teachings along with 21 extant Indian representing the middle path of modera- “As a human being, I regard as one of commentaries to them. These were fur- tion, the three trainings can have a posi- my principal responsibilities to increase ther clarified by Jé Tsongkhapa in his tive impact on society. A compassionate awareness of love and compassion in treatise ‘The Golden Rosary’. heart, he declared, a clear, purified mind the world, irrespective of whether other “Tsongkhapa emphasized study of epis- and a right view of the world lead to a people believe in or the law of temology, the Perfection of Wisdom and balanced mind avoiding violence and karma or not. This is my first commit- Madhyamaka. He didn’t write much extremes and fostering peaceful, harmo- ment. As a religious practitioner I appre- about Vinaya or —Higher nious co-existence in the world. ciate that all religious traditions speak Knowledge. Practice of Vinaya depends of the need to develop compassion. We on scriptural authority. ’s Technical difficulties prevented the third may adopt different philosophical posi- account of cosmology and the size, po- introductory speaker, the Most Vener- tions, but we all have a common regard sition and distance between the earth, able Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake for compassion. sun and moon, for example, are not to Thero from joining the conversation at be taken literally, unlike Chandrakirti’s the appointed time, so Ven Mahayano “One category of religious tradition is presentation of ultimate reality. invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama to theistic and emphasizes the role of God, give his inaugural address. After reciting not only as the creator, but also as the “Study based on reason, not only reli- a short verse of homage, he began. personification of compassion—the ant on scriptural authority, has equipped quality to aspire to. Buddhism is a non- us to interact fruitfully with scientists. “People from different Buddhist -com theistic tradition. It’s foundation, pre- Indeed, Buddhism is now attracting in- munities have come together on this oc- served particularly in the Pali Tradition, terest and attention from directions not casion. Holders of the Vinaya, of which is the upholding of Vinaya, monastic seen before. I am one, have been invited. I hope our discipline, the focus of which is keeping exchanges will be marked by openness. vows of individual emancipation. In Ti- “As Buddhists we must cultivate good bet we followed the Mulasarvastivadin relations between us. We must also up- “Buddha Shakyamuni’s teaching has , in China they have the Dharma- hold the Three trainings, but nowadays flourished for more than 2500 years mak- gupta tradition and followers of the Pali I believe that ethics, concentration and ing it one of the world’s major religious uphold the Theravada tradition. wisdom can be useful even for those traditions. However, lately it has also at- who follow no religious tradition.” tracted scientific interest. Although we “Scholars of Nalanda University worked have the terms and , in Sanskrit. When King Trisong Detsen The moderator was pleased to announce I prefer to speak of the Pali and Sanskrit invited the erudite scholar Shantarakshi- that previous technical difficulties had Traditions. Vinaya, monastic discipline ta to Tibet he recommended that Tibet- been overcome and introduced the Most and the three trainings in ethics, concen- ans translate Buddhist literature into Ti- Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanay- tration and wisdom, the essence of the betan. The resultant collection included ake Thero, the Chief