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See Page 6...... Vol. 02, Issue 89, Print Issue 13, 30 June 2013 Karmapa’s official birthday celebration canceled

US Ambassador visits Capital Lhasa, urges China to open Tibet up

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His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s two-day teachings for Tibetan youths in exile By Yeshe Choesang: 27 June 2013

The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche visting TCV School. Photo: TPI By Chumar Dhondup:26 June 2013

Dharamshala: - This year’s official birthday celebration of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa was canceled “due to on-going projects.” ‘There will be no official celebration of the Gyalwang Karmapa’s birthday at Gyuto Monastery this year.The Gyalwang Karmapa requests those who wish to celebrate this day to do so privately,’ The Karmapa’s Office of Administration said in a statement issued. “In addition, because of increased demands on the Gyalwang Karmapa’s time due to on-going projects, there will be no private audiences from the end of June until the beginning of August,” it stated. “The twice-weekly public audiences, on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, will be held as usual,” the office said.

US asks China to hold dialogue with His Holiness

Spokesperson of the US Department of State Patrick Ventrell speaks during the Daily Press Briefing in Washington, DC. Photo: File

Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama began a two day teaching for Tibetan youth on “Opening the New Eye of Awareness” at the Tibetan Childrens’ Village School (TCV) in Upper Dharamshala, India. His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at the TCV school Thursday morning, where was given a warm traditional welcome by the students, staff of the TCV and the teaching organizers, holding the traditional white scarfs and incense to greet him. Over 2,000 Tibetan youths from different TCV schools, including college students, gathered at the main TCV school hall to receive the Tibetan Buddhist leader’s teaching. The teaching is aimed to create more awareness about Tibetan Buddhism and culture among Tibetan youths. His Holiness also released a new book before starting his teachings. The book, titled “The Potala Palace”, authored by Ven Thupten Yarphel of the Dharamshala based Namgyal Monastery. Tibetan history, religion, and culture come together in this book about the Palace. The ancient palace is the most spectacular art and religious treasure-house in all of Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama praised the author for his hard work and research. HH-TCV-teachings-2013 The school hall fills up with crowds of students, while around 20 laypersons performed two Tibetan Buddhist philosophical debates on two different topics. On several occasions, His Holiness has mentioned that studying Buddhist philosophy is very important to become a 21st century Buddhist, because Buddhism is an important aspect of the Tibetan identity. His Holiness will explain excerpts from his book, ‘Opening the Eye of New Awareness’ ( Tib: Lekshey Losar Migjey), which

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the teaching for Tibetan youths at the TCV auditorium, Dharamshala, India, on June 27, 2013. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang

he wrote in the early 1960s. The book gives a survey of general Buddhist teachings and emphasizes the importance of seeking the shared values of different religions rather than focusing on the differences. Addressing the youths, His Holiness said this teaching is being conducted in the hope of providing new awareness about how to generate warm-hardheartedness and lead a happy life.

Crowds of Tibetans greet 10th Panchen Lama’s daughter in Lhasa, Central Tibet

His Holiness said that modern education and wealth can provide us food and shelter, but they cannot bring us lasting happiness. Happiness can only be achieved through exchange of love and affection towards one another, His Holiness added. The 77-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate stressed on the importance of educating the youth on the value of love, kindness and compassion See Page 6... by through institutional education system.

Body, Mind and Life Conference held

By Kalsang Dolma: 28 June 2013

Dharamshala: - US Friday asked China to hold “substantive dialogue” with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representative to address Tibetan concerns and open the Tibet region for foreigners as United State’s envoy to China made a rare visit to the areas Tibet. “We continue to call on the Chinese government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without pre-conditions as the best means to address Tibetan concerns and the current unrest,” State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told reporters at his daily news conference on June 28, 2013. The United States, Ventrell said remains concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas that has played a role in tragic self-immolations.

Body, Mind and Life Conference begins in Dharamshala for 3-days from 26-28, June 2013. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang

US seeks consulate in Tibet, China fumes

The 10th Panchen Lama’s daughter Rigzin Wangmo and wife during their visit in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, on June 20, 2013. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: 21 June 2013

Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Photo: File By Yeshe Choesang: 13 June 2013

Dharmshala: - The United States would continue with its efforts to open its consulate in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, a State Department official has said as the top American diplomat in Beijing concluded his rare six-days trip to the region. “In terms of the potential for a consulate, that still remains our policy, that, as envisioned in the Tibet Policy Act, we’ll continue to make the best efforts to establish a consulate in Lhasa,” the State Department spokesperson, Patrick Ventrell, told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday. The US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, concluded his sixdays trip to Tibet on June 28, 2013.

Dharamshala: - Arriving at Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet experienced a huge public gathering for the first time, as a daughter of a spiritual leader, Rigzin Wangmo and her mother were touched by a warm welcome by thousands of Tibetans. Sources stated that “the 10th Panchen Lama Rinpoche’s wife and daughter on June 20, 2013 secretly visited the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, the heart of Tibet, a crowd of thousands of Tibetan people immediately gathered to give them a warm welcome and support.” “Huge gathering of crows paid great attention to their pilgrim to the two holy sites- Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple in the capital,” Sonam, a Tibetan currently living in Switzerland told The Tibet Post International (TPI), citing sources in the region. “Tens of thousands turned out en masse to pay a warm welcome and respects to Rigzin Wangmo, the daughter of His Holiness the Xth Panchen Lama”, who was a key Buddhist figure in the struggle to preserve Tibetan cultural and religious traditions and to promote Tibetan autonomy under Chinese occupation. Sources said that many have expressed their sadness and

disappointments, saying they couldn’t see Rigzin Wangmo, as a results of tight security maintained by Chinese authorities. The fear of huge public gathering, a large number of military personals immediately deployed in front of Jokhang Temple and near Ramoche Temple,” source further added. According to the sources, “during their visit at religious sites in Shitse township in Lhatse County, Central Tibet few days ago, local Tibetans greeted them with the same warm welcome and respect that they deserve.” His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama was accused of being antiChinese and of engaging in counter-revolutionary activities. In 1964, he was removed from all public positions of authority. In 1966, the Panchen Lama was subjected to a series of ‘struggle session’ in Beijing. He spent the following 14 years in prison or under house arrest. In 1982, he was finally allowed to return to Tibet, and soon after his return, he travelled widely in the three regions of Tibet – Amdo, Kham and U-Tsang – urging Tibetans to keep alive the spirit of Tibet in them, and to “Be Tibetan,” and “Be for the Tibetan Cause.” See Page 3...

Door to Tibet is always open to overseas Tibetans

Padma Choling, so called Tibet Autonmous Region Government chief. Photo: File

By Samuel Ivor: 24 June 2013

Dharamshala: - Chinese Government appointed top Tibetan official Pema Trinley (Chinese: Padma Choling), who heads the so called Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress has welcomed overseas Tibetans to return to their homes and settle down, claiming that the door to Tibet is “always See Page 2... open” for them.

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30 June 2013

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Editorial:

