t i b e t a n Bu l l e t i N Th e Of f i c i a l Jo u r n a l o f t h e Ce n t r a l Ti b e t a n Administration Volume 17, Issue 1 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2013

Focus

Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign

P - 11

Documentation

Testimony of Sikyong before Canadian Parliamentary Committee

P - 8

Feature

Challenges facing school education in exile Tibetan community; what teachers are saying?

P - 20

World Press

In Villages, Praying for the Souls of Tibetan Self-Immolators

P - 24

www.tibet.net/en/tibbul Ti b e t a n Me d i a

Sheja (Official 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.tibetoffice.org Web: www.bod.asia Tibet Bulletin (Official Chinese bi-monthly) Tibetan Freedom (Official 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 Contacts for the Central Tibetan Administration NEEDS YOU INDIA JAPAN Department of Information & International Liaison Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama, Hayama Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, Building No. 5(5F), 5-11-30 Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala - 176 215 Tokyo 160-0022, Japan H.P., India Tel: +91-1892-222510/222457 Tel: +81-3-3353-4094, Fax: +81-3-3225-8013 Fax: +91-1892-224957 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] An Ap p e a l www.tibet.net www.tibethouse.jp

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documentation TIBETAN 8. Testimony of Sikyong before Canadian Parliamentary Committee Bu l l e t i N Tibetan Bulletin is an official bi-monthly journal of the Central Tibetan Admin- istration. Focus 9. All India “Solidarity with Tibet” campaign

11. Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign

Signed articles or quotations do not nec- Fact Sheet essarily reflect the views of the Central 16. Fact Sheet on Self-Immolation Incidents in Tibet Tibetan Administration. Contributions (27 February 2009 - 28 February 2013) are welcome and may be addressed to the editor, Tibetan Bulletin. However the publisher regrets its inability to return unused articles unless they are accom- panied by a self-addressed envelope with Feature adequate postage. Tibetan Bulletin is distributed free of 20. Challenges facing school education in exileTibetan community; what teachers are saying? charge.To subscribe please email the cir- culation manager or see page 2. 23. Burning Minds Editor Tenzin Jamchhen World Press Email: [email protected] Layout & Design 24. In Villages, Praying for the Souls of Tibetan Self-Immolators Dorjee Tsering --by Didi Kirsten Tatlow Circulation Manager 26. How Many Self-Immolating Tibetans Does It Take to Make a Difference? Dawa Norbu --by Ishaan Tharoor Email: [email protected] Tibetan Bulletin is published by: 27. Tibet’s Voice of Realism Department of Information and --by Pico Iyer International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala- 176 215 H.P. India Tel: +91-1892-222510 / 222457

Vol. 17, Issue 1 Re g u l a r s Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Co n t a c t Ad d r e s s ______2 ne w s b r i e f ______4 Li s t o f b oo k s f o r Sa l e ______32 Ne w s b r i e f Self-Immolation Reaches 107 The Task Force will be reconstituted gong County where a record number of The fiery protest of self-immolation with additional new members, and a Tibetans burned themselves to demand continues in Tibet as 12 Tibetans set meeting will be convened soon after the an end to Chinese repression in Tibet themselves on fire in the first two National People’s Congress session in and for the return of His Holiness the months of 2013 alone. So far, 107 Ti- March this year, when the new Chinese Dalai Lama to Tibet, the report cited. betans have self-immolated in Tibet in leadership will assume full responsibil- protest against the Chinese rule in Tibet. ity. Government of India approves the The self-immolators have called for the Transfer of CTSA Schools to CTA return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Sikyong Opens First Tibetan Teach- The Government of India approved to Tibet and freedom for Tibet. er’s Meeting in Dharamsala the proposal requesting the transfer of The first Tibetan Teacher’s Meeting schools under Central Tibetan Schools was held at the Tibetan Children Vil- Administration (CTSA) to the Depart- lage School at lower Dharamsala, from ment of Education of Central Tibetan 3-5 January 2013. The three-day meet- Administration. ing was organised by the Department of The Central Tibetan Schools Admin- Education, Central Tibetan Administra- istration is an autonomous body regu- tion. lated by the Indian Ministry of Human Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay who is Resource Development, to manage and also the Kalon for the Department of assist schools for the education of the Education inaugurated the meeting. Tibetan children in India. There are Chinese police encircle local Tibetans marking Over 153 Tibetan teachers from all over 28 CTSA schools whose enrolment is the Tibetan New Year in Kumbum, eastern Tibet- India and Nepal, as well as officials currently 9,991 students. In addition, Phayul Photo from the Department of Education at- the CTSA also runs 45 Pre-Primary Of the total 107 self-immolations since tended the meeting. The meeting delib- schools. 2009, 90 of them have died so far, while erated on ways to develop the education CTA's Department of Education in its the conditions and whereabouts of oth- system in Tibetan schools. press release quoted "This major deci- ers remain largely unknown. In 2012 sion is representative of the trust and alone, 83 Tibetans have self-immolat- Massive Crackdown on Satellite TV/ the confidence that the Government ed. Radio Programmes in Eastern Tibet of India has in the CTA’s capability to The Central Tibetan Administration has provide quality education to the Tibetan consistently appealed to Tibetans not to children in exile." resort to drastic actions. "We pledge to make every effort to real- For more details on self-immolation, ize the vision of His Holiness the Da- please check the Fact-sheet on Page-16 lai Lama and the late Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru to nurture a generation Tibetan Task Force on Negotiations of Tibetan youth having sound modern Discusses Critical Situation in Tibet as well as traditional education" the re- and China’s New Leadership lease stated. A two-day meeting of the Tibetan Task Force on Negotiations was held in Satellite dishes being burnt in eastern Tibet 4 Kirti Monks Sentenced to Varying Dharamsala from 31 December 2012 to Chinese authorities have launched a Prison Terms 1 January 2013, chaired by Sikyong Dr. massive crackdown on satellite equip- A local Chinese court in Barkham in Lobsang Sangay. ments used by Tibetans in Malho region Tibet's Ngaba region sentenced four The meeting reviewed the deepening of eastern Tibet. The move is believed monks of Tsodun Kirti monastery to political crisis in Tibet, specifically the to be part of a government clampdown prison terms ranging from 2 –10 years. tragic spate of self-immolations, and on communications to stifle informa- Asung, 22, was sentenced to two and discussed the urgent need for peace- tion on self-immolation protests against a half years in prison while Lobsang ful resolution of the issue of Tibet. The the Chinese government. Senge, 19, Yarphel, 18 and Namsey, 18, meeting also discussed the changes in According to a report published by were sentenced to two years, six years the Chinese leadership and their impli- Radio Free Asia, hundreds of satellite and ten years respectively. cations on the Tibetan issue. dishes and receivers were seized from All of them were arrested during night Substantive assessments were made on homes in Malho prefecture in Qinghai raids on Kirti monastery in August the genesis of the Tibetan dialogue pro- province and destroyed or burned as part 2012. The reasons for their arrests were cess, its future prospects and challeng- of a “cleansing” operation launched on not revealed at the time of their deten- es. The procedure for appointment of the orders of the ruling Chinese Com- tion by the Chinese authorities. Uncon- envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama munist Party. firmed reports suggest that their arrest was also discussed. The campaign was centered on Reb- might be in response to the early self-

4 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ne w s b r i e f immolations of Kirti monks. Losar (Tibetan New Year) this year, as Earlier, Chinese authorities have also they performed only the customary re- detained Thubwang Tenzin, a 20 year ligious rituals like visiting temples and old monk and Rabten, a religious ad- making offerings. ministrator of Kirti monastery with- The Kashag of the CTA earlier request- out any specific reasons. Their current ed Tibetans to not celebrate Losar with whereabouts is still unknown. usual festivities. In its press release Kirti monastery has been the hotbed dated 24th January 2013, the Kashag of Tibetan self-immolations. The mon- urged Tibetans to wear traditional robe astery has been under strict Chinese Kalon Pema Chhinjor offering Mendrel Tensum (Chuba) to display their identity and to surveillance for the last two years after to H.E. Gyalwang Karmapa, during a long life pray for all who have sacrificed their prayer ceremony monks repeatedly set themselves on fire Kalon Pema Chhinjor of the Department lives and for all who continue to suffer protesting against the Chinese govern- of Religion and Culture, in the presence in occupied Tibet. ment. of over 300 monks and delegates, pre- sented Gyalwang Karmapa with auspi- His Holiness attends Mind and Life CTA condemns harsh punishment cious offerings for his long life. Conference imposed on 8 Tibetans in Tibet As a part of its initiative to offer Ten- Eight Tibetans were pronounced harsh shug to all the heads of the Tibetan Bud- sentences from 31 January-1 February dhist traditions, the Department of Re- 2013. Two Tibetans – Lobsang Kun- ligion and Culture has so far presented chok, 40, of Kirti monastery and Lob- long life prayers to H. E. Sakya Trizin sang Tsering, 31, from Ngaba, received Rinpoche, H.E. Menri Trizin Rinpoche, death sentence with a two-year reprieve H.E. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, H.E. and 10-year imprisonment respectively Drigung Chetsang Rinpoche, and H.E. for allegedly inciting Tibetans to self- Gaden Tripa Rinpoche. immolate by a Chinese court – whereas six more Tibetans from Labrang, Ti- China must be held accountable to its bet, were pronounced equally harsh UN pledges: DIIR Kalon sentences. The six Tibetans are Pema China must be held accountable to the His Holiness the Dalai Lama took part in Dhondup, Kelsang Gyatso, Pema Tso, pledges it made to the UN Human Rights extensive discussions with some of the Lhamo Dondup, Dhukar Gyal and Council, said Kalon Dicki Chhoyang in world’s top scientists and philosophers Yangmo Kyi. her address to the 5th Geneva Summit in the Mind and Life XXVI: Mind, Brain The Central Tibetan Administration for Human Rights and Democracy. The and Matter - Critical Conversations condemned the harsh sentence stating conference was organised by Geneva between Buddhist Thought and Science that the sentence was unacceptable as based UN Watch and an international held from 17-22 January 2013 at the the verdicts were given out without due coalition of 20 NGOs. Drepung Lachi Monastery in Mund- process and proper representation. Kalon Dicki Chhoyang called on China god Tibetan settlement, Karnataka. The to honour its pledges to uphold the high- conference jointly organised by Mind CTA Releases White Paper on Self- est standard of cooperation with the UN and Life Institute, Emory-Tibet Science Immolations Human Rights Council and its mecha- Initiative, and the Library of Tibetan On 2 February 2013, Sikyong Dr. Lob- nism. China’s human rights record will Works and Archives, discussed various sang Sangay released the CTA's white once again be scrutinised by the UN topics ranging from quantum physics to paper on self-immolations "Why Tibet Universal Periodic Review in October neuroscience to Buddhist and Western is Burning", the first publication of the 2013. The last one was in 2009. understanding of consciousness. Tibet Policy Institute on the fundamen- She said that there are 12 outstanding The six-day event brought together 20 of tal reasons for the increasing number of requests for official visits to China by the world’s foremost scientists and phi- self-immolations in Tibet. UN Special Rapporteurs on various losophers with His Holiness and other human rights issues, including one by senior Tibetan scholars in the attendance CTA offers Tenshug to H.E. Gyal- the Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of of several thousand monks and nuns wang Karmapa religion and belief which the Chinese from numerous Tibetan monastic centers The Central Tibetan Administration of- agreed in 2004 but still not materia- of learning. Speaking at the conference, fered long life prayers (Tenshug) to His lised. His Holiness said that the venue this Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa year was Drepung, which is the second Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the head of Kamt- Tibetans Forgo Losar celebration Nalanda of Tibet and the monastery to sang Kagyu school of Kagyu tradition, In the light of continuing tragic situ- which the line of Dalai Lamas since the during a ceremony at Gyuto monastery ation inside Tibet, Tibetans living in second have belonged. in Dharamsala on 4 February. exile again refrained from celebrating

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 5 Do c u m e n t a t i o n 2012: Year at a Glance

-- January 21: Canadian Tibetan Re- -- Feb 22: Tibetan Losar (New Year) settlement Project was officially was dedicated to Tibetans in Tibet, launched :The project was created at Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile started a the request of H.H. the Dalai Lama Day long Solidarity Hunger Strike during his 2007 meeting with Cana- dian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper -- Feb 15: CTA launched "Tibet Policy Institute"

May 14: His Holiness the Dalai Lama honoured with Templeton Prize.

-- April: Indian government agreed to renew Tibetan Registration Certifi- Mar 14: 3rd session of the 15th Tibetan cates for 5 years. Parliament-in-Exile began deliberation on Tibet's critical situation Feb 8: Worldwide Solidarity Vigil -- Mar 30: Thousands gathered to pay their last respects to Jampel Yeshi, who set himself on fire in Delhi

-- April 2: CTA's Department of Health Launched "Tibetan Medicare System" April 27-29 : 6th World Parliamentarians April 12: CTA launched "Tibet Corps" Convention on Tibet held in Ottawa, Canada

May 26: European Solidarity Rally for Tibet held in Vienna, Austria June 1: Kalon Tripa Accepted Resignations of Special Envoy Lodi G. Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen

June 14: European Parliament Passed Resolution on Tibet June 9: 4th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference held in Dharamsala 6 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Do c u m e n t a t i o n

July 6: Flame of Truth Relay launched June 19: Meeting of His Holiness the Nov 2: UN High Commissioner for Hu- Dalai Lama and Aung San Suu Kyi man Rights Navi Pillay issued state- -- Sep 20: Tibetan Parliament Amended ment on Tibet Kalon Tripa to Sikyong

August 8: 14th Kashag Completed One Year in Office Sep 25: Special General Meeting of the Tibetan People

Oct 25: 7 Tibetans self-immo- Nov 16-18: Special International Tibet Support December 10: Global Solidarity Day lated within 7 days Group Meeting held in Dharamshala for Tibet observed across the world

Nov 9:Thousands of Students Led Protests in Tibet 83 TIbetans self-immolated in 2012 alone.

