TIBETAN BulletiN The Official Journal of the Central Tibetan Administration

Volume 23 - Issue 2 MArch - April 2019 Focus

Our Presence Here is Testament that the Spiritual Struggle for Free Tibet Lives On and Victory is Certain: Former Botswana President Ian Khama

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Feature

‘The world needs SEE learning more than ever’: Founders of SEE learning at Global launch of SEE Project

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World Press

Why is China so terrified of Tibetan language classes?

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

FOCUS TIBETAN 11 Our Presence Here is Testament that the Spiritual Struggle for Free Tibet Lives On and Victory is Certain: Former Botswana President Ian Khama BULLETIN Tibetan Bulletin is an offi cial bi-monthly 13 Statement of HE Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Former President of journal of the Central Tibetan Administration. Botswana on the 60th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day

15 Honouring 60 Years of Tibetan Nonviolent Struggle, World Leaders call China to Embrace Dalai Lama and Middle Way Approach

FEATURE

19 His Holiness the Dalai Lama Converses with Members of Club 1880 Signed articles or quotations do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Central 20 SEE Learning: The Dalai Lama’s Gift to Humanity Tibetan Administration.

21 ‘The world needs SEE learning more than ever’: Contributions are welcome and may be Founders of SEE learning at Global launch of SEE Project addressed to the editor, Tibetan Bulletin. However the publisher regrets its inability 22 ‘Taking Care of Others is Taking Care of Yourself’: to return unused articles unless they are His Holiness Concludes Workshop on SEE Learning accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with adequate postage. 23 His Holiness the Dalai Lama Addresses Youth Global Leaders Tibetan Bulletin is distributed free of charge. To subscribe please email the circulation manager or see back cover.

Editor WORLD PRESS Tenzin Saldon Email: tibetpressoffi [email protected] 25 Why is China so terrifi ed of Tibetan language classes? Asst. Editor Tenzin Phende By Sang Jieja Layout & Design 26 China’s Cultural Revolution Might Soon Reappear in Tibet Tenzin Phende

By Flora Yan, The Epoch Times Circulation Manager Norbu Wangdue 28 After 60 years in exile, Dalai Lama’s still remembered in his homeland Email: [email protected] Tibetan Bulletin is published by: By Christopher Bodeen Washington Post Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala - 176 215 H.P. India Tel: +91-1892-222510 / 222457

Vol. 23 Issue 2 reGulars MARCH-APRIL 2019 News From Tibet & Exile ...... 4 Contact ...... 31 Quotes ...... 32 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE As Tibetans mark 30th birthday of Panchen Lama in Absentia, China is urged to release the 2nd highest Tibetan Spiritual Leader held captive for 24 years The rightful 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet, Kunzik Gedhun Choekyi Nyima must be released and enthroned at his seat at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet, President Dr Lobsang Sangay said today.

In a solemn ceremony at the headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, hundreds of Tibetans and supporters marked the 30th birth-anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama in absentia.

The second highest spiritual leader of the Tibetans after the Dalai Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted by the Chinese authorities on 17 May 1995, just three days after His Holiness the Dalai Lama declared him to be the reincarnated Panchen Lama. He has not President Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing the celebration of the 30th birth anniversary of the 11th Panchen been heard from since. Lama and gratitude to the 10th Panchen Lama at Tsuglagkhang, 25 April 2019. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was six years until his last breath. At the tender age of every Tibetan is an inspiration to all.” old then and remains today the youngest 24, he showed courage and submitted political prisoner in the world. the 70,000-Character Petition to Zhou In his categoric remarks, the Tibetan Enlai and other top Chinese leaders. president strongly criticised the Chinese The ceremony organised by the Central The petition recorded the atrocities government for brazen interference in Tibetan Administration also honoured suffered by Tibetans and the destruction the centuries-old Tibetan tradition of the legacy of the 10th Panchen Lama, unleashed on the Land of Snows since reincarnation particularly of the Dalai Lobsang Trinley Lhundrup Choekyi its invasion by the Peoples’ Liberation Lamas and Panchen Lamas and stated Gyaltsen. Army,” he said. that China had no legitimate authority over religious and spiritual affairs of the On May 18, 1962, the 10th Panchen Tibetan people. Lama presented to Mao Zedong and other Chinese leaders the 70,000 “It is absolutely ridiculous and Character Petition, a document that unacceptable for an offi cially atheist thoroughly assessed the nature of government and one with history of Chinese occupation in Tibet and outrageous persecution of religious, elaborately explained the Tibetan linguistic and basic rights of the Tibetan people’s grievances and suggested people to interfere in the centuries-old measures to uplift them from political Tibetan Buddhist religious tradition of President Dr Lobsang Sangay at the special photo repression. The petition also exposed reincarnation,” he said. exhibition on Panchen Lama showcased by the the Chinese government’s use of routine Tibet Museum, DIIR,. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA propaganda regarding revolution, He appealed the international community President Dr Sangay remembered the liberation, democratic reform and the to press China to ensure true freedom of great 10th Panchen Lama as a true so-called ‘socialist paradise’ as “pure religion and belief in Tibet and release martyr of Tibet who till his last breath deception.” the authentic 11th Kunsik Panchen committed to serving the aspirations of Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima as a the six million Tibetans and the noble Dr Sangay further said: “The 10th gesture of its true commitment towards wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Panchen Lama’s lifelong mission safeguarding freedom of religion and to protect and promote the spiritual, belief in Tibet. “The 10th Kunsik Panchen Lama fought political, social and economic wellbeing for the freedom and welfare of Tibetans of his beloved people and to fearlessly stand up for the freedom and dignity of

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 3 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE As per His Holiness’ In view to further strengthen Kashag’s Detained Former steadfast commitment in recognising vision, Kashag and empowering Tibetan women and Tibetan Political enabling them to fully participate and committed to promote contribute towards the advancement of Prisoner Secretly Tibetan women as Tibetan society, a series of initiatives Sentenced to 18 Years, were launched within the Tibetan contributors to peaceful community. Wife to 2 Years leadership in 21st As part of its commitment to women century empowerment, CTA organised the ‘First Women’s Empowerment Conference’ in February 2017 at Dharamshala. The conference brought together around 300 participants, both women and men, from across the spectrum to discuss on Tibetan governance and leadership, mainstreaming gender perspective into the development process, social empowerment, and sexual and gender- CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at based violence. the general meeting organised by the Women’s empowerment desk, 12 March 2019. Photo/Tenzin To better enable Tibetan women to fully Jigme/DIIR contribute to the Tibetan society and the “The 15th Kashag’s Women world, the 15th Kashag led by President Empowerment Policy is committed to Dr Sangay revised the existing Tibetan realising His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Women Empowerment Policy which vision for Tibetan women as contributors was fi rst introduced in 2008 by the 13th Lodoe Gyatso, alias Sogkhar Lodoe. to global and peaceful leadership in the Kashag. News emerges from Tibet that Chinese 21st century,” said President Dr Lobsang authorities have sentenced Lodoe Sangay this Tuesday. Kalon Dr Pema Yangchen, Department Gyatso, a former Tibetan political of Education who also spoke at the prisoner, to 18 years in prison while his He was addressing a general meeting meeting, said women are successively wife has been given a two-year prison organised by the Women’s Empowerment advancing in all areas of society and term. Last year, on 28 January, Lodoe Desk of the Department of Finance, careers. Gyatso, alias Sogkhar Lodoe, staged Central Tibetan Administration. a peaceful solo protest in front of the She said women empowerment must Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet shouting Kalons of the Department of Religion fi rst come from full-embrace and slogans against Chinese government. and Culture, Finance, Education, celebration of women’s qualities of Security, Information & International compassion, empathy, loving-kindness. Lodoe Gyatso, 57, and his wife Gakyi Relations and Health presided over the She asked young women to own their were sentenced in secret in 2018 after his WED’s general meeting. successes and fi nd pride and confi dence 28 January protest, according to reliable as a woman with a key role in society. sources. News about the couple’s secret The meeting was organised to exchange sentences comes over a year after Lodoe ideas and solicit suggestions and The revised women empowerment Gyatso’s peaceful protest after which recommendations on the implementation policy outlines seven key points in Chinese authorities immediately arrested of the women’s empowerment policy its stated objective of making Tibetan him, leading to his arbitrary detention in formulated by the Central Tibetan women equal partners in all aspects Sog county, Nagchu Prefecture. Administration. of Tibetan society. The points include Women and human rights, Education, Gakyi, Lodoe Gyatso’s wife, has been “The implementation of gender equality Health, Economy, Governance and sentenced to two years allegedly for is embedded within all policies and rules Leadership, Social, and Sexual and fi lming the short video shot just before and regulations of CTA” President said. Gender-based Violence (SGBV). his protest. In that video, Lodoe Gyatso “Moreover the Administration maintains talks about his commitment for world a special focus on women empowerment peace and non-violence under the For detailed news visit: and leadership through the Women guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Empowerment Desk, Department of www.tibet.net Lama. The video reached Tibetans Finance.” in exile in early 2018 along with the

4 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 NEWS FROM TIBET & EXILE news of his peaceful solo protest and Former Tibetan the short video was shared widely on social media. Information about Gakyi’s Political Prisoner detention was not known earlier. Lekshey Thupten This would be the third time that Sogkhar Passed Away Lodoe, a renowned political prisoner, is sentenced by Chinese authorities. He was fi rst sentenced in 1993 to 15 years in prison for “intentional homicide” and an US Secretary of the State Michael R Pompeo additional six years after he led a protest meeting Nepal’s Foreign Minister Gyawali. inside Drapchi prison in 1995, calling Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal. for Tibet’s independence and the long Minister KP Sharma Oli on completion life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. of his fi rst year in offi ce. Local authorities attempted to procure execution order for Lodoe Gyatso after In his note to the PM, Secretary Pompeo the prison protest however, international made a special mention regarding Tibetan intervention resulted in the extension of refugees in Nepal and highlighted his sentence term. He was imprisoned Nepal’s reassurance to protect the rights for a total of 21 years in Drapchi prison of Tibetans in Nepal, particularly the in Lhasa and later at Chushur prison principle of non-refoulement. on the outskirt of Lhasa. While in prison, Sogkhar Lodoe was repeatedly “Recognizing your own experience as a Lekshey Thupten, a former Tibetan subjected to torture. He was released in political prisoner, I welcomed Foreign political prisoner has passed away concerning health in May 2013, only to Minister Gyawali’s reassurance that recently according to Tibetan news be put under house arrest for four more Nepal would continue to protect the media sources. He was around 50 years years until May 2017. rights of Tibetans in Nepal, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, old at the time of his death. Lodoe Gyatso and Gakyi are from which ensures that individuals will Lekshey Thupten was a monk at Nalanda Sogkhar village in Tsadog township, not be returned to a country where Monastery in Phenpo, Lhundrup County Sog county, Nagchu Prefecture in the they face serious threats to their life or in Lhasa. He was arrested in 1995 for “Tibet Autonomous Region”. their religious, cultural, and linguistic freedoms,” reads Pompeo’s statement. raising voice against the political re- education campaign enforced in his Nepal asked to honour Secretary Pompeo’s meeting with monastery. After his arrest, he was principle of “non- Nepal’s Foreign Minister Gyawali, sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. He which he notes in his remarks to Oli, spent fi rst two years of imprisonment in refoulement”: Tibetan took place in December 2018 at the Gutsa prison and was later transferred refugees should not be US State Department in Washington to the Drapchi prison, notorious for the DC. This was the fi rst bilateral meeting brutality infl icted on the inmates. returned where their between the two countries in the last 17 years. In the fi ve years of imprisonment, lives, religion, culture, Lekshey Thupten underwent inhuman language is threatened Signaling a renewed commitment to treatment and torture, both physical foster a partnership with Nepal, Pompeo and mental resulting in his frail health The US Secretary of the State asked urged the Nepal PM to participate in at the time of release in 2000 according the Nepal government to honour the the Indo-Pacifi c strategy launched by to sources. Former political prisoners principle of “non-refoulement”, a the US to ensure a free and open Indo- continue to suffer even after their cornerstone of international refugee Pacifi c region stating that the strategy is release. law whereby asylum seekers or in Nepal’s interest. refugees can’t be forced to return to a The frequent deaths of former Tibetan country where they can be subjected to political prisoners due to ill-health persecution. resulting from the torture suffered by them in the prison is a prevailing According to a press release issued by concern. Due to intensive information the US Embassy to Nepal, US Secretary blockade and censorship exercised by of State Michael R Pompeo wrote a China, it is very diffi cult to ascertain the congratulatory letter to Nepal’s Prime details of such deaths.