TPI NEWS

Faith is a symbol of our struggle; it unites us as a peaceful force By Yeshe Choesang: 30 June 2013 The united faith of the six million Tibetan people isn’t a story that begun yesterday or past few years. It has become an important symbol of our unity for freedom struggle. Our struggle may take long but certainly not self-defeating since we keep continue the faith that capturing soul of our identity. Effectively struggle, we must first reach out and see the great difference we can make if we remain in faithful struggle. Because, our freedom movement always depends faith and unity as a fundamental. Its Increased popularity Brain-port among international community as a universal value for Tibet and its people. Not because of the encounter with modernityweapons and warfare. 119 Tibetan men and women in the red flames where always near us with prayers and belief, they lived among us with hopes till sacrificing themselves and then reserved faith and courage for the next generation to survive as Tibetans that forever serves our unique cultural identity. Some of us may wouldn’t take them seriously, some of us where comforted in our dream, but we all said that our time will come, our age still hasn’t begun because we aren’t the quiet birds of peacetime, we are birds of the snow storms. The storms came came and with them we came, we, the men and women in Tibet. In this world , you will read a small part of our story. Without rest nearly 60 years of struggle, we keep following the road of virtue non-violent actions. For the six million Tibetans, some already set aside wishful thinking. Instead of calling China to end its inhuman torture and repressive policy, but we fought by ourselves and provide an example to the world people that Tibet is on the verge of destruction and oppression in this world today. To be more precise, the Chinese government has long gone beyond the bounders of human mind. 1.3 million of our countrymen and women have

lost their lives as a direct result of the Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet. These dead, will be a permanent burden on the consciences of the leaders of China, the a one-party dictatorship that through totally control what Tibetans choose to do. The Tibetan population in itself is a very small part of the international community and having being subjected to Chinese atrocities for over 60 years now has lessened the number close to negligible. But before holding them world in question, we must also address the bridging ideological differences amongst our own community. Over the last couple of years, owing to Tibetans seem to be distracted by the political tension in Tibet which has made the freedom struggle very politics-centric. It is important to note that there is nothing wrong with that, but at the same time, we must remember that the very core of our struggle is the preservation of our cultural heritage and religious integrity. Our faith in our culture and its restoration to its former glory is what makes the Tibetans so proud of their struggle. The Tibetan community in India receives utmost respect and reverence owing to our Buddhist roots and this is what makes us a peace-loving and faith keeping community. Democracy was not one of the central agenda when we lost our country but one of the goals that we strive to achieve in the process of enriching our heritage and ensuring it’s continuity for generations to come. It is our responsibility to restore our cultural legacy and instil the same spirit in our children and community. At several occasions, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has mentioned that ‘Buddhism is an important aspect of Tibetan identity,’ our identity being a Tibetan will be lost without persevering Buddhism and its culture. Therefore our faith is the soul for each and everyone of us to connect our courage and strength to continue the freedom struggle.

Door to Tibet overseas Tibetans.................. ..... Continued from front page Choling’s statements follow the first meeting of the ‘Federation of Returned Overseas Compatriots’ in capital of Tibet Lhasa on June 8, 2013. The vice secretary of the Party Committee of the so called Tibet Autonomous Region and directorgeneral of the Standing Committee of the Tibet People’s Congress, made the remarks while speaking to “renowned Chinese leaders and local

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Tibetans” at a symposium in China’s Consulate General in New York on June 22, 2013. He was leading a delegation of members of China’s rubberstamp National People’s Congress from TAR which toured the United States of America and Canada for two weeks. China’s state controled media Xinhua reported on June 24 that Choling spoke about the “remarkable achievements in terms of economy, construction of people’s livelihood, and religious harmony” that Tibet has seen over the past six decades, while laying down the invitation. “Overseas Tibetans are always welcome back ‘home’ to settle down,” while noting that “many elderly overseas Tibetans have come back and the door to Tibet is always open to more overseas Tibetans,” he added. Chen Quanguo, China’s point boss in Tibet, had urged Tibetans who have returned from abroad and their family members to “support China’s overseas interests” in his address at the first meeting of the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese in Lhasa on June 8. According to media reports, Chen, who is TAR communist party secretary said the returnees should use their connections with overseas Tibetans to help strengthen the “patriotic force of overseas compatriots” with their “maximum” capacity. He stated that the patriotic returnees and overseas compatriots “should contribute towards the long term stability in Tibet.” Talks about setting up the overseas office in order to “communicate with and serve exiled Tibetans and assist them in returning back to the country” first became public in September last year. The federation aims “to provide access for returned overseas Tibetans to ask for help and pursue development abroad, and built a major platform for them to get information about and participate in Tibet’s development,” said Lin Jun, chairman of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

opinion

The Tibet Post International

Global outcry as UNESCO fails to raise concerns about China’s destruction of Lhasa By Yeshe Choesang: 29 June 2013

Dharamshala: - A 100,000 strong petition was delivered yesterday to UNESCO, calling on the World Heritage Committee to urgently address concerns of China’s rapid urban development of Lhasa. The petition, delivered on the eve of the final day of the 37th World Heritage Committee Meeting, was part of a monthlong campaign by the International Tibet Network which has lobbied UNESCO to seek a mission to Lhasa and to take measures to safeguard the historic city. However, the Meeting closed today without any public statement or acknowledgement concerning the situation in Lhasa. “Lhasa’s old city is where countless Tibetans, including myself, have protested for freedom. It is the most important landmark of the nation we are fighting to preserve,” said Ngawang Sangdrol, a former Tibetan political prisoner from Lhasa. “At a time when at least 120 Tibetans have self-immolated against Chinese rule, it is shocking that UNESCO appears to have turned a blind eye to Lhasa’s transformation.” Philippa Carrick, CEO of Tibet Society, said, “China’s drive to modernise comes at the cost of destroying Lhasa’s traditional heart. Once demolished, the unique Barkhor area will be lost for ever. This will undoubtedly impact on UNESCO’s World Heritage ensemble in Lhasa. It is supremely disappointing that the World Heritage Committee have shown themselves deaf to the strong concerns put to them - they could have at least committed to sending a mission to Lhasa to see

what is happening for themselves.” In recent weeks, appeals from Tibetans inside Tibet – including a report by award-winning Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser – have alerted the world to the Chinese government’s sweeping ‘modernisation’ of the traditional Barkhor area of Lhasa. Woeser writes, “The goal of the renovation of the Barkhor quarter is to cleanse, disperse, transform and elevate...The heart of the Old City, the circumambulation path around the Jokhang is to be thoroughly cleared... All of the residents originally living along the street are to be moved.” In response to international criticism of Lhasa’s transformation, including an undercover TV report by France24, a Chinese state-owned media outlet, China Tibet Online, wrote that 11 Chinese ‘experts’ travelled

to Lhasa and established that “negative foreign reports” were ill-founded. One expert concluded that the “ethnic flavour had been preserved” and that “the project was well-received among local residents”. The ‘inspections’ took place ahead of a Chinese state-sponsored tour of Lhasa for selected foreign media, scheduled for 6 July. Foreign journalists are banned from openly visiting Lhasa and most Tibetan regions in the People’s Republic of China. “It’s ludicrous for the Chinese government to try and claim that Tibetans are happy about the destruction of our heritage, especially since Tibetans in Lhasa live under constant fear and surveillance.” said Pema Yoko of Students for a Free Tibet. “One word of protest against China could mean imprisonment, torture, or even death.”

Tibet’s political leader Dr. Sangay praises US Senate immigration bill approval

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Sikyong with Dianne Feinstein (top) / Sikyong with Senator Marco Rubio. Photo: CTA

By Yeshe Choesang: 28 June 2013

Dharamsala: - Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected political leader of Tibetans has praised the passage by the U.S. Senate of an immigration bill that could help many Tibetan refugees currently living in India and Nepal. In a strong show of support for immigration reform, the United States Senate voted 68-to-32 on June 27, 2013 and passed an immigration reform bill that the New York Times, echoing the views of many, characterized as the “most significant overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws in a generation.” Among many provisions of the bill, one includes creation of 5,000 immigrant visas for displaced Tibetans in India and Nepal over a three-year period. The Tibet-related provision received broad bi-partisan support and was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein and cosponsored by Chairman Patrick Leahy and Senator Chuck Schumer. “In my travels to numerous Tibetan settlements Tibetans have asked me for assistance on emigration. My colleagues in the Kashag and I have been working

for over a year on this issue. I have had the opportunity to meet with several Senators from both parties,” said Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.“I’m deeply grateful for their support and for the inclusion of the Tibetan provision in the immigration bill. I now hope the Senate bill will receive support in the House of Representatives as well,” he added. The Sikyong has officially visited Washington, DC three times since assuming the office of the Sikyong. In his meetings with various Congressional leaders and their key aides, the Sikyong and his staff has pressed the case for Tibet and Tibetans, including with regard to immigration issues. The immigration bill that passed the US Senate now faces a potentially long and tenuous prospect in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives where immigration reform is a relatively more contentious issue. If the House works on its own immigration bill then the Senate and House bills will need to be reconciled. It is also possible that the Congress may not be able to come to an agreement on a final bill.