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 7 Do c u m e n t a t i o n Testimony of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay before the Subcommittee on Interna- tional Human Rights of the Canadian Parliament, on 26 February 2013

Thank you very much to the Chair and the eral self-immolations have taken place saying these are the jobless, hopeless peo- members of the Sub-Committe on Interna- and the self-immolators’ universal slogan ple who are resorting to self-immolation. tional Human Rights. or aspirations are that His Holiness the Then when self-immolation escalated they It is an honour and privilege to be in your Dalai Lama return to Tibet. As Canada said these are instigated from outside, by presence to testify about the situation in Ti- has witnessed Holiness the Dalai Lama’s us. There is not even a shred of evidence bet on behalf of the Tibetan people. I would visit where thousands of Canadians have as far as these allegations are concerned like to extend deep appreciation to Canada met him and heard him. But that right is and we have welcomed the Chinese gov- for awarding His Holiness the Dalai Lama denied to Tibetans inside Tibet. Hence ernment to come to Dharamsala to see our the honorary citizen of Canada. His Holi- the universal aspiration of Tibetans in- files and look for evidence if there is any. ness the Dalai Lama sends his good wishes side Tibet to have His Holiness the Dalai We can categorically say that the allega- and also wants to thank Prime Minister Lama return to Tibet. The second aspira- tions made by the Chinese government are Stephen Harper for meeting His Holiness tion is to have freedom for Tibetans. We baseless. And they are welcome to come the Dalai Lama and has been an advocate fully recognise and appreciate democracy, to Dharamsala and find out if there is any of the Tibet issue. We also welcome the freedom and rule of law, which are three evidence. In reality, the blame and solution statement issued by honourable foreign core principles of Canada enshrined in the lies with Beijing. The cause of self-immo- minister John Baird on December 14 on Canadian constitution also. That freedom, lation are occupation of Tibet and repres- the self-immolations, particularly encour- which the Canadians enjoy, is the aspira- sion of Tibetans. Tibetans are saying oc- aging the Chinese government to enter tions of Tibetans inside Tibet. As reflected cupation is unacceptable and repression is into dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai in the slogans of the self-immolators, as far unbearable. Hence there is political repres- Lama and his representatives. The Central as Tibetan Buddhism is concerned 108 is sion, economic marginalisation, environ- Tibetan Administration maintains that we an auspicious number, but unfortunately if mental destruction, cultural assimilation, have to resolve the issue of Tibet peace- there is one more self-immolation it will be and denial of religious freedom. These fully through dialogue and middle-way very inauspicious in the history of Tibet. are the reasons why Tibetans are forced is the official policy which seeks genuine This phenomenon of self-immolation is a to resort to self-immolation. There is no autonomy within the framework of the new one as well as a tragic and sad one. space for any kind of protest and there is Chinese constitution. We would also like Hence, the Tibetan administration and I no freedom of speech for Tibetans. Hence to extend our appreciation to honorable have made repeated calls to Tibetans in- tragically and sadly, they are resorting to minister Jason Kenny and government for side Tibet not to resort to self-immolation. self-immolation. allowing one thousand visas to Tibetans We have categorically discouraged drastic Having said all that, we do believe, as I living in Arunachal Pradesh state of India actions including self-immolation, be- stated in the beginning of my statement, to migrate to Canada. We have done the se- cause as a human being we do not want to that we have to find the solution through lection of around 900 Tibetans so far, and see any one die the way Tibetans are doing peaceful means. Tibetans have subscribed we hope the first phase of Tibetans would inside Tibet. And as Buddhist or person of to non-violence and democracy for these be coming to Canada. Canada has been faith, we pray for all those who have died, many decades. We will continue to sub- very generous host to more than 5,000 Ti- including the self-immolators. And as a scribe and believe in these principles. So betans since 1971 after they had to settle Tibetan, we support the aspiration of the we seek the support from friends like you here and they are by and large law-abiding Tibetan people inside Tibet including the who believe in freedom, who believe in residents and citizens of Canada for which self-immolators. So, I, on their behalf is democracy, that the Chinese government we are very grateful. in this August body to highlight and share ought to enter into dialogue to solve the with you the sufferings of the Tibetan peo- issue of Tibet peacefully. This is what we On the topic of self-immolation, I am sad ple, and share with the aspirations of the to inform that the number keeps on in- believe, and with your support, we will Tibetan people so that your committee and continue to speak out for Tibetans inside creasing and now we have 107 cases of through your committee the Canadian Par- self-immolations. Just few days ago, some Tibet. I really appreciate the members of liament who have stood with us will for all the Parliament and the Committee, who Tibetans have committed self-immolation. these years continue to stand with us. It all started in 2009 and there was only are here and who have been a long term one case that year inside Tibet. In 2011, Unfortunately, the Chinese government friends of Tibet and Tibetan people. And I there were 13 cases of self-immolations. instead of finding solution, is resorting to urge you at the critical time of Tibet to be But unfortunately, in 2012, the majority blame game and they are blaming us. If with us and that you are right side of the of self-immolations took place, including you look at the blames that they have lev- cause. As we see around the world that jus- 28 cases in the month of November alone elled against us, first they say the self-im- tice ultimately prevails and it will prevail when the Chinese Communist Party had molators are crazy and they have lost their in Tibet as well. That will be partly because its 18th Party Congress. This year, sev- mind. When this did not work, they started of your support and efforts. Thank you.

8 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fo c u s All India “Solidarity with Tibet” campaign

Beginning the New Year, the Ti- India (Marxist) and having close affin- betan Parliament in Exile launched ity with the Beijing, Mr. Achuthanana- a month-long All-India ‘Solidar- dan declared that he would certainly ity with Tibet’ campaign, aimed ask the Beijing to facilitate a dialogue at promoting awareness on Tibet with the Tibetan leadership. issue and to garner and appeal for Tibetan Parliamentary Delegation support and solidarity for Tibet. launched its lobbying campaign in the Three groups of delegations of the city of Pondicherry calling upon Thiru. Tibetan Parliamentarians travelled N.G. Pannirselvam, the Honorable all over India to undertake this cru- Minister of Local Administration and cial Tibet campaign. During this Rural Development, and addressed a month long campaign, the delega- Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy, CM of Andhra Pradesh with the South zone gathering of foreign writers, scholars tions met with various Indian dig- Tibetan Parliamentary delegation at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. and students at the Tibet Pavilion in nitaries and garnered their support On 8 January, the delegates met with Auroville. The delegates attended a for the Tibet cause. the Honorable Chief Minister of Andhra Solidarity programme hosted by ITFS Pradesh Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy and his Pondicherry. The campaign started on 1 January in colleagues. The Tibetan delegation also On 19 January, the Tibetan delegation Bangalore, Karnataka, when the South- met with other dignitaries from BJP and called upon the Honorable Speaker of zone Tibetan parliamentary delegation Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Pondicherry House, Thiru R. Radhakrish- called upon Mr. K.G. Bopaiah, the Hon- During its lobby in Kerala state, the Tibet- nan and apprised him of the situation in- orable Speaker of the Karnataka State an delegates met with an array of top state side Tibet. Assembly, to formally launch the month- officials of Kerala including the Chief The South Zone Tibetan Parliamentary long All India “Solidarity with Tibet” Minister, Governor, Speaker, Opposition delegation consisted of Mr. Gyari Bhutuk, campaign. Leader and leaders from across the politi- Ven Adruk Tseten, Mr. Jigme Jungney, The delegation apprised the Honorable cal spectrum. Ms. Bumo Tsering, Ms. Tsering Youdon Speaker of the grave situation that has led The Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala, and Mr. Lobsang Yeshi. to waves of self-immolations by Tibetans Mr. Oommen Chandy assured the del- inside Tibet. Expressing his pleasure in egates that ‘Despite political limitations, The North-Eeast zone Tibetan Parlia- meeting the delegation, Mr. Bopaiah as- our full support, love and affections are mentary delegation began their lobby sured his support to the Tibetan people. with the Tibetans. You are fighting for a campaign from West Bengal on 8 Janu- On the second day of lobby campaign, good cause’. ary. The delegation met with the Honour- the Tibetan delegation met with the Hon- The delegation also met with scores of able Governor of West Bengal, Mr. M.K orable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. eminent personalities from various fields Narayanan at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. The Jagadish Shettar and thanked him for the including Mr. Ramesh Chennithala, Presi- delegation also met with various state of- support and solidarity bestowed by the dent of Kerala Congress Party and a for- ficials and politicians representing various people and the government of Karnataka mer union minister, Spiritual Guru Sri Sri political parties. They remained unequivo- for the last 50 years. Mr. Shettar expressed Ravi Shankar, Former Foreign Secretary cal in condemning the repressive Chinese his deepest concern over the issue of Tibet of India Mr. K.P.S.Menon, and many oth- policies and demonstrated solidarity with and assured that the Government will do ers. the peaceful resistance of Tibetans inside its best in extending their solidarity and Tibet. The delegates also addressed the gathering support for the cause of Tibet in the future of students and staff of Political Science After completing its first leg of lobby cam- too. A dinner was hosted to the former Department of University of Kerala, and paign, the delegation held a meeting with Chief Minister Mr. B.S. Yeddyurappa and later to the gathering of eminent Indian the Honorable Speaker of the Legislative other state dignitaries. Strategist and Defense analyst at Kerala assembly of West Bengal, Mr. Biman Ba- On its third day of campaign in Karnata- International Center (KIC), a prominent nerjee, followed by a meeting with Mr. ka, the South zone Tibetan parliamentary independent Think-Tank; The Talk was Derek O Brein, member of Rajya Sabha delegation met with Mr. H.R. Bhardwaj, chaired by Former Ambassador T.P. Srini- and chief whip of All India Trinamool Honorable Governor of Karnataka. The vasan. Congress Party (AITC). Honorable Governor asserted that the “Ti- The delegation also met with Mr. V.S. The delegation convened a press con- betan cause is always dear to us" and that Achuthanandan, the Kerala Opposition ference on January 11, and a documen- “His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a highly leader and the former Chief Minister. As tary film on self-immolations, ‘Tibet, the compassionate person and a messenger of one of the founders of Communist Party of Burning Question for Freedom’ was also world peace."

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 9 Fo c u s

side Tibet.’ delegation began their campaign from Mr. Prasad Harichandaran, Bihar state. On 15 January the delegation MLA and the chief whip of the met Mr. R S Jeet, Senior Vice President opposition party also pledged of Tikhat Shri Hari mandi, and the former the support of 7 members of par- Union Railway Minister and the former liament (6 at the Lok Sabha and Chief Minister of the Bihar state Mr. Lalu 1 at the Rajya Sabha) from the Prasad Yadav. They later met Mr. Lal state party for the passing of the Babu Prasad, MLA, Vice President of ‘All-Party Parliamentary resolu- state BJP. tion on the crisis inside Tibet.' On 16 January, the delegation met Mr. On its fourth leg of campaign, Nanth Kishore Yadav, Minister for Road West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan with the North-Eeast the delegation met with the Hon- and Construction. The minister assured zone Tibetan Parliamentary delegation at Raj Bhavan, Kolkatta. orable Governor of Jharkhand, that he would raise the current Tibet’s de- screened. A ‘Mass solidarity rally for Dr Syed Ahmed. The Governor teriorating issues with the Center. Tibet’ was held in which more than 200 expressed his ‘love and admiration for the The delegates also met Ms. Sukda Pan- people including Tibetans and local Kol- Tibetan spirit’ and said that he will ‘stand day, Minister for Youth and Culture and katians participated. by the cause and extend full cooperation briefed her with the current situation in The delegates delivered a memorandum towards the needs of the Tibetan leader- Tibet. The delegates were later invited for to Honorable Chief Minister through Mr. ship.’ lunch by Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav and his Ashok Subramaniam, Officer on Special Mr. Arjun Munda, the former Chief Min- wife Mrs. Rabri Devi, MP. duty (OSD) to the CM. Other MLAs of ister also welcomed the delegation and A series of meetings were also held with West Bengal with whom the delegation said that ‘the Government and people of Mr. Hafiz Imudin, President, All India couldn’t engage in a direct face-to-face India will never support the wrongdoings Immrat Muslim, Mr. Arun Kumar Sinha, meeting were apprised of the campaign of the Chinese Government.’ The former MLA, Mr. Baidyanath Raman, General and its goals through a memorandum sent Chief Minister pledged the support of his Secretary of BJP Patna. via priority mail. party (BJP) for the ‘All-Party The second leg of North-East zone lobby Parliamentary resolution on campaign kick-started with a ‘Mass Soli- the Tibet crisis.’ darity Rally for Tibet’ on 13 January at The delegation also met with Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Around 200 Tibet- Mr. Hemant Soren, the former ans from Phuntsokling Tibetan settlement Deputy Chief Minister of the and Indian supporters participated in the State. An exclusive meeting rally led by the Tibetan Parliamentary del- with the Honorable Speaker of egation. Assembly Mr. Chandrashekar On 14 January, Mr. Murli Chandrakant Prakash Singh was also held. Bhandare, the Honorable Governor of the The delegation later held a se- Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav with North zone Tibetan Parliamentary State, received the delegation at the Raj ries of meetings with the first delegation. Bhavan. The delegates were also well re- Chief Minister of Jharkhand and current On the third day of campaign, the Tibetan ceived by the state level cabinet ministers member of Lok Sabha Mr. Babulal Ma- parliamentary delegation along with the and politicians representing various politi- randi, state president of Congress party India-Tibet co-ordination office of Bihar cal parties. All expressed their support for and member of Rajya Sabha Dr. Pradeep organised a candle light vigil and a soli- the Tibetan struggle against oppression. Kumar Balmuchu, and state president of darity rally, which was participated by lo- cal Indians and Tibetan sweater sellers in Over the final 2 days of the 5 day cam- BJP Mr. Dineshanand Goswami. Patna. paign, the delegation embarked on an The other MLAs of Jharkhand with whom exclusive lobbying work with the Biju Ja- the delegation couldn’t engage in a direct The North-zone delegation also met with nata Dal (BJD). face-to-face meeting were apprised of the Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, the president of the Lok Janshakti party. He pledged full Mr. Prabhat Tripathy, MLA and chief whip campaign and its goals through a memo- support to the Tibet issue and said that the of the ruling party received the delegation randum sent via priority mail. Tibet situation is a vital issue for India. at his office. The party chief issued in writ- The North-East Tibetan Parliamentary ing, a directive to the 22 members of the delegation consisted of Mr. Pema Jung- The North Zone Tibetan Parliamen- parliament from the BJD (16 at the Lok ney, Mr. Serta Tsultrim, Ms.Yangchen tary delegation consisted of Mr. Dawa Sabha and 6 at the Rajya Sabha) to unani- Dolkar and Ms. Dhadon Sharling. Tsering, Ms. Yeshi Dolma, Mr. Mogru mously support the proposed ‘All-Party Tempa and Ms. Ghang Lhamo. Parliamentary resolution on the crisis in- The North-zone Tibetan Parliamentary