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 5 DOCUMENTATION Statement of the President of the Central Tibetan Administration on the 60th Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day Tibetan people’s cultural and linguistic As a resentment to these harsh and rights as enshrined in the PRC’s own repressive policies, 153 Tibetans have Constitution. Recently, China has also self-immolated since 2009 with the most banned Tibetan children from attending recent one committed by a 23-year-old informal language classes held at their man named Dopo on November 4, 2018. local monasteries. While committing self-immolation, the protestors have called to restore As a prelude to its ambition to control freedom for Tibetans and the return of the global surveillance network, China His Holiness to Tibet. When the People’s Liberation Army uses Tibet as a testing ground for high- (PLA) of China fi rst marched into tech surveillance methods. Using a Freedom House has listed Tibet as the Tibet, they promised to build “One “grid system of social management,” world’s second least free region for the Road” which would bring “peace and the Communist Party strengthens last four consecutive years. Likewise, prosperity” for the Tibetan people. its Orwellian control over both the Reporters Without Borders expressed However, once the Road was completed, electronic and physical surveillance “outrage over the systematic violation the PLA’s tanks, guns and more soldiers of Tibet. Additionally, since 2008, of press freedom” and has stated that it came and occupied the entire Tibetan road blocks and check points have is harder for journalists to get access to Plateau. increasingly dotted all major roads in Tibet than to North Korea. urban areas as well as in remote areas of Sixty years ago, on this very day in the Tibetan Plateau. Chinese authorities My Tibetan brothers and sisters around 1959, the Tibetan people rose up against have assigned at least one offi cer for the world, in spite of living through the the occupying Chinese army. With their every 20 Tibetans in the so-called darkest period in our history, we have fi sts raised in the air, our brothers and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). In stood together in unity and achieved a sisters marched together to make it a dystopian world it has created, often great many things against all odds. Our clear that the Land of Snow is a Tibetan a son is pitted against his father, a journey over the past six decades has territory. “Tibet belongs to Tibetans,” daughter against her mother, and sibling also been that of hope, resilience, and they shouted. Standing steadfast in against sibling. resistance. unity, they protected and ensured the safety of our root guru, our tsawai lama, Commonly known as the “Third Pole”, Beginning in the early 1950s in Eastern His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama. the Tibetan Plateau holds the world’s Tibet, each of China’s tyrannical policy largest reservoir of glaciers apart has been met with resolute defi ance. Over the last six decades, the government from the two poles. Tibet, therefore, The Tibetan National Uprising in in Beijing has brutally repressed the is the source of some of the largest March 1959; brave resistance in Tibetan people, denied us our basic rights rivers in Asia with over one billion prisons and concentration camps in the and has consistently pursued systematic people depending on these waters. 1960s and 1970s; and the large-scale policies to crackdown on Tibetan Consequently, rising temperatures demonstrations in the 1980s have all language, culture, unique identity, and on the high plateau endangers the shown that the Tibetan people have spiritual practices. In essence, China has livelihood of hundreds of millions of consistently and collectively fought for deliberately aimed to eradicate Tibet’s people in Asia and also negatively their rights, freedom, and justice. civilization from the face of this earth. amplifi es global climate change. China’s deeply fl awed environmental policies In 2008, the whole world witnessed a new In this year’s annual report, Human have already turned the Tibetan Plateau generation of Tibetans in a nationwide Rights Watch states that the Chinese into destructive mining hubs, and the uprising against the Chinese occupation authorities have used a “nationwide anti- unbridled damming of rivers makes the and ignited a spark of unwavering crime campaign to encourage people to situation even more dangerous. courage to assert for their identity and denounce members of their communities dignity. They declared: “Our voices will on the slightest suspicion of sympathy” The assaults on Tibet and her people have not be suppressed; our commitment for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. always been multi-pronged. Over two will not falter.” This resolute resistance million Tibetans, particularly nomads, continues. Furthermore, crackdown on human have been forcibly removed from their rights defenders has intensifi ed in ancestral land and relocated into large- Similarly, in exile, we have not only recent years. Language advocate scale ghettos without any alternative rebuilt ourselves but also become a Tashi Wangchuk is currently serving opportunities to lead a dignifi ed and successful and thriving community. an arbitrary fi ve-year jail sentence. traditional life. When our grandfathers and grandmothers His only crime was advocating for the fi rst arrived in India 60 years ago, their 6 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 DOCUMENTATION fate was uncertain and their future Party Parliamentary TSG comprising to the outside world and the Tibetan unknown. But under the guidance of of 90 members. Similarly, the Czech community in exile. Hence, we must His Holiness the Dalai Lama, they re- Parliamentary Group for Tibet is remain vigilant. established themselves. Shovel by shovel the largest in Europe with over 50 and brick by brick, they built schools, representatives from both the Chamber The Chinese government assumes monasteries, nunneries, and settlements. of Deputies and the Senate. that the issue of Tibet will fade with Families formed communities to sow time. But our experience of over half- seeds of hope in their corn fields. Men In 2018, some of the most powerful a-century makes us believe otherwise. and women renewed their skills to Member States at the UN Human Rights The young Tibetans in Tibet experience weave carpets and pave a better future Council called upon China to stop the repression and resistance, whereas, for their children. gross human rights violations in Tibet. young Tibetans live in exile and learn We are both inspired and encouraged about freedom and democracy. Together, Through these institutions and by support for Tibet from countries like the young generation in Tibet and in communities, we have managed to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, exile are determined in seeking truth and restore and revive our language, culture Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, justice. This new generation of Tibetans and most importantly, our identity. New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the is committed to preserving their unique The depth of our history, traditions, United Kingdom, and the United States identity and pursuing their dignity. They spirituality and determination enabled at China’s Third Cycle of Universal are prepared to carry forward the baton us to transform our narrative from that Periodic Review. of the struggle until the Tibet issue is of victims to survivors. The strength of resolved. Ultimately, it is for the Tibetan our cause and our ability to efficiently Just as importantly, in December people to decide their own destiny and implement development programmes last year the United States took an that of Tibet. over the decades have won us continued unprecedented step by passing the support and admiration from our friends, Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act. This To honour and offer our deep gratitude supporters, and aid groups around the bi-partisan law denies entry to America for the support we have received for the globe. to Chinese officials deemed responsible last 60 years, the Kashag dedicated 2018 for restricting American officials’ as the “Year of Gratitude.” Accordingly, Under His Holiness’ leadership, the and journalists’ access to Tibet. The we began with “Thank You, India” and Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President of the United States further ended with “Thank You, America” with has evolved into a robust democracy in strengthened support for Tibet with programmes in many other countries exile based on the rule of law, gender the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, in between to express our profound equality and universal suffrage. In 2011, which secures special economic support appreciation to old and new friends of His Holiness devolved his political to promote and preserve Tibetan Tibet. I once again want to convey our authority to a democratically-elected culture, education, and environmental sincere thank you to our dear friends in leader. The CTA today represents the conservation as well as sustainable India and all around the world. aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet development. and Tibetans-in-exile scattered over 40 My friends, the tragic case of Tibet is a countries around the world. It oversees We are aware that the Chinese government stark reminder of how much work is left 71 Tibetan settlements; 276 monasteries pays only lip service to words like “co- to be done. Sixty years of the occupation and nunneries, 68 schools – having a operation” and “dialogue”. If indeed it of Tibet and the repression of Tibetans is literacy rate higher than many countries earnestly believes that “co-operation far too long. in South-and Southeast Asia – hospitals, can bring world peace,” it should clinics, and old age homes. All of these renew its dialogues with the envoys of To ensure that Tibet’s freedom struggle institutions and centres cater to the needs His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As we marches forward, the Kashag today of Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal, and have stated repeatedly, the envoys are officially declares 2019 as the “Year Bhutan. Our thirteen Offices of Tibet ready to talk and peacefully resolve the of Commitment.” I want to call upon serve as official liaison channels in as issue of Tibet through the Middle Way freedom-loving people of the world to many countries. Approach. commit to end oppression in Tibet and to commit to fight against impunity. However, our success is not confined Instead of looking to end the 60 years To Tibetan people everywhere, let us to our communities alone. The Tibetan of repression in Tibet, the Chinese continue our commitment to struggle for freedom movement has garnered government has come out with a “Zero justice. Let us continue to strengthen our insurmountable international support and 100 strategy.” Under this new resilience so we can be united with our with Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) in strategy, zero news from international brothers and sisters in Tibet in freedom. 54 different countries and 40 countries media and exile Tibetans will be Let us commit to the return of His hosting Parliamentary Support Groups. allowed into Tibet and projects 100 Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama to Today, Japan hosts the largest All- percent official propaganda about Tibet the Potala Palace in Lhasa – where he rightfully belongs. MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 7 DOCUMENTATION Statement of the President of the Central Tibetan Administration on the 60th Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day of Tibet was left with no other rising crescendo of defi ance and protest. option but to issue proclamations The communist Chinese government concerning the so-called 17-Point responded with more controls and Agreement over the period of 24th to repression and, in fact, began to target 26th September in 1951. In Lhasa, the not only the Tibetan government itself Tibetan government suggested that the but also the personal safety of His communist Chinese government accept Holiness the Dalai Lama. With regard to three conditions if it was to endorse the Tibetan people living in Amdo and the so-called 17-Point Agreement. The Kham provinces, the living conditions Today is a day of great importance, government of Tibet at Lhasa proposed had already been seriously affected marking the 60th anniversary of the that it will accept the agreement if as a result of various types of changes Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising the communist Chinese government in the name of reform introduced by against the Chinese occupation accepted these conditions. To this the the occupying communist Chinese authorities in our homeland. Chinese government representative government. Many centres of Tibetan responded that the question of uniting culture were destroyed. These led to a To begin with, the Communist Party of Tibetan areas should be decided after series of confl icts between the Chinese China newly established the People’s conducting a referendum among the and Tibetan peoples, resulting in large Republic of China on the 1st of October Tibetans in the provinces of Sichuan, numbers of Tibetan people being in 1949. Soon after that, the Chinese Gansu, Yunnan and Qinghai. Following killed or executed while many others occupying army intruded into Tibet, this development, a force of more than disappeared after they were taken away claiming to have come to liberate it. twenty-thousand troops of the Chinese and put in jail. The rising strength of And so began what turned out to be People’s Liberation Army marched the reverberation of the Tibetan protests China’s occupation and annexation of into Central Tibet. This eventually led in those two provinces gradually the entire territory of Tibet. For a period to the falling of the entire territory of spread to Central Tibet and fi nally it of more than nine years since then, the Tibet under the control of the Chinese culminated into a massive outbreak of government of Tibet at that time and His People’s Liberation Army, leaving the national Tibetan uprising against the Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama embarked absolutely no avenue for the Tibetan side communist Chinese occupation on the on a series of efforts with the aim to to hold any sort of negotiation with the 10th March 1959 in Lhasa the capital reach a negotiated settlement with Chinese Communist Government. Left city of Tibet. The Chinese responded the communist Chinese government. with no other option and concerned very with such unimaginable brutality and However, without any consultation with much to prevent the Tibetan people from violence in their repression that it led or consent from His Holiness the Dalai being subjected to any sort of bloodshed to large numbers of Tibetan compatriots Lama and the government of Tibet, while hoping to make the most of the being killed, injured, taken to prisons, the communist Chinese government provisions that were suggestive of subjected to severe beating, and so on compelled under duress a delegation being benefi cial to the Tibetan side, His in a situation which resembled to them sent by the Tibetan government, led Holiness the Dalai Lama felt constrained the inescapable agony of suffering hell by Ngapo Ngawang Jigme, to sign on to offer his acceptance of the so-called on earth. And it has been 60 years since the 23rd of May in 1951 a document 17-Point Agreement. Meanwhile that tragic event took place. To all the referred to as the 17-Point Agreement. the number of troops of the Chinese heroic Tibetan men and women of This was a grossly unfair, totally one- People’s Liberation Army streaming patriotism of that time, as well as to all sided document which only took into into Tibet kept on increasing. In order those like them who have sacrifi ced their account the demands and interests of to feed the troops of the occupying life for the sake of the Tibetan nation and the communist government of China. army, the Chinese authorities forced the people in the years after that thus far, the Because of it, the delegation from the Tibetan people to hand in their stocks of entirety of the Tibetan people in Tibet government of Tibet made continued food grains to meet the large quantities it and in exile offer their commemoration efforts to reengage in discussions with needed. As a result, prices of food grains on this day, as well as solidarity with and the government of China. However increased ten-fold amid other kinds of condolences to all the fellow-Tibetan nothing came of it. Worse, the Chinese food crises as well. The developments people who even now continue to suffer government exerted pressure on the rendered the living conditions of the repression and torture under China’s government of Tibet, demanding that Tibetan people extremely precarious. brutal policies of repression. it issue a proclamation to express its All these developments contributed to acceptance of the so-called 17-Point an ever increasing resentment among Over the past 60 years following the Agreement. Eventually, however, the the Tibetan people who gave vent to 1959 Tibetan national uprising, the negotiating team from the government their pent up feeling of anger with a adherents of the communist Chinese