Exiled Tibet parliament speaker Penpa Tsering visits Australia By Aditi Padiyar: 17 June 2013

Dharamshala: The speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Mr Penpa Tsering, is currently on an official visit to Australia. On his arrival at the Sydney airport, he was welcomed by Ngodup Gyaltsen from the Office of Tibet and Nigan Gotsang, the President of Tibetan communities of Australia. Addressing the Tibetan public on the evening of his first day, Speaker Penpa Tsering spoke on the Tibetan people’s bounden duty to preserve their language and culture, which are facing annihilation under the Chinese rule. He said the responsibility to safeguard our language and culture rests with everyone of us, adding that families in the west should speak in Tibetan at home so that the children could learn Tibetan. According to the Central Tibetan Administration, the speaker briefed the public on the critical situation prevailing inside Tibet and the efforts being made by the Central Tibetan Administration to resolve the issue of Tibet through the Middle Way policy. He underlined that the Middle Way Policy was unanimously approved by the Tibetan Parliamentin-Exile after taking into consideration the aspirations of the Tibetan people.

Speaker Penpa Tsering during a meeting in Sydney. Photo: CTA.

Speaker Tsering also spoke on the significance of the exile Tibetans’ voluntary green book contribution for the sustenance of the Tibetan movement. Tsering met about 22 representatives of Tibet Support Groups in Sydney including the heads of various non-governmental organisations on his second day. The Tibet Support Groups in Sydney pledged to continue their support towards the Tibet issue. In the evening of the second day, the speaker met a few Chinese intellectuals. He explained to them about the dire situation

prevailing inside Tibet and the CTA’s efforts to resolve the problem of Tibet through the Middle Way policy, which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework of the Chinese constitution. He also explained them about the devolution of political authority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the democratically-elected Tibetan leadership. Speaker Tsering also met 6 members of the Australia Parliamentary Group for Tibet, following which he addressed an assembly of Tibetan and Australian public entitled ‘Gathering for Tibet’ at the Tumbalong Park.

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Exile Tibetan Rights group commemorates Int’l Day in Support of Torture Victims By Aditi Padiyar: 26 June 2013

Dharamshala: On 26 June 2013, The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) held a press conference to commemorate the International Day in Support of Torture Victims and discuss the current Human Right violations in Tibet by the Chinese government. On 3rd April 2013, Jigme Gyatso, a political prisoner was released from Chinese prison after 17 years of imprisonment during which he was not only physically but mentally tortured and exploited. Today, three months after Jigme Gyatso’s long-awaited release from prison, is the International Day in Support of Torture Victims as he struggles with his broken body to live again. This day commemorates the entry into the force of the Convention Against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment on 26 June 1987 with the goal of eradicating torture. The panel consisted of three members who spoke about the state of political prisoners in China, the legal framework involving prohibition of torture and a book written by a Tibetan teacher. Tsering Tsomo, the director of TCHRD, began with introducing the book, with the English title of ‘Ancestor’s Tomb’. The TCHRD received a manuscript from Tibet with a request of anonymity by a Tibetan teacher who wrote the book after his mother’s death describing the torture she succumbed to under Chinese brutality and imprisonment. The book is available in Tibetan and Chinese and the English version is being released in September. Torture is the brutal and barbaric assertion of the state’s raw, unrestrained power which renders its victim completely helpless, dehumanising him with humiliation and

By:Aditi Padiyar : 25 June 2013

Gangtok : On 23 June 2013, Universal Prayer Day (Tibetan: Zamling Chisang) was commemorated, perhaps for the very first time at Chol-kha Sum Hall in Gangtok, Sikkim. Honoured guest Ven. Choekhor Rinpoche of Sera Drophenling Monastery, Gangtok, and Mr. Jigme Dorjee, Welfare Officer, Gangtok presided over the ceremony in the presence of several other special guests and local Tibetans residing in Gangtok. The ceremonies began with a prayer for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the well-being of all sentient beings. Sang sol (incense offering by burning juniper twigs and tossing roasted barley flour in the air) was offeredd to the Dharma protectors’ deities and spirits of Tibet and Himalayan region including Sikkim. In his introductory speech, Mr. Lobsang Dorjee, the Chief Organizer, noted that “while the day is highly significant from religious/cultural point of view, at the same time it marks an important historical landmark in the annals of Tibetan history. “While our brothers and sisters in Tibet are self-immolating for the cause of religious freedom and for the cause of Tibet; we Tibetans living in free countries must take initiative in observance and participation in important day like today”, he added further. The Special Guest of the event, Most Venerable Choekhor Rinpoche, spoke about the history behind the celebration of this auspicious festival. “During the reign of the 38th king of the Yarlung Dynasty, the Emperor of Tibet, Trisong Detsen (742-797) invited Khenchen Boddhisattva (Santarakshita) from India to establish and propagate Buddha Dharma into Tibet. Tibet was then

Panel members of the TCHRD at the press conference at Hotel Tibet, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, India, June 26, 2013. Photo: TPI/Dhondup

pain. Dawa Tsering, a field officer at TCHRD, shared his experiences as a political prisoner in Tibet. Chinese military and paramilitary forces in Tiber ‘disappear’ Tibetans who demand freedom and human rights, they are secretly and sometimes illegally detained and debilitated during interrogation. In these detention facilities, they’re brutalised with rifles and electric batons, electrocuted and kept in solitary confinement for months. These atrocities not only break their spirit but cause the body permanent and irreparable damage and loss which end in death more often than not. John Gaudette, a legal intern at TCHRD, spoke about the international legal prohibition of torture. No legal act, except slavery has been prohibited as unanimously as torture. The international community recognises that the prohibition of torture is a jus cogens norm, a preemptory norm of international law from which no derogation is permitted. China as a state party to Convention Against Torture (CAT) is oblidged to prevent torture and severely punish the offenders and yet, it’s policies, although in existence are superficial and torture remains unchecked.

beset by local mountain deities obstructing the wishes of the Emperor. As per the advice of Santakrakshita, the Emperor invited Padmasambhava from India to help overcome their difficulties. Guru Rinpoche used his tantric powers to subdue the evil deities and made them protectors of Tibet. Trisong Detsen then had Samye Monastery built in 8th century and it is the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet (779 AD) and subsequent ordination of first Buddhist monks took place. During the opening ceremony of Samye Monastery, Guru Rinpoche composed ‘GyaNgen Lha Sang’, Sang Sol text for the local deities as a gift for their oath to protect Buddha Dharm and thus, the Zamling Chisang celebration began.” Mr. Jigme Dorjee applauded the initiative taken by Mr. Lobsang Dorjee (Tibetan Film Director), Tsangdak Tashi Phuntsok, (Meylong-7), and Mr. Sonam Topgyal (Social Activist) in organizing the event. He’s stressed on the need to celebrate this festival every year henceforth and to keep the Tibetan spirit alive in Gangtok. Universal Prayer Day (Zamling Chisang) falls on the 15th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar and this year it fell on 23 traditional festival is a Tibetan Buddhist festival and a time for spiritual cleansing. It is a day to celebrate Guru Rinpoches’ subjugation of local deities and the founding of the Samye Monastery, Tibet’s first monastery.both the state and central governments,” said the condolence message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. So far, over 80,000 people have been evacuated, including 12,000 today, to safer areas in the rain-ravaged state with some 10,000 people still stranded in various places, DG, Press Information Bureau Neelam Kapur said in Delhi. “At least 5,000 people must have been killed in the deluge that inflicted heavy damage on vast tracts of land especially in Kedarnath valley,” Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya told reporters at Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, on his return from an aerial survey of affected areas. The official death toll as of June 23 was 680 and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Monday said the death toll is likely to be around 1,000.