10 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fo c u s Tibetan People's Solidarity Campaign

The Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile of the CTA jointly organised a ‘Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign' in Delhi from 30 January to 2 Febru- ary 2013, in order to highlight the tragic situation prevailing inside Tibet and to draw attention of the international community to the sacrifices of the- Ti betans inside Tibet. The four day mass campaign was marked by events such as mass rallies, prayer meeting, hunger fast, inter-faith meeting, public address by political leaders, lobbying foreign diplomats and Indian policy makers.

Over 6000 Tibetans from India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibetan overseas commu- nities and over 1500 Indian supporters from Delhi, NCR region and other parts of India, voluntarily participated in the Tibetan public gathered at the Talkatora indoor stadium on 30 January 2013 campaign. He further remarked that ‘If China is note address mentioned that the holding sincere in granting autonomy, then Ti- of this campaign in India’s capital city Day 1: 30 January 2013 bet can play a positive role as a bridge stands as a ‘testament to India’s love of peace between the two most popu- and sympathy for Tibetans.’ Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign lous nations in South Asia-India and launched at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, China.’ Sikyong reiterated that ‘freedom for New Delhi Tibetans and return of His Holiness the While expressing gratitude to the Indi- Dalai Lama to Tibet’ remains the ‘true Historic show of support for Tibet from an Government and people, the speaker aspiration of Tibetans inside Tibet and India’s ruling and opposition parties requested the delegates from the ruling dream of Tibetans outside Tibet.’ In his Congress party to ‘remind China that reason as to why Tibet deserves atten- Various representatives from Indian po- resolving Tibetan issue is in the larger tion and support, Sikyong stated that litical parties gathered at the Talkatora indoor stadium where the inaugural cer- emony of ‘Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign’ was held. Over 5000 people, including 4500 Tibetans from India, Ne- pal and Bhutan and about 1000 Indian supporters from Delhi, NCR region and Ladakh were present at the function.

Mr. L. K Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest.

Ms. Priya Dutt, MP and Dr. E.M Su- darsan Natchiappan, MP were official Congress party delegates. Mr. Hassan Khan, MP represented National Con- ference.

In his opening remarks, Speaker Penpa Dignitaries at the launch of the campaign at Talkatora indoor stadium, New Delhi Tsering of Tibetan Parliament in Exile said that this mass campaign is a first interest of Chinese people.’ ‘Tibet stands as a catalyst and test for of its kind and that it marks ‘a historic China’ and that ‘autonomy in Tibet moment for our struggle.’ Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay in his key- will be the beginning of moderation for

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 11 Fo c u s

China.’ Sikyong attributed the success of the Tibetan struggle to India, and ex- pressed hope that Tibet could be made ‘India’s success story.’ He concluded with a vision that ‘Tibetans will one day go from the holy land of India to the holy city of Lhasa with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.’

Mr. L.K Advani shared few excerpts from Sardar Patel’s November 7, 1950 letter on Tibet addressed to the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaha- rlal Nehru. Advani admitted with con- viction that ‘a resolution between China and Tibet will make the 21st Century- India’s Century.’ He lauded the ‘Tibetan spirit’ and assured that ‘Tibetans will see the light of the day.’ Advani con- cluded by saying that ‘just as His Ho- Representatives of all the major religious faiths during an interfaith prayer at Rajghat liness the Dalai Lama always refers to du, Sikh, Bahai and Jew faiths led the side Tibet.’ India as Tibet’s guru, we hope to match prayer. His Eminence Kirti Rinpoche, up to that expectations.’ the religious head of Kirti Monasteries The crowd then gathered at Jantar Man- where more than 30 self-immolations tar for a daylong sit-in. TPiE member Ms. Priya Dutt, expressed ‘concern and took place along with over 700 Tibetan Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok in his opening solidarity for Tibetans inside Tibet and Buddhist monks took part in the prayer address in Hindi gave an overview of paid homage to 99 young lives sacri- meeting that was attended by over 7000 the 'Tibetan People’s Solidarity Cam- ficed in a struggle to regain their iden- people. paign’ and an insight into the role of tity.’ She thanked the Tibetan people for Indian supporters and leaders for the their presence and blessings of His Ho- After the prayers, Sikyong and the Tibetan cause. liness the Dalai Lama in India. Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in Exile

Dr. Hassan Khan encouraged Tibetan people to persevere and said that ‘the day will come soon for Tibetans to re- turn to their homeland.’

Dr. E.M Sudarsan Natchiappan assured India’s love and support for the Tibetan struggle and said that ‘Tibetans are not just India’s neighbors but also its broth- ers and sisters.’

Kalon Gyari Dolma of CTA was the master of the ceremony and Represen- tative Tempa Tsering, New Delhi Bu- reau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, proposed the vote of thanks.

Day 2: 31 January 2013

Inter-faith Prayer, Peace March and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Speaker Penpa Tsering leading peace march on 31 January 2013 Public meeting marked day two of ‘Ti- (TPiE) led the rally joined in by Ka- Representatives from various religious betan People’s Solidarity Campaign' lons, TPiE members and the public. The faiths spoke at the public event: Sanjay marchers marched from Samtha Sthal Singh from Gurudwara Krishna market Day two of ‘Tibetan People’s Solidar- to Jantar Mantar carrying placards and representing Sikh faith, Bante Sumit ity Campaign’ began with an interfaith raising slogans urging India and the in- Anand from Mahabodhi Society of In- prayer held at Rajghat. Religious leaders ternational community to ‘take urgent dia representing Buddhist faith, Farid of Buddhist, Christian, Islam, Jain, Hin- diplomatic action to end the crisis in- Ahmed Nizami from Dargah Niza- 12 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fo c u s muddin representing Sufi faith, Father Dominic from Sacred Heart Cathedral Archbishop House representing Chris- tian faith and Tanveer Ahmed Sehar, ex chairman of Central Haj Committee In- dia, representing Haj Faith.

Also Girish Jujal, founder of Anjuman Parjandani Hind representing Muslim Rashtryamancha and Monana Soeb kasmi, National President of Jamiad Ulema Hind addressed the gathering.

Speaker Penpa Tsering was the master of the ceremony for the daylong pro- gram that concluded at the evening with chanting of slogans by the public and recitation of ‘Prayers of the Words of Truth’ led by artists from Tibetan Insti- tute of Performing Arts (TIPA). Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and other speakers during the panel discussion at the India international Centre A public film screening of the film ‘Ti- Sikyong said the border dispute between 'Instead of addressing the genuine griev- bet in Song’ by Ngawang Choephel, India and China along the McMohan ances of the Tibetan people, the Chinese took place at Ansara Auditorium, Ja- Line remains unresolved primarily be- government is blaming the Dalai Lama mia Islamia University. Representative cause of the issue of Tibet. The Shimla and outside forces for the self-immola- Tempa Tsering spoke at the event and Agreement, on the basis of which the tions in Tibet. Chinese authorities are engaged in a post screening interactive McMohan Line was demarcated as the further rounding up Tibetans, falsely question and answer session. border between India and Tibet, was accusing them of instigating self-immo- signed between British India and In- lations in Tibet' he said. At the time of Sikyong and China experts Discussed dependent Tibet in 1914. Therefore, if seminar, he received information that of Tibet Situation and Implications at McMohan line is the preferred border the two Tibetans arrested recently, one India International Centre for India, then the signatories vis-a-vis was sentenced to death while the other Tibet, has to be recognized, the Sikyong sentenced to 10 years in prison. Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay and noted said. China experts Mr. Lalit Mansingh, for- H.E Kirti Rinpoche also said that since mer Foreign Secretary of India and Mr. He also said that Tibet is a test for the Tibet and India are historical neighbors, Jayadeva Ranade, former Additional world as well as India and China be- it is the duty of India to take the respon- Secretary of the Indian Government as cause Tibetan democracy is, more or sibility of a good neighbor and help Ti- well as His Eminence Kirti Rinpoche, less, a replication of Indian democ- bet in its time of need. discussed Tibet at a seminar at the In- racy. Moreover, the Tibetan struggle is dia International Centre, New Delhi, on a non-violent struggle and if the world Mr. Lalit Mansingh, former Foreign day two of the 'Tibetan People's Soli- wouldn’t support it, it would send a Secretary of India talked about the re- darity Campaign.' mixed message, he said. cent developments in the three most im- portant countries, namely China, India The Seminar titled “Tibet: Current Situ- The distortion of historical facts by and the United States. ation and its Implications for China and China by demarcating and re-demarcat- India” was organized by the Gandhi ing Tibetan areas and imposing severe He said, in China, the leadership that Peace Foundation and was moderated repression in Tibet is not the answer. has remained in power for the last 10 by Mr. Karma Choephel, former Speak- Solving the Tibetan issue peacefully years has changed. As for India, The er and current member of the Tibetan by restoring the dignity of Tibetans and ancient traditions of India has been Parliament-in-Exile. safeguarding the Tibetan identity will preserved by the Tibetans in the form be the beginning of moderation of Chi- of Buddhism and it is time to repay the Speaking at the seminar, Sikyong Dr. na, the Sikyong asserted. Tibetans for this by making the Tibet is- Lobsang Sangay said “Historically, Ti- sue a core issue with China. And as for bet was an independent country serving H.E Kirti Rinpoche spoke about the rea- the United States, it had initially helped as a buffer between India and China. So sons why Tibetans are resorting to self-im- the Tibetans by secretly arming Tibetan whatever happens in Tibet today has molations. He said 'self-immolations are guerillas but as the cold war progressed, implications on both the sides”. taking place in Tibet because of the failed their priorities changed and resorted to policies of the Chinese government.' real politicking, he said. Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 13 Fo c u s He added, “What is happening in Ti- bet is like a volcano, ready to erupt. It can explode anytime when nobody is expecting it, which is why we need to understand what goes on in Tibet.”

The last speaker on the panel, Mr. Jay- adeva Ranade, former Additional Sec- retary of the Indian government, spoke about the recent developments in China. He said leading Chinese government think-tank 'The Chinese Academy of Social Science' has warned the Chinese government that the Chinese public are losing confidence in the party with growing views that party cadres are in league with businessmen.

He said this growing dissatisfaction inside China has resulted in more than Tibetan public at Jantar Mantar on 1 February 2013 180,000 protests across China. Day 3: 1 February 2013 took part in the public event, many of them from monastic communities. He also said that he does not believe in Sit-in Mass Prayers and Daylong Fast the perception that China’s new leader by Tibetans at Jantar Mantar Alongside the campaign, Kalons and Xi Jinping will be soft on the Tibetans. members of the Tibetan Parliament He cited the reason that Xi Jinping’s fa- India’s former Foreign Minister Mr. met with senior officers of the India ther himself was a victim of the Cultur- Jaswant Singh addressed the gathering based United Nations Human Rights al Revolution but he went on to join the Council and foreign diplomats from 20 countries. The delegation headed by Kalon Pema Choejor, Kalon Tsering Wangchuk, former Kalon Thupten Lun- grik and current members of Tibetan Parliament requested the representa- tives to urge China to:

a) allow unfettered access to Tibet for the media, the United Nations and In- ternational fact-finding delegations to investigate and report on the real causes behind self-immolations,

b) allow governmental, parliamentary and diplomatic delegations to visit Ti- bet in order to ascertain ground realities in Tibet,

c) review its failed hard-line policies in Tibet and address the genuine grievanc- India’s former foreign minister Shri Jaswant Singh at the Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign es of the Tibetan people by resolving the issue of Tibet through dialogue. party which proves his belief in com- The day-long prayer was led by His Eminence Gaden Tripa, 102nd Throne- munism and assertion to the party line. The diplomats assured support for the holder of the Gelugpa tradition of Ti- Tibetan issue and said that they will betan Buddhism and the first of Indian The panel discussion was followed by raise the dire issue of Tibet with their origin. a question and answer session where Chinese counterparts. questions on Tibet’s demands from Chi- Also present were His Eminence Kirti na as well as India’s role in the Tibetan Mr. Jaswant Singh, former Foreign Rinpoche, and the CTA dignitaries, in- issue with China was discussed. Minister of the Government of India cluding Sikyong, Speaker, Kalons and along with his supporters paid a visit parliamentarians. Over 6000 Tibetans 14 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fo c u s

lack of any freedom in Tibet have forced Tibetans to self-immolate.’ He further stated that ‘if China has any evidence for the alleged involvement of Tibetans outside Tibet in the self-immolation, it should be placed before the outside world.’