8 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 DOCUMENTATION ideology took violent occupation control with only courage and determination as deprived of their basic rights to freedom of the entire territory of Tibet and killed their weapon and without being daunted of movement and residence and to act as or directly caused the death of millions by any sort of fear. Buoyed by a spirit of they like in their interest. Rather, they of Tibetan people in untimely, unnatural oath-bound integral unity for the sake of have continued to remain under violent termination of their lives. With an Tibet’s precious religious traditions and repression of limitless brutality. aim to destroy the whole of Tibetan culture, language and so on, and driven nationhood and its natural and human by a design to revive and restore those With regard to the situation in exile resources, the government of China aspects that have seen a decline and to over the past 60 years, His Holiness initially launched a so-called democratic promote and carry forward those aspects the Dalai Lama has been preoccupied reform campaign in 1956. This was that have endured unblemished, the with great concern for the current and followed by the start of the Cultural Tibetan people in Tibet have continued enduring long-term wellbeing of Tibet Revolution in 1966. It later launched to carry on their movement. and its natural resources and inhabitants an economic opening up policy which since setting foot on Indian soil on the lasted from 1979 to 1985. The Chinese It was in this milieu that in 1987 the 31st of March in 1959. In order to find government eventually incorporated Tibetan people staged a large-scale a solution to this multitude of problems, Tibet in its economic Five-Year Plan demonstration with shouting of slogans His Holiness has confronted the policy Period system from the seventh plan in their capital Lhasa. The government of brutal violence of the communist period of 1986-1991. Under campaigns of China responded with extreme use Chinese government with the and policies of various types such as of brutal force. Many Tibetans were peacefulness of the nonviolent approach. these, China carried out the destruction arrested and the security measures were He set out to revive and restore those of a large number of Tibetan monastic greatly tightened. Besides, martial law aspects of the Tibetan culture which and other kinds of religious sites. It set was imposed on Tibet’s capital Lhasa had suffered decline and to preserve and the Tibetan people against each other, in March 1989. Likewise, in 2008, promote those aspects that had continued making them to struggle against and kill Tibetans in more than ninety counties to thrive. And He strove to protect the each other. From 1968 to 1973, Tibet across the three traditional provinces of identity of the Tibetans as a people. For was hit by a severe famine, the like of Tibet, encompassing the Tibetan Plateau, all these purposes, His Holiness the which had never happened in the entire carried out a large-scale campaign Dalai Lama newly set up a democratic history of the nation. The government of protests against the repressive Central Tibetan Administration which of China left more than three hundred occupation rule of the communist incorporated all the three pillars of and forty thousand Tibetan people to Chinese government. At that time again, democracy. Along with it, His Holiness starve to death. It subjected the natural the government of China launched established Tibetan refugee settlements, environment of Tibet to such destruction a violent crackdown, killing many monastic institutions, and learning and plunder as to defy any concern for Tibetan people, leaving large numbers centres that imparted education in valuing their preservation. All sorts of other Tibetans injured. Many Tibetan modern knowledge and Tibetan culture. of coercive transformative changes people were punished with exemplary In these ways His Holiness engaged in were introduced which were entirely monetary fines while large numbers of undertakings that have been of enormous incompatible with the ground situation. others were put in jail. Since that time, service to the Tibetan nationhood and Millions of Chinese immigrants are the leaders of the communist Chinese culture. As a result of these endeavours, being encouraged to move into Tibet in government have continued to not only great many educated Tibetan youngsters efforts directed at making Tibet a colony totally ignore the interests and concerns could be nurtured in the exile set of the communist ruled China. To put it of the Tibetan people but have also up which has a great significance in succinctly, under its brutal occupation shown utter contempt for them. Because the efforts towards realizing the just rule, China has embarked on various of it, the Tibetan people’s protest took cause of the Tibetan nation and in the types of vicious policies designed to a new turn in 2009. Since then, a total preservation of the ethnic identity of the obliterate the Tibetan identity of the roof of 153 heroic Tibetan men and women Tibetan people. of the world through efforts to Sinicize have been driven by their patriotic it thoroughly. In order to accomplish fervour to immolate themselves in From about the year 1974, His Holiness and speed up this grand scheme, the peaceful protests against the communist the Dalai Lama has entertained a desire leadership of the government of China Chinese government. Among them a to resolve the Sino-Tibetan problem has kept on worsening the effectiveness total of 22 have either survived with through a negotiated settlement. And in and brutality of its policies in Tibet day serious injuries or remained disappeared 1979 China’s top leader Deng Xiaoping by day, thereby rendering the situation while the remaining 131 succumbed to put forward the point that anything ever more unbearable to our brethren their fiery protests, which is a matter of except independence could be discussed living in the territory. As a result, the great sadness to all of us. The essence about and resolved; and he said that the Tibetan people in all the three traditional of the matter is that since China carried door to negotiation was being kept open. provinces have carried out a series of out its armed invasion and occupation Accordingly, without any reference to upsurges of protests against the devious of Tibet more than 60 years ago, the Tibet’s past status and situation, with policies of the Chinese government, Tibetan people in Tibet have remained a view to find a solution to the urgent MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 9 DOCUMENTATION immediate problems affecting Tibet, and Many governments, parliaments, their new generation after these 60 years. with the hope for the development of a governmental and non-governmental We owe this mainly to the selfless efforts state of peaceful coexistence between bodies, and Tibet support groups as made at great personal sacrifices by His Tibet and china for the enduring future, well as international organizations and Holiness the Dalai Lama as well as the His Holiness adopted an exceedingly private individuals, including those in older generations of Tibetan people. open-minded approach. He explored all the United States of America, Europe, We accordingly take the opportunity possible avenues and means to find a and India, have extended support for provided by this occasion to offer to solution to the Sino-Tibetan dispute on the just cause of the Tibetan people them our heartfelt prayers of gratitude of the basis of a mutually beneficial middle and praised our struggle for freedom great immensity. way approach by holding direct talks by the method of nonviolence. Besides, with the Chinese government. However, Chinese intellectuals and democracy Language is the soul of a people. Peace the government of China then sought activists living overseas, as well as and nonviolence is the sole method for to turn the issue of Tibet into that of many educated Chinese with unbiased the realization of the just cause of the the personal status of His Holiness the perspective have expressed admiration Tibetan people. Hence it is incumbent on Dalai Lama. On other hand, it refuses and praise as well as extended support us to keep in heart whatever advices His to accept that there is any problem for the position adopted by the Tibetan Holiness the Dalai Lama has routinely concerning the situation in Tibet as a people. In related developments, United been providing us in terms of preserving whole that bears discussing. And so, Nations Organization bodies as well our ethnic identity, language, culture in that way, the government of China as parliaments of many countries have and so on. With this perspective in view, tried to keep whiling away time. It was been able to adopt a substantial number we should strive to carry forward those then that in 1987, in order to realize a of resolutions related to the issue aspects of our culture, language and so dialogue with China, His Holiness the of Tibet. With the aim to enable the on which continue to thrive and work to Dalai Lama presented a Five-Point facilitation of investigation of the ever revive and restore those aspects of them Peace Plan for Tibet that was mutually worsening critical situation in Tibet, the which are seen to have suffered a decline. beneficial to both the sides in an address United States Senate passed on the 11th For this purpose the concerned people before the Human Rights Caucus of the of December in 2018, a bill titled The in the Central Tibetan Administration, United States Congress. Later in 1988, Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act. This monastic institutions, schools, His Holiness elaborated on that plan in was followed, on the 19th of December governmental and non-governmental an address to the European Parliament in 2018, by the President of the United organizations and welfare groups, and in the French city of Strasbourg. The States of America signing the bill so that the settlements should make concerted mutually beneficial middle way policy it formally became the law of the land. efforts. Along with it, the monks and was on the 18th of September in 1997 We remain hopeful that as a result of nuns, students, and the public residing unanimously adopted by the Tibetan this new law, people in the outside world in the settlements should all shoulder Parliament in Exile. And in an effort will be able to gain a clear understanding their enjoined responsibilities without to ensure its effective implementation, of the situation in Tibet and there will any let down or shortcoming for as long nine rounds of talk and one informal be improvement in the situation of the as it takes without any loss of hope and consultation were held between envoys Tibetan people in Tibet. determination until the just cause of the of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan people prevails. We accordingly representatives of the government of Over the past 60 years, the communist appeal that this be continued to be China over a period which extended Chinese government has continued to carried out in a sustained manner. from 2002 to 2010. The talks could not adopt various types of vicious means be continued after 2010 due to lack of and methods in efforts directed at Likewise, apart from the government interest from the side of the government obliterating the nationhood of Tibet and and people of India, there have been of China. Nevertheless, His Holiness its natural resources and inhabitants to political leaders, legislative bodies, the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan the extent of aiming to render them non- organizations and groups, intellectuals, Administration continue to remain in existent on the global atlas. However, media professionals, general publics, a state of preparedness to hold talks the entire Tibetan people both in Tibet students, and ethnic Chinese people who with representatives of the government and in exile have made concerted, have continued to extend unequivocal of China any time the latter is ready. unrelenting efforts during that period support for the issue of Tibet. To all of Besides, the best possible way to resolve to continue their struggle for freedom them we take this opportunity to offer the issue of Tibet is to hold talks. We and to preserve their ethnic identity, our gratitude. therefore call on the government of language, culture, and moral principles. China to be appreciative of this reality As a result, the Tibetan nationhood, Finally, we pray that His Holiness the and accordingly make renewed efforts to religious traditions, political institutions, Dalai Lama may live for a hundred create the right environment for holding and ethnicity continue to thrive at this aeons and see all his wishes fulfilled with talks. time. They can be recognized as an spontaneity, with the just cause of Tibet achievement of the Tibetan people for being seen realized in all speediness.

10 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 FOCUS Our Presence Here is Testament that the Spiritual Struggle for Free Tibet Lives On and Victory is Certain: Former Botswana President Ian Khama In an unprecedented fi rst, the Kashag of Central Tibetan Administration convened a historic gathering of leaders from 11 nations, ten parliaments and 60-member Chinese intellectuals from Taiwan, proper China and abroad to mark the 60th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day.

Sixty years ago on this day in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, thousands of Tibetans- united by the indomitable Tibetan spirit- staged a defi ant, yet peaceful nationwide uprising against the illegal occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China. In the following days and weeks, the Chinese military brutally suppressed the peaceful uprising resulting in the death of tens of thousands of Tibetans. Former President of Botsawa His Excellency Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama addressing the offi cial commemoration ceremony of the 60th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day at Tsuglagkhang on This years’ and the 60th commemoration 10 March 2019, Dharamshala. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA of the Tibetan Uprising Day at the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Central Administration, continues to be based “It was for this reason that in 2017 when Tibetan Administration was graced on the “Middle Way” doctrine of non- I was still President of Botswana, we by His Excellency Dr Seretse Khama violence and dialogue ultimately aimed refused to give in to Chinese government Ian Khama, former President of the at reconciliation with the Chinese state pressure when they threatened us if Republic of Botswana and participated is truly remarkable given the extreme we failed to bar His Holiness the Dalai by a galaxy of Parliamentarians and repression Tibetans have endured, in Lama from entering Botswana. Chinese intellectuals from across the both the Maoist and post-Mao eras.” world. “Unfortunately, notwithstanding our “I welcome the fact that Central Tibetan principled stand, in the end, His Holiness “Our own presence here today is Administration has for its part actively the Dalai Lama was unable to attend the testament to the fact that while the March engaged the world community on gathering, which otherwise attracted 10 patriots were physically defeated, the environmental issues through Ten Point esteemed participants from the region spiritual struggle for a Free Tibet lives Action document, which urges the and beyond.” on in the hearts and minds not only of international community through the Tibetans at home and in exile, but also United Nations, as well as the Chinese In further rebuke, he said, “It therefore among growing numbers within the government, to focus on measures to defi es logic that some still believe that international community,” said the Chief protect it as the “Roof of the World” for his infl uence can be diminished by guest and former President of Botswana the good of humanity.” seeking to deny others the opportunity HE Seretse Khama Ian Khama speaking of his physical presence.” at the CTA’s offi cial ceremony earlier The former President delivered a sharp today. rebuke to China for charging threats “In this way, the persistent efforts to over the proposed but unsuccessful block the Dalai Lama from ever coming Extolling the Central Tibetan visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to to Africa have merely raised his profi le Administration’s Middle Way Approach Botswana in 2017. across our continent.” and its active global engagement on drawing attention to the severity of He said, “While the authorities in Beijing Concluding his address with what he environmental deterioration in Tibet, may have the power to suppress basic called “a message of hope for the people he said, “The fact that the Tibetan freedoms within their own jurisdiction of Tibet,” HE Khama said, “While your struggle, as refl ected in the teachings they should not be allowed to exercise own struggle has been long and painful, and diplomacy of His Holiness the the same repressive authority outside of you can take solace in the fact that in Dalai Lama, as well as manifested in the their borders including illegal territorial your hearts you remain undefeated, in political outreach of the Central Tibetan claims in the South China Sea.” your minds you are already liberated.

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 11 FOCUS With such a mindset and the power of Support Groups for the “insurmountable US Congress your collective determination, your own support”. He acknowledged the victory is ultimately certain.” Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) in 54 committed to securing different countries, 40 countries hosting “The struggle continues, but victory is Parliamentary Support Groups, Japan the human rights and certain and Power is ours.” as the host of the largest All-Party religious freedom for Parliamentary TSG comprising of 90 President Dr Lobsang Sangay, the members, the Czech Parliamentary people of Tibet says democratically elected leader of Tibetan Group for Tibet which is the largest in House Speaker Nancy people, strongly called out China for the Europe with over 50 representatives brutal repression of the Tibetan people from both the Chamber of Deputies and Pelosi and crackdown on Tibetan language, the Senate. Speaker of the US Congress, Hon Nancy culture, unique identity, and spiritual Pelosi released the following statement practices in the past 60 years. Aimed at sustaining and succeeding the in observance of the 60th anniversary Tibetan freedom struggle, the President of Tibetan Uprising Day, which “In essence, China has deliberately aimed offi cially declared 2019 as the “Year of commemorates resistance to occupation to eradicate Tibet’s civilization from the Commitment” at the ceremony. ” by Chinese government forces in Tibet face of this earth.,” he said. “Instead of on March 10, 1959: looking to end the 60 years of repression To ensure that Tibet’s freedom struggle in Tibet, the Chinese government marches forward, the Kashag today “Sixty years ago, the people of Tibet rose has come out with a “Zero and 100 offi cially declares 2019 as the “Year up against the Chinese government’s strategy.” Under this new strategy, zero of Commitment”. I want to call upon systemic repression and brutal attacks news from international media and exile freedom-loving people of the world to to defend their lives and liberty. Each Tibetans will be allowed into Tibet and commit to end oppression in Tibet and March 10th, we remember their bravery projects 100 percent offi cial propaganda to commit to fi ght against impunity. and determined spirit of those who about Tibet to the outside world and the To Tibetan people everywhere, let us fought and gave their lives, and we Tibetan community in exile. Hence, we continue our commitment to struggle for recommit to securing the promise of must remain vigilant.” justice. Let us continue to strengthen our human rights and religious freedom for resilience so we can be united with our the people of Tibet. To his countrymen and women, the brothers and sisters in Tibet in freedom. President said, “My Tibetan brothers Let us commit to the return of His “This year, we also mark 60 years since and sisters around the world, in spite Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama to His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced of living through the darkest period in the Potala Palace in Lhasa – where he into exile in India. Over the decades, the our history, we have stood together in rightfully belongs.” Dalai Lama has come to represent the unity and achieved a great many things spirit of resiliency of the Tibetan people, against all odds. Our journey over the Other distinguished guests who spoke and his transcendent message of hope past six decades has also been that of at the commemorative event are Hon continues to inspire all freedom-loving hope, resilience, and resistance.” Shri Shanta Kumar, former Chief people to champion the aspirations of Minister of Himachal Pradesh, sitting Tibetan men, women and children, and Member of Indian Parliament; Mr. their right to speak their language, teach Michael Brand, Member of the German their culture and practice their religion Bundestag; Mr Thomas Mann, Member in peace. of European Parliament, President of the Tibet Interest Group; Mr. Garnett “On this important anniversary, we Genuis, member of Parliament from must renew the unbreakable bonds of Alberta representing Conservative friendship between the Tibetan people Party of Canada; Mrs. Lucia Duris and the United States. Members of Congress are committed to building on Former President of Botsawa His Excellency Dr Nicholsonova, Deputy Chairman of Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the commemoration the Slovak National Council; Ms. Mei the recent passage of the Reciprocal ceremony of the 60th anniversary of Tibetan Nu Yu, MP, Democratic Progressive Access to Tibet Act which advances National Uprising Day at the Tsuglagkhang on 10 Party, Taiwan; Ms Sandy Kalyan, MP, a future where all Tibetans are free to March 2019, Dharamshala. Photo/Tenzin Phende/ practice their faith and customs, and CTA Democratic Alliance, South Africa; Mr Alberto de Belaunde, MP, Liberal Party, holds Chinese offi cials accountable As he marked the successful yearlong Peru; Ms Antonella Incerti and Dr Yang for their campaign of fear and cultural observance of the Thank you Year, Dr Jianli, Citizen Power Initiatives for repression. Guided by Tibetans’ Sangay thanked the international friends China. untiring voices, Congress will continue and supporters, including the Tibet to take action until all Tibetans can live in peace, hope and prosperity.”