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30 June 2013

Body, Mind and Life Conference: discuss Buddhism and modern Science By Yeshe Choesang,: 26 June 2013

Tibetans commemorate Zamling Chisang festival in Gangtok, Sikkim

Tibetans living in Gangtok, Sikkim State of India commemorating Zamling Chisang festival, on June 23, 2013. Photo: TPI

exile

Dharamshala: Hundreds of young Tibetans gathered in Dharamshala, India, the heart of Tibet in Exile with Tibetan astrologists, philosophers and western scientists for a special conference to discuss “Body, Mind and Life.” The 3-day conference on ‘Body, Mind and Life’ is being held at the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute (Tibetan: Men-Tse-Khang) based in Dharamshala, India, where 20 scholars will share their visual ideas on five topics, each of which will be discussed from the view points of Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan medical tradition, Tibetan Astro-Science and modern science. The conference is being organised by Tibetan: MenTse-Khang from 26-28 June and aims to contribute to the physical and mental well-being of human beings by integrating the essence of both oriental and occidental cultures. Dr Arun Kapur, Executive Director of Vasant Valley School, New Delhi and a well-known educationist in India was the chief guest. Over 30 senior officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, including Justice Commissioners Ngawang Thupten, as well as representatives from Tibetan NGOs based in Dharamshala, were attended the conference inauguration. Addressing the conference, Dr Arun Kapur praised His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “Wisdom and courage,” Dr Arun said for him “it is the life story” of His Holiness. He said, he would say His Holiness is “an icon of what a human being should aim to be. He represents the greatest goal, we can inspire in a quest, actualizing our highest potential. He is a true teacher, because, his daily life manifests his life philosophy. “ Dr Arun said whenever he met with His Holiness, “one to one,” he said His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s “clarity of thought and sense of humor that enable quips and repartee with kindness that first laughs at himself in a position of detachment. His compassion laughs with you, but not at you. He is always inclusive and expansive, mostly very human, he is the Buddha.” “I also want to take this opportunity to say thanks on behalf of all of us who live in this time and walk this earth at the same time as a living master and we are grateful that we are able to learn from this living master and it is because of his vision and wisdom that we are all here and having said that I would now like to begin with sharing with you, my thought on education and the mind, body and life. Dr Arun thanked the organizing committee of the Mind, body and life conference and the young students who have chosen to become doctors, people who will bring peace, happiness and calmness into the lives of

A three-day conference on Body, Mind and Life is being held at Men-Tse-Khang, Dharamshala, India, on June 26, 2013. Photo: TPI/Yeshe Choesang

the patients they come in touch with. “I’d like to thank you to make this choice. It is a tough course to follow to become a doctor, but thank you on behalf of many of your future patients. It is because of you that I am here and a warm good morning to you.” “I cannot put into words how privileged I feel to be standing here in front of you today. As I look into the crowd, I see people from all over the world, a room full of doctors of professors, of scholars, of monks, many who’ve come from different walks of life. But today, when Sikyong has given us all a common platform to engage in this mind, body, life debate.” body-mind-life-2013”I am sure this conference will sow the seeds for us understanding ourselves and those around us better. We will see what factors are responsible for causing disturbances within the body, mind and life and how we can maintain and restore balance to each of these individually, as well as in relation to each other,” said Dr Arun. “We live in tough times, surrounded by tough realities. Conferences such as this are not only a perfect platform to address the burning issues, they are essential to us in understanding our individual natures, human nature, equipping us with the tools required to achieve a sense of truth, honor and respect in a society and world filled with ethical degradation,” he further added. “I thank all the speakers for taking their time to come to this remote town. I know you have competing claims on your time. We have a few Tibetans who would be able to make presentation from the view point of modern science, but right from beginning we have made

concerted efforts to identity non-Tibetan presenters with view to have multiplier effects, both Men-Tse-Khang and the concerned presenters,” said Tashi Tsering Phuri, the director of Men-Tse-Khang. “On several occasion, His Holiness has mentioned that the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and the Tibetan medical tradition are two areas which we can share with others for the benefit of humanity,” said Tsering Phuri. Tsering Phuri said that “His Holiness has taken some bold steps, and today, even the conservative scholars from the Tibetan monastic institutions widely appreciate the value of His Holiness’ initiative to discuss with scholars, contemplatives, scientists, and philosophers.” Geshe Tenpa Tashi, the Organizing Committee has explained the importance of the conference and Sonam Dolkar the the Organizing Committee offered the words of thanks. The five main themes namely, ‘The General Concept of Body, Mind and Life’, ‘Seeds of Body, Mind and Life’, ‘Relationship between Body, Mind and Life’, ‘Factors Responsible for the Disturbance of the Body, Mind and Life’ and ‘Maintaining and Restoring Body, Mind and Life’. The speakers including scholars from America, Buddhist scholars from all the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon tradition. Five Tibetan doctors (Menrampa) and five Tibetan Astrologers (Tsirampa) will also speak on Tibetan Medicine and Tibetan Astrology. A nun from Dolmaling Nunnery will speak during the conference.

Central Tibetan Administration rejects false claims made by officials from Tibet in US By Yeshe Choesang: 22 June 2013

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan administration based in Dharamshala, India rejects the recent false claims made by a delegation of China’s National People’s Congress from the occupied Tibet. “The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) strongly rejects the false claims made by the delegation of China’s National People’s Congress of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region on the issue of Tibet during its visit to the U.S. this week,” CTA said in a statement issued on June 21, 2013. Ironically, this visit takes place shortly after that

of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay of the CTA. The delegation, led by chairman Padma Choling, met with Congressman Charles Boustany, cochair of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group in the House of Representatives, congressional researchers and staff, and experts of the Brookings Institute, a U.S. think-tank, China’s state media reported. The unfounded allegations made by the delegation that the Central Tibetan Administration is behind the cycle of self-immolations in Tibet are unlikely to provide convincing evidence to change the U.S. authorities’ position on Tibet.

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Recently posted photos of Chinese troops patroling Lhasa, the capitall of Tibet. Photo: TPI/File

The U.S. government and Congress have unequivocally stated that they deplore the Chinese government’s repressive policies targeting Tibetans and have repeatedly called on the Chinese government to suspend its counterproductive policies implemented in Tibet, and resume dialogue with representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the problem of Tibet. “Despite repeated appeals by the international community, China has been steadfast in its refusal to open up Tibet to independent factfinding delegations and the international media to investigate the true causes behind the selfimmolations,” said Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information & International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration. Sending a group of individuals to disseminate Chinese State propaganda will prove a futile exercise in foreign countries where freedom of speech and respect for human rights are fundamental values,” she stated. The latter has repeatedly urged Tibetans not to resort to drastic forms of protests, including self-immolation.

TPI NEWS

30 June 2013

Tibetan monk released under surveillance after eight years in jail By Aditi Patiyar: 28 June 2013

An undated photo of monk Namgyal Tsultrim. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: On May 11 2013, Namgyal Tsultrim a monk from Sog Tsanden Monastery was released after serving over 8 months in prison. The Chinese authorities claim the reason behind the arrest being that Tsultrim was a ‘separatist’. Sources coming out of Tibet said that Tsultrim, who is monk from the Sog Tsanden Monastery located in Sog County, Kham Province in Eastern Tibet was taken a prisoner on the October 6, 2012. At first, he

was placed in Nagchu prison and there for a short period after which he was moved to a detention centre and for a period of four months and twenty-eight days, he was constantly moved between the two facilities. After this, he was taken to Toelung prison in Lhasa where he was imprisoned for 3 months and eleven days, serving over 8 months in totality in prison. He was finally released on May 11, 2013. During his imprisonment, Namgyal Tsultrim was heavily tortured and maltreated by the prison authorities. Now, out of prison, his body is nonresponsive and he has lost all use of his left arm. Tsultrim was imprisoned on the allegations of being found with 4 CD’s of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings. The authorities called him a separatist belonging to Tibet. In 2011, some officials in Lhasa, after interrogating Tsultrim also said that he possessed contacts outside of Tibet. Despite being released from prison, Tsultrim is subjected to continuous surveillance and interrogation by the Chinese authorities and there are still restrictions on him pertaining to various practices and his life continues to be a never-ending struggle.