Prelate of Sri Ram- Buddha’s teaching, are upheld in both. 100 volumes of the Buddha’s discourses manna Maha Nikaya of Sri Lanka. The Buddha was a monk and the prac- and more than 200 volumes of explana- tice of Vinaya is the foundation of both tory treatises by subsequent scholars. He began his address with the declara- 24 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 FEATURE tion that as a Buddhist monk tuous deeds, concentration, and wisdom, question, “How to be a good Buddhist?” is the path of enlightenment spoken of His Holiness’s response was that just re- it is his duty to help everyone to lead by the Supreme Buddha. peating the words, a good life. To do this, the ‘Trisiksha’, namely virtue, concentration and wis- The moderator thanked the Most Vener- Buddham saranam gacchami—I take dom play a very significant role. Virtue able from Sri Lanka and explained that refuge in the Buddha, here, he clarified, is to tame the body although this virtual assembly brought Dhammam saranam gacchami—I take and speech. Concentration is to focus together many languages and traditions, refuge in the Dharma, the mind. Wisdom involves seeing the questions for His Holiness would be Sangham saranam gacchami—I take true nature of the world. Consequently, framed in English. refuge in the Sangha the mind that is born of wisdom will re- alize enlightenment. He observed that The first questioner asked about - rela doesn’t make you a Buddhist. You need virtuous behaviour leads to concentra- tions between the Pali and Sanskrit Tra- to understand what is the Buddha, what tion and strong concentration leads to ditions. His Holiness replied that they is the Dharma and what is the Sangha— the purification of the wisdom of insight held the precepts of individual emanci- that understanding is what makes you a meditation. pation in common. During meetings like Buddhist. And in order to develop such this, in the exchange of views between an understanding you need to study. Virtue includes rules proclaimed by the scholars and practitioners, it’s possible Buddha, the discipline or taming of the to appreciate how much we have in “As a follower of the Buddha,” His Holi- senses, avoiding wrong livelihood and common. Even in the Sanskrit tradition ness added, “I’ve studied to some extent. adopting right livelihood, as well as ac- there are four major different schools of I really appreciate this kind of meeting cepting instruction on the consumption thought and yet for all of them the Vi- and I hope it is something that can take of requisites. Concentration involves naya is the foundation. place annually. I hope further serious carefully preserving the mind from be- discussions will take place. I’m already coming scattered. Wisdom entails cor- A questioner from Singapore wanted to looking forward to our next meeting.” rect recognition of impermanence, mis- know if aspects of the three trainings ery, and selflessness. could be usefully incorporated into secu- The moderator, Ven Mahayano, thanked lar education. His Holiness agreed that His Holiness for his inaugural address to The noble eightfold path encompasses since the essence of the teaching is not the conference. Ms Ng Wee Nee thanked three collections of virtuous behaviour to harm others, but to respect and help all the speakers and participants for their (sila), concentration (samadhi), and wis- them, it could certainly be done. contribution. His Holiness recited dedi- dom (panna). The perfection of the no- cation prayers and, waving to the virtual ble eightfold path, the cultivation of vir- Finally, from Malaysia came the simple audience, announced, “See you again”.