12 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH- APRIL 2019 FOCUS Statement of HE Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Former President of Botswana on the 60th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day

to uphold Tibet’s ancient and unique only after Syria. Similarly, I observe national identity and cultural heritage, that the European Union Parliament in as well as protect their spiritual and a 2015 Report on EU-China Relations temporal leader. In their actions they expressed its own dismay over the like so many other patriots across time continued lack of religious, social and exercised their fundamental desire to political freedom inside Tibet. uphold their own true identity, which is the universal right of all communities. In addition to these and many other prominent expressions of international As we are all undoubtedly aware, the concern, it may be further noted that HE Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Former March 10 uprising was suppressed by in recent years many environmental President of Botswana addressing the offi cial commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of overwhelming military force, forcing scientists from around the world have Tibetan National Uprising Day at Tsuglagkhang, His Holiness the Dalai Lama along become increasingly focused on the Dharamshala, 10 March 2019. Photo/Tenzin with some 80,000 followers to fi nd importance of Tibetan Plateau, which Jigme/CTA refuge here in India. I wish to take this contains the world’s third largest ice “Ladies and Gentlemen, let me begin opportunity to commend the successive reserve (after the Arctic region and by affi rming that it is truly an honour Governments and the People of India for Antarctica) being the source of ten of for me to have been invited by the hosting you here all these years. Asia’s major rivers. Central Tibetan Administration to be with you today, as the “Chief Guest” on Our own presence here today is In this context, there is an emerging this occasion commemorating the 60th testament to the fact that while the March global consensus about the wider Anniversary of the Tibetan people’s 10 patriots were physically defeated, the risks posed by Tibet’s environmental National Uprising. spiritual struggle for a Free Tibet lives degradation due to such factors as on in the hearts and minds not only of the extensive damming of rivers and I am sure that I speak for the many Tibetans at home and in exile, but also deforestation. other distinguished international guests among growing numbers within the and supporters who are also here with international community. As an ardent conservationist myself, I us in Dharamsala in saying that we welcome the fact that Central Tibetan are representative of a worldwide Coming as I do from a region that Administration has for its part actively community who have not, and shall suffered colonial occupation, whose engaged the world community on never, forget the suffering endured by own indigenous cultural identity and environmental issues through Ten Point Tibetans as they peacefully pursue their struggle for political emancipation Action document, which urges the struggle to once more live in freedom in were likewise long suppressed, I cannot international community through the their ancient homeland. help but empathise with the continued United Nations, as well as the Chinese travails and ongoing peaceful resistance government, to focus on measures to In global solidarity, we too fi nd it of Tibetans as they seek to reclaim their protect it as the “Roof of the World” for necessary to recall that it was on this day, sovereign dignity. the good of humanity. back on the 10th of March 1959, that unarmed Tibetans from all walks of life The fact that the Tibetan struggle, As we stand in support for a free rallied in Lhasa to protect His Holiness as refl ected in the teachings and generation of Tibetans we are cognizant the Dalai Lama; sparking spontaneous diplomacy of His Holiness the Dalai of the fact that those who dare speak up protests against the increasingly Lama, as well as manifested in the inside Tibet about issues of religious oppressive hegemony being practiced by political outreach of the Central Tibetan freedom and environmental rights are the authorities of the Peoples Republic Administration, continues to be based being targeted for political prosecution. of China (PRC). on the “Middle Way” doctrine of non- We note that the mere possession of the violence and dialogue ultimately aimed image of His Holiness the Dalai Lama The ensuing violent crackdown of these at reconciliation with the Chinese state remains punishable as a serious criminal initial protests only served to fuel what is truly remarkable given the extreme offence. We are painfully aware that became a mass uprising against the repression Tibetans have endured, in the surviving repositories of Tibetan forces of occupation. both the Maoist and post-Mao eras. Buddhist culture are tightly monitored, while monks and nuns still face Six decades later it is abundantly clear Here I note that a recent Freedom House expulsion and prosecution if they fail to that the March 10 protesters were survey report cited Tibet as the second denounce their spiritual leader. motivated by a collective determination least free place in the world, being listed

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 13 FOCUS

The same sanctions of course also face Perhaps this is why the very notion of economic power. Living as we did in others who endeavour to assert their His Holiness setting foot on the Mother the shadow of Apartheid many thought national, democratic and religious Continent is so feared by his opponents. that there was little prospect for us to rights inside the PRC, as refl ected in enjoy the fruits of our sovereignty by the growing international outcry over of Ladies and Gentlemen, the Dalai Lama’s pulling ourselves up from our status as the plight of the local Muslim Uyghur busy schedule of teaching here and being among the world’s least developed population living in Xinjiang Province around the world, along with his prolifi c countries. just north of Tibet. writings have established him, as a truly global icon for the power of human Neither did many in the world see any Ladies and Gentlemen, while the liberation and compassion. It is little immediate likelihood that the growing authorities in Beijing may have the wonder then that international polling numbers of exiles then living within power to suppress basic freedoms within in recent years has consistently placed our borders and elsewhere in the region their own jurisdiction they should not be him among the world’s most admired would be able to return. But return they allowed to exercise the same repressive individuals. did. authority outside of their borders including illegal territorial claims in the It therefore defi es logic that some Like Tibetans the once oppressed South China Sea. still believe that his infl uence can be peoples of Southern Africa proved diminished by seeking to deny others resilient in their determination to achieve It was for this reason that in 2017, when the opportunity of his physical presence. a better future for themselves. Like I was still President of Botswana, we Such provocations rather only serve to Tibetans they too remained dauntless in refused to give into Chinese government diminish his would be censors in the the pursuit of their own liberation while pressure when they threatened us if we eyes of the world as they embark upon reaching out and fi nding support from failed to bar His Holiness the Dalai human rights violations daily. the international community. Lama from entering Botswana. In an age of global communications, Popular sayings at the time were: At the time he had been scheduled including greater South-South exchange, “The struggle continues, but victory is to speak at a Mind & Life Institute this has simply resulted in greater certain” and “Power is ours.” conference convened at a tertiary curiosity about his humanitarian work institution in our capital city Gaborone, and advocacy. In this way, the persistent This then Ladies and Gentlemen is whose theme focused on shared Human efforts to block the Dalai Lama from my message of hope for the people of Values as refl ected in the Southern ever coming to Africa have merely Tibet. While your own struggle has African ideals of “Botho/Ubuntu”. raised his profi le across our continent. been long and painful, you can take solace in the fact that in your hearts Unfortunately, notwithstanding our Ladies and Gentlemen, as much as I you remain undefeated, in your minds principled stand, in the end, His Holiness share in the global respect that has been you are already liberated. With such a the Dalai Lama was unable to attend the earned by the Dalai Lama by his tireless mindset and the power of your collective gathering, which otherwise attracted outreach, I am also mindful that I am determination, your own victory is esteemed participants from the region here today as the guest of a much greater ultimately certain. I thank you all for and beyond. community of exiles. Like India my own your attention and God bless.” country of Botswana has often served as Personally I had looked forward to what a place of refuge for those fi ghting the I am sure would have been an enriching forces of oppression. engagement between His Holiness and some of the bright minds from my From the Namibian refugees fl eeing own country and continent on their into Botswana to escape the genocidal perspectives about the convergence of German occupation of their country at the core Buddhists principles of unity, the beginning of the 20th century to the peace and compassion with our own many other freedom fi ghters, including humanist Setswana norms of Botho, Nelson Mandela, who were forced to which are based on tolerance, mutual follow them to escape the clutches of the respect and action through consultation. enforcers of Apartheid and continued colonial rule, which once held sway in More broadly, I believe that as originally our region. conceived the conference would have been a golden opportunity to expose At the time of our independence back in the Dalai Lama to the time honoured 1966 my own country was surrounded wisdom of Africa, as well as Africans by such racist regimes that seemingly to the philosophy of the Dalai Lama. dwarfed us in terms of their military and 14 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH- APRIL 2019 FOCUS Honouring 60 Years of Tibetan Nonviolent Struggle, World Leaders call China to Embrace Dalai Lama and Middle Way Approach In a symbolic display of support and solidarity with the Tibetan people inside Tibet and exile, an array of Members of Parliament from India, EU, Germany, Canada, Slovakia, Italy, Peru, Taiwan gathered at the courtyard of Tsuglagkhang in a sombre ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising.

Marking the momentous anniversary, the leaders pledged to champion the voices of brave Tibetans inside Tibet and declared renewed support for the political leadership led by the Central Tibetan Administration and its earnest efforts to resume dialogue with the (Clockwise) Shri Shanta Kumar, former Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh; MEP Thomas Mann; MP Chinese government based on the Middle Michael Brand; MP Antonella Incerti; Lucia Duris Nicholsonova, Deputy Chairman of the Slovak Way Approach. As they conveyed their National Council; MP Garnett Genuis; MP Albeto de Belaunde; MP Mei Nu Yu; MP Sandy Kalyan; Dr. highest admiration for His Holiness the Yang Jianli, President, Citizen Power Initiatives for China. Photo collage: Tenzin Phende/CTA Dalai Lama, the lawmakers urged that on the Middle Way Approach and America and members of organisations China would only benefi t in embracing dialogue. The day before, I received and media who are here to demonstrate His Holiness’ vision for Tibet and the an offi cial communication from the their solidarity with the people of Tibet. world. Chinese Ambassador to India asking Today we come together for this special me not to attend the commemorative day, the commemoration of March Speeches by the Members of Parliament ceremony of Tibetan National Uprising 10th as the 60th anniversary of Tibetan and acclaimed Chinese intellectual on Day in Dharamshala. The letter said, uprising against China in Tibet. We the 60th anniversary of Tibetan National doing so would threaten the national demonstrate our solidarity with Tibetan Uprising Day in order: sovereignty of the People’s Republic of people inside Tibet and exile. China. In response, I would simply say Honourable Shri Shanta Kumar, that China is a powerful country in the I am deeply honoured to be welcomed former Chief Minister of Himachal world while I, on the other hand, am a here again in Dharamshala. For me, it’s Pradesh, Sitting Member of Indian simple man who belongs to this tiny state the fi fth time to be here. The activities of Parliament of Himachal Pradesh. However, neither the Tibet Interest Group in the European “First of all, I welcome all China nor any other global power will Parliament are an expression of our the 13 members of parliament here in decide where I shall or shall not go. continued and consistent support for Dharamshala, my hometown. My dear Tibet. We fi ght for human rights and friends, you have come from other The late Jayaprakash Narayan has said, for freedom. For 17 years, I had the countries but for me, you don’t belong “Is Tibet lost forever? No. A thousand privilege to be the leader of the European to other countries. In the great Vedas, times no. Tibet will not die because parliamentarians who support the it is said Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam there is no death for the human spirit.” Middle Way Approach of His Holiness which means the whole universe is one Today the spirit of Tibet is still alive and the Dalai Lama. Our Tibet Interest family. You are from my family of one thriving. Tibetans shall return to their Group unites Members from different community, I welcome you here. Today, homeland in dignity and freedom.” European states, different political I as a Member of Indian Parliament groups. We don’t always have the same and as convenor of All Forum Indian Mr. Thomas Mann, MEP, President opinion but in the case of humanity, we Parliamentary Group for Tibet request of Tibet Interest Group (TIG) are united in the European Union. all countries of all the world, all the “Tashi Delek. Dear Tibetans, parliaments of the world to mobilise Tibetan supporters, Dr Lobsang Sangay, We support the Tibetans who are public opinion, to request China to give the high ranking excellencies here from suppressed and suffering. Our work justice to His Holiness the Dalai Lama Botswana, India, other parts and my has shown visible results and keep us and the people of Tibet. His Holiness colleagues from different parliaments motivated to continue to be advocates the Dalai Lama is urging for genuine in European Union, Europe, South Asia, for Tibetan rights. With our solutions, autonomy of the Tibetan people based South Africa, Northern America, Latin our special reports, with our hearings