Two Buddhist nuns of Eastern Tibet released from Chinese prison By Aditi Patiyar: 28 June 2013

An undated photo of Tashi Dolker and (right) Choenyi Lhamo. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: Tashi Dolker, a nun from Gaden Choeling nunnery in Kham Karze, Teshoe County who was arrested on 18 June, 2012 from Dhokham Tehore, Karze County, Kham Province of Eastern Tibet was released from prison on 19th June, 2013. Tashi Dolker has always been passionate about the need to preserve Tibetan culture and the well being of the Tibetan community. Dolker was in protest against the Chinese government in demand of religious, cultural and linguistic freedom for the people of Tibet and conservation of their human rights. She also demanded the freedom of travelling within the boundaries of Tibet without the need of any identity proof for all Tibetans. Chinese authorities put her through severe interrogation sessions and gravely mistreated her. She was put in Mianyang prison and after serving time for a year, she was finally released. Now, out of prison, Dolker suffers from poor eyesight due to complete negligence and her body bears

numerous scars from the torture she was subjected to while in prison. Not only has she been harassed mentally, her joints have been incapacitated of movement so much so that she cannot walk or move without assistance. Tashi Dolker is the daughter of Late Tsering Gelek and mother, Lhamo Yangtso. Her brother, Tashi Palden was a part of the protest against the Chinese oppression in Karze in 2008. During the protest, Palden was arrested and brutally assaulted and tortured owing to which his body has also been completely incapacitated. On returning home from prison, Palden discovered that not only had his body failed, but he had also lost hearing in both his ears. Their mother, unable to bear the trauma and torture faced by her children, passed away soon after. In June 20 2011, another nun, Choenyi Lhamo, was arrested from the same nunnery. She was in protest against the Chinese government and was found chanting slogans like ‘His Holiness should return to Tibet’ and ‘religious freedom for Tibet’. She was also found distributing leaflets to the local people. Lhama was then arrested by the authorities and for three months after her arrest, her whereabouts were completely unknown. After serving three years in the Mianyang women’s prison in Sichuan Province, China she was released on 19 June, 2013 at approximately 9:00 am (local Tibet time). She was sentenced for three years but was released before completing her sentence period. When asked why she was released earlier than her term, the officials merely said that they had received orders from higher authorities asking to release her.

Panchen Lama’s Daughter ........... ..... Continued from front page During his last visit to Tibet in 1989, the Panchen Lama gave an extraordinary public speech in Shigatse where he publicly declared his loyalty to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and openly criticized the Chinese leadership’s policies in Tibet. Shortly after the address, the 10th Panchen Lama died in the Dechen Kelsang Phodrang in Shigatse, at the age of 51, under suspicious circumstances. The 10th Panchen Lama’s sudden death was a severe blow to the Tibetan nation. Although the cause of his death is uncertain, there has never been a public investigation. In his lifetime, the 10th Panchen Lama was dedicated to fighting for religious freedom, improving education and acceptance of Tibetan as the official language, through both negotiations and open confrontation with the Chinese leadership. Thus, he is rightly remembered by the Tibetan people as one of Tibet’s greatest martyrs. Local Chinese authorities that time had at first attempted to limit the number of those attending to 1000, but finally declined to interfere, though security forces reportedly remained camped nearby throughout the event. At the ceremonies, Tibetans led by monks publicly enthroned a portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with full religious ceremonial gaiety. Buddhist monks from the host monastery were assigned to different duties, including security, festival finances, and to enforce that attendees followed the rules of the ceremony related to

Tibetan culture and language. The Jang Gun-choe or the Great Winter Debate of Janghas been a famous festival of Tibet just as many other annual festivals typical of traditional Tibetan Buddhism. The Debate mainly consists of the earnest and most competent scholars from the great monasteries in Tibet. Though later invasion of Tibet by Chinese military force, demolished thousands of monasteries and wiped out a number of Tibet’s integral culture. Tibetan Buddhism in the Himalayan region also faced a serious deterioration, most of these important heritages such as the Jang Gun-choe festival were restored in exile and are celebrated

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Tibetan man beaten to death but authorities in Tibet say it’s suicide By Yeshe Choesang: 21 June 2013

Dharamshala: - Sources coming out of Tibet say, a Tibetan man was severely beaten to death by Chinese police after he was arrested in Sershul county of Kham region, eastern Tibet. But the local Chinese authorities said the case was a suicide death. According to sources, the man was reportedly severely beaten by the local Chinese police on June 17, 2013 and died just after the day. “The incident occurred when the Chinese police from Arikdza village in Dzamed township in Sershul County (Chinese: Shiqu Xian) in Karze, eastern Tibet, detained the Tibetan man and found him dead on the next day after he has reportedly been beaten severely by the Chinese police,” Jampa Yonten, a monk originally from Sershul, currently living at Sera Monastery in South India told The Tibet Post International. Sources stated that “the Chinese authorities in the area have confirmed his death was caused by “suicide” but the local Tibetans believe that the

Tibetan man who was severely beaten and jointly tortured by the Chinese police from Nagchu and Arik Dzayultso areas.” “The man was died Arik Dzayultso town, a place quite far from his home village Washul. The details including his name, parents and family are still unknown,” Yonten added. Sources said that “he was arrested over accusation of causing a conflict between groups of local people on the issue of collecting cordyceps fungus.”

“After the incident, the authorities from Sershul county arrived at the Adza village in Zamed town and they were pretending to be inquiring the local police on the cause of his death, but the local police answered them and said his death was a suicide.,” Yonten further stated. “A new police station was recently stationed in Adza village, which angered the local Tibetans as there were several other similar incidents in the area.” However details of the reported incidents are not known, including the precise accusations, whether or not due legal process was carried out, as the local people have already lost their trust in the authorities, due to bad treatment they have received in past years.Tibetans inside Tibet are openly or publicly forced to denounce their beloved spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and his photographs are banned. Arbitrary arrest, imprisonment and torture, including severe beatings are common occurrences daily in almost all parts of Tibet for just maintaining loyalty with their religion and culture identity.

the Dalai Lama is responsible for. In their defence, China says that their region has suffered from poverty and long periods of exploitation and economic stagnation until 1950 when the communist troops finally liberated it. Nyima Dojee, a government official said, in a report that the scheme “is conducive to protecting citizens’ personal information and curbing the spread of detrimental information”. The growing popularity of the internet and mobile phones has “brought about social problems, including the rampant circulation of online rumours, pornography and spam messages”, another official, Dai Jianguo, said. “The real-name registration will help resolve these problems while benefiting the long-term, sound development of the internet,” Dai added. In 2012, Chinese government passed a law mandating the use of real names to register

for internet services and internet users across China were forced to use Weibo microblogging platform to register with their real names. At the outset of the 1959 Tibetan uprising the Dalai Lama and his retinue fled Tibet crossing into India on 30 March 1959. He has firmly denied Beijing’s accusations of instigating violence in Tibet.

A violent Chinese police response to the protest in Serta town in eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI/File

People’s Republic of China completes internet, mobile monitoring scheme in Tibet By Aditi Padiyar: 27 June 2013

China announced the completion and stringent implementation of an internet and phone monitoring program in Tibet, which requires users to register under their real identities. According to the state controlled media, Xinhua News Agency, more than 4 million Internet, fixed telephone line, and mobile phone users have to register under their real names. The State media, in a statement announced that China has completed a monitoring scheme in Tibet that requires all telephone and internet users to register under their real names as part of a campaign to crack down on what officials describe as rumours. For years, all Tibetan activities, even the smallest and most insignificant ones have been watched over by Chinese authorities, which Beijing says

Censorship in Tibet and China. Photo: File

China releases two Buddhist nuns and a Tibetan woman after two year prison terms By Yeshe Choesang: 7 June 2013

Dharamshala: - Chinese authorities in eastern Tibet recently released two Tibetan Buddhist nuns and another Tibetan woman who were imprisoned for the past two years for their alleged participation in protests against Chinese repressive and hardline policy. “Sources told The Tibet Post International that the three women namely Riga, Shoga and Tsewang Dolma were released on June 10, 2013, after they completed their two year prison term. Tsewang Dolma, a Tibetan woman was also released recently, but sources say she was arrested in Karze county, eastern Tibet by

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Three of five Buddhist nuns; Yangkyi Dolma, 33, Jampa Lhatso, 25, and Sonam Yangchen, 28, who were arrested after staging a protest in Karze, eastern Tibet, on June 10, 2011. Photo: TPI