At conclusion, H.E Gaden Tripa ad- dressed the gathering and expressed that ‘the self-immolations protests in- side Tibet is in accordance with the principals of non-violence.’ H.E ex- pressed his ‘deep agony over the tragic situation in Tibet.’

Day 4: 2 February 2013 H. E Gaden Tripa leading day’s prayer at Jantar Mantar on 1 February 2013 Over 30 Indian Parliamentarians and to the campaign venue. He expressed joy in seeing such a huge gathering of Tibetans and affirmed ‘support in find- ing an early resolution to the pressing Tibetan issue.’

In the afternoon students from Tibetan Children's Village, Gopalpur, staged a 30-minute skit depicting the current situation inside Tibet. The moving de- piction of the prevalent dire conditions in Tibet: clampdown on peaceful ex- pression of Tibetan identity moved the audience to tears.

H.E Kirti Rinpoche in his address em- phasized that ‘the current tragic situa- tion inside Tibet is the result of China's failed policies in Tibet’ and expressed that ‘the dire political repression and Gopalpur TCV students enacting a short drama on the current situation inside Tibet

Political leaders Pledge Action for Ti- bet at the final day event of 'Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign'

Mass gathering with Indian Support- ers and speeches by Indian Parliamen- tarians and prominent Indian leaders marked the final day of 'Tibetan- Peo ple’s Solidarity Campaign.'

Over 1500 Indian supporters and 6000 Tibetans took part in the day-long event at Jantar Mantar.

Over 30 Indian leaders, members of Indian Parliament, party leaders and youth leaders addressed the gathering. Mr. Yashwant Sinha, former Finance The audience in tears after watching the short drama presented by Gopalpur TCV students

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 15 Fact Sheet on Self-Immolation Incidents in Tibet (27 February 2009 to 28 February 2013)

Name Date of Self Current Status 42 Dekyi Choezom 27/6/2012 Unknown Immolation 43 Tsewang Dorjee 7/7/2012 Died on 10/7/2012 1 Tapey 27/2/2009 Unknown 44 Lobsang Lozin 17/7/2012 Died on 17/7/2012 2 Phuntsok 16/3/2011 Died on 17/3/2011 45 Lobsang Tsultrim 6/8/2012 Died 6/8/2012 3 Tsewang Norbu/Norko 15/8/2011 Died on 17/3/2011 46 Dolkar Tso 7/8/2012 Died 7/8/2012 4 Lobsang Kelsang 26/9/2011 Legs 47 Choepa` 10/8/2012 Died 10/8/2012 amputed,Uknown 48 Lungtok 13/8/2012 Died 5 Lobsang Kunchok 26/9/2011 Serious condition after legs amputa- 49 Tashi 13/8/2012 Died 14/8/2012 tion 50 Lobsang Kalsang 27/8/2012 Died 27/8/2012 6 Kelsang Wangchuk 3/10/2011 Permenantly pa- 51 Dhamchoe 27/8/2012 Died 27/8/2012 ralysed after spinal injury 52 Yungdrung 29/9/2012 Unknown 7 Choephel 7/10/2011 Died 11/10/2011 53 Gudrup 4/10/2012 Died 4/10/2012 8 Khaying/Lhungyang 7/10/2011 Died 08/10/2011 54 Sangay Gyatso 6/10/2012 Died 6/10/2012 9 Norbu Dramdul 15/10/2011 Died on 05/1/2012 55 Tamdin Dorjee 13/10/2012 13/10/2012 10 Tenzin Wangmo 17/10/2011 Died on 17/10/2011 56 Lhamo Kyab 20/10/2012 Died 20/10/2012 11 Dawa Tsering 25/10/2011 Unknown 57 Dhondup 22/10/2012 Died 22/10/2012 12 Palden Choetso/Choesang 3/11/2011 Died on 3/11/2011 58 Dorjee Rinchen 23/10/2012 Died 23/10/2012 13 Tenzin Phuntsok 1/12/2011 Died on 6/12/2011 59 Lhamo Tseten 26/10/2012 Died 26/10/2012 14 Tsultrim 6/1/2012 Died on 7/1/2012 60 Thubwang Kyab 26/10/2012 Died 26/10/2012 15 Tennyi 6/1/2012 Died on 6/1/2012 61 Tsepo 25/10/2012 Died 25/10/2012 16 Sonam Wangyal 8/1/2012 Died on 8/1/2012 62 Tenzin 25/10/2012 unknown 17 Lobsang Jamyang 14/1/2012 Died on 16/1/2012 63 Dorjee Lhundup (M) 4/11/2012 Died on 4/11/2012 18 Rigzin Dorjee 8/2/2012 Died on 21//2012 64 Dorjee (M) 7/11/2012 Died on 7/11/2012 19 Sonam Rabyang 8/2/2012 Unknown 65 Samdub (M) 7/11/2012 unknown 20 Tenzin Choedron 8/2/2012 Died on 08/2/2012 66 Dorjee Kyab (M) 7/11/2012 unknown 21 Lobsang Gyatso 13/2/2012 Unknown 67 Tamdin Tso (F) 7/11/2012 Died on 7/11/2012 22 Dhamchoe Sangpo 17/2/2012 Died on 17/2/2012 68 Tsegyal (M) 7/11/2012 Died on 18/11/2012 23 Nangdrol 19/2/2012 Died on 19/2/2012 69 Kalsang Jinpa (M) 8/11/2012 Died on 8/11/2012 24 Tsering Kyi 3/3/2012 Died on 03/3/2012 70 Gonpo Tsering (M) 10/11/2012 Died on 10/11/ 2012 25 Rinchen 4/3/2012 Died on 04/3/2012 71 Nyingkar Tashi (M) 12/11/2012 Died on 12/11/2012 26 Dorjee 5/3/2012 Died on 05/3/2012 72 Nyinchak Bum (M) 12/11/2012 Died on 12/11/2012 27 Gepey 10/3/2012 Died on 10/3/2012 73 Khabum Gyal (M) 15/11/2012 Died on 15/11/2012 28 Jamyang Palden 14/3/2012 Serious condition 74 Tenzin Dolma (F) 15/11/2012 Died on 15/11/2012 29 Lobsang Tsultrim 16/3/2012 Died on 19/3/2012 75 Chagmo Kyi (F) 17/11/2012 Died on 17/11/2012 30 Sonam Dhargyal 17/3/2012 Died on 17/3/2012 76 Sangdhak Tsering (M) 17/11/2012 Died on 17/11/2012 31 Lobsang Sherab 28/3/2012 Died on 28/3/2012 77 Wangchen Norbu (M) 19/11/2012 Died on 19/11/2012 32 Tempa Dargey 30/3/2012 Died on 7/4/2012 78 Tsering Dhondup (M) 20/11/2012 Died on 20/11/2012 33 Chimey Palden 30/3/2012 Died on 30/3/2012 79 Lubum Tsering (M) 22/11/2012 Died on 22/11/2012 34 Sonam 19/4/2012 Died on 19/4/2012 80 Tadin Kyab (M) 22/11/2012 Died on 22/11/2012 35 Choepak Kyab 19/04/2012 Died on 19/4/2012 81 Tadin Dorjee (M) 23/11/2012 Died on 23/11/2012 36 Doejee Tseten 27/5/2012 Died on 27/5/2012 82 Wangyal (M) 26/11/2012 Unknown 37 Dhargye 27/5/2012 Unknown 83 Sangay Dolma (F) 25/11/2012 Died on 25/11/2012 38 Rikyo 30/5/2012 Died on 30/5/2012 84 Kunchok Tsering (M) 26/11/2012 Died on 26/11/2012 39 Tamding Thar 15/6/2012 Died on 15/6/2012 85 Gonpo Tsering (M) 26/11/2012 Died on 40 Ngawang Norphel 20/6/2012 Died on 30/7/2012 26//11/2012 41 Tenzin Khedup 20/6/2012 Died on 20/6/2012 86 Kalsang Kyab (M) 27/11/2012 Died on 27/11/2012

16 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fact Sheet on Self-Immolation Incidents in Tibet (27 February 2009 to 28 February 2013)

87 Sangay Tashi (M) 27/11/2012 Died on 27/11/2012 92 Lobsang Gedun (M) 3/12/2012 Died on 3/12/2012 88 Bendey Khar (M) 28/11/2012 Died on 28/11/2012 93 Kunchok Phelgye (M) 8/12/2012 Died on 8/12/2012 89 Tsering Namgyal (M) 29/11/2012 Died on 29/11/2012 94 Pema Dorjee (M) 8/12/2012 Died on 8/12/2012 90 Kunchok Kyab (M) 30/11/2012 Died on 1/12/2012 95 Bhenchen Kyi (F) 9/12/2012 Died on 9/12/2012 91 Sungdue Kyab (M) 2/12/2012 Unknown

Name (Gender) Affiliation Location of inci- Age Name of Name of Date of Self- Current Status dents Father Mother immolation 96 Tsering Tashi aka Tsebey (M) Keynang village, Sangchu county, 22 Dukar Dolma 12/1/2013 Died on Sangchu county, Amchok, Kanlho Kyab Tsering 12/01/2013 Amchok. 97 Passang Lhamo (F) Kyegudo ( Beijing 62 13/09/2012 Unknown Ch:Yushul Tibetan Prefecture, Qing- hai) 98 Dupchok (M) Khyungchu, Khyungchu, 28 Kyokpo Yangtso 18/01/2013 Died on Ngaba (Ch: Sich- Ngaba county 18/01/2013 uan Province) 99 Kunchok Kyab (M) Gyalring village, Bora, Ladang, 26 Dorjee Rinchen 22/01/2013 Died on Bora, Ladang. Amdo Tso 22/01/2013 100 Lobsang Namgyal (M) Monk of Kirti Near the public 37 Karkho Karkyi 3/2/2013 Died on monastery security depart- 03/02/2013 ment in Zoegey 101 Drukpa Khar (M) Amchok, Sangchu Amchok, 26 Tamdin Tamdin Tso 13/02/2013 Died on County Sangchu County Tsering 13/02/2013 102 Namlha Tsering (M) Sangchu County, In front of the 49 17/02/2013 Died Kanlho Tibetan military po- Autonomous lice station of prefecture (CH: Sangchu County. Xiahe) 103 Rinchen (M) Kyangtsa village, Kyangtsa village, 17 Dhondup Adon 19/02/2013 Died on Dzoge county in Dzoge county in Tsering 19/02/2013 Ngaba, eastern Ngaba, eastern Tibet Tibet 104 Sonam Dhargyal (M) Kyangtsa village, Kyangtsa village, 18 Tsering Takho 19/02/2013 Died on Dzoge county in Dzoge county in Dhondup 19/02/2013 Ngaba, eastern Ngaba, eastern Tibet Tibet 105 Sangdak (M) Dhiphu monastery, highway in 25/02/2013 Unknown Ngaba county in Ngaba county in eastern Tibet eastern Tibet 106 Tsesung Kyab (M) Luchu county in Shitsang Gonsar late 25/02/2013 Died on Kanlho in Amdo, monastery in 20′s 25/02/2013 eastern Tibet Luchu county in Kanlho in Amdo, eastern Tibet 107 Phagmo Dhondup (M) Village near Bayan Jakhyung mon- early 24/02/2013 Unknown Khar in eastern astery at Bayan 20′s Tibet’s Amdo Khar in eastern province Tibet’s Amdo province

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 17 Fo c u s

State Opposition leader of Delhi, Mr. S.M Qamar Alan, National Secretary of Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), Mr. Ranjeet Gupta, former Ambassador and many others.

Mr. Yashwant Sinha, former Finance and Foreign Minister, who is also the Convenor of All Party Indian Parlia- mentary Forum for Tibet, began by saying that ‘Self-Immolation is the ul- timate sacrifice an individual can make for one’s cause.’ He pledged to ‘work to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address the Indian Parliament in March this year.’

Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, former Steel and Railway Minister and MP, Lok Jan- shakti Party condemned the atrocities committed by China in Tibet, and said that ‘he has written to the Prime Min- ister Mr. Manmohan Singh to make ef- forts to resolve the issue of Tibet.’

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, MP, Chief Spokesperson and Deputy Leader of BJP, said that ‘he had come here at this gathering not only as BJP official but also as a concerned human being to show his solidarity with Tibet.’