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 15 FOCUS and also, our manifestations and the Live Tibet! Tashi Delek!” well. The friendship is witnessed today conferences which we held. We support through our presence here on this very the Tibetan cause by informing MEPs, Mr Michael Brand, Member of the special day. On this day, many Tibetans the council and European Commission German Bundestag sacrificed their lives and fought for their and the public about the torture and the “Tashi Delek, Prime Minister freedom but what I found extraordinary illegal imprisonment. We invite high- Lobsang Sangay, esteemed guests, dear was how the Tibetan people was able to ranking experts from all over the world, friends of Tibet and followers of the keep your identity alive, your values of former Tibetan prisoners, monks and Dalai Lama, it is an honour for me on compassion, in every place in the world, nuns, scientists, professors and media this special day in this special place to you have continued to preserve your to inform about the political situation, remember the Tibetan uprising sixty tradition and your own identity. This about the environment and about the years ago. Today the world shall not initiative is also supported by the young deficit of human rights and unacceptable turn away from the traumatic situation generation. Your continued work had a living conditions. We cooperate with of the Tibetans, the worldly and spiritual huge success and is demonstrated by your other parliaments all over the European leadership of the Tibetans has repeatedly extraordinary investment in education as Union. We have organised 150 TIG chosen the path of peace in many we saw yesterday at Tibetan Children’s (Tibet Interest Group) meetings over decades of violence and oppression. Village. You have been able to find a the last years. This is one of our records. We do not strive for a new world order middle way, because of the leadership of In September 2016, we celebrated the of supremacy but for one of balance His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is a 7th International Conference of Tibet and respect for others even if they hope not only for the Tibetan people but Support Groups in the University appear smaller and weaker. China must also for the people of the entire world. of Brussels. 250 participants from understand what the world has been His Holiness the Dalai Lama was able more than 50 countries joined us at long seeing; the protest of the Tibetans, to speak the more powerful language the remarkable event including His their brutal oppression, also that of the which is the language of non-violence Holiness the Dalai Lama and Sikyong Uyghurs and others, the desperation and not only for you, the Tibetan people Dr. Lobsang Sangay. One week later, the of the people; these are signals which but for the entire world including the Dalai Lama gave a speech infront of the cannot be overlooked and also cannot be Chinese people.” Foreign Affairs Committee in European suppressed. The rights of the Tibetans Parliament in Strasbourg in France. must finally be recognised. The necessary Mrs. Lucia Duris Nicholsonova, dialogue with legitimate representatives Deputy Chairman of the Slovak The last example, on our Europe Day must no longer be blocked. German National Council in May last year, TIG board met with history has shown that oppression does “Dear Mr Speaker of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama here in not work in the long run but freedom Tibetan exile parliament, Mr President Dharamshala. He emphasised the role prevails in the end. We will continue to of the exile Tibetan government, of the European Union as an important work together to ensure that the rights of honourable guests, dear friends, Tashi voice for Human Rights in the world. Tibet are recognised both nationally and Delek. I came here along with my dear We discussed the critical developments internationally. This optimism is what I colleague Mr Martin Poliacik. My and the awful right-wing movements in wish to convey to you today. I am sure colleague and I came here as friends member countries. Despite the conflicts that the strong and proud Tibetans will of His Holiness, whom we have met within Europe and beyond, the Dalai survive this crisis. We will not forget on a couple of occasions when he was Lama is strongly convinced of the Tibet and we will remain along Dalai in Slovakia. We came here as friends of important role of the European Union. Lama, we respect this great culture and Lobsang Sangay and of your beautiful He emphasised the fact that Europe express our sympathy and solidarity for country Tibet, and we came as friends of more than ever needs to act together in this peaceful and oppressed people. I democracy and human rights. We came an increasingly insecure world. Tibet am really thankful that so many friends here to give you strength to maintain is and must always be on the agenda of from all over the world and parliament your traditions, language and your the European Union, of the European have come today to Dharamshala. All beautiful country. But what has really Commission and the European Council. the best to the Dalai Lama, to Lobsang happened in Dharamshala is that it is Just next week, I will be hosting another Sangay and to the Tibetan people. Thank intact you who have given strength to us. conference on Re-education in China you!” The stories told by young Tibetan people and persecution against minorities. We who had to leave their homeland in order will keep on fighting for the rights of all Ms. Antonella Incerti, MP, to keep their religion, to be able to speak Tibetan people and we are behind the Democratic Party, Italy their own language made us 100 per cent Middle Way Approach and the dialogue “We are here as human sure that we stand on the right side of between the envoys of His Holiness the beings and also as a representative of a history. Those stories need to be heard, Dalai Lama and China and the protection community that is very close to you and the world needs to know what strength of Tibetan religion, culture, language your cause. This community knows very and courage it takes to walk through the and identity. We prove our persistence well the situation of Tibetan people and huge mountains of Himalayas barefoot, as a strong voice for human rights. Long share pain and suffering. They know very starved and freezing cold in order to keep 16 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH- APRIL 2019 FOCUS your identity. Thirty years ago, Slovakia reconciliation with love, compassion reciprocal solution to the issue of Tibet. won democracy over communism. with the generosity of spirit. What we Thus, His Holiness the Dalai Lama Slovak story is a success story, and I seek today for Tibet is the Middle Way. persuaded the people not to remain in hope that yours and the Tibetan story What we seek for the people of Tibet and animosity nor consider the counterpart will follow.” China is freedom, democracy and rule as an enemy but to keep dialogue and of law. This will go on until our work is have empathy and compassion in mind Mr. Garnett Genuis, Member of done and you have our full support.” and to implement nonviolent approach Parliament, Conservative Party of to face the China’s atrocity. Today Canada, Vice-chair of Parliamentary Mr. Albeto de Belaunde, MP, Liberal is the 60th anniversary of the 1959 Friends of Tibet Party, Peru uprising against Chinese occupation “Tashi Delek! It is an honour “Today I woke up remembering in Tibet. The Tibetan uprising brings to be with you today on behalf of so my childhood. I was born in the middle forward a very significant value. many Canadians who stand with you of an internal conflict in my country Confronted with China’s crackdown as we mark sixty years of your struggle caused by domestic terrorism. A lot of and persecution, Tibetan people insist for justice. I have here with me, another people suffered, a lot of people died and trust nonviolence and peace in Member of Parliament of Canada, Ms and disappeared. We started losing order to protect the unique Tibetan Linda Duncan, we represent different hope. We thought that this dark night culture and identity in accordance with parties and we stand in solidarity with will be forever. We almost lost hope but democracy, freedom and human rights. you today. I want to share how Canada we didn’t. Hope was the tool we have Both Taiwan and Tibetans are harshly is supportive of your struggle. Before I to stay together, hope was the tool we oppressed by the Chinese government. was elected, I served as staff for former have to fight, hope was the tool we At this moment, I hope every country Prime Minister Steven Harper who use to recover peace. Now my country can declare joint support for freedom of hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Peru is in peace, working in the path of Tibet and Taiwan. Free Tibet!” who brought a 1000 Tibetan refugees progress. So, my message is not only the to Canada from India. The leader of message of friendship, Amistad as we Ms. Santosh Vinita Kalyan (Sandy my political party has endorsed the say in Spanish, is also a message full of Kalyan), MP, Democratic Alliance, Middle Way Approach and members of hope. We need to bring hope in people’s South Africa the parliamentary friends of Tibet from hearts, especially the young people’s “Namaste! I greet you in the all parties recently had an opportunity heart because hope is the energy of name of peace and I cannot express in to hold officials from the Chinese change and it is renewable energy. I words what an honour and a privilege it government accountable at our Foreign am sure that we are going to celebrate is to be here to celebrate a momentous Affairs Committee on the issue of Tibet. sooner than later a new day for Tibet and occasion like this. I would like to place We challenged them on the whereabouts a new day for peace in the world. Thank on record sincere thanks to the Central of the Panchen Lama, on the issue of you very much.” Tibetan Administration for their kind language rights and Tashi Wangchuk. We invitation. So, I must confess that I was raised these issues in an all-party way, Ms. Mei Nu Yu, Member of clueless about the Tibet situation until in a direct and fearless way to hold the Parliament, Taiwan, about ten years ago. I received a call to PRC accountable for the abuses in Tibet. “Tashi Delek, ladies and say that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was We are here today to call for a solution. gentleman, I am honoured to be here. denied a visa to attend a meeting in South The Tibet solidarity movement has I am here to support Tibet. Our party Africa. And I was shocked and horrified always been solutions-oriented; seeking the Democratic Progressive Party’s that a country with a constitution that dialogue as a means to bring about Secretary-General Lo Wen-jia, we enshrines freedom of movement, human Middle Way Approach and genuine joined the rally for Tibetan uprising day rights was being dictated to by China autonomy for the Tibetan people under in Taiwan and here this afternoon, we and therefore they did not grant him this the Chinese constitution. with a spirit show our support for Tibet. In the past visa. I am so ashamed of my government of open-ended pursuit of justice and 60 years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama for giving in to this kind of pressure. reconciliation. It is easy for people who has achieved three major commitments That’s how I came to be involved and have been victims of injustice to think which are promotion for human values, I came to know that there was a group that the pursuit of justice is incompatible creation of inter-religious harmony and of people who were denied citizenships with the pursuit of reconciliation but understanding and speaking on behalf of of their own country, denied the right your nonviolent struggle with a good his people, His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak their language, denied the right will and reconciliation with those who made a great determination to move the to be free in their country. I am not new have uphill now been your oppressors Tibetan society towards democracy and to such a situation having grown up in is an inspiration. This is why the devolved his political responsibility to apartheid. Black people, Indian people Tibetan struggle is so important for the an elected leadership. His Holiness the and coloured people in South Africa Tibetans and for the world because you Dalai Lama remains committed to the were shunned to live in townships. We show us what is right while seeking Middle Way Approach, a peaceful and could not associate with white people,

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 17 FOCUS we could not sit on the same benches Tibet, have never given up hope. They MP Michael Danby that were allocated for them, and we have never stopped their struggle for could not swim in the same ocean that beliefs, national identity and freedom. addresses the 10th they swam in. Their courage, tenacity and sacrifices have won them worldwide respect and March commemoration In the middle of the night, I remember admiration. in Canberra, Australia knockings on my door, people coming The Australian Capital Territory Minister to search my home without a search Despite being without land, army or for Climate Change & Sustainability, warrant because they knew that a few police, the 150,000 Tibetans in exile, Hon Shane Rattenbury said in his of us were fighting for freedom, equality under the leadership of His Holiness message, “I stand in solidarity with the and justice. There was one famous and the Central Tibetan Administration, people of Tibet on the 60th anniversary South African who went into exile for have built dozens of settlements of the Tibetan uprising. We recognise the 28 years to give us our freedom. His around the world. While maintaining rights of the Tibetan peoples over their name is Nelson Mandela. I want to their shared memories and beliefs, traditional homelands and their rights quote his famous words he said on his they have developed the miracle of a of self-determination including cultural release, “Never and never again shall the highly cohesive spiritual state which and spiritual expression. It is with great people of my country face oppression includes all Tibetans. Going beyond sadness that we recognise that for the and live as second class citizen.” It is mere survival, they have reached out past 60 years the human rights situation my hope that His Holiness the Dalai to people around the world, presenting in Tibet has significantly deteriorated. Lama will one day echo those very same an image of tolerance, loving-kindness The Chinese government has used words for the people of Tibet. Am I open-mindedness, and optimism, increasingly brutal methods to repress doing enough to help you? On personal while embracing universal values and the Tibetan people’s people protests. …I reflections, I don’t think so. Yes I stand implementing democratic practices, extend my support to the cause of an up in parliament I make statements, putting to shame those who rely on independent and free Tibet, and I hope yes I get involved but I think I must do violence to pursue their goals. that one day members of Australia’s something more. To the people of Tibet, Tibetan community may once again be stay on message day after day. Stay on Today, Tibet remains under the able to visit their homeland.” the message of hope, one day we will get occupation of the CCP empire. The dire and we will see your freedom. situation in Tibet is a challenge to the “We, in India, know the pain of fighting conscience of mankind, especially that for one’s freedom,” said Mr Dharminder The Kashag has dedicated 2019 as the of the Chinese people. It is our privilege, Sharma, Vice President of the India year of commitment, I would like to say as Chinese, to join you in standing Australia Association of Canberra. to you, I commit. Namaste. Thank you united for Tibet. “India supports freedom in its oldest for your attention.” neighbouring country, Tibet. I assure As we commemorate the 60th you, on behalf of my community and my Dr. Yang Jianli, the President of Anniversary of the Tibetan National country, we are always with you in your Citizen Power Initiatives for China Uprising, we reaffirm our gratitude freedom movement.” “Your honourable Mr President to our Tibetan brothers and sisters for Dr Lobsang Sangay, distinguished their long-term brotherhood, friendship Ms Caroline Le Couteur, Member of the guests, dear brothers and sisters, Tashi and spiritual inspiration. We recommit ACT Legislative Assembly said, “We Delek! What an honour to be with all of ourselves to respect and defend the must thank those who resisted 60 years you on this special day! Tibetans’ right to determine their own ago and those who continue to stand destiny, supporting the middle way up for injustice today. For it is so often Sixty years ago today, the Tibetan approach advocated by His Holiness easier to choose the path of silence. It people rose up against the occupation of and passed by the Tibetan People’s takes courage to stand up. The Tibetan the Chinese Communist regime at a time Assembly to resolve the Tibetan issue. people, and the Australian Tibetan when their culture, religion, property, community and their supporters, show indeed, their very existence was being Today, we honour our brotherhood, courage today as they commemorate seriously threatened. His Holiness the friendship and solidarity with the people this anniversary… Imprisonments for Dalai Lama was forced into exile, as the of Tibet by redoubling our efforts on peacefully protesting, restrictions on uprising was brutally suppressed. The their behalf. We will walk every step travel, restrictions on religious, cultural CCP turned Tibet into a “hell on earth”. together with His Holiness on the way and linguistic heritage, and forcible The sufferings the people of Tibet have home, and we will continue to fight side resettlements are all taking place in endured in the past 60 years at the hands by side with our Tibetan brothers and Tibet. …Many Tibetans have been of the CCP are almost unparalleled sisters for their religious, cultural and detained and tortured for doing what in the history of mankind. But the political freedom. you all are doing today – for peacefully Tibetan people, under the guidance protesting. Our thoughts of solidarity are of His Holiness, both in and outside Free Tibet, Thank you! with those in Tibet.” 18 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH- APRIL 2019 FEATURE His Holiness the Dalai Lama Converses with Members of Club 1880 Members of club 1880 who are learn to look after our physical health, admiration for the spirit of the European motivated by a wish to change the world, we have to learn to look after our minds Union which places common interest consisting of eighty-five people from too. If you are physically fit and your above narrower national concerns. Singapore, including Singaporeans, mind is distressed, you’ll be unhappy. He spoke of the past when Tibet was Americans, Australians, Britishers, independent and with the change in time, Indians, Canadians, Chinese, French, His Holiness further remarked on the he said that since 1974, after raising the and Swiss had an audience with His welfare of all the 7 billion human beings issue of Tibet at UN for several times, Holiness the Dalai Lama at his official and how we are dependent in this world decided not to push any longer for residence in Mcleod Ganj. for our survival and our own happiness. independence. And what we seek are the Challenges such as climate change rights for Tibetan Autonomous Regions The group members are from different have to be faced by all of us together so mentioned in the Chinese constitution, backgrounds and of different faiths consideration for the welfare of all the including the right to preserve our united by the motivation to change the social being becomes important. culture and language. world and make it a better place to live. His Holiness greeted them all as he His Holiness touched upon his On inviting questions from the group, a walked into the room, but paid special major commitments, viz. Promoting boy at the front wanted to know what it attention to the little boy in the front. Compassion as a true source of is like to be a reincarnation. His Holiness happiness since nobody wants problems laughed and answered, “Nothing special, During the meeting, His Holiness and although we live at peace here there I’m just a normal human being.” suggested if people belonging to the 21st are people going through all kinds of century made an effort to change things trouble including violence in the name His Holiness confirmed that Emptiness through education, then one might see a of religion. His Holiness advised much is a key Buddhist concept and said more peaceful and more compassionate better than that is to live in peace with “When Nagarjuna explained it, he world after one generation or so. one’s neighbour. stressed that Emptiness does not mean nothingness. It means that things do not His Holiness shared his experience His Holiness foregrounded on his exist the way they appear or objectively. of how he has been learning to tackle second commitment, Encouraging There’s no independent existence and emotions and how difficult life has been religious harmony as all religious they are merely designated. Everything at some point of time yet through all traditions despite their philosophical is dependent on other factors, including the experiences he learned that being point of views, conveys the message of the mind that is not something physical, able to keep the peace of mind helped love. And India upholding the tradition but exists as a continuity of moments of him. He remarked that it is the nature of ahimsa or non-violence motivated consciousness” of the samsara to be full of problems, by compassion is a major witness of but in such problems, it’s always better religious harmony in action. His Holiness suggested that modern if one can keep the peace of mind. And education would be better if more to maintain the peace of mind one has As a Tibetan, His Holiness expressed his attention is given to inner values, to cultivate the awakening mind of concern to preserve Tibetan culture. And encouraging children to cultivate and Bodhichitta, to have concern for other he said, “I’m a Tibetan with the name enhance their natural sense of warm- beings and to remember their kindness. Dalai Lama and six million Tibetans heartedness. He expressed how he wishes to have a place their trust in me. Although I’ve joyful life and how others wish the same. been retired from political responsibility “We are social animals,” His Holiness And for that one needs to generate the since 2001, I remain concerned to declared. “Our future and happiness warm-heartedness towards each other in preserve Tibetan culture.” depend on those around us. Over- daily life. Since we all have the Buddha emphasising secondary differences only nature within us and if we consider His Holiness further mentioned about lead to trouble. Much better to remember others as a being like self, then it would the relevance of the Nalanda Tradition how we’re all the same in being human be easy to feel close with any people we in present time, and how it is preserved and work together to fulfill the common come across. and sustained among Tibetans. good.” Since Shantarakshita encouraged His Holiness also highlighted the the translation of Sanskrit Buddhist In his final remark at the meeting, His benefits from the cultivation of warm- literature into Tibetan, the language Holiness said, “Every day I dedicate my heartedness and compassion and the was so enriched that it is now the body, speech, and mind to the welfare of need to tackle our disturbing emotions best medium suitable for accurately others, so I’m happy if it may have been to maintain the peace of mind. The expressing Buddhist philosophy. of benefit to share my thoughts with importance of emotional hygiene was you.” also emphasised by stating that as we Furthermore, His Holiness expressed his