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Chinese authorities on June 8, 2011. Details of the Tibetan women, including their age, reason for sentence, and the date of their sentencing were not available. Five Buddhist nuns from Karze, Kham region of eastern Tibet; Ringa 20, Shoga (age unknown), Yangkyi Dolma, 33, Jampa Lhatso, 25, and Sonam Yangchen, 28, were arrested after staging a peaceful protest on June 10, 2011. Three of the five Buddhist nuns; Yangkyi Dolma, Jampa Lhatso, and Sonam Yangchen, who were arrested by Chinese authorities during the demonstration remains unknown. The nuns threw leaflets in the air and shouted slogans demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for Tibetans, in Karze county (Ganzi, the capital of Ganzi county in Sichuan Province, China), Kham region of eastern Tibet. The protestors were then severely beaten by police and later detained, the two nuns are from the Lamdrak nunnery and a monk from the Karze monastery protested in front of a police station in downtown Karze. Sources stated that the two nuns were escorted

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5 TPI NEWS EXILE Tibet is virtually a big prison: Says Former Exile Tibetan Education Dept organises National political prisoners’ group in Dharamshala Geographic Explorer programme workshop The Tibet Post International

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addresses the participants at the workshop. Photo: CTA

By Aditi Padiyar: 26 June 2013

Dharamshala: In December 1997, The UN general assembly proclaimed 26 June UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day is celebrated annually on 26 June to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. In the 21st century, Tibet and the Tibetans within the land face a gruesome reality of their lives everyday. The Chinese Communist regime use means of violence, bribery, brain-washing and propagandist methods to annihilate the people and their land so much so that Tibet is virtually a big prison for our people. Such is the tragic fate of the land that once used to be home to beautiful nomadic and farming based lives before the invasion by CCP. As is expected, Tibetans have stood up against torturous oppressors which has so far has culminates in four different uprisings to revolt against Communist regime from 1959, the inception of the Chinese occupation to 2013, 54 years of losing freedom of one’s land. The first major revolt took place on 10th March

30 June 2013

1959, in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet where everyone joined forces to resist the invasion by the People’s Liberation Army. The second one took place during 1987- 89 which again was in Lhasa. This uprising involved a majority from GuChuSum and displayed the unity and bravery of second generation Tibetans and the will to stand against a conniving enemy force. The third event was in 2008 and this time around, it brought together the regions of Amdo and Kham, which as per the Chinese government are outside the Tibet autonomous Region (TAR) and hence not a part of the Tibetan plateau. To the rest of the world, CCP – through their power and money – displays a façade of peace and serenity reigning under their regime, over the 55 different minority races, the reality if pretty obvious to the outside world who understand the whole truth and gravity of the current situation. The ongoing self-immolations, now standing at 117, are unprecedented by any world nation’s history, with the last event being as recent as 1tth June 2013 by a 31 years old nun, Wangchen Dolma from Taw region of Kham. The sacrifice of the burning bodies is an attempt and hope to burn through the system of deception of the Chinese government to the just world out there. The GuChuSum Movement of Tibet, now 600 members strong, is an ongoing protest against the CCP’s regime with the suppression and oppression with the violation of every possible human right in the UN charter thrives through the ex-political prisoners and the patriots that live through them. Today, yet another reminder of what has passed and what is still in existence within Tibet has to awaken the souls of people all over the world who have to know that we, as an international community cannot back down and must continue the struggle.

By Aditi Padiyar: 24 June 2013

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay addressing the participants of the workshopDharamshala: On June 22-23 2013, Department of Education organized a two day seminar at College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah on the National Geographic Explorer Programme. Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressed the workshop which was attended by Science and English teachers from 5 Tibetan schools viz., TCV Suja, TCV Chauntra, STS Paonta Sahib, STS Chantra and Movon Petoen Tsuglak School. Earlier this year, on June 14th, Mr Gyaltsen, Science Education Officer for DoE said “The Department of Education (DoE) of CTA, in collaboration with National Geographic Explorer (NGX) Programme, USA will be starting a year-round school-based Science, Environmental Science and English Learning Programme for class VI to X students from July 2013 under its USAID Projects”. In his inaugural address, Dr. Lobsang Sangay said that “education for Tibetan children serves a greater purpose than just preparing them for their careers.” He emphasized the need to provide quality education to nurture our Tibetan children who are ‘Future Seeds of Tibet’. The speakers who are also to train the teachers conducting this program in the local schools, Ms. Lata Vasvani and Ms. Poova Kasinathan were invited from Mumbai and Singapore respectively. The workshop also helped the participants to gauge an understanding of the nature of the teaching materials provided by National Geographic and the means to adapting them in their everyday classroom

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addresses the participants at the workshop. Photo: CTA

activities, like children’s magazines and online teaching resources. “NGX Programme has benefited more than 2 million children across 13 countries in terms of improving children’s proficiency in English and knowledge in Science. This programme uses high-quality 21st century materials for teaching recognized as amongst the best for its content accuracy and research,” said an official statement issues in June 2013. National Geographic Explorer (NGX) Programme is

Tibetans in exile offer prayer for devastating flash flood in Uttarakhand and Himachal States, India

those who have suffered injury or loss of property in this natural tragedy. The Central Tibetan Administration also contributed Rs 3 lakhs towards the chief minister’s relief fund as a gesture of solidarity with the rescue efforts underway at the disaster site. The Indian Monsoon arrived ahead of schedule across the state of Uttarakhand. The monsoon is supposed to begin closer to July 1. But, days of heavy rain last week swept away entire villages. The death toll has already 1,000 reportedly surpassed. But, there are reports from the Indian press that thousands more remain missing after the disaster. This rainfall is expected to total 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) in many areas, reaching some of the areas hardest hit by the recent flooding. According to media reports, local rainfall total of 250 mm (10 inches) or more will be possible by this weekend.

Home ministers Dolma Gyari meets new Karnataka Government officials

Tibetans at the prayer service held for victims of the flash flood in Uttarakhand and parts of Himachal. (DIIR Photo) by Yeshe Choesang: 24 June 2013

Dharamshala: - Hundreds of Tibetans in Dharamshala, Himachal State gathered at the main temple in Mcleod on Ganj Monday, June 24 to offer prayers for the victims of the devastating

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Above: Kalon Dolma Gyari during her meeting with leader of the Oppposition party, Mr H D Kumaraswamy. Below: Kalon Dolma Gyari and Mr Jawed Habib with Tibetan students at Neelamangala vocational training institute in Bangalore

By Aditi Padiyar: 25 June 2013

Dharamshala: On 22-23 June 2013, Kalon Dolma Gyari of the Department of Home of Central Tibetan Administration met with the new Indian leadership in the southern state of Karnataka. During her three-day visit, Kalon Dolma Gyari met with the newly-elected chief minister, Mr Siddaramaiah, in Bangalore on 22 June. She extended greetings to him on behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and wished him success in his future endeavours. She expressed gratitude for the support and care provided to Tibetans living in the state. In response, the chief minister said that the Tibetan community is their guest and will always be treated with the due respect. He spoke about plan to visit Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe on 6 July when His Holiness the Dalai Lama is due to visit on the occasion of his 78th birthday. Kalon Dolma Gyari also met Mr H D Kumaraswamy, leader of the opposition and requested him to give a 30 minutes slot for Tibet-related news in Tibetan language once a week on his private TV channel, Kasthuri which he accepted cordially. Earlier on 21 June, she had also met with Chief Secretary S V Ranganath and requested the state government to include Tibetan settlements as

part of its developmental programmes for social and youth welfare. Kalon Dolma Gyari also visited TERI (The Energy and Resource Institute), an NGO which conducts research and training to protect environment and develop energy from natural resources. She is keen to introduce environmentally friendly resources in the Tibetan settlements in Karnataka such as organic farming, environmental cleanliness, and solar light and discussed the possibilities of the same with the officials at TERI. Later in the day, Kalon Dolma Gyari met with Jawed Habib, one the most renowned hair stylists in India, on 20 June. They discussed future collaboration between the Neelamangala vocational training institute and Jawed Habib hair and beauty salon and interacted with the students. Mr Habib encouraged the students to do their best during the training and invited applications from those who are interested in working in his hair salons. There are currently 39 students undergoing trainings in various courses, including hair dressing, beautician, tailoring, computer, medical transcription, and cookery. 1,113 students, comprising 558 boys and 554 females, have completed vocational trainings from Neelamangala institute since its inception in 2003.