Mayors of Five Cities in the US Declare 10 March as ‘Tibet Day’

In a gesture of solidarity and support for the Tibetan cause, mayors of five US cities issued proclama- tions declaring 10 March which is the Tibetan National Uprising Day as Tibet Day. The five cities are Saint Paul, Columbia Heights, City of Northampton, Minneapolis and St Louis Park.

Meanwhile, Burlington City Hall in the state of Vermont; Boston City Hall in Boston, Massachusetts; and Madison City-County Building in the state of Wisconsin hoisted the Tibetan national flag to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Tibetan national uprising day on 10 March.

MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 25 WORLD PRESS China’s Techno-Authoritarianism Has Gone Global

By Maya Wang, 8 April 2021 Foreign Affairs Magazine Nearly every week, the international intrusive, but they are just one end of a The Chinese government hopes that news media reports on the Chinese spectrum. Chinese authorities use tech- technology will help it cement its chill- government’s troubling use of technol- nology to control the population all over ingly innovative form of government— ogy to spy on its own citizens and those the country in subtler but still power- one that meets the material needs of its of other countries. China’s tech giants, ful ways. The central bank is adopting populace and engineers a loyal, respon- Foreign Policy reported late last year, digital currency, which will allow Bei- sive bureaucracy even while bypassing work hand in glove with the country’s jing to surveil—and control—people’s such pesky intermediaries as competi- spy agencies. The Guardian suggested financial transactions. China is building tive elections, a free press, and an inde- in December that a Chinese state-owned so-called safe cities, which integrate pendent judiciary. phone operator spies on American users. data from intrusive surveillance systems Surveillance is a fact of life for Chinese to predict and prevent everything from TECHNO-AUTHORITARIANISM citizens and, increasingly, for those who fires to natural disasters and political GAINING TRACTION live in countries that have adopted Chi- dissent. The government believes that nese surveillance technology, from Ec- these intrusions, together with admin- The emerging Chinese technological uador to Kyrgyzstan. Even more worri- istrative actions, such as denying black- ecosystem is both functional and afford- some, this ecosystem of Chinese-based listed people access to services, will able. Huawei’s 5G has captured many technologies carries with it a set of val- nudge people toward “positive behav- Western governments’ attention, and ues that undergirds the Chinese state—a iors,” including greater compliance with Beijing’s Baidu navigation system now form of twenty-first-century authoritari- government policies and healthy habits prevails over the U.S. version, GPS, in anism that marries social control and ef- such as exercising. more than 160 countries. China is push- ficiency. ing governments to adopt its National Beijing’s technological ambitions are Transportation Logistics Platform, an The United States has kneecapped Chi- not just directly coercive, however. The international logistics system designed nese technology giants in the name of Chinese government also hopes to har- to integrate road, sea, air, freight, and national security and human rights. But ness its vast surveillance power to the postal information that is controlled by the United States and its tech compa- larger ideological project of the state, China’s Ministry of Transport. Chinese nies also have a checkered history with which combines authoritarianism with applications are also spreading fast. Tik- the very ideals they claim to uphold. To practical efficiency to meet the needs Tok has gone global, Alibaba is making prevent China’s techno-authoritarianism of the country’s vast populace. Ubiqui- inroads in Southeast Asia, and Tencent’s from gaining traction, the United States tous monitoring allows Beijing to con- WeChat is embedded in the Chinese must reverse course and start leading by trol its enormous bureaucracy, which is diaspora’s digital life. China’s model example: it must reform its own surveil- rife with local corruption and abuses of of Internet “sovereignty,” by which the lance practices, protect citizens’ privacy power. “The mountains are high and the state delimits and controls the Internet and security, and work with allies to set emperor is far away” has long been a within its borders, has inspired govern- rights-respecting global standards for for Chinese officials and citizens ments from Egypt to Thailand. tech firms to follow. dealing with central government edicts. But that relationship is changing. In The Chinese state owns some of these COERCION AND CONTROL 2019, the government required cadres to companies. Others are private compa- download the “Study Xi, Strong Nation” nies based in China that are highly sus- China’s domestic police agencies collect app, which made them study Xi Jinping ceptible to the Chinese government’s an extraordinary amount of data about Thought, answer quizzes, and compete pressure, censorship, and surveillance. people in order to monitor their activities in their understanding of official poli- Because China lacks the rule of law and and identify troublemakers. The state’s cies. President Xi’s signature poverty al- a free press, there is no easy way to ob- surveillance is particularly suffocating leviation campaign not only tasks cadres tain information from these companies in Xinjiang, where the authorities use with collecting detailed personal infor- or hold them accountable for abuses. mobile apps, biometric collection, arti- mation on poor people—including their In other words, the values of Beijing’s ficial intelligence, and big data, among income, disabilities, and bank account brand of authoritarianism permeate its other means, to control 13 million Tur- numbers, and the reasons for their pov- technosphere. Consistent with the gov- kic Muslims. erty—but also collects cadres’ GPS lo- ernment’s so-called win-win diplomacy, cations to ensure that they are diligently recipient countries receive systems that The mass surveillance programs in carrying out their responsibilities. promise control and efficiency. In return, Xinjiang are China’s most visible and China gains influence and data.