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 19 FEATURE SEE Learning: The Dalai Lama’s Gift to Humanity

“My hope and wish is that, one day, Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory formal education will pay attention University developed a comprehensive to what I call education of the heart. I framework for the cultivation of social, look forward to a day when children emotional and ethical competencies for and students will be more aware of their children in Kindergarten to students in feeling and emotions and feel a greater secondary education as well as higher sense of responsibility both towards education and professional education: themselves and towards the wider world. The SEE Learning. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” ~ H.H. the Dalai Lama A long cherished dream of His Holiness His Holiness the Dalai Lama unveils the Social the Dalai Lama, the innovative program Emotional Ethical Learning curriculum with Delhi The Dalai Lama is among the fi rst is based on the universal secular Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Nobel thinkers of the 20th century to recognise ethics and is driven by his vision for a Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi at its global launch in New Delhi, India on April 5, 2019. that the gravest challenge facing compassionate and ethical world for all. Tenzin Jigme/CTA humanity was not nuclear weapon or enhance each school’s pedagogy,” said world war but the silent erosion of In his keynote address at the international Dr Lobsang Tenzin Negi, executive the core human values that could over launch of the SEE Learning program director of the new center and professor time trigger a global emotional crisis. this Friday in the presence of over 900 of practice in the Emory Department of We are already witnessing its fl agrant educational and policy leaders from Religion. manifestations in political and social around the world, His Holiness remarked spectrums. that the results of the curriculum would The SEE Learning framework is not be seen in immediate future, but the organized into three dimensions Envisioning a human society with next generations will surely see more which broadly encompass the types of genuine sense of concern for each other compassionate human beings, happier knowledge and competencies it seeks and collective responsibility for global individuals and families. to foster in students: (1) Awareness, welfare, His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2) Compassion, and (3) Engagement. proposed an educational transformation Experts and key speakers from Deputy Furthermore, these three dimensions can grounded in the perspective that the 7 Chief Minister of Delhi and Minister of be approached in three domains: that of billion human beings are completely Education Manish Sisodia, Nobel Peace (1) the Personal; (2) the Social; and (3) equal in wanting to be happy, not wanting laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Dr Lobsang Systems—all of which should take place to suffer and together in cooperation, Tenzin, Emory University to others within an educational context that is we stand to gain for ourselves and our including Veer Singh of Vana foundation based on compassion and with teachers community. and Tempa Tsering of the Dalai Lama who strive to embody this underlying Trust chimed in admiration as they value. Towards this effort, His Holiness celebrated the Dalai Lama’s enlightened minted the idea of universal secular approach to education and his practical More than 600 educators in various ethics; enshrining the values of vision for the future of humanity. countries have attended SEE Learning compassion, human dignity, empathy, workshops. A high school curriculum is warmheartedness, genuine sense of In line with His Holiness’ long-echoed planned for 2020. concern for others in our vision of message, the SEE Learning is grounded prosperity and progress. in the idea that education can and An online platform is available for should be expanded to foster the values educator preparation, and the curriculum Through the years, as His Holiness and competencies that lead to greater is currently being translated into fourteen offi ciated the introduction of Secular happiness for both individuals and languages including Hindi, English, Ethics Curriculum in scores of society at large. French, Russian, German and Chinese. universities and schools in India, North America and Europe, he noted that Through the program, future generations The global launch of the SEE Learning in fostering love and compassion with can move forward in realizing their Delhi was hosted by Emory University, human intellect held the key to human tremendous potential for being a force in partnership with The Dalai Lama fl ourishing. for good: their own good, the good of Trust and the Vana Foundation of India. others, and the good of the wider world. In his latest and most distinguished contribution to the world, His “The intention is for compassion-based For detailed news visit: Holiness the Dalai Lama with the ethics to be incorporated into existing Center for Contemplative Science and curricula, where it will permeate and www.tibet.net

20 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 FEATURE ‘The world needs SEE learning more than ever’: Founders of SEE learning at Global launch of SEE Project

ethical world for all and expressed his sincere gratitude.

“ As an Indian, I cannot but feel immense gratitude to His Holiness who constantly remind us of our profound heritage of wisdom” claimed Mr. Veer Singh.

Mr. Veer Singh called the gathering to embrace SEE learning and asserted it was what the world needed more than ever for the well being of humanity.

“ there is no better time to begin a thoughtful journey to help cultivate the right values young and prepare their minds for a lifetime ahead” conferred Mr. Veer Singh. His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting the gathering at global SEE launch event in New Delhi. Photo/Tenzin Jigme/CTA While delivering congratulatory remarks The global launch of Social, Emotional “ There seems to be more competition, on the launch of SEE learning project, Dr. and Ethical learning (SEE) happens greed, jealousy which then leads to more Robert Paul, Dean of Emory University to be one of the pivotal moment in the hatred and selfi shness. This is by and once again celebrated the glorifi cation of education world. The groundbreaking large the state of the world today” said His Holiness’s enlightened approach to a event was able to garner much success Mr. Tenpa Tsering. better education. partly because of the individuals and “It is that mission to educate both heart organisations who are actively involved, The education system today as Mr. Tenpa and mind so tirelessly and eloquently who believed in the program and the noted focuses more on the development as aspired by His Holiness the Dalai changes it would bring for the welfare of of intellectual capacity neglecting the Lama,” said Dr. Robert. humanity. But most importantly, without development of compassion and warm His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guidance, heart Dr. Robert declared that the younger inspiration and support the project might generation is the resource that has the not have gained such momentum. The solution confi rmed Mr. Tenpa, lies potential to liberate the challenges in the conviction and envision of His facing today’s world. Present at the event were representatives Holiness’s approach for a balanced “What the world will become in the of the respective organisations. Apart education and thus urged the gathering coming years will be determined by the from them, Deputy Chief Minister Shri to partake in the vision and the choices these next generation will make Manish Sisodia and Nobel Laureate Shri commitment of His Holiness the Dalai and the actions they take,” he said. Kailash Satyarthi were also present. Lama in creating a better, peaceful and harmonious world. Emory University as Dr. Robert Addressing the gathering of alleged was necessitated to develop an educationists, policy leaders and Mr. Veer Singh, Founder of Vana educational system to address both heart students from various countries, Mr. Foundation expressed his blessedness to and the mind catering the needs for both Tenpa Tsering delivered keynotes on the be a part of the launch of a remarkable knowledge and the emotional, social and contributions of the Dalai Lama Trust work. He commended the framework ethical understanding of self and others. Foundation in the project. and curriculum of SEE learning for He maintained that SEE learning He asserted that modern scientifi c and its practicality, academic rigor, and its resonates the motto of Emory University technological development has certainly application and thanked the team of as he quoted, “The wise heart seeks brought in development in infrastructure Emory University. knowledge”. and communication but only to the extent of physical comfort and convenience. He further lauded the vision and wisdom The event witnessed a tremendous True happiness and contentment he said of His Holiness for a compassionate and potential of both old and young are yet to attain. generation marching towards a better future and better world.

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 21 FEATURE ‘Taking Care of Others is Taking Care of Yourself ’: His Holiness Concludes Workshop on SEE Learning

The fi nal day of global SEE launch witnessed some robust discussions and debates amongst experts and key speakers.

Presiding throughout the event was His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other distinguished representatives and guests.

Dr. Lobsang Tenzin Negi, offi ciated the closing ceremony of the SEE launch followed by presentations on the internet curriculum of SEE project.

Brendan Ozawa de Silva urged the gathering to embrace the project and inculcate its curriculum especially the teachers and educationists gathered.

Ms. Tyralynn Frazier delivered a short His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the gathering on the importance of both mind and heart educa- presentation on the structure of the tion. Photo/Tenzin Jigme/CTA curriculum which consisted of 7 modules meanwhile abstaining self centered should think more about well being of and explained each module individually. attitude. He fi rmly declared that the others including environment to become benefi t of thinking of others well being more constructive. If people think of Dr. Garry Hawk former vice president of is invariably the most noble deed that oneself and be selfi sh and narrow minded Emory University who is also a major human brothers and sisters could do for then human being becomes destructive”, contributor towards the project marveled each other.. In fact,His Holiness fi rmly alerted His Holiness. on the friendship shared between Emory believed that taking care of others is university and His Holiness the Dalai actually taking care of yourself. Once again, His Holiness emphasized Lama while dwelling on the history of on utilizing the wonderful gift of Emory University. The existing education as His Holiness Intelligence possessed by human perceived, is not adequate to inculcate towards welfare of humanity while His Holiness delivered a key note the basic human values therefore serious endowing the young generation grave address on “Preparing Children for a discussion on education has become responsibility of effecting a peaceful and Changing world : infusing Discernment a pressing need of today. His Holiness harmonious world. and Compassion into Education”. His encouraged constructive living and Holiness called for global responsibility dissuaded destructive living. “People

22 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 FEATURE

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Addresses Youth Global Leaders

When American philanthropist Bobby Sager fi rst met His Holiness the Dalai Lama 19 years ago he asked for a project to undertake and His Holiness suggested he help facilitate science education in Tibetan monasteries. They met again when Sager accompanied 47 Youth Global Leaders to meet him.

Addressing them as respected brothers and sisters, His Holiness told them he was honoured to meet people committed to the common goal of human happiness.

“Yesterday, I mentioned that things change. It’s part of nature. Things that are bad don’t stay that way, but neither do things that are good. Things change due to the causes that brought them His Holiness interacting with Bobby Sager, American philanthropist. Photo/Tenzin Jigme/CTA about, as well as other factors. No Shias in this country and in June Indian than one thousand years. This is an matter how serious things are, if we Muslims are convening a meeting to approach not found in other Buddhist use our intelligence and think properly make that clear. countries. about them, not letting our intelligence come under the sway of our destructive “I’m also a Tibetan, someone in whom “The 13th century Tibetan master, emotions, our intelligence has the ability the Tibetan people place their hope. Sakya Pandita wrote about logic and we to see reality. When emotions interfere, But as far as political responsibility is Tibetans studied this and the works of we see only one aspect. When our minds concerned, I retired in 2001. Since I was Dignaga and Dharmakirti. I attribute my are calm, our intelligence can see the a child, I’ve been aware that leaving all present sharpness of mind to my training whole reality. power in the hands of a regent or the in logic. Dalai Lama was wrong. After I accepted “I am just one of the 7 billion human political responsibility in 1950 I set up “I am committed to trying to revive beings alive today and as such I try to a reform committee, but its success was ancient Indian knowledge in modern promote human compassion based on limited because the Chinese wanted India, because I believe this is the only a sense that all human beings are one. any changes that were made to be done country that could combine this learning This way of thinking is of immense their way. In 1960, after we arrived in with modern education. In the monastic benefi t to me. When I meet someone, India, we started to work to establish a universities re-established in South with two eyes, one nose and so forth, I democratic system and our fi rst entirely India we have about 10,000 monks recognise them as physically, mentally elected leadership was achieved in 2001. and 1000 nuns trained in this age-old and emotionally the same as me. I feel understanding of the workings of the they are my sister or brother. mind and emotions.