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flash flood in Uttarakhand and parts of Himachal Pradesh, states in the northern part of India. The prayer service was organised by the Tibetan Welfare office based in Mcleod Ganj Town to express solidarity with the suffering of the people affected by the tragedy. The prayers, led by Tromthok Rinpoche, abbot of Namgyal Monastery, were offered in hope of the early attainment of a good rebirth for those killed and a quick recovery for those injured. The prayers were also offered for the well-being of all humanity. Mr Sonam Dorjee, the Tibetan Settlement Officer of Dharamshala said “The prayer service is a gesture by the Tibetan community to empathise and to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims of the flash flood.” The Central Tibetan Administration on June 23 expressed it’s deep sadness and sympathy for the families of those who have lost their lives and

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TPI NEWS H.H the Dalai lama His Holiness The Dalai Lama of Tibet sends His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of condolences over Uttarakhand flood tragedy Tibet speaks on Ethics for the Whole World The Tibet Post International

30 June 2013

By Aditi

His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Photo/file

By Yeshe Choesang: 25 June 2013

Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on June 24 sent a letter of condolence to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the great loss of lives and damage to property caused by the recent floods in Uttarakhand state of India. “In letters to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness at the loss of life and property as a result of unprecedented flooding and landslides during heavy monsoon rains in Uttarakhand,” said in the condolence message issued by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s office. The letter said that “His Holiness, having just returned to India from an extended visit to New Zealand and Australia, expressed his deep condolences to the families who have lost loved

ones in this calamity.” “As a token of sympathy, The Dalai Lama Trust is making a contributions to the relief efforts of both the state and central governments,” said the condolence message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. So far, over 80,000 people have been evacuated, including 12,000 today, to safer areas in the rain-ravaged state with some 10,000 people still stranded in various places, DG, Press Information Bureau Neelam Kapur said in Delhi. “At least 5,000 people must have been killed in the deluge that inflicted heavy damage on vast tracts of land especially in Kedarnath valley,” Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya told reporters at Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, on his return from an aerial survey of affected areas. The official death toll as of June 23 was 680 and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Monday said the death toll is likely to be around 1,000.

Padiyar: 19 June 2013

Melbourne, Australia: On 18th June 2013, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama interacted with an audience of over 170 students and others in a discussion on Ethics for a Whole World at the New South Wales Parliament House on invitation by the Sydney Peace Foundation. Prelude the dialogue, a tribute was paid to the Cadigal people and their possession of the local land, corresponding to the Tibetan’s possession of the land of Tibet. The session was initiated with Andrew West of ABC asking His Holiness about the present situation in Tibet. He replied saying: “Over the last 60 years some of the time things have been good, some of the time they have been bad and some of the time, like now, they have been very serious.” His Holiness also expressed grief when West spoke of the 119 self-immolations that have taken place since 2009. He said that Tibetans have suffered a lot. Now the whole of Tibet is full of fear, reminding him of a group of young Chinese he met in the 1990s who described China as a place where no one could say what they really thought or felt in an atmosphere full of fear and suspicion. Religion was one of the key topics in the exchange and when asked if he thought religion was a root to the conflict, he said He said religion involves teachings about love, compassion, tolerance and self-discipline; who could object to that? Religious institutions, on the other hand, the world over have not always been free of bias and corruption. About the clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma he said he thought the root of the problem was more economic and political than religious and had been heartened by news of a Buddhist monastery there offering Muslims shelter. His Holiness also shared insights from him book his latest book, ‘Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World’: “Look at basic human nature. Our mothers give birth to us and we survive because of the affection

His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet sweeps Melbourne, Adelaide andAustralia

His Holiness The Dalai Lama of Tibet with Senator Hanson-Young, in Adelaide, Australia, on June 21, 2013. Photo: TPI/Carly

By Carly Selby James: 22 June 2013

Sydney: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet has made a sweeping visit to Adelaide, Australia, touching down in the city for the first time in 21 years. The Tibetan monk was greeted by followers at Adelaide airport and later his talk on prosperity, health and friendship at the Adelaide Convention Centre drew a crowd of more than 5,000, a new record. Speaking earlier in a private session of invited guests, His Holiness said it was beyond his capacity to teach compassion and wisdom to Australian politicians, and urged them to find a

Teahings for youth.... ..... Continued from front page He said we share the same mutual desire to be loved and have same potential to be happy. These can be achieved only through nurturing basic virtues like love, affection and kindness, he added. After the two day event, His Holiness will give a two day teaching on Tsongkhapa’s The Three Principal Aspects of the Path (lamtso namsum) and confer a Medicine Buddha Empowerment (menlha jenang) at the request of a group of Vietnamese at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, India.

way to determine genuine refugees and asylum seekers while remembering to show compassion. The private event was hosted by former Greens party leader Bob Brown and Senator Sarah Hanson Young, well known for her work on refugee issues and human rights. The issue of asylum seekers reaching Australian shores is a sensitive and controversial topic in the country, and His Holiness spoke at length about the “complicated” circumstances and the need for compassion to be practical. He acknowledged that while there were some who tried to take advantage of the asylum seeking process, there were also many who “really face persecution in their country... so you must act”. He later gave another talk at the Tibetan Buddhist Institute, where Institute member Grant Cameron said “He talks about tolerance, he talks about kindness, he talks about compassion ... In a world that seems to be getting angrier and more violent – that message to me seems more relevant than it ever has.” The previous day in Melbourne His Holiness spoke to a crowd of 6,000 at the Melbourne Convention Centre following a pop song called ‘Love Love Love’ in which he is featured, to be released this week on iTunes. Attendees said he spoke for more than an hour on the subject of compassion for others and how warm-heartedness, love, kindness and respect are the sources of happiness; before opening up a session of Q&A. The spiritual leader assured his audience that although his touring schedule sometimes makes

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet with former Australian Senator Bob Brown. Photo: TPI/Carly

him physically tired, he is always mentally fresh due to his relaxed and candid attitude to public speaking. In a statement that seems to underlie his teachings, he added that “Fundamentally I always consider the importance of the oneness of seven billion human beings, physically, mentally and emotionally we are same.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama will now move on to the north-western city of Darwin for 2 days of talks on the Four Noble Truths.

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Photo 1. Over 5800 listening to His Holiness talk at the Melbourne Convention Centre in Melbourne, Australia on June 18, 2013. Photo 2. His Holiness greeting old friends in the audience before his talk.Photo 3. His Holiness poses for a photo with some well-wishers on his way to the South Wales Parliament House and Photo 4. Andrew West, His Holiness and his interpreter Tenzin Tsepag. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL.

she shows us. If she abandons us we die. Because of the affection we receive as infants, we have the potential to show affection to others. However, as we grow up we tend to feel we can look after ourselves and have no need for others’ support and affection. And yet we are social animals, whose very existence and opportunity to live a happy life depends on the rest of our community. In our modern education system we need to find a way to nurture our basic human values.” Elaborating further, on religions’ role in conflict, he said that such conflicts were more often rooted in economic problems, although sometimes narrow-mindedness and outmoded insularity are also to blame. “The world has become a multi-religious, multicultural single entity in which it is better to remain true to your native religion. In Mongolia,” His Holiness said, “I became aware of the proselytising activities of Korean missionaries and when they came to see me I told them that Mongolia is a Buddhist country and it would be better for them not to propagate another faith there.” He also shared his views on the education system and how many leaders are prepared to lie and deceive and that education is the key to correcting this. He said that while faith is one thing, secular ethics should naturally appeal to human intelligence. The human values they represent are the basis on which to build a peaceful more compassionate world. He hopes that the coming generations would receive a proper education, one that not only imparts knowledge to the brain, but also nurtures warm-heartedness in individuals. His Holiness also told the audience that it’s common sense to observe that the happier families amongst your neighbours are the ones who are more affectionate to each other, rather than those who are materially better off. “Some people think that compassion is only relevant to the religious,” he said, “this is a mistake. Compassion is relevant to being happy in day to day life. Compassion brings non-violence and strength, whereas aggression and anger are signs of weakness. Right from the start of our lives we experience affection, which is the ground in which to grow affection and compassion ourselves. Anger and fear may also be part of our lives, but they do us no good.” “When I meet other people, I think about how to encourage the development of inner values and how by building on these values we can make this twenty-first century an era of compassion and peace.” Conclusively, His Holiness noted that both former Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and imprisoned human rights activist Liu Xiaobo have spoken of the need for a freer and more open society in China and it would be good if countries that are free to do so expressed their support.Sometimes hardship brings about a greater sense of community. We saw this in New York after September 11th, in Brisbane after the floods and in Japan after the tsunami and nuclear accident.” Noting that this relates to an awareness of the oneness of humanity, he said we also have to remember that everywhere there is a huge gap between rich and poor. It is a gap we have to address not by making the rich poorer, but by improving conditions for the poor. Recalling that 20th century was, for all its great achievements, a century of violence, he stressed the need to make this 21st century an era of peace. He said this can be done only if we seek to solve our problems through dialogue and non-violence. Doing this requires that we acknowledge the oneness of humanity, that people are essentially the same, rather than dwelling on secondary