26 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 WORLD PRESS

LESSER OF TWO EVILS? how American companies can collect, Instead, the United States and like- analyze, and share personal data. Wash- minded governments should push for le- The United States has attempted to coun- ington should better protect biometric gally binding rules and other regulatory terpose its own technological ecosystem data—for example, it should consider interventions that holds tech companies to China’s, portraying the competition banning law enforcement from using fa- accountable to human rights standards, between the two as one between good cial recognition and strictly regulate the such as mandatory due diligence checks. and evil. The administration of former collection of sensitive personal informa- Washington should work with its al- U.S. President Donald Trump, for in- tion, including DNA, by the country’s lies to ensure that people in China and stance, created the so-called Clean Net- tech giants. It should also explore ways around the world have access to an In- work program, purportedly to protect to allow people to shape and control the ternet that is free from censorship and American users from the prying eyes use of their data. At the same time, U.S. surveillance—an alternative to China’s of “malign actors” such as the Chinese policymakers should consider escalating Digital Silk Road initiative. A demo- state. The program seeks to identify “un- actions against companies that contrib- cratic substitute for Huawei’s 5G should trusted” apps from China and route In- ute to China’s mass surveillance state. not be just any 5G company based in a ternet traffic and data storage away from The Global Magnitsky Act sanctions, democracy but one that meets human “untrusted” Chinese carriers, cables, which allow U.S. policymakers to sanc- rights standards itself. and clouds. U.S. companies, meanwhile, tion companies that abuse human rights, Washington and its allies should think pose as defenders of online security and could be useful in this regard and could ambitiously about how technology can democratic values. help delay the realization of China’s Or- reinvigorate democracies. For instance, wellian ambitions. they might invest in developing digital To much of the rest of the world, how- public squares—forums for public in- ever, this competition is little more than To enact long-term solutions to the prob- teraction and collaboration outside big evil versus evil. The U.S. government lem of techno-authoritarianism, Wash- tech’s social media platforms, which has also practiced mass surveillance; ington can’t go it alone. The United sow division and enable disinformation big U.S. technology companies have States should work with like-minded in pursuit of profits. The United States adopted a surveillance-based business governments in various technical stan- can take a page from Taiwan and Bar- model, exploiting people’s data in the dard-setting bodies such as the Interna- celona, where technology is augment- name of free service; and the Five Eyes, tional Telecommunication Union, which ing civic participation and democratic an intelligence coalition comprised of sets 5G standards. These governments, governance and may help craft a truly the United States and Australia, Canada, along with those that join new initiatives democratic techno-political system. New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, to create democratic technology alli- The U.S.-Chinese competition over has sought to undermine encryption by ances, should reject attempts to regulate technology could shape the future. If pressuring companies to give govern- based on vaguely formulated notions of Washington is serious about protecting ments backdoor access to all digital “ethics.” For instance, the Organization privacy and promoting human rights, it communications. In this dismal global for Economic Cooperation and Develop- should seize the initiative from China by race to the digital bottom, the biggest ment published hazy principles to guide upholding these standards for everyone losers are ordinary technology users all the use of artificial intelligence, such as who uses U.S. technology, domestically over the world. “autonomy,” “diversity,” and “fairness.” and around the world.

This contest between the United States and China is not simply a competition of technological prowess, as many ana- “If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another. lysts argue, but a battle over values. A convincing democratic alternative to If you wish to know that you are safe, cause another to know that the Chinese government’s model should require technological developments to they are safe. meet human rights standards, protect privacy, and foster public interest and If you wish to better understand seemingly incomprehensible civic participation. things, help another to better understand.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE If you wish to heal your own sadness or anger, seek to heal the sad- Washington can supply a genuine alter- ness or anger of another.” native to the encroachment of Chinese techno-authoritarianism, but only if it - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama first gets its own house in order. The United States should reform its national security surveillance laws and regulate

MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 27 WORLD PRESS China’s Plan For Mega Dam In Tibet Raises Concern In India

- AFP, 11 April 2021 downstream, said Eyler.