Mr. Chandan Mitra, MP and National Spokesperson for BJP said that the ‘Ti- betan struggle is representative of the struggle of people of the world who India’s former foreign minister Mr. Yashwant Sinha at the Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign love freedom and peace’ and stressed and Foreign Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, former Railway Minister and present MP and President of Lok Jan Shakti Party, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, MP, Chief Spokesperson for BJP and Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader of Opposi- tion, Mr. Chandan Mitra, MP and Na- tional Spokesperson for BJP were the prominent speakers.

Other leaders include Mr. Balbir Punj, MP and National Spokesperson for BJP, Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur, MP, BJP, Ms. Bimla Kashyap, MP, BJP, Mr. Alok Tiwari, MP, Samajavadi Party, Mr. Jayant Chaudhary, MP and General Secretary of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Mr. Inder Singh Namdari, former min- ister of Bihar state and former Speaker of Jharkhand State Legislative Assem- bly, Mr. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MLA, Former Indian cabinet minister Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan at the Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign

18 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fo c u s that ‘Tibetans in Tibet have the right to live their lives with dignity.’ He con- cluded by saying that ‘Tibet’s security will ensure India’s security.’

Mr. Balbir Punj, a senior BJP leader and member of Rajya Sabha (the Up- per House), said that the freedom of Ti- bet is of as much concern to the people of India as it is for the people of Tibet. He said the enormous public support of Indian masses for the freedom of Tibet will soon force the Government of In- dia to revise its Tibet policy and India will play an active role in the Tibetan people’s struggle for their freedom from Chinese occupation. Mr. Punj has been a staunch supporter of Tibet in the Indian Parliament where he has raised the issue of Tibet many times. He is Mr Balbir Punj, BJP leader and member of Rajya Sabha, addressing the Tibetan Solidarity Rally also the member of the External Affairs Mr. Jayant Chaudhary, MP and General Secretary of RLD said that ‘the Tibetan struggle is a struggle for truth, justice and a non-violent struggle’ and assured that ‘he will raise the Tibetan issue in the upcoming Parliament session in March this year.’

Speaker Penpa Tsering was the master of ceremony for the day. The final day of ‘Tibetan People’s Solidarity Cam- paign’ concluded with the closing re- marks by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay and vote of thanks by Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel. A section of Indian supporters at the Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign Committee of Indian Parliament.

Mr. Anurag Thakur, BJP MP said that his ‘party (BJP) was, is and always will stand by Tibet.’ Mr. Anurag condemned China’s ever expanding control over Tibet and other regions in South East Asia. He emphasized that ‘Tibetans inside Tibet are compelled to resort to self-immolation’ and that ‘the time has come for Tibet and India to stand united and challenge China.’

Mr. Alok Tiwari, MP, Samajwadi Party, said that his party has long standing re- lationship with the Tibetan issue since the time of Dr. Ram Mohan Lohia and Jaya Prakash Narayan, and hoped to see a ‘speedy resolution to the Tibetan is- sue.’ Mr. Chandan Mitra, MP and BJP Spokesperson speaks to Tibetan Parliament Speaker

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 19 Fe a t u r e s Challenges facing school education in exile Tibetan community; what teachers are saying? Tenzin Sherab Office of the Planning Commission, CTA

In his inaugural speech on the First Ti- autobiography “Up from Slavery” nar- Tibetan schools is poor due to irregu- betan Teachers meeting, Sikyong of the rates a story of a poor black farmer, who larities. Central Tibetan Administration said— works very hard to send his children to Department of Education (DoE) in the school, but with education, children As far as teaching effectiveness is con- past has arranged a scholarship for Ti- stopped working in the field and start- cerned, shortage of teachers due to high betan school children to study in the ed demanding better clothes and food, attrition rate and presence of unskilled U.S, where top 20 students from all the which put more pressure on the already and unmotivated teachers are the main Tibetan schools were selected and SAT impoverished parents. So, there is an problem. The shortage of teachers in Ti- was conducted. Surprisingly, the high- urgent need to deconstruct the meaning betan schools can be divided into two— est score of SAT was just 54% against and purpose of school education in this actual shortage and proxy shortage of required 90%. He then said—poor lo- modern time, but this paper looks only teacher. Actual shortage of teacher is a cal Indian students admitted in Tibetan into the issues raised by teachers re- seasonal loss of good teachers, wherein schools generally outperform their garding conventional teaching-learning school administrators are often unable Tibetan classmates. According to Mr. environment. It first categorizes all the to replace the loss. As a result, classes Apurva Chandra(Jt. Secretary, Ministry issues into three broad components for remain either empty or filled with un- of HRD, Govt. of India), the average analysis purpose, followed by discus- qualified teachers. This problem is se- board exam result of Kendriya Vidyala- sion on those issues, and finally, a brief vere in remote and far-flung areas (e.g. ya schools is around 80%, whereas for conclusion on the findings. northeast and Nepal regions) where Central Tibetan Schools Administration teachers generally don’t prefer to go. (CTSA) schools, it is around 60%. So, Teaching and learning environment These schools generally tend to have why Tibetan students are underper- only one subject e.g., Math or English According to literature, two factors forming in schools and what are the teacher for the whole school. namely Course/Curriculum (Content) challenges facing school education in and Teaching effectiveness (Pedagogy) Proxy shortage of teachers is common exile Tibetan community? These ques- constitute teaching and learning envi- in Snow Lion Foundation (SLF) and tions seem the overall theme of the First ronment, which generates child's moti- CTSA schools, where local national Tibetan Teacher Meeting held at Lower vation and ultimately lead to learning. teachers constitute approx.70% and thus TCV School from 3 to 5 January 2013. These components are most crucial for more Tibetan teachers are felt needed. It Some 140 Tibetan teachers from all Ti- school education without which all oth- is said that the cultural differences be- betan schools in India and Nepal shared er educational supports go waste. tween local Indian teachers and Tibetan their experiences on the issue. These ex- children lead to poor teaching-learning periences are powerful information as it Teachers in the meeting expressed a environment. For example, seeing few gives direct insight into the problem, need to change the Tibetan language indiscipline Tibetan students, Indian and like any other ethnographic studies, curriculum—the present curriculum in- teachers tend to generalize all Tibetan these experiences are in-depth and first- corporates Tibetan political & religious students as indiscipline and treat differ- person knowledge from the knower’s history, literature and grammar all un- ently. Some teachers take lackadaisical standpoint. This paper therefore aims to der one subject. Such curriculum exerts approach in schools and do just enough highlight those grassroots level experi- huge pressure not only on children but to avoid getting fired. It is said that in ences, which can be incorporated into also on teachers to complete it on time. many CTSA schools, teachers’ creden- building better school education system The school curriculum seems worst in tials are based on their students’ result; in the exile Tibetan community. Nepal, where the flow of syllabus from thus,all students are deliberately passed one grade to another is not all smooth. Conceptually, school education is not in exams.For board exams, CBSE allot Teachers suggest that in Mathematics, just about exam marks and securing 30% marks and remaining 70% marks basic Arithmetic is taught till 5th grade future livelihood. Former Kalon Tripa are allotted by their subject teachers. So, and suddenly Algebra is introduced at of the CTA, Prof. Samdong Rinpoche it was found that 80% of students fail in 6th grade instead of Integers. Similarly, said—if school education is meant only CBSE marking but get high marks from in Tibetan language, children are taught for getting good jobs, then kids of rich their subject teachers. Such practice is in Umed script till 4th grade but when families do not have to go to school. For rhetorically referred as “Petty magic” they reach 5th grade, suddenly, Tibetan him, school education is all about learn- by other teachers, which creates disin- textbook is found in Uchen script. Be- ing life and not livelihood. Black edu- centive towards school learning. sides, the quality of textbooks in Nepal cationist Booker T. Washington in his 20 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fe a t u r e s

Nowadays, many teachers in Tibetan gues that teachers so far resigned from have important role in creating condu- schools are young college graduates, school are mostly due to other reasons, cive environment for child education. who are academically qualified but not salary. However, it may be potential However, teachers argue that parents may lack experience in dealing with for attracting people into teaching pro- spend excessively on their child's un- students. With lessening age gap, they fession. So increment in remuneration wanted demands but unwilling to spend should in-fact better understand stu- will not prevent good teachers from re- money on child's education. Similarly, dent’s problem but the reality seems signing. What we can really do is to re- parents, mostly newly arrived from different. It was surprising to see many duce the workload of teachers by reduc- Tibet, take out their child from school teachers still in favor of using meth- ing teacher student ratio. The literatures amid exam periods, for things such as ods like spanking and punishing when reveal that financial incentives alone visa application. In boarding schools, it comes to classroom teaching. Prof. will not lure good teachers, factors such foster parents often fail to create learn- Samdong Rinpoche in his talk remarked as good working condition and teaching ing environment in hostels, as they take that the teaching through hitting and facilities are first and foremost. little interest in classroom assignments. punishment is against both the Bud- In the past, Parent Teacher Associations dhist philosophy and modern theories Enabling environment (PTAs) were set up to provide platform of learning. He said; teaching through for interaction between parents and Enabling environment here refers to spanking forces children to learn un- teachers, but in reality, their activities conditions supporting teaching-learning der fear, which only has short-term are limited to managing funds for mid- environment in schools. The two main effect. When asked on how to handle day meal and receiving school guest enabling environments discussed in the troubled child, Rinpoche said; there is and etc. teacher’s meeting are school infrastruc- no universal method to deal with such ture (provision) and parental support issue.Teachers need to treat each case So, what causes unresponsiveness of to education. A teacher from Ravangla differently and analyze the root cause Tibetan parents towards their child edu- said that the absence of hostel facility for solution. However, such investi- cation? The paper think of three pos- in their school leads to poor learning gation requires time and effort, which sible reasons: first is obviously the lack experience because children often live teachers don’t seem to like. And that’s of awareness among parents (1st and with their grandparents, as their parents why,many schools have clear-cut rules 2nd generation exile Tibetans) many go for seasonal sweater selling busi- and punishments for offenses that make of whom are either illiterate or school nesses. Some teachers are of the view teacher’s job easy but turn student’s life dropout. The second reason could be that the absence of laboratories for Eng- miserable. For example, if a single chit financial insecurity; the declining eco- lish, Science and Mathematics make is found “around” student during exam, nomic opportunities and increasing in- it difficult for students to understand the school rules generalized it as copy- equalities in settlements are turning ex- class lessons, while those schools with ing and failed in the exam. No case ile Tibetan economically insecure and laboratories complained the shortages study and no benefit of doubt. School is mobile, which lead to the prioritization of tools and equipment. Teachers also often called 'temple of learning' where of income over education. The final rea- suggested the lack of reading materi- children are ought to make mistakes, son could be the relaxed attitude among als, teaching aids and low quality text- and teachers with their saint-like gentle Tibetans due to free schooling. Major- books published by CTA's Department spirit has to guide them with patience ity of Tibetan parents don’t pay for their of Education bearing spelling mistakes, and wisdom, not to scare them. Let me child education even in case of board- poor lay-outs and less user-friendly. Si- remind a great line from movie '3 idi- ing school; some pay subsidized fee but kyong although denied of poor educa- ots', which says “you can teach a lion to again the majority of them somehow tion facilities in Tibetan schools but we sit on a chair by whipping but we call it find sponsorship for their child educa- may still need to focus on it because all 'trained lion' and not 'educated lion”. tion. Since it is the nature of human Tibetan schools are not homogeneous. mind to value less on freely available Since there are cases of teachers lack- The teacher’s meeting confirmed that things, education in exile community ing skills and motivation even if they the school infrastructure and facilities may have became the victim of its are qualified, in-service professional vary significantly between and within abundance. Free school education itself development including evaluation on different autonomous school bodies. is not bad but moral hazard is part and teacher’s motivation and teaching ef- School infrastructure and facilities parcel of it. fectiveness seem necessary in Tibetan are better in Tibetan Children Village schools. Dr. Pema Yanchen in her PhD (TCV) schools and poorer in CTSA and Education policy and management dissertation asserts that Tibetan teachers SLF schools. However within the TCV The final component - education policy have limited professional development schools also, those located in remote and management refers to macro-level opportunities due to geographical and and far-flung areas have comparatively decision-making and execution of poli- economic constraints. Some teachers in poorer infrastructure and facilities than cies, providing strategic leadership and the meeting raised the issue of salary to its other sister schools. overseeing educational effectiveness in retain good teachers, but the paper ar- Talking of parental support, parents all the Tibetan schools. The issues dis-

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 21 Fe a t u r e s cussed on course/curriculum, teacher’s one class contains 40 students and in the meeting were not new: criticism on professional development, school infra- smaller schools just average of only 7 Tibetan curriculum was more than a de- structure and parents participation are students. The ongoing closures of these cade old; and the shortage of teachers, all related to this component. The more small schools inversely affect the well- lack of teacher’sprofessional develop- specific issue is the medium of learning, being and education of children. For ex- ment and teaching aids especially re- which the teachers in the meeting were ample, the closing of higher secondary lated to Information Technology were discussing; whether the Basic Educa- section in Mainpat and Bhandara forced there in the DoE's 1998-Current Status tion Policy (BEP) should be extended students, as young as 11 years old, to Report. Similarly, closing of schools till 8th standard. Unfortunately, all in- move to Mussoorie, far away from their due to the shortage of student enroll- ferences on BEP are based on self-per- families in totally different surround- ment started way back in 2000s. In fact, ception, as objectively verified research ings and weather. Kamrao settlement many of the issues raised in this paper doesn’t seem to exist. Few teachers on doesn’t even have kindergarten or pri- are listed in successive DoE reports the other hand claimed BEP guidelines mary school, which led to the migration but remained unresolved so far. Thus, as broad, conceptual and lacking practi- of families to other settlements, when these issues can be considered as seri- cal approach. their child reaches the age of school ous challenges facing school education education. Such issues can be resolved in exile Tibetan community. Another important issue discussed was if the Department of Education (DoE) the uneven distribution of schools and plays more equal and strategic leader- It is, however, also important to men- students in Tibetan settlements. De- ship role between various autonomous tion that the problems raised by teach- creasing school enrollment—due to de- school bodies. The paper believes DoE ers in the meeting do not imply that creasing fertility rate in exile communi- needs to take more key role in building exile education is failing. It is rather ty and increasing attempt of parents to networks and creating partnership ven- the rising expectation from the hard send their child to “better schools”—has tures with autonomous school bodies. work and determination of CTA and skewed the strength of students in vari- DoE that is not generating satisfactory ous Tibetan schools. In bigger schools, To conclude, all above issues raised in outcome.