“As a Buddhist monk, I feel a “Meanwhile, I speak up for the “Science as we know it was not studied responsibility to promote religious protection of the Tibetan environment, at Nalanda, but today it has assumed a harmony. Killing each other in the which, because so many great rivers great signifi cance. Meetings between name of religion, as we see these days, rise on the Tibetan plateau, is important scientists and Tibetan Buddhist scholars is unthinkable. All religious traditions to the peoples of South and South-east and practitioners have been mutually convey a message of love, taking Asia. But what most concerns me is the benefi cial. The Buddha taught two different approaches to suit people’s preservation of Tibetan culture, which truths, conventional and ultimate truth, different dispositions. Their aim is for essentially preserves the Indian Nalanda that scientists accept. Within the more people to become more honest and Tradition established in Tibet in the than 300 volumes of translated Buddhist more truthful. In India we see harmony 8th century at the behest of the Tibetan literature there is much more that prevail among all the religious traditions King, Trisong Detsen. We have kept this scientists fi nd of interest.” that fl ourish here. I’ve never heard, for tradition, with its focus on philosophy, example, of confl ict between Sunnis and psychology and logic, alive for more When a member of the audience

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 23 FEATURE mentioned karma in her question, His say that Buddhism or any other tradition “Whatever joy there is in this world Holiness responded that to blame what is best any more than we can say that a All comes from desiring others to be happens on karma, as if nothing can particular medicine is the best.” happy, be done about it, is a lazy attitude. He told her, we should ask who makes this His Holiness was asked about artifi cial And whatever suffering there is in this karma—the answer is, we do. intelligence and he replied that there world are many applications in which it is “Even if we’ve made bad karma, we very helpful. However, since artifi cial All comes from desiring myself to be can change it by creating good karma. intelligence is ultimately created by happy. We tend to make problems by being human intelligence he doesn’t envisage short-sighted. Human beings have a it taking over as some people fear. “If I do not actually exchange my marvellous intelligence that enables us Consciousness is not limited to sensory happiness to change as a result of education. We functions; mental consciousness is need to look at things from different sophisticated, subtle and powerful. For the sufferings of others, angles. We understand things by taking a scientifi c approach and investigating Finally, His Holiness was asked how to I shall not attain the state of Buddhahood and analysing how they arise. People nurture kindness and gentleness. And even in cyclic existence shall have adopt different philosophical viewpoints no joy. because of their different dispositions. “We can strengthen and enhance natural Even within Buddhism there are an human qualities like these through “Altruism is the ultimate source of array of philosophical point of view. education and training so that ultimately happiness; self-centredness only yields we develop the altruistic awakening anxiety and stress. Think of enemies “These days, in democratic societies, mind of bodhichitta. As Shantideva as potentially your friends; think of all people have a right to choose what writes in his ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s 7 billion human beings as part of one religious tradition to follow. We can’t Way of Life’: community.”

Kashag invites Tibetans across globe to contribute in Tenshug offering for His Holiness the Dalai Lama scheduled May 2019 To symbolise the collective aspirations of an auspicious offering of 113 statues the six million Tibetans and reaffi rm the of Buddha, symbolising His Holiness’ unity of the three provinces, the Kashag affi rmation to live for at least 113 years. of Central Tibetan Administration invited Tibetans across the globe to Heads of the three pillars of Tibetan contribute in a Tenshug offering for democracy including the Kashag, Tibet’s supreme spiritual leader His Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, heads of the Autonomous bodies and all The ceremony scheduled mid May this the CTA Offi ces were represented at the year will symbolise the fervent prayers President Dr Lobsang Sangay of Central Tibetan Tenshug ceremony. and devotion of both the people and the Administration during the offi cial announcement protector oracles of Tibet. of the Tenshug prayer ceremony at Kashag On the occasion, CTA also presented Secretariat, 18 March 2019. Photo/Tenzin Jigme/ CTA Buddha statues to all the 276 Tibetan Members of Tibetan community are Buddhist monasteries and nunneries this 84th year of His Holiness the Dalai invited to contribute to the Tenshug across India, Nepal and Bhutan. Lama and for the fulfi lment of His offering by chipping in an amount of Representatives and caretakers of the benevolent wishes. 5.25 in currencies of their respective monasteries and nunneries took part in countries. Settlement offi ces across the ceremony. A grand preliminary Tenshug offering India and Offi ces of Tibet abroad will was made during His Holiness’ teachings administer the donations locally. in Bodh Gaya in December last year. CTA’s Tenshug offering—which is the The Central Tibetan Administration led second in series—is being observed by President Dr Lobsang Sangay made for the pacifi cation of all obstacles of

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Why is China so terrified of Tibetan language classes?

By Sang Jieja The notice warns that monks, Meanwhile, any students who attended suppress Tibetans and monasteries, it monasteries offering free lessons to the unlawful language classes are can — and it can always find a way to children during winter break will be required to undergo “ideological fabricate charges against whomever it punished education” along with their parents. wishes to condemn.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Rights organizations are much For a long time now, the CCP has tried recently banned Tibetan monasteries concerned about this notice. Human to define Tibetan culture and religion from offering Tibetan language classes, Rights Watch (HRW) issued a statement as a threat to national security. Amid prompting international human rights in New York on Jan. 21 demanding the this attempted suppression, the fact that organizations to request that Beijing lift Chinese authorities immediately rescind monasteries have been trying to swim the unreasonable ban. the ban. against the tide by offering free Tibetan classes seems to have stung. On Dec. 25, the United Front Work “China’s ban on the establishment of Department (UFWD) of the Nangqian Tibetan language classes in monasteries The urgent notice from Nangqian was County Party Committee in Yushu is a violation of many basic human issued by a local chapter of the UFWD. Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in rights from education to cultural life,” China’s southwestern Qinghai province, said Sophie Richardson, HRW’s China This working organ has assumed a issued an urgent notice to all party director. more central role in the last few years, committees, local governments and especially after the party incorporated monastery management committees “Preventing Tibetan children from the National Ethnic Affairs Commission in townships and villages across the contacting monks and monasteries will and the State Bureau of Religious Affairs county. only fuel Tibetan fears that China aims into its fold. increasingly to restrict Tibetan culture It noted the winter vacation was and religion.“ President Xi Jinping has also repeatedly approaching for primary and secondary heaped praise on the UFWD and stressed schools and cautioned that illegal Fabricated charges its importance to China’s rejuvenation. Tibetan language classes in monasteries However, what I really want to ask were on the rise. is: Who was actually offended by the As a department, it specializes in spying, Tibetan language classes being offered bribery and fraud. More recently, it To curb this, townships were instructed by monasteries? Moreover, what seems to have adopted a much stricter to strengthen their sense of urgency, regulations did they violate? line after taking responsibility for improve the way monasteries are ethnic and religious affairs. The ban on organized and roll out measures to In fact, since last year, the CCP has Tibetan lessons is one of many extreme rectify the situation. not only prohibited Tibetan cadres manifestations of its power. (including those already retired) from Monasteries in the region have also participating in religious activities In Tibet, especially in Yushu Autonomous been ordered to hang up portraits of but also strictly prohibited Tibetan Prefecture, Tibetan literacy rates among party heroes like Mao Zedong or face children from kindergarten to middle schoolchildren and government officials punishment. school, together with their parents, from are appallingly low. This is largely participating in religious activities. because schools rarely offer courses in The management committees were told Tibetan language anymore; those that do to conduct a thorough review, shut down Later, the party started to ban students only offer it as an elective course. any Tibetan classes and severely punish from attending free tutorial classes on monks who had ignored the state’s the Tibetan language, “in accordance This is reflected in the abysmal guidance on education. with the law”. translation of the notice from Chinese to Tibetan: it is full of typos, confused Those responsible for organizing the But the CCP does not stipulate that it is expressions, bad grammar and wrong classes must be expelled from the illegal to hold a language tutoring class, sentence structure. monastery and their religious certificates let alone one that is free of charge and confiscated, the notice stated. It only available on holidays. But it is common nowadays to see demanded warnings be pasted in such poorly written Tibetan language public places to discourage others from Of course, as long as the CCP’s documents churned out by party officials. following suit. centralized government wants to In fact, the UFWD cadres urgently need

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 25 WORLD PRESS to upgrade their Tibetan language skills instead of banning classes; if not, the China’s Cultural Revolution Might Soon CCP will surely lose face for being Reappear in Tibet unable to even pen a letter in the local By Flora Yan, The Epoch Times language while raising a crop of useless people.

Faced with this mounting crisis regarding the fate of their mother tongue, monasteries in the region took it upon themselves to organize the language classes during the school winter break.

In doing so, they have been helping to preserve their language while keeping children occupied with healthy pursuits during their vacation. It is little surprise, then, that most parents applauded the move.

Yet the CCP views this as a threat to its hegemonic power — something that must be stopped. Young Tibetan Buddhist novice monks stand in the grasslands of their nomadic camp on the Tibetan Pla- It sent a thinly veiled warning by teau in Madou County, Qinghai Province, China on July 24, 2015. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) sentencing Tibetan language and culture Recently, The Print used satellite images Recently, the Chinese regime barred advocate Tashi Wangchuk to five to prove that at least three “re-education foreign tourists from visiting Tibet years in prison just for petitioning the camps” are currently under construction because of a sensitive anniversary: government at various levels to protect in Tibet. The author of the survey, March 10th, 2019, the 60th year of the Tibet’s language and culture. He was Vinayak Bha, is a colonel retired from Tibetan National Uprising against the charged with “inciting separatism.” the Indian military intelligence unit and Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) is a well-known satellite image research occupation of Tibet’s capital Lhasa. There are several reasons why the CCP expert. He has repeatedly revealed is so bent on suppressing these language Chinese military deployment dynamics Looking back at history, the CCP’s rule classes. through satellite photos. This time, he over Tibet has already caused disastrous revealed construction done by Chinese damage to Tibet’s culture. Chiefly, it aims to cover up the authorities in Tibet. The so-called government malpractice that has been “temple” of Tibetan Buddhism is actually According to several Tibetan going on in terms of education in Tibet. a concentration camp that is surrounded autobiographies and photo collections However, it also wishes to diminish the by high walls and guard towers and has from the Cultural Revolution found influence of monasteries and prevent the same structural design as a prison. in Lhasa in recent years, although the a new generation of Tibetans from Observers warned that China may CCP repeatedly guaranteed freedom of mastering their language and connecting soon start mass detention of Tibetans religion and respect for local lifestyles to their traditional culture. following the model of concentration in its early occupation of Tibet, it started camps for Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. the so-called “democratic reform” in the The goal is to pave the way for the mid-1950s to carry out land reforms and “China Dream” of eliminating Tibetan Since 2009, ethnic minority groups establish people’s communes. It forcibly ethnicity altogether in the interests of a in Xinjiang have been interned and confiscated or purchased private unified nation under the full control of allegedly tortured by the Chinese property, production tools, and livestock the CCP. government. If the Chinese regime at extremely low prices. starts another disastrous campaign of * Sang Jieja is a Tibetan writer, repression in Tibet, similar to what Later on, the CCP regarded Tibetan commentator and a former Chinese happened during the notorious 10-year Buddhism, which is the cornerstone spokesman for the exiled Tibetan Cultural Revolution, Tibet’s unique of Tibetan culture, as “feudalistic government. He is now studying in cultural heritage may undergo another superstition,” they saw Tibetan Spain. catastrophe. temples as “counter-revolutionary headquarters,” and the monks as

26 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 WORLD PRESS

“counter-revolutionaries.” As a result, a secularize, marry, or be sent to labor have long lost the ability to express large number of temples were destroyed, camps. A large number of scriptures, themselves in their mother tongue. and hundreds of thousands of years of cultural relics, Buddha statues, and historical relics stored in the temples architectural decorations were smashed, What Tibet has experienced is only one were plundered. Many monks were burned, stolen, or shipped out of Tibet example of the CCP’s destruction of arrested and imprisoned after being for sale. The square that monks used for traditional national and ethnic culture. criticized and abused. Tibetans’ lives Dharma studies and prayer became a At the same time, all ethnic groups, were threatened, their culture was venue for public humiliation against the including the majority Han Chinese, destroyed, and their religious beliefs monks. The body of the Jokhang Temple have been subjected to varying degrees were also at the brink of extinction. was “renovated” to be used as a pig pen. of oppression under the CCP’s rule. In the Therefore, tens of thousands of Tibetans, The same tragedy occurred in the entire past 70 years, the Chinese Communist including peasants, herders, merchants, Tibet region as well as the neighboring regime has caused unbearable suffering soldiers, and even monks, decided to Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan to the people in China. But as the old take up arms and organized guerrilla provinces. saying goes, good and evil will be met attacks, despite knowing that this was with just rewards. Recent signs have not the best choice to make. They fought Historical data has shown that, from 1949 shown that the CCP is reaching the end with the well-trained and advanced CCP when the CCP began to invade Tibet to of its days. The glory of China’s 5000- troops in the three districts of Tibet the end of the Cultural Revolution in year civilization will continue to shine including Weizang, Amdo and Kang, 1979, the CCP’s rule caused a total of without the Communist shadow. with extremely simple weapons and 1.2 million deaths in Tibet (including the insufficient ammunition. surrounding provinces), accounting for Flora Yan is a junior at the University of nearly 20 percent of the entire Tibetan Washington in Seattle double-majoring The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, population of 6 million. The destruction in political science and communication. and the resistance movement in Tibet of more than 6,000 monasteries caused She is conducting research related to continued until the 1960s when it was irreparable damage to Tibetan culture. the impact of propaganda on public completely suppressed by the CCP. But opinion and public policy; the role of the Tibetans’ suffering did not end there. Such destruction continues to this day. propaganda in totalitarian countries; and Later during the Cultural Revolution, The CCP has forcibly resettled Tibetans the connection between human rights Tibetan culture was systematically in designated areas, restricted the use and foreign policy. An aspiring China destroyed. and teaching of the Tibetan language, observer, she is particularly interested in strictly monitored all monasteries, and human rights issues in China. During the Cultural Revolution, all forcibly promoted “patriotic education,” Views expressed in this article are religious and cultural activities, such all of which accelerated the destruction the opinions of the author and do not as chanting scriptures and lighting yak of Tibetan culture and the sanitization necessarily reflect the views of The butter lamps, were all banned. Tens of of Tibet. Many Tibetan children living Epoch Times. thousands of monks were forced to in metropolitan areas such as Lhasa Second Five-Fifty Youth Forum: Shaping Tibet’s Future to be held from 16-19 August 2019 The Department of Information and In- load their resume. The deadline for sub- follows: ternational Relations of Central Tibetan mission of the application is May 17, Administration is convening Second 2019, by 5 pm. 20 from India-based participants Five-Fifty Youth Forum: Shaping Ti- A selection committee will review the 5 from Nepal/Bhutan based participants bet’s Future, that will bring together a application and shortlist candidates. 10 from North America based partici- select group of 100 young Tibetans of pants the age group 20-35, from across the Preference will be given to candidates 10 from Europe based participants globe to discuss and deliberate on CTA’s with remarkable achievements, com- 5 from Austroasia (Australia /New Zea- Five-Fifty Vision. munity leadership experience, and new land /Japan/ Taiwan) based participants participants. Selection process: 50 seats will be open Interested participants will have to fill DIIR will incur your travel and logisti- the online application form before the cal costs. Deadlines: deadline. Submission of application: May 17, The final selected candidates will re- 2019, by 5 pm Click here for the application form. ceive intimation by May 24, 2019. Intimation of selected participants: May 24, 2019 The same link also has provision to up- The breakdown of the participants is as Email: [email protected]

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 27 WORLD PRESS

After 60 years in exile, Dalai Lama’s still remembered in his homeland

BY Philip Wen, Reuters

TAKTSER, China (Reuters) – It may Dalai Lama, disguised as a soldier, fl ed dates in China this year, including the have been six decades since the Dalai the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the Tibetan 30th anniversary of the crackdown Lama fl ed into exile, but in the isolated capital, after rumors that Chinese on pro-democracy demonstrators in mountain hamlet where he was born, troops were planning his abduction Tiananmen Square in June, that the he remains very much on the minds of or assassination fomented an abortive ruling Communist Party wants to ensure devotees and Chinese authorities alike. popular uprising. passes without controversy.