There are both ecological and political risks, noted Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, an environmental policy specialist at the Tibet Policy Institute, a think tank linked to the Tibetan government-in- exile based in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

“We have a very rich Tibetan cultural heritage in those areas, and any dam construction would cause ecological de- struction, submergence of parts of that The river, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan, is also home to 2 other projects far upstream. region,” he said. China is planning a mega dam in Tibet construction company specialising in able to produce triple the electricity hydroelectric projects. “Many local residents would be forced generated by the Three Gorges -- the to leave their ancestral homes,” he said, world’s largest power station -- stoking A month later the head of PowerChina, adding that the project will encourage fears among environmentalists and in Yan Zhiyong, partially unveiled the migration of Han Chinese workers that neighbouring India. project to the Communist Youth League, “gradually becomes a permanent settle- the youth wing of China’s ruling party. ment”. The structure will span the Brahmapu- tra River before the waterway leaves the Enthusiastic about “the world’s rich- “Water wars” Himalayas and flows into India, strad- est region in terms of hydroelectric re- dling the world’s longest and deepest sources”, Yan Zhiyong explained that India is also worried by the project. canyon at an altitude of more than 1,500 the dam would draw its power from the metres (4,900 feet). huge drop of the river at this particular The Chinese Communist Party is effec- section. tively in a position to control the origins The project in Tibet’s Medog County is of much of South Asia’s water supply, expected to dwarf the record-breaking “Really bad idea” analysts say. Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China, and is billed as able to Beijing may justify the massive project “Water wars are a key component of produce 300 billion kilowatts of electric- as an environmentally-friendly alterna- such warfare because they allow China ity each year. tive to fossil fuels, but it risks provoking to leverage its upstream Tibet-centred strong opposition from environmental- power over the most essential natural re- It is mentioned in China’s strategic 14th ists in the same way as the Three Gorges source,” wrote political scientist Brahma Five-Year Plan, unveiled in March at Dam, built between 1994 and 2012. Chellaney last month in the Times of In- an annual rubber-stamp congress of the dia. country’s top lawmakers. The Three Gorges created a reservoir and displaced 1.4 million inhabitants The risks of seismic activity would also But the plan was short on details, a time- upstream. make it a “ticking water bomb” for resi- frame or budget. dents downstream, he warned. “Building a dam the size of the super- The river, known as the Yarlung Tsang- dam is likely a really bad idea for many In reaction to the dam idea, the centre po in Tibetan, is also home to two other reasons,” said Brian Eyler, energy, water has floated the prospect of building an- projects far upstream, while six others and sustainability program director at other dam on the Brahmaputra to shore are in the works or under construction. the Stimson Center, a US think tank. up its own water reserves. The “super-dam” however is in a league of its own. Besides being known for seismic activ- “There is still much time to negotiate ity, the area also contains a unique biodi- with China about the future of the super- Last October, the Tibet local govern- versity. The dam would block the migra- dam and its impacts,” said Mr Eyler. “A ment signed a “strategic cooperation tion of fish as well as sediment flow that poor outcome would see India build a agreement” with PowerChina, a public enriches the soil during seasonal floods dam downstream.”

28 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2021 WORLD PRESS Counterterrorism Police ‘Clean Up’ After Tibetan Monk’s Death

- Human Rights Watch, 7 April 2021 Following the January 19 death in po- ans, carrying a large red flag and shout- to “strengthen key tasks to ensure social lice custody of a teenage Tibetan monk, ing battle-cries. stability in the near future.” Chinese authorities have commenced an operation to “clean up” Tibetan homes A local source says the commandos Since then, officials have announced that in the grassland town of Dza Wonpo, searched houses, including the home anyone possessing or displaying images Sichuan province. Tenzin Nyima died for older people, confiscated photos of of the Dalai Lama would be liable to from injuries he received while being the Dalai Lama, and put up portraits of criminal prosecution and would have to detained after participating in a peace- China’s leaders on the walls. Authorities repay in full any assistance or funds re- ful protest with three other monks. Now, detained several Tibetan residents who ceived from the government. At a public it seems, officials are looking to clamp had posted notes on social media ex- meeting on March 17, officials required down on any further information getting pressing concern about Tenzin Nyima’s attendees to sign a five-point document out. death. Their identities and whereabouts undertaking not to keep or distribute pic- are unknown. Local residents have also tures of the Dalai Lama and agreeing to The Snow Wolf Commandos, a unit of been required to download an app to “follow the Party and oppose any illegal the People’s Armed Police responsible their phones, giving officials access to activity.” for counterterrorism operations, arrived the user’s data. in Wonpo on March 5, ostensibly to visit Tibetans who distribute unofficial news a home for older people and clean up the This “clean-up” operation took place about their situation risk severe pun- residents’ rooms. one day after the county’s top official, ishment, especially if that information Communist Party Secretary Yang Ming- is sent outside the country. Apart from But video seen by Human Rights Watch guang, visited Wonpo to inspect “recent photos of police helping older citizens, also shows dozens of police and com- key tasks” in the town. Yang had given future news from Wonpo is likely to be mandos parading through the town of “in-depth guidance” to monks at the lo- scarce. about 3,000 residents, almost all Tibet- cal monastery and told the town’s police