CHENREZIG, THE DALAI LAMA THE WILL AND THE SIGHT By Tsoltim N. Shakabpa By Tsoltim N. Shakabpa

Though He claims to be a simple monk As the arc of the rainbow is long He is Chenrezig with a lot of spunk So is the will of Tibetans strong Who gives us the light As the stars in the sky are bright To see with clear sight So too we have freedom in sight The need for freedom To earn our kingdom We will fulfill what we have to And with clear sight the truth pursue Though the Chinese call him a big bad wolf Surely we will win The Chinese themselves are worse than Adolf If we just begin He is Chenrezig with a lot of spunk To have the will to fight In the simple robe of a humble monk The sight to see the light Who fights for our freedom To realize our kingdom

22 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Fe a t u r e s

Burning Minds

A comment on the background of self- ered suspects and criminals? Does the fall - having been expelled from there immolations from inside Tibet. government also consider our eighty three months earlier - I could only do so By Anonymous and ninety-year old grandfathers and after obtaining a permit from my home- grandmothers, our children who attend town. Without such a permit, Tibetans Every year, a great number of tradi- elementary school, suspicious crimi- tional Tibetan festivals are celebrated in from regions outside the TAR can no nals? They accuse us of "separatism," longer travel to Lhasa. I could only see Lhasa: Sagadawa, the month of Buddha, but isn't that exactly what they are do- in June; Shoton, the yoghurt festival Chinese people on the train. Every day ing with their policies? Isn't that "dis- many trains full of people from differ- with its operas in summer, or our great crimination"? Isn't that "dictatorship"? scholar Tsongkhapa's commemoration ent places in mainland China arrive in Isn't that "slavery"? -These very terms Lhasa. Most of the passengers come to day with thousands of lit butter lamps are used by the Communist Party to in winter. The festivals start with thou- Lhasa in search of profit; it's all they criticize Tibet's political system prior are interested in. Among them there are sands of believers pouring into town, to the Chinese invasion and to villain- doing prostrations and circumambula- thieves, robbers, scammers, swindlers, ize those who request more autonomy prostitutes, and even murderers, people tions in a spirit of faith and devotion, for Tibet. and end amidst their prayers full of joy, who have killed somebody in mainland inspiration and reverence. However, If the 21st century is the century of eman- China and now flee to Tibet. Together last year's festivals started with the ter- cipation everywhere in the world, who we travelled to Lhasa, and when we ar- ror of the guns of innumerable police- will notice our suffering? Last year, the rived at the station, some of us Tibetans men and soldiers who checked every most important international event was were singled out and checked right away single Tibetan, and they ended with ter- Syria and the most important national by armed police who led us at gunpoint rified cries. one the island struggle between China into their courtyard. Those who did not and Japan. Syria is now undergoing an have the right documents were deport- Usually, these festivals show our grand- inevitable uprising, brought about by ed back at once. Even those in posses- fathers' compassion and our grand- the tyranny of dictatorship, and the situ- sion of the permit had to spend two or mothers' blessings, our fathers' laughs ation there is utterly gloomy. But there, three days getting properly registered and mothers' smiles. One can see young at least, the masses have the freedom to before finally being allowed to stay in men dancing and young women sing- shout. Concerning the island dispute be- Lhasa like submissive little mice. On ing, one can smell incense burning tween China and Japan, it is just about the contrary, the "great" Chinese people and see flickering butter lamps, which the respective profits. In both cases, the do not have to face anything like that makes for a heavenly atmosphere. This UN and the presidents of various coun- upon their arrival in Lhasa - instead, past year, though, there was nothing but tries show a lot concern and pay a lot they attain unprecedented freedom and fear and worries. Nothing but mistrust of attention. But to us, who do not even experience previously unknown oppor- and investigations, brutality and op- have the most basic human rights at all, tunities. They keep their heads up and pression, restrictions and detentions. nobody shows concern or helps us. can carry out any kind of work without Especially during last year's Sagada- restriction, because for them Tibet is a Recently, South Sudan obtained inde- wa, many of my fellow Tibetans were land of freedom. arrested and interrogated through no pendence through a vote, democracy fault of their own and then thrown out was increased in Libya through military Usually, if one sees a policeman or of Lhasa. Believers from other parts of power, freedom of Burma was estab- soldier, a feeling of security, even joy, Tibet were not allowed to enter Lhasa lished through peaceful means. But for arises; a perception of being supported for pilgrimage at all. Do I have to men- us, in stark contrast, dark times have ar- and safe, and feelings of respect, be- tion that these kinds of actions, which rived. What is more, we have lost hope cause they are the guardians of law and are neither rooted in law nor tradition, in the UN, the International Human order in a nation. But in Tibet, as soon spark a blaze of pain and create a feel- Rights Commission, the International as one sees a policeman or soldier, only ing of anger like a swelling tumor in the Court of Justice, the leaders of any na- feelings of fear and panic well up, feel- mind of every Tibetan? tion, or any other relevant organizations. ings of worry and mistrust, the reason We have reluctantly become mistrustful being that they abuse their power by Why do we have to go to prison, hav- towards them. We have grown a strong randomly interrogating and checking ing committed no crime at all? Why do feeling that they do not think about any- people indiscriminately, even imprison- we have to be interrogated? Why do thing else but economic benefit for as ing people without any reason. we have to leave our businesses, our far as we're concerned, we could not see Once when I was on my way through the studies or our jobs and be deported to any other value in them. another region, without any power to old town of Lhasa, they stopped me and resist? Why are all our people consid- When I wanted to return to Lhasa last asked me where I lived and what I was

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 23 Wo r l d Pr e s s

doing, whether I had a residence permit everything, entirely for our homeland. have lost your right to govern us. In that and where I was going. They even want- When will their great aspirations come case, the value of nationalities living as ed to know which teahouse I was gong true? brothers has also been lost. That is not to and whom I would be meeting. I did There are no words to describe the di- only your loss, but also a tragedy for the not have the option to say: This is my mension of their sacrifice. By offering entire world. private business. They might even have their own blood they have made a con- asked which toilet I use and how often About the author: tribution that will be passed on from I pee! We don’t have freedom of life. For obvious reasons, the author of this generation to generation; our people Once a friend was walking to Ramoche text has to stay anonymous. He is origi- and our people's history will forever monastery, the second most-important nally from Amdo, a culturally Tibetan be deeply indebted to them. They have monastery in the old town, and was in- area outside the Tibet Autonomous Re- touched us profoundly and also caused terrogated at seven such "stops" on the gion (TAR). These outer Tibetan areas, suffering, the reason being that they way. Let's not even talk about our main comprising more than half of the ethnic have, for our sake and with their own temple, the Jokhang, or the Potala, the Tibetan population, have been incor- blood, started a new glowing chapter of former home of the Dalai Lam ! So, porated into the Chinese provinces of our history. This must not be forgotten where is our freedom of movement? Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan by our homeland, it must not be forgot- Where is our freedom of speech? Of after what the Chinese call "the peace- ten by anyone who belongs here. Why thought ? Of property? ful liberation of Tibet" in 1951. The is our generation burdened with the author's hometown is about 2000 miles Under these circumstances flames of an- duty of such sacrifice? ger have pervaded all Tibetan regions, north-east of Lhasa, but he has lived in Others can shout and demonstrate to U-tsang, Amdo and Kham, and they are the Tibetan capital for over two years. express their disagreement and protest; burning in the mind of each and every Young Tibetans from areas outside the we have to protest by giving our cher- Tibetan. A considerable number of our TAR (Amdo and Kham) where many ished lives. Why is that? The founda- great Tibetan brothers and sisters have self-immolations are talking place, face tion for the path of our progress and for set their own bodies on fire, and some a tough life in the capital. Especially a bright future for our homeland has even did it abroad. Immolating oneself after the self-immolations in Lhasa on been laid through sacrifice of blood and is not a naturally occurring matter. It is 27 May 2012, security measures were years of youth. Don't we have to step a path chosen by those who did not have tightened to the extreme and most of on this founding stone to strive for the a choice. These fellow Tibetans come these "outsiders" were deported to their peak of the mountain? from different places and families, have homelands. The author managed to different backgrounds, are of different In the end, I would like to say to the Chi- come back three months later and again sex and age. They all are heroes. They nese leaders: You obviously do not want experienced the daily harassment of Ti- have sacrificed their own precious lives to see the truth, but instead of throwing betans in Lhasa, more intensely than and youth for the sake of our homeland. us into prison, instead of checking us ever, during the Communist Party con- It is definitely not the case that they and imposing restrictions, the best ap- gress and leadership change in Beijing have done it because they cannot cope proach would be to talk to us. If you do in November 2012. with their own lives. They have given not want to change anything, then you

In Villages, Praying for the Souls of Tibetan Self-Immolators

This article by Didi Kirsten Tatlow was published in The New York Times on 3 February 2013.

BEIJING — Since November, when cold winter began in the high Tibetan Plateau, thousands of Tibetan villag- ers have been gathering daily to pray for the souls of the nearly 100 Tibetans who have burned themselves to death in protest over Chinese rule, in a show of widespread support for the self-immo- lators among ordinary people, accord- ing to witness testimony from a person Motorbikes outside a prayer meeting in a Tibetan village in China, where thousands of Tibetans are pray- recently returned from the region. ing for the souls of those who have self-immolated in protest over Chinese rule.

24 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Wo r l d Pr e s s

In traditional winter prayer meetings in “Their aim is for each meeting to have signing his post, he said. villages, they gather to chant “Om mani chanted ‘Om mani padme hum’ 100 padme hum,” Tibetan Buddhism’s most million times. There’s no question that “Lhasa used to be a sacred place for important mantra, which speeds a soul they regard the self-immolators as very Buddhism. Now it’s a sacred place for toward a good reincarnation, said the great, and believe that with the help of Marxism-Leninism,” he said. “Every person, who witnessed a meeting in the their prayers, they will come back as day there are meetings where leaders Tibetan region of Qinghai Province in powerful and blessed people,” said the both big and small tell you that main- China. person, who confessed to having reser- taining stability,” or “weiwen,” in Chi- vations about the self-immolations. nese, “is the most important thing, what The meetings are a sign of support for the main tasks in Lhasa are. Lhasa is the self-immolators and point to wide- Yet, “It’s extremely moving. Because no longer a Buddhist sacred place,” he spread dislike among ordinary Tibetans if the self-immolations really were a said. for repressive policies in the region that mistake, how could they get so much have turned it into an “open-air prison,” support and sympathy form ordinary “Lhasa is stuffed with police, every 10 said one ethnic Tibetan police officer in people?” paces there are several. I am growing to Lhasa, quoted by the witness. hate my own work. It’s really not possi- As my colleague Jim Yardley reports ble to keep doing it. Some have already The witness cannot be identified be- from India, where many Tibetans live resigned,” he told the witness. cause of the high risk of persecution by in exile, some there are questioning the the Chinese authorities. But the reliable self-immolations. The crackdown includes forbidding account of ongoing, severe repression ethnic Tibetans from the outlying re- and resentment among Tibetans con- The witness confirmed that, saying: gions, like Qinghai or Sichuan Prov- firms other reports from the Tibet Au- “There is a feeling among some Ti- inces, which lie outside Tibet proper, tonomous Region or from Tibetan re- betans,” especially monks or those in from traveling to Tibet and is strictly gions in Chinese provinces, where the the religious hierarchy, “that the Dalai enforced at airports and other transport authorities have been cracking down as Lama needs to say something to stop nodes. Ethnic Han Chinese, however, they try to stop the spread of the self- it.” can pass, effectively making Tibet out immolations. of bounds for many Tibetans. Yet Tibetans who are deeply unhappy Chinese courts last week sentenced with Chinese rule are constrained in Any Tibetan from outside the region eight Tibetans for helping self-immo- how they can protest. wishing to travel to Lhasa must have lators, The Associated Press reported, a “sponsor” in the city working for the including one man to death with a two- “The problem is that Tibetans are Bud- government, the witness said. They year reprieve, and others to between 3 dhists. The way things are there now, in must surrender their identity cards and and 12 years in jail, according to Xin- other places, people might rise up and be photographed. Uniformed and plain- hua, the state news agency. set off bombs. But they can’t do that be- clothes police officers and military pa- cause Buddhists believe you shouldn’t trol heavily in the city, trying to stop The detail and content of the grass-roots destroy other people’s happiness. So self-immolations. prayer meetings is new. the only way they can protest is by kill- ing themselves,” the person said. The ban on ethnic Tibetans from outside “The meetings are a traditional thing Tibet, many of whom have traditionally to do during the winter and are held And so the grass-roots support goes on. taken pilgrimages to Lhasa, means that daily in different villages, and last three hotels and other businesses in the city days,” the witness said. They are known The testimony from this person also confirmed reports of a very harsh crack- have suffered since last May when they in Chinese as “fahui,” or dharma meet- were ordered shut to such travelers. A ings (also Buddhist law meetings). down under way in Lhasa, seat of the Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest temple, and the petition is currently circulating from hotel owners asking the government “People drive on motorbikes for long Potala Palace, the former home of the Dalai Lama, whom Tibetans revere and to compensate them financially, “or we distances, 50 or 60 kilometers, to will take our request higher.” For rea- whichever village is holding a prayer who has lived in exile since fleeing the Chinese in 1959. sons of political sensitivity, the petition, meeting. It’s mostly adults, and they are which has been seen by this newspaper, anywhere between 16 and over 80 years cannot be discussed in detail. old. As soon as they can drive a motor- The crackdown, in response to the self- bike, they’ll go,” the person said. immolations that began not long after an uprising in Lhasa was crushed in It is also extremely difficult for ordi- nary ethnic Tibetans to get a passport, “Around 1,000 people may attend, of- 2008, has turned Tibet into “an open-air prison,” said an ethnic Tibetan police meaning they cannot travel overseas, ten going from one meeting to another the witness said. The person believes without returning home.” officer. Like some other ethnic Tibetan police officers, he was considering re- the government’s motive is to minimize