Buddhist monks enter a prayer hall at The Dalai Lama crossed into India two Speaking on the sidelines of China’s Rongwo Monastery in the largely ethnic weeks later, and has not set foot in Tibet annual meeting of parliament this Tibetan town of Rebkong, Qinghai since. month, Tibet’s Communist Party chief province, China March 9, 2019. Picture Wu Yingjie said the Tibetan people felt taken March 9, 2019. REUTERS/ Despite the passage of time, during greater affection toward the government Thomas Peter sensitive political anniversaries China’s than the Dalai Lama, who “hasn’t done On the northeastern edge of the Tibetan security apparatus routinely restricts a single good thing for the people of plateau, Taktser, in Qinghai province, access to the village where the Dalai Tibet”. where the Dalai Lama was born in 1935 Lama’s old family is located, behind a to parents who farmed buckwheat and pair of wooden doors and high concrete As the Dalai Lama ages, many Tibetans barley, is a magnet to worshippers and walls. fear that Beijing will simply appoint its foreign tourists – and security personnel. own replacement. ‘IN YOUR HEART’ During a recent Reuters visit to Taktser, The Dalai Lama has suggested that known in Chinese as Hongya, police One 29-year-old Tibetan man in the his incarnation might be found outside armed with automatic weapons blocked largely ethnic Tibetan town of Rebkong, Chinese-controlled territory, or that the the winding road leading into the village set in a precipitous valley in Qinghai centuries-old Dalai Lama institution of some 60 houses. with a large monastery adorned in rich could die with him. colors, enthusiastically recounted to Police and more than a dozen plain- Reuters his pilgrimage to Taktser years clothed offi cials who declined to identify ago. themselves refused Reuters entry, saying the village was private and not open to He said Tibetans were well aware of the public. the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s exile, even if public The Qinghai government and China’s commemorations of any sort were State Council Information Offi ce, which banned. doubles as the Communist Party’s spokesman’s offi ce, did not respond to “You can only bury it in your heart, requests for comment. we just don’t speak about it,” he said, declining to be identifi ed due to the Beijing views the Nobel Peace Prize sensitivity of the matter. laureate as a dangerous separatist and has denounced the 83-year-old spiritual “We have no ability to go against politics, leader as a “wolf in monk’s robes”. we can only just go with society.” The Dalai Lama denies espousing violence and says he only wants genuine Born Lhamo Thondup, the Dalai Lama autonomy for Tibet. was just two years old when identifi ed You can download this book from by a search party as the new incarnation tibet.net. Many of China’s more than 6 million of Tibet’s most important spiritual Tibetans still venerate the Dalai Lama, leader, and was whisked from the family despite government prohibitions on home to live in Lhasa. displays of his picture or any public display of devotion. The anniversary of his escape over the mountains into exile in India is This Sunday marks 60 years since the one of several politically sensitive

28 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 WORLD PRESS

Sending a Message to China, Dalai Lama Says His Successor May Come from India Krishna N. Das and Sunil Kataria, The Wire

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader But many Tibetans – whose tradition Lama, who gave up his political duties of Tibetan Buddhism, said on Monday holds that the soul of a senior Buddhist in 2001, developing a democratic system it was possible that once he dies his monk is reincarnated in the body of a for the up to 100,000 Tibetans living in incarnation could be found in India, child on his death – suspect any Chinese India. where he has lived in exile for 60 years, role as a ploy to exert infl uence on the and warned that any other successor community. Seminar in China? named by China would not be respected. Born in 1935, the current Dalai Lama During the interview, the Dalai Lama Sat in an offi ce next to a temple ringed by was identifi ed as the reincarnation of his spoke passionately about his love for green hills and snow-capped mountains, predecessor when he was two years old. cosmology, neurobiology, quantum the 14th Dalai Lama spoke to Reuters physics and psychology. a day after Tibetans in the northern Many of China’s more than six million Indian town of Dharamshala marked Tibetans still venerate the Dalai Lama If he was ever allowed to visit his the anniversary of his escape from the despite government prohibitions on homeland, he said he’d like to speak Tibetan capital, Lhasa, disguised as a displays of his picture or any public about those subjects in a Chinese soldier. display of devotion. university.

He fl ed to India in early 1959 after a Up for discussion But he wasn’t expecting to go while failed uprising against Chinese rule, and China remained under Communist rule. has since worked to draw global support The Dalai Lama said contact between for linguistic and cultural autonomy in Tibetans living in their homeland and in “China – great nation, ancient nation his remote and mountainous homeland. exile was increasing, but that no formal – but its political system is totalitarian meetings have happened between system, no freedom. So therefore I China, which took control of Tibet in Chinese and his offi cials since 2010. prefer to remain here, in this country.” 1950, brands the 83-year-old Nobel peace laureate a dangerous separatist. Informally, however, some retired The Dalai Lama was born to a family Chinese offi cials and businessman with of farmers in Taktser, a village on the Pondering what might happen after his connections to Beijing do visit him from northeastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, death, the Dalai Lama anticipated some time to time, he added. in China’s Qinghai province. attempt by Beijing to foist a successor on Tibetan Buddhists. He said the role of the Dalai Lama after During a recent Reuters visit to Taktser, his death, including whether to keep it, police armed with automatic weapons “China considers Dalai Lama’s could be discussed during a meeting blocked the road. Police and more than reincarnation as something very of Tibetan Buddhists in India later this a dozen plain-clothed offi cials said the important. They have more concern year. village was not open to non-locals. about the next Dalai Lama than me,” said the Dalai Lama, swathed in his Also read | From Illiteracy to PhD: “Our strength, our power is based on traditional red robes and yellow scarf. How Exiled Tibetan Buddhist Nuns Are truth. Chinese power based on gun,” the Ensuring Gender Parity Dalai Lama said. “So for short term, gun “In future, in case you see two Dalai is much more decisive, but long term Lamas come, one from here, in free He, however, added that though there truth is more powerful.” country, one chosen by Chinese, then was no reincarnation of Buddha, his nobody will trust, nobody will respect teachings have remained. (the one chosen by China). So that’s an additional problem for the Chinese! “If the majority of (Tibetan people) It’s possible, it can happen,” he added, really want to keep this institution, laughing. then this institution will remain,” he said. “Then comes the question of the China has said its leaders have the right reincarnation of the 15th Dalai Lama.” www.mwa.tibet.net to approve the Dalai Lama’s successor, as a legacy inherited from China’s If there is one, he would still have “no emperors. political responsibility”, said the Dalai

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN BULLETIN 29 WORLD PRESS

Tibet has never been a part of China anywhere in its pre-1949 history By Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Media Bureau Chief

The Chinese communist mouthpiece, the show Tibet as a part of China3. Prof Global Times, recently carried an article, Han Shiang Lau, an expert on Chinese “Western media report on Tibet full of history, has in his presentations, stated bias” by Xu Hailin. But the irony of the that old offi cials documents of Ming article is that, while it criticized western [1368 – 1644] and Qing [1644 – 1912] media of ignorance and misleading, dynasties have recorded Tibet as a the fi rst paragraph of the article itself foreign entity along with other foreign refl ected gross ignorance and intention countries. “Tibet was never a part of to mislead on the part of the author. China before 1949”4, he clarifi ed to the friendly prince Chengchung as the new large audience. It says, “Tibet has been an inalienable Emperor. During King Trirelpachen’s part of China since ancient times. This period, a peace treaty was concluded Therefore, Xu Hailin’s assertion that is the precondition for anyone to talk between Tibet and China in 821 CE Tibet has been an inalienable part of about the Tibet question. Without it, any in which it was proclaimed, “Tibetans China since ancient times is wrong and criticism is self-serving entertainment shall be happy in Tibet, and Chinese in devoid of any historical facts. that can never have a correct and China. Both shall not intrude into other’s comprehensive understanding of what territory”. These events were inscribed Now, coming to the “liberation of 1 has been happening in Tibet.” on the stone pillars [Tib: rdo ring] million serfs, promotion of democracy, erected in the Chinese city of Changan, human rights, Tibetan language” etc. by Tibet has been an independent nation Tibetan capital Lhasa and the border the communist regime, if these were all since ancient time, and it has never been Gungu Meru. The pillars in Lhasa stand true, why this restriction to visit Tibet? a part of China anywhere in its history. witness to these historical facts. Why Tibet is still closed? Why the It was only in 1949, that the communist increased number of security personals, China forcefully occupied Tibet, and Later, in the 13th century, like some army tanks, surveillance cameras, unleashed its draconian rule in the other countries, both Tibet and China restrictions and arrests in the Tibetan region. If the statehood of Tibet is to be also came under the infl uence of the areas? Why the construction of new set as a precondition to talk about Tibet, Mongolian empire. But China was ruled gulags in Tibet5? then the communist regime should go directly by Mongol emperors under Yuan hiding behind the bushes of the Great dynasty [1279-1368]. Tibet enjoyed China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Le walls. great autonomy under Priest-patron Yucheng has recently said, “Tibet enjoys [Tib: chos yon] relationship between stability and development, and people in Since the time of the fi rst King of Tibet, the Mongol Emperors and the Sakya Tibet enjoy [a] free and happy life,” at Nyatri Tsanpo [around 400 BCE]2, some Lamas. However, Tibet later shook the UN Human Rights Council (HRC)6. 43 kings had ruled Tibet till the middle off the Mongolian infl uence in 1350, If this is true why China rejected the of 9th century CE. It was followed by while China became free only in 1368. United Nation HRC delegations’ request Sakya Lamas, Phagdrupas, Rinpungs, Therefore, the Chinese assertion that to visit Tibet to verify the claims? Tsangpas and the Dalai Lamas till 1959, China inherited Tibet from Mongolian the year when China took full control Yuan dynasty does not hold any ground. China must answer to these ‘whys’ over Tibet. In all these years, Tibet and convince the Tibetans and the had maintained varied relationships of During the reign of the Dalai Lamas international community of its honesty. war, peace, and accommodation with starting from the mid 17th century, This should, in fact, be the precondition its immediate neighbors: India, China, Mongol, China and Nepal infl uenced for China before it claims of any Mongolia and Nepal. How much China Tibet occasionally, but nothing amounted achievement and happy life in Tibet! may want to distort, the fact is as early to the loss of Tibetan independence. as 7th century, Tang Emperor Taitsung When Tibet realized the “Great Game” Disclaimer: Views expressed here had to kowtow before the might of King of British and Russian Empire, His are that of the individual and does not Srongtsan Gampo and offer his daughter Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama declared necessarily refl ect those of the Central Princess Wencheng Kungchu’s hand to Tibetan independence on 13th February Tibetan Administration. the Tibetan king. 1913. *T.G. Arya is the Additional Secretary In 763 CE, during the reign of King Chinese communist leadership and its at Department of Information & Trisrong Deutsan, Tibetan troops scholars should note that no Chinese International Relation, Central Tibetan captured the Chinese capital Changan, offi cial documents prior to the founding Administration (CTA) present day Xian, and installed the of the People’s Republic of China

30 TIBETAN BULLETIN MARCH - APRIL 2019 TIBETAN MEDIA Sheja (Offi cial Tibetan monthly) NewsTibet Department of Information & International 241 E. 32nd Street Relations, Dharamshala-176215, HP, India New York, NY 10016 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tibetoffi ce.org Web: www.bod.asia Tibet Bulletin (Offi cial Chinese bi-monthly) Tibetan Freedom (Offi cial Tibetan weekly) Department of Information & International Department of Information & International Relations, Dharamshala-176 215, HP, India Relations, Dharamshala-176215, HP, India Email: [email protected] TIBETAN Email: [email protected] Web: www.xizang-zhiye.org Web: www.bod.asia www.tibetonline.tv bulleTin

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QUOTES

“Once children enter into the education system, there’s not much talk about human values. They become oriented towards material goals while their good qualities lie dormant. Education should help us use our intelligence to good effect, which means applying reason. Then we can distinguish what’s in our short and long term interest. Used properly our intelligence can help us be realistic; anger makes us short-sighted” during the launch of SEE learning by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 5 April 2019

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“I am committed to trying to revive ancient Indian knowledge in modern India, because I believe this is the only country that could combine this learning with modern education. In the monastic universities re-established in South India we have about 10,000 monks and 1000 nuns trained in this age-old understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions” His Holiness the Dalai Lama during interacting with youth global leaders on 7 April 2019

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“Over the last six decades, the government in Beijing has brutally repressed the Tibetan people, denied us our basic rights and has consistently pursued systematic policies to crackdown on Tibetan language, culture, unique identity, and spiritual practices. In essence, China has deliberately aimed to eradicate Tibet’s civilization from the face of this earth”President Dr Lobsang Sangay Greetings on 60th Tibetan National Uprising Day on 10 March 2019

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“Language is the soul of a people. Peace and nonviolence is the sole method for the realization of the just cause of the Tibetan people. Hence it is incumbent on us to keep in heart whatever advices His Holiness the Dalai Lama has routinely been providing us in terms of preserving our ethnic identity, language, culture and so on” Speaker Pema Jugney during 60th Tibetan National Uprising Day on 10 March 2019

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Edited by Tenzin Saldon 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