Parliamentarians Gangri and Namgyal Qusar Sworn in

In accordance with Article 57, clause (I) (II) and Article 47 of the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile, Dep- uty Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok administered the oath of office to the new Parliament members Ven. Geshe Gangri of Domey Province and Mr. Namgyal Qusar of U-Tsang province for the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

Following the resignation of the Speaker Mr. Pema Jungney and former Parliamentarian Mr Lobsang Choejor of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the replacement of the Parliamentarians was made from a reserve waiting list maintained by the Central Tibetan Election Commission for the concerned constituency on the basis of the required minimum number of votes won by the candidates who did not make it to the Parliament during the last general election and who had the highest number of votes among those in the existing reserve list.

The swearing-in ceremony for the two Members of the Parliament was held, in the presence of the standing committee members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Parliamentary staff mem- bers, at the Tibetan Parliamentary secretariat on 14 April.

MARCH - APRIL 2021 TIBETAN BULLETIN 29 OBITUARY Central Tibetan Administration Mourns Demise of CTA Legal Advisor Late Shri J. M Mukhi The Tibetan Parliament also expressed Wednesday in Delhi. Representative its sadness and condolences at the de- Ngodup Dongchung and Secretary mise of Shri J M Mukhi. Dhondup Gyalpo of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi at- In a condolence letter addressed to J tended the ceremony and paid their re- M Mukhi’s wife Vijaya Mukhi on 26 spects. Coordinator Jigme Tsultrim and March, Speaker Pema Jungney wrote: staff of ITCO attended the prayer- ses sion antim ardas today. “We are deeply saddened to learn the de- mise of your beloved husband Advocate Mr Jai Mangharam Mukhi, born in 1928, of Indian Supreme Court late Shri. J.M completed his matriculation at the tender Mukhi Ji, a Former Legal Advisor for age of 13, then went on to study Law, the Tibetan Government in Exile since Political Science, International Law and the 1970s.” International Relations at the Univer- sity of Bombay, the London School of Senior Supreme Court Advocate, former Legal “He has been a prominent Lawyer in the Economics, and the University of Cam- Advisor to Ministry of External Affairs and CTA Indian Community and also helped the bridge, Corpus Christi College. He was legal advisor, Shri J.M. Mukhi (1928-2021) Tibetans through his profession. Partic- called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s The President of Central Tibetan Ad- ularly, He assisted the Tibetan Supreme Inn. Mr Mukhi was the Chair of a UN ministration Dr Lobsang Sangay offered Justice Commission in the early days of Committee that investigated the infiltra- his condolence on the demise of Senior establishment in exile with the forma- tion of the Viet Cong into South Vietnam. Supreme Court Advocate, former Legal tion of the laws and rules.” Later he was appointed Legal Counsel to Advisor to Ministry of External Affairs assist India at the International Court of and CTA legal advisor, Shri J.M. Mukhi, “Late Advocate J.M Mukhi trained Justice after India was sued by Portugal on 25 March. Shri Mukhi passed away many Tibetan lawyers and many Tibetan for the passage of rights into Goa, a case on 22 March. lawyers had the privilege of doing in- that India won. Mr Mukhi was invited ternship under his expertise. He also as- to write the first Constitution for Ghana “It is with profound sadness that we sisted many high-level CTA cases. We after its independence in 1963, which mourn the passing away of Mr J.M. are grateful and indebted for all the sup- was selected over several other options. Mukhi, a legal luminary of global repute port and assistance that he has rendered However, one of Mr Mukhi’s deepest and a lifelong friend and supporter of towards us.” love and most abiding concern was for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet- the Tibetan people, and he assisted the an people,” said President Dr Lobsang “Our Parliament delegation