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 25 Wo r l d Pr e s s

accounts, like this one, of the harsh re- the prayer meetings will soon be scaled the person said. pression in the region. back, as farm work and animal hus- bandry resume. For now, though, the Said the police officer: “Living in this “They don’t want Tibetans leaving the villagers are praying hard for the souls tightly controlled atmosphere is unbear- country and telling the world what’s of the dead, millions of mantras circu- able. There’s no feeling of happiness. happening there. Hundreds of people lating in the thin air of the plateau. But maybe it’s good this way, it may leaving and telling the world is very speed up the day when the situation has different from one or two,” the person “They say, we want their lives to to change. But I don’t have the courage said. come back. We want world peace. to self-immolate. Maybe after I retire They pray for Tibet to have peaceful I’ll go to Beijing and petition.” With the Lunar New Year approaching, and happy days, and the world, too,” How Many Self-Immolating Tibetans Does It Take to Make a Difference?

The reason [for all the self-immolations] lies in China’s massive policy failure in Tibet over the course of more than 60 years of its rule. The revolution that is brewing in Tibet is driven by political repression, cultural assimilation, social discrimination, economic marginaliza- tion and environmental destruction. China, of course, doesn’t see it this way. The likelihood of a Tibetan revo- lution — or even the rioting of not so long ago — is dwarfed by the specter of a Beijing crackdown. Authorities have already started detaining and jail- Exile Tibetans participate in a candle light vigil in solidarity with fellow Tibetans who have self immo- lated, in Katmandu, Nepal-AP ing Tibetans they claim are “inciting” This article by Ishaan Tharoor was pub- Part of the problem is where these pro- self-immolations; one such swoop ear- lished in TIME on 13 February 2013 tests occur. The overwhelming majority lier this month in the rugged province of Qinghai netted 70 suspects. Quoted On Wednesday morning in Kathmandu, takes place within the borders of China, either in Tibet proper or in Tibetan ar- by Chinese state media, a local official the capital of Nepal, a Tibetan monk echoed China’s longstanding critique of drenched in gasoline appeared in front eas of neighboring Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces. Media access is any Tibetan dissent: “The Dalai Lama of a Buddhist stupa popular among Ti- clique masterminded and incited the betans and set himself aflame. At the heavily controlled and much of what we know comes from advocacy groups self-immolations. Personal informa- time of writing, the young man, thought tion, such as photos of the victims, to be in his early 20s, is in critical con- based outside. A white paper titled “Why Tibet Is Burning,” released last month were sent overseas to promote the self- dition. According to some reports, his immolations.” fiery protest marks a grim milestone: by an institute affiliated with the Tibet- it’s the 100th such self-immolation by an government-in-exile in Dharamsala, The Dalai Lama, the increasingly with- a Tibetan to happen since 2009 (others India, identifies by name 98 Tibetans drawn spiritual leader of Tibetans-in- suggest it’s the 99th or the 101st). who carried out self-immolations in exile, has long promoted a “middle China since February 2009. Many of way” of dialogue and nonviolent resis- Whatever the ghastly metric, the act has those choosing to set themselves on fire tance, and has also urged against Tibet- become the signature tactic in recent are young teenagers and 20-somethings. ans carrying out self-immolations. Ac- years of Tibetans voicing their frus- They are farmers and aspiring clerics, cording to a BBC report last year, the trations with Chinese rule. It carries a nomads and students. In a foreword to steady toll of self-immolations was be- haunting moral cry no suicide bomber the study, Lobsang Sangay, the demo- ing interpreted by some angry Tibetans can match. When one downtrodden Tu- cratically elected Prime Minister of overseas as a sign that the Dalai Lama’s nisian set himself alight in December Tibet’s exiles, urges Tibetans to “not to timid, largely failed policies of engage- 2010, the spark of his despair and anger resort to drastic actions, including self- ment ought to be given up. “Violence kindled uprisings that swept across the immolations, because life is precious.” could now be the only option,” said one Arab world. Yet, 100 Tibetan self-im- But the study goes on to point the finger influential Tibetan activist to the BBC. molations — and many deaths — later, at Beijing: little has changed. That’s a scenario that could spell even

26 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Wo r l d Pr e s s more trouble for Tibetan aspirations — NATO’s imbroglio in Afghanistan — and their very future — and in the resistance to Beijing has been met ruth- have cornered the international com- process, transforming Tibetan towns lessly with arrests and media blackouts. munity’s attention. and cities into so many Chinatowns … At the same time the Tibetan people No foreign government would risk their What’s left then is a lonely struggle. see massive development activities relationship with China over tacit sup- China touts the wealth and development undertaken on their land that bring port for an aspirational and unlikely Ti- it’s bringing to the Himalayan plateau, little or no benefit to them and aimed, betan nation. The governments of India but Tibetans abroad see the hollowing instead, to cart away Tibetan natural and Nepal, which play awkward hosts out of their homeland, which faces a resources to a resource-hungry Chi- to generations of Tibetan exiles and dis- steady influx of Han Chinese settlers. na. In fact the policies of the Chinese sidents, routinely crack the whip on Ti- Here’s the white paper from Dharam- Communist Party demonstrate to the betan activists, breaking up protests and sala once more: monitoring exile activity. Geopolitical Tibetan people that China wants Ti- conflagrations elsewhere — from the [Tibetans] look on with alarm and bet but not the Tibetan people. Senkaku Islands contested by Tokyo fear as Chinese settlers stream into and Beijing to the South China Sea to Tibet, taking away Tibetan jobs, land Tibet’s Voice of Realism

“In the past, I was some- times telling people Bud- dhism was best. But after meeting with different people, from other tradi- tions, now I feel you can- not say one religion is best. It’s like with medicine. In order to administer medi- cine, you have to look at the individual illness. For each body, according to its circumstances and natural conditions, a different sys- tem of medicine may be best.”

The absolute insistence on reason—which is unwav- ering as the laws of gravity and lasting and objective, as emotions are not—and the readiness to stress his own mistakes and those Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama comforts a kindergarden child, who lost his parents in the tsunami caused by the March of his culture, while ac- 11 earthquake, as he visits Saikoji temple to hold a memorial service for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in knowledging the strengths Ishinomaki, northern Japan, Nov. 5/Kimimasa Mayama / EPA of its longtime oppressor, This article by Pico Iyer was published needs others. So a small disagreement the People’s Republic of in Cairo Review on 10 February 2013 or division of interests should not af- China, reminded me that I was in the fect basic relations. Of course Chinese company of an unusual presence who China needs Japan, Japan needs China,” people must love their nation, their cul- thinks in unexpected ways, and all but the 14th Dalai Lama declared, with im- ture: that is good! But it’s too extreme. remakes the political domain by rewrit- movable conviction, as I listened to him It’s almost as if they’re suggesting that, ing its assumptions. For years now, the in a sunlit conference room in Yokoha- across the planet, Chinese culture is the world has, understandably, concentrat- ma last November, a great Ferris wheel best. When we were in Tibet, we had ed on the Tibetan leader’s belly laughs, turning outside and a jungle of high-ris- some of that same kind of view: ‘Tibet his warm charisma, his humanity, and ing grey skyscrapers presiding over the is the best!’ That’s wrong! Too much all are compelling indeed, and inspir- blue bay. “Every nation on this planet emotion involved. Too short-sighted. ing; even when I ride with him in an

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 27 Wo r l d Pr e s s

elevator in a shopping-mall in Yokoha- rigorous and tough-minded approach to need is an everyday sense of kindness ma, he clutches the elbow of the beam- the world than many might expect. As and responsibility, which lies outside ing elevator operator, to give something he said at a peace conference in Hiro- the domain of religion, but remains as personal to their brief interaction. Yet shima, in 2010, “I don’t believe peace indispensable as water. all the emphasis on his undeniably kind will come through prayer. Peace must and tolerant heart often obscures what come through our actions.” In the realm of politics, this means that is to me his most singular quality, espe- the Dalai Lama is always taking seem- cially in the context of history and geo- Beyond Religion ingly counter-intuitive positions, based politics: the clarity of his mind, and his not on ideology but logic, and refuses unswerving emphasis on realism. The story of how a small boy born to a to toe the line of his more woolly- farmer’s family in a cowshed was dis- minded admirers or even the most well- For each of the past seven Novembers, covered to be the fourteenth Dalai Lama intentioned idealists. When he lived in I’ve spent several days traveling across at the age of two, enthroned in Lhasa Lhasa, he’s been telling me (and the my adopted home of Japan with the at the age of four and then given full world) for more than thirty years, he Dalai Lama as the lone journalist in political leadership over his people as and his culture were too isolated; exile his small entourage. We’ve ended up at the troops of Mao Zedong flooded into has, if nothing else, forced him and his roadside convenience-stores where the Tibet when he was fifteen, is so colorful people to shed certain illusions and “be disarming monk in red robes stands at and exotic that it’s easy to overlook its more realistic.” People from other tra- the door with a can of “hot milk tea” and hard-core heart: the fact that, from the ditions should not become Buddhists, greets every surprised truck-driver with time he was in kindergarten, the Dalai he said again in Tokyo last November; a smile and an outstretched hand. We’ve Lama was put through a grueling, eigh- they may have much to learn from Bud- gone from fishing villages laid waste in teen-year doctoral course specializing dhism—from everyone—as Buddhists the wake of the 2011 tsunami, where in logic and dialectics. And even more and everyone can learn from them, but he consoled the recently orphaned, to than most monks who emerge from that it’s “much better, much safer” to keep lunches in central Tokyo filled with fig- training, he likes to stress that the Bud- to their own traditions. As he delivered ures from the world of fashion; from the dha—his “boss,” as he calls him—was a talk on an eleventh century Tibetan tropical graveyards of Okinawa to ninth a scientist, a physician (of the mind), Buddhist text (and urged those follow- century temples not far from the Peace and a regular human being who relied ers in the audience to be “twenty-first Park in Hiroshima. only on empirical data. century Buddhists”), he said, “Now is the time for scientists to take the lead. Almost as soon as the Tibetan leader “The Buddha himself told us we should Not people like me in robes.” came into exile in India in 1959, my fa- not accept his word on faith, or through ther, a professional philosopher, sailed devotion,” I heard the Tibetan say in The essential feature of the Dalai La- back from Oxford to meet him, and so November. “We should investigate even ma’s life, I often think, is the one fact I’ve been visiting the Tibetan leader in his own words and come to an indepen- that so many of us, won over by his his home in Dharamsala since 1974, dent conclusion.” Like a Harvard phi- charm and unpretentious humility, when I was in my teens. Now, as he losopher, the Dalai Lama takes words overlook: he was a full-fledged politi- goes through his working day in Japan, apart and demands absolute precision: cal leader, in one of the most difficult at once sharing Buddhist teachings with for a teaching in Yokohama on an eight- situations in the world, for 60 years un- what remains the world’s most power- verse poem, he spent an hour on two til he effectively deposed himself, and ful Buddhist nation, and speaking for words at its beginning, “May I,” to see passed all formal political leadership of those in Tibet who can’t speak much what the “I” really is. And over and over, his people to a democratically elected for themselves, I sit in on almost ev- ever more as the years go on, he stresses leadership, in 2011. Opposed and de- ery one of his private audiences—with “secular ethics based on scientific find- rided by the largest nation on earth, politicians, with regular Tibetans, with ings.” If his most evident passion is the outnumbered by 200 to 1, and unable to friends of the Emperor and with long- lab research he’s been following and visit his homeland or most of his people haired Japanese heavy-metal musicians, encouraging at M.I.T., Stanford, Emory for more than half a century, he’s never who have somehow decided that they University, the University of Wisconsin, been in a position to entertain romantic want to make Buddhism their message. and many other major universities, it’s or wishy-washy or abstract “spiritual” The more I’ve watched him, the more because it offers a verifiable, universal answers. Pragmatism, what works in I’ve come to see that his sovereign measure of how much meditation, say, the here-and-now, is all that matters for qualities are often the ones you don’t can lead to happiness, health, and peace him, as for the Buddha. see on CNN or in newspapers, which of mind. The most recent book by one concentrate on his contagious smile: a of the world’s most visible religious When I saw him in November, many razor-sharp memory, a deeply practical figures is called Beyond Religion, and were eager to ask him, inevitably, about commitment to something deeper than argues that religion is a useful luxury the tragic rash of self-immolations that gestures or words, and a much more in life, like tea, but what all of us most had left more than 50 Tibetans dead in

