The Tibet Museum Newsletter
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VOLUME XI ISSUE II JANUARY 2017 THE TIBET MUSEUM NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE Gyalwang Karmapa safeguarding Tibet’s fragile ecology for Rinpoche Inaugurates the benefit of all sentient beings. Gyalwang Karmapa Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo spoke Rinpoche Inaugurates Grassland – A Photo about the deteriorating environmental Grassland – A Photo Exhibition at the Tibet situation in the Tibetan plateau Exhibition including the desertification of the Page 01 Museum rich and verdant grasslands of Tibet. The Tibet Museum December 14, 2016 “Tibet is the roof of the world and the Revisits the Cultural Gyalwang Karmapa Ogen Trinley water tower of Asia, as it’s the source Revolution with a Photo Dorjee Rinpoche visited the Tibet of the major rivers of Asia. However, Exhibition Museum to grace the inauguration of the environmental situation inside Page 02 a new temporary exhibition entitled Tibet has been degrading under the Sikyong Inaugurates Grassland. The exhibition features Chinese government’s failed policies. Photo Exhibition at a compilation of images of Tibetan Therefore, we all have a responsibility Bodh Gaya pastoral nomads and grasslands to do something to safeguard Tibet’s Page 03 captured by distinguished Tibetan environment.” The CTA Initiates photographer Mr. Kunchok Gyaltsen. “Thank You India” Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo and Photographer Kunchok Gyaltsen Programs Ms. Tenzin Dhardon Sharling, two said that the idea behind the photo Page 03 Secretaries of the DIIR, also attended exhibition was to effectively portray Exhibition at Bhopal, the inauguration ceremony. the lives and the unique lifestyles of Madhya Pradesh the people who are still inside Tibet Page 04 In his inaugural remarks, Gyalwang so that others may be touched and get Revisiting the “Cultural Karmapa Rinpoche recalled his inspired to go and see the situation Revolution” in Tibet childhood in a nomadic family and themselves. Grassland is an initiative Page 05 lauded the photographer for his by the photographer to portray the Tibet Awareness Talk earnest efforts to capture the essence precariousness of Tibetan religion, Series of Tibet through photography. He language, customs and environment Page 07 also emphasised the importance of through the agency of photography. The Tibet Museum Newsletter is published bi-annually and welcomes articles, letters, photos and related materials that are relevant to the Tibetan culture and history. Articles may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] Edited by: Helmut Obermeir and Tashi Phuntsok Published by: Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche (c) addressing the gathering during the inaugural session The Tibet Museum, DIIR of temporary exhibition entitled Grassland, by Kunchok Gyaltsen, at the Tibet Museum Page 1 THE TIBET MUSEUM NEWSLETTER within the party, but in Tibet, the Cultural Revolution was aimed to destroy Tibet’s religion, culture and identity. When the Cultural Revolution ended with Mao’s death in September 1976, more than 6,000 Tibetan monasteries and religious institutes were laid in ruins. Millions of ancient Buddhist manuscripts were burned and holy statues made of gold, silver and bronze were removed from the temples and shipped to China.” Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok addressing the inaugural ceremony of the photo exhibition entitled Revisiting the Cultural Revolution in Tibet Following the inaugural ceremony, a panel discussion The Tibet session; name change; the was held during which elderly creation of a new god and the Tibetans who had suffered Museum Revisits destruction of monasteries. through the Revolution in Tibet shared their experiences and the Cultural While addressing the gathering, discussed the impacts of the Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok said, Revolution with a Cultural Revolution. The “The exhibition highlights the discussion was led by three Photo Exhibition Cultural Revolution in Tibet as it panellists: Mrs. Mewo Gonpo Tso, October 28, 2016 has been one of the worst failures former member of the Tibetan The Tibet Museum launched a since the formation of People’s Parliament-in-Exile, former four-month-long exhibition to Republic of China (PRC). They CTA staff-member Mr. Lobsang raise awareness about the ten- have decimated thousands of Yonten and Mr. Phurba Tsering year-long Cultural Revolution Tibetan monasteries and learning Topgyal, and was moderated by in Tibet and its ramifications centres in Tibet. However, in Mr. Sherab Woeser, Researcher, on Tibetan culture and religion. exile, we have been able to revive Tibet Policy Institute. Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok of most of the religious and cultural the Department of Religion centres destroyed during the and Culture inaugurated the Cultural Revolution. Some of exhibition. The inaugural them have progressed into much- ceremony was also attended advanced learning centres.” by Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary for International In her address, Information Relations, DIIR, Mr. Thubten Secretary Ms. Tenzin Dhardon Samphel, Director of TPI and Ms. Sharling said that persecution of Dhardon Sharling, Secretary for Tibetan culture, language and Information, DIIR. religion is still prevalent in Tibet, even after the end of the Cultural The new temporary exhibition, Revolution. entitled Revisiting the Cultural Revolution in Tibet, documents In his introductory remarks, the the ten-year-long Cultural director of the Tibet Museum, Information Secretary Ms. Tenzin Revolution along six thematic Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, said, “The Dhardon Sharling delivering lines: the beginning of the Cultural Revolution in China was speech at inauguration of photo revolution; the destruction of the unleashed by Mao to eliminate exhibition entitled Revisiting the Jokhang Temple; the struggle his enemies and reshape relations Cultural Revolution in Tibet Page 2 VOLUME XI ISSUE II JANUARY 2017 cities in India. The program was offered in appreciation of the good relationship between India and Tibet, and to inform the Indian population on the current situation inside Tibet and on Tibetan life in exile. The Tibet Museum, the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) and the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) jointly organized the events. Sonipat, Haryana August 29, 2016 (L-R) Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, The first “Thank You India” Chief Justice Commissioner Mr. Kargyu Dhondup being led through the program was organized in O. P. photo exhibition by the Tibet Museum Director Mr. Tashi Phuntsok Jindal Global University (JGU), Turning to Self-immolation?, Sonipat, Haryana. The day- Sikyong were showcased during the long program featured photo Inaugurates Tibet thirteen-day exhibition. The exhibitions from the Tibet exhibition aimed to provide Museum on the life and messages Museum’s Photo factual information on Tibet of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Exhibition at Bodh through photographs to and on India-Tibet relations, a the devotees attending the screening of a documentary film Gaya Kalachakra initiation given by on Tibet and a discussion-cum- January 3, 2017 His Holiness the Dalai Lama. conference on Tibet between Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay TPI researchers and Indian inaugurated the Tibet Museum’s Thousands of devotees includ- scholars. Invitees to the day- photo exhibition on His Holiness ing Tibetans, local Indians, long events included honoured the Dalai Lama’s life and messages foreigners and people from the guest Professor C. Raj Kumar, and Tibet’s contemporary Himalayan regions thronged Vice Chancellor of O. P. Jindal history in Bodh Gaya, Bihar from in large number to see the rare University, the deans of the January 2-14, 2017, during the photo exhibition and expressed Jindal School of Liberal Arts and 34th Kalachakra Initiation. The their support and admiration for Humanities and the Jindal School inauguration was also attended the Tibetan people and its non- of International Affairs, as well as by Mr. Kargyu Dhondup, Chief violent struggle for freedom. professors and students of the Justice Commissioner of the university. Later in the evening, Tibetan Supreme Justice a public talk was held on “Tibet’s Commission, Khenpo Sonam The CTA Initiates role in Sino-India Relations,” Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan “Thank You India” during which distinguished Parliament-in-Exile and Kalon Indian leaders, including Mr. R. Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok of Programs in Three K. Khrimey, National Convener the Department of Religion and Indian Cities of Core group for Tibetan Cause- Culture, CTA. As a show of gratitude to the India; Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, Dean, people and government of India Jindal School of International Three different exhibits, entitled for their generous hospitality and Affairs; Shri Joginder Singh Biography of His Holiness continued support since 1959, the Dahiya, Chairman, Kharkhoda the Dalai Lama, A Long Look Central Tibetan Administration Block Congress, Sonipat and Homeward and The Burning initiated a series of “Thank You Shri Dharampal Dahiya, Vice Question: Why are Tibetans India” programs in three major Chairman, Sonipat District Page 3 THE TIBET MUSEUM NEWSLETTER and a brief prayer ceremony to pay homage to the 144 Tibetans who have self-immolated for the cause of Tibet since 2009. The event was attended by Shri R.K. Khrimey, National Convener, Core group for Tibet Cause; Shri Arvind Nikose, National Co-Convener; Shri Sandesh Meshram, Regional Convener of Maharashtra; Mr. Karma Gelek, Member of Tibetan Parliament- Chief guest Dr. M.K Muneer, MLA and former Minister for Social Welfare, in-Exile and Mr. Karma Dhargyal,