had the priv- Bureau on a range of legal matters. In Sangay. ilege to meet Advocate Shri J.M Mukhi 2016, Mr Mukhi was the inspiration in several times in Delhi. On behalf of setting up a Scholarship for Tibetan stu- “On behalf of the Central Tibetan Ad- the 16th Tibetan Parliament in Exile, I dents to study as visiting members at the ministration and the Tibetan people, would like to convey my deepest condo- University of Oxford, UK. I offer our heartfelt condolences to his lences and prayers for the departed soul. family and friends.” I send you and your family strength dur- Mr Mukhi passed away on Monday, 22 ing this difficult time.” March and is survived by his beloved For decades on, Mr Mukhi Ji assisted wife, three children, and four grandchil- the Central Tibetan Administration on a Late Mr Mukhi was cremated this dren. range of legal matters as its legal advisor and remained one of the longest support- ers of the Tibetan cause. He was also a “On some days I think it would be better if there were no religions. All re- father figure for countless Tibetan stu- ligions and all scriptures conceal the potential for violence. That is why we dents pursuing a career in law whom he need secular ethics beyond all religions. It is more important for schools to mentored and guided as his own. have classes on ethics than religion. Why? Because it’s more important for humanity’s survival to be aware of our commonalities than to constantly “Mr Mukhi’s support to the Tibetan emphasize what divides us.” cause and the people has been long- standing and will always be remembered - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama by the Tibetan people with the deepest affection and gratitude,” Dr Sangay said.

30 TIBETAN BULLETIN SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020 Tibetan Media Sheja (Official Tibetan monthly) Tibet Bulletin (Official Chinese bi-monthly) Department of Information & International Department of Information & International Relations, Dharamshala-176215, HP, India Relations, Dharamshala-176 215, HP, India Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.bod.asia Web: www.xizang-zhiye.org

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QUOTES

“At a fundamental level, we are all the same as human beings. There may be minor differences of the colour of our skin, the shape of our eyes or the size of our noses— but when it comes to our emotions and our consciousness, we are the same”

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a virtual conversation with guests of the French ‘Be the Love’ programme and the Canadian ‘One Better World Collective’ on April 12, 2021.

“Sometimes our sense of concern for the wider community has declined and we have focussed on a narrower group in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’. This has led us to fight and kill each other. But today there are no grounds for thoughts of ‘us’ and ‘them’. All seven billion of us not only have to live together, we have to help each other. It’s not about God or the Buddha, it means regarding all human beings as our brothers and sisters. It’s about cultivating warm-heartedness”

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to the virtual audience from the Baltic States from his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 2, 2021.

“We stand united with our brothers and sisters in Tibet, especially with the political prisoners who remain resolute despite the inhumane treatment and torture they suffer in Chinese prisons. We welcome the recent news of the release of Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wangchuk after a five-year sentence. We call on the Chinese government to release all the political prisoners of conscience, including the 11th Panchen Lama”

- CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay in the Kashag’s official statement to commemorate the 62nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day on 10 March 2021.

Edited by Jamphel Shonu Printed and Published by the Secretary, Department of Information & International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala - 176215, H.P, INDIA Printed at Narthang Press, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala - 176215, H.P, INDIA