28 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Wo r l d Pr e s s recent months; even as he spoke, four your right hand to punch your left arm, Lama decided to go to China, over the more were taking their own lives, some or vice versa. protests of his fearful people, in order of them as young as fifteen. True to his to see the land first-hand, to meet in emphasis on realism, and his commit- It reminded me of when Beijing was person Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, ment to his monastic vows, the Dalai building a high-speed train to Lhasa a and to observe objectively what was Lama could not endorse suicide even few years ago. Nearly every Han Chi- being achieved by the revolution; the as he pointed out that people would act nese person I heard saw this as proof many months he spent traveling across so desperately only if there was a seri- of the magnanimity of the People’s the People’s Republic then have made ous problem in their lives. “Whether Republic as it “liberated” Tibet and him a much more precise and informed the Chinese government admits it or brought the remote and impoverished commentator on the subject than he not,” he said, “there is a problem in Ti- area closer to the modern world; while would have been otherwise. And as he bet. That is good for neither Tibet nor nearly every Tibetan I knew saw this stressed again in November, “In terms the Chinese government.” Force would as part of the “destruction” of Tibet, a of social or economic thinking, I am only aggravate the problem and, he way of flooding it with Han Chinese. a Marxist. Lenin was too interested in pointed out, since the self-immolators The Dalai Lama was the only one I met power; but Marx, with his emphasis on had not gone the way of suicide bomb- who said that, now the train was being equality and the rights of the people, ers or tried to take Chinese lives, they built, it couldn’t be unbuilt; the only was offering something wonderful.” were clearly devoted to non-violence, important thing to consider was not the Sometimes, with his characteristic mis- yet ready to do anything to convey their vehicle, but the motivations behind it. chief, he even suggests that he is more hopelessness to the world. If compassionate, it could indeed be a of a socialist than the men in charge of great blessing for Tibetans; and if ex- Communist China. In Okinawa, when locals came up to him ploitative, it would be unforgivable. and asked how he could help them get But it made no sense to concentrate on A Doctor of the Mind rid of U.S. bases on their soil, confident just the external vessel. they’d find a supporter in a Nobel Peace This unbudging pragmatism is the rea- Prize laureate, he (subtly and sympa- As I travel with him, this commitment son the Dalai Lama has not much heed- thetically) pointed out that without to realism and universal human logic, ed the suggestions of well-wishers and the bases, Okinawans might face even outside all ideologies and religions, of- agitators within the Tibetan community more violence. In the world we live in, ten takes me aback. One day, as we were for purely physical ways to resolve the systems of defense and even weapons riding a train towards Nagoya, I men- impasse between Tibet and China. Is a can be instruments of peace more than tioned to him a book I’d just read about proud nation with a history of resisting of war. The important thing was to take in which Mao Zedong had written, “I suggestions from abroad really going to a wider perspective—see the larger, am the universe… small is big, the yang be turned around by a peace march or a global picture—and not look for short- is the yin, up is down, dirty is clean.” petition, or even a handful of Tibetans term solutions. When the results of the His word, in other words, was every- knocking out a power station or a road? American election came through while thing, and logic be damned! Instantly, Such acts may win the world’s head- we were in Tokyo, he declined to say the Dalai Lama grabbed my arm, and lines for a few days and then lose the anything himself, but asked an Ameri- told me not to criticize the man, only world’s good will forever. And they’re can nearby what he thought, and said, his actions, even though Mao was the likely only to harden Chinese oppres- “That is the most informed response. man who had worked so strenuously to sion. The Dalai Lama always says that For an American election, we should obliterate Tibet. Actions, after all, are the resolution to this issue, and to many ask an American elector.” to be held against a universal standard others, may not come in his lifetime, of truth, and are behind us; actors—the but will come in time, because circum- Again and again the leader of the Tibet- people who commit actions—deserve stances always change: centuries ago, ans stresses that Tibetans are and should our compassion as fellow human be- Tibet all but controlled China, and at be grateful that the People’s Republic ings, and can always be turned towards other points in history, China has al- has brought them so much in the way more enlightened action. most destroyed Tibet. All we can do is of much-needed material and modern work hard so as to be ready for when an resources; but China, he says, may have In the political domain, where most opportunity arises. something to learn from Tibet when it leaders are thinking about the next elec- comes to more inner resources. China tion and are determined not to antago- He says this, of course, as the only Da- and Tibet will always be neighbors, nize their core constituency, it’s bracing lai Lama in history to have traveled to dependent on one another, so whatever to see someone bring such non-partisan Belfast and Jerusalem, to have been at helps Tibet will help China, and what- openness and impartial analysis into the Berlin Wall at the time it was com- ever hurts China will hurt Tibet; to try the White House, the back-rooms of ing down and to have followed the to see them as opposed to one another Beijing, and the European Parliament. news with an acuity and attention that makes about as much sense as telling Even in his teens, in 1954, the Dalai puts me and many of my fellow journal-

Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n 29 Wo r l d Pr e s s ists to shame (seventeen years ago he fore the holy places. If Americans and “Generally, I don’t believe in healing told me he was “addicted” to the BBC French people and Australians have powers and those kinds of things,” he World Service broadcast he listens to turned to Tibetan Buddhism for the sus- said, “though of course in special cases every morning at 5:30 a.m. during his tenance they feel they can’t get at home, it may be possible.” He also made clear first four hours of meditation; and it’s it’s hardly strange that Chinese people, that we shouldn’t get caught up in talk true that his talks are always spiced denied any spiritual life for sixty years, and thought of spirits or oracles or the with references to the day’s news and are gratefully recalling that they have a like; Buddhism is about analytical phi- the most current and topical issues). rich and ancient tradition within their losophy and working hard to transform He’s seen his comrade and fellow cleric current borders. the mind. When a scientist spoke about Desmond Tutu help bring an end to happiness during trances, the Dalai apartheid and build a free (though still Insofar as the Dalai Lama can be seen Lama responded that happiness based troubled, of course) South Africa; he’s as a “doctor of the mind”—the Bud- on “sensory consciousness” was as im- seen another close friend, Vaclav Havel, dha, after all, stressed, like any physi- permanent as everything; the only true be unanimously voted to the presidency cian, simply finding the source of our happiness consisted in that peace of of Czechoslovakia eight weeks after he suffering and then coming up with a mind that is not dependent on circum- left prison. cure—the image explains many of the stance. features of his thought. A doctor isn’t The heart of the Buddhist vision is two- infallibly right, and he can never protect At the end of the discussion, a Shinto fold: it suggests that everything is im- his patients forever; at some point, he’ll priest—the vice-chief patriarch of a permanent—and so we should always always lose them. He cannot judge his prominent shrine in Okayama who hap- be ready to adapt, to work with, even to patient on the basis of her nationality or pened to be sitting next to me—leaned embrace change—and that everything religion or position in the world; the di- over, and, with a hearty laugh the Da- is interdependent (a view that the global agnosis should be the same regardless lai Lama might have appreciated, pro- economy, the planetary environmental of externals. His is not the only pos- nounced, “The most scientific person situation, and the so-called “butterfly sible response to any situation; another on this panel of scientists is the one in effect” all bear out every day now: what doctor would come up with a different monk’s robes. The only one who isn’t happens in Beijing is felt in Washington prognosis. And ultimately, a doctor is speaking about religion is the religious within hours, and vice versa). I’m not a dealing simply with universal, unvary- leader!” True enough. It only takes Buddhist myself, but in an accelerating ing scientific laws; he is only as good logic—and far-sightedness and empiri- and fast-globalizing order, these ideas as his ability to dispassionately assess cism—to see that Beijing has much to grow ever harder to challenge; you conditions and then suggest a practical gain from loosening up on Tibet and don’t have to be a Tibetan wise man to response. everything to lose, world-wide, from see that what happens in the political pushing it down; and that whoever suc- hallways of Beijing will be felt in New The day after I heard the Dalai Lama ceeds the Dalai Lama is likely to have York and Washington minutes later. address China’s recent differences with less first-hand knowledge of China, less Japan in Yokohama last November, experience, and probably less forgive- One byproduct of this thinking is, of I watched him devote two full days ness and sympathy in his heart than course, that, far more than just China of discussions to scientists in Tokyo. the Tibetan leader we’ve long known. and Tibet, the Dalai Lama is trying to Aware of the monastic nature of their “Once things are open and more infor- offer concrete suggestions that may be visitor, many of the Japanese scien- mation is available in the People’s Re- helpful across our divided world—in tists, often from Tokyo University and public,” the Dalai Lama said in Yoko- places like the Middle East (or his ad- the nation’s leading institutes of higher hama, “these complicated matters can opted home for fifty-four years, India), learning, spoke about spiritual healing be solved more easily. In the meantime, where violent religious differences go and ritual trances, about The Tibetan frankly speaking, even if I make some back centuries. For forty years now, Book of the Dead and the worship of comment, it’s no use. Nobody listens.” he’s watched Japan, parts of Europe, plants. Characteristically, the Dalai even India develop more and more ma- Lama seemed a bit put out by this, re- Not “nobody,” I thought, but perhaps terially and then wonder why money fusing to hold that plants have minds, what we were really listening to was and opportunity haven’t brought them and stressing that when some people something that had to do with some- happiness. It wasn’t surprising to me, come to see him because they think the thing much larger than China or Tibet: the last time I flew to Tibet, to find that Dalai Lama has “some kind of miracu- the way each person and each nation many of the passengers on the plane lous power, that’s nonsense!” When might try to deal with opposition and from Chengdu (90 percent of them Han people ascribe healing powers to him, suffering. Chinese) were traveling to the remote he said, he asked them why, if that were area not just as sightseers, but as pil- the case, he could not heal the itch in his grims, eager to visit Tibetan temples, own neck, and the problems he’s been to seek out Tibetan lamas, to bow be- having with his knee.

30 Ti b e t a n Bu l l e t i n Ja n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2013 Finance Department Announces Job Vacancy

A new BPO venture by OKS Group is coming up in Dharamsala soon. OKS Group was founded in 1985 and has rich experience in providing business process outsourcing (BPO) services in India and abroad. The new venture aims to alleviate unemploy- ment in the Tibetan community by creation of employment opportunities for Tibetan youths. The project is facilitated by Tibetan Administration and Welfare Society (TAWS). Please note below for number of vacancies, eligibility criteria and salary offers.

Position-I: Project Associates for Non Voice Projects (10 Position -II (Customer Care Executive for Voice Process- vacancies) 10 vacancies) Eligibility: Age Criteria – Min 18 yrs to 45 years of age a) Freshers salary of Rs.8000/- per month Qualification – Graduate/ Non Graduate b) 1 year exp salary – Rs.8500/- per month * Good analytical skill (required in Mortgage process) c) 2 years experience – Rs.9000/- per month * Average Communication Skills d) 3 Years experience – Rs.9500/- per month. * Selected Candidates should not be doing any regular e) Team Leaders: at a salary of Rs.10000/- per month College/Classes (3-4 years experience) * Should be open for flexible working Shifts. (The shift f) Assistant Managers: at a salary of Rs.12000/- per month timings are from 6:15 a.m. to 3:10 pm/ 3:10 p.m. to (5 years experience) 12:00 a.m.) * Good typing skill with 30 wpm & 90% accuracy Please note that * Well versed with MS. Office (work and excel) 1) The salary is consolidated amount and candidates * Min-Max Salary Range (Depends on candidate need to arrange for accomodation in Dharamsala credential) 2) The job is open for all Tibetan origin 3) Educational qualification is not needed for committed Position-II: Customer Care Executives for US-based candidates with excellent English language and Voice operations (10 vacancies) computer skills Eligibility: 4) Selected candidates will have to undergo 4- 6 weeks Age Criteria – Min 18 yrs to 45 years. training before they can join and Qualification – Graduate/ Non Graduate 5) Finally the shortlisted candidates shall be called for * Excellent Communication Skills. interview and all related expense to sit for the * Selected Candidates should not be doing any regular interview shall be borne by the candidate College/Classes. themselves. * Should be open for night Shifts. (The shift timings are from 6:30 pm to 3:30 am). Start submitting your application with details as below to * Candidates should have Clear English Speech with no the following contact address from 1st March through 31st regional Accent. March 2013. * Min-Max Salary Range (Depends on candidate a) An application letter skill sets) b) Resume with contact phone number, email and postal address Salary: Please note that salary is as per the following c) copies of educational qualifications if any and categories d) Tibetan green book paid up to 31.12.2012

Position-I (Non Voice/Data processing-10 vacancies) Executive Secretary a) Fresher salary Rs.6500/- per month Tibetan Administration and Welfare Society (TAWS) b) 1 year experience Rs.7000/- per month Paljor Office c) 2 years experience Rs.7500/- per month Gangchen Kyishong d) 3 years experience Rs.8000/- per month Dharamsala e) Team Leader Salary Rs.9000/- per month (4 years Ph. +1892-222487/223738 experience) List of Books for Sale

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