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differences such as nationality, race, gender, education and so forth. “If I think of myself as Tibetan, Buddhist, as Dalai Lama, this isolates me from you; it creates a gap between us. That’s the kind of gap that allows us to bully, exploit and deceive others, to condone corruption. If, on the other hand, we think of ourselves as the same as others and concern ourselves with their needs, we become closer to them, which puts a stop to our negative behaviour.” He pointed out that our experience of our mother’s affection at the start of our lives is what prepares us to express affection and concern for others later on. However, we lack the training necessary to tackle our disturbing emotions, something that involves the mind and can only be achieved by using the mind. This is something we need to introduce to modern education. Asked for advice on fostering inner values in the community, His Holiness recommended we check our motivation and cultivate will-power and determination. He said we naturally have selfinterest but it should be wise self-interest rather than foolish self-interest. That means taking others needs into account as well as our own. About Tibet and China he encouraged people to go to Tibet to see for themselves what is happening there. He said visitors from abroad are good for Tibetan morale. But he also advised taking opportunities to explain the situation to ordinary Chinese. Tibetans need to preserve their language, culture and identity, but many Chinese are ill-informed about the situation in Tibet, because they are only provided distorted information that conceals reality. He asked for help to rectify this.

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7 TPI NEWS International US based Rights group urge China to European Tibet Intergroup hosts Environmental end forced settlements in Tibet Seminar at European Parliament 30 June 2013

The Tibet Post International

A Tibetan boy and man sit on a street in Barma Township, May 2013. Photo: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon. By Aditi Padiyar: 27 June 2013

Tibet: On June 27, 2013 a human rights group appealed to China to end what it called forced “mass rehousing and relocation” of ethnic Tibetans that it said had uprooted more than two million people in the past seven years. The report, by New York-based Human Rights Watch, said Chinese authorities threw lives into disarray by denying rights to forcibly relocated ethnic Tibetans with insufficient compensation, sub-par housing and lack of help in finding jobs. Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch China Director said “The scale and speed at which the Tibetan rural population is being remodeled by mass rehousing and relocation policies are unprecedented in the post-Mao era”.

“Tibetans have no say in the design of policies that are radically altering their way of life, and in an already highly repressive context - no ways to challenge them.” More than two million Tibetans have been relocated in Tibet since 2006, as have hundreds of thousands of nomadic herders in the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau such as in Qinghai province, the report said. The program’s aim, it added, was to help economically, but also to combat separatist sentiment “and is designed to strengthen political control over the Tibetan rural population”. However, China defends their actions in what they call is a ‘developmental policy’. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she hoped those issuing the report could “remove their colored glasses” in terms of China’s achievements in development policy. She said that the people who are addressing the Chinese foreign policy “should have a correct understanding of China’s ethnic and religious policies and respect for the Chinese people’s chosen path of development”. Tibet has barely seen any peace since 1950 when Bejing “peacefully liberated” the region. Since the Dalai Lama fled into exile, Tibetans have constantly stood in unison against the atrocities committed against their community, culture and religious values.

US ambassador Gary Locke visits Lhasa, urges Chinese leadership to open Tibet up

By Aditi Padiyar: 24 June 2013

Brussels: On 19 June 2013, In order to discuss the current state of Tibetan ecological crisis, a seminar was jointly organised at the European Parliament by the offices of MEPs Satu Hassi (Greens), Thomas Mann (EPP) and Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg (S&D) of the Tibet Intergroup of the European Parliament, the Office of Tibet, Brussels, the International Campaign for Tibet and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). Furthermore, the political suppression, violation of human rights of the Tibetans at the hands of the Chinese government and several other issues pertaining to the situation in Tibet were addressed. Keynote speaker, Mr Tenzin Norbu, head of the Environment and Development Desk of the Central Tibetan Administration, gave a presentation focused on resource exploitation, nomads and climate change. Introducing the “third pole” concept, he stressed that Tibet is currently the largest reservoir of fresh water in the world due to its glaciers, permafrost and rivers. However, these resources are in danger of disappearing fast due to over-exploitation of minerals and forests on the Tibetan plateau. Combined with climate change, these activities have a strong impact on flood risks and the timing of the monsoon season on which billions in South East Asia depend for agriculture. He also spoke on the Chinese government policy of removing pastoral nomads of Tibet from their traditional habitat in large numbers and the negative

By Yeshe Choesang: 27 June 2013

Dharamshala: - US ambassador to China Gary Locke has urged the Chinese leadership to open up Tibet to foreign diplomats, journalists and tourists, during his three-day trip of Tibet. US ambassafor Locke, who took a rare trip with his family, several embassy officials and Chengdu’s consulate general, also stressed the need to open up access to Tibet to foreign diplomats, tourists and journalists, the embassy said in a statement. US Embassy deputy spokesman Justin Higgins said it was the first time Chinese authorities had approved an embassy request to visit Tibet since September 2010. The embassy said that in his meetings, Locke lobbied for opening access to Tibet to foreign diplomats, journalists and tourists and stressed the “importance of preserving the Tibetan people’s cultural heritage, including its unique

t e r

linguistic, religious and cultural traditions.” “We remain concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas, including the tragic self-immolations. The US urges Beijing to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions,” Higgins said. US ambassador to China visited Ngaba in northeastern Tibet in September 2012, where most of the self-immolation protests have taken place. Locke met with government officials and local residents during a stop in Ngaba county. Beijing has imposed tight restrictions on foreign diplomats, the international media and tourists from visiting Tibet. Since 2009, over 119 Tibetans have set themselves in protest against the repressive rule of the Chinese government. The self-immolators have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

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impacts it brings on their way of life and the ecology of the vast grasslands they inhabit. As a traditionally self-sufficient people, their livelihood is in jeopardy and dependence on the state threatens their survival. Michael Buckley’s “Nomad to Nobody”(2011) a short documentary focusing on the central ideas of Mr Norbu’s environmental concerns was screened. The film, a collection of interviews and images, gives a rare look into the life of Tibetan nomads around the boundaries of Tibet.

The authorities present stressed on the need for urgent action against the Chinese repressive rule in Tibet. MEPs, Satu Hassi and Thomas Mann appealed for the same and have pledged to continue their cross-party support for Tibet. Mr Thomas Mann also proposed to campaign for awarding 2013 Sakhrov Prize to Tibetan activist and writer, Tsering Woeser. The seminar was attended by more than 60 people including MEPs, their assistants, journalists, Tibet Support Groups and officials from the European commission.

Mr Thupten Gyatso, president of the Tibetan community in France. The exhibition features a photographic exhibition of Matthieu Richard, a French photographer Beautiful portraits and landscapes of the Himalayan region. Another interesting art exhibit titled ‘The Missing Peace’ showcases artwork inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Panel discussions were a major chunk of the festival where prominent speakers interacted with the audiences and presented their viewpoints regarding the culture heritage of Tibet. The speakers invited for the panel discussions were, Ven Thupten Wangchen, member of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Mr Ngodup Dorjee, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in France,

French Senator Andre Gattolin, Mr Jean Marc Brul, President of Green Lotus and Regional Advisor of Ile-de-France, Ms Katia Buffetrille, a Tibetologist, Mr Moussa Talbi, specialist in cultural heritage and international law, Mr Tenzin Norbu, head of the Environment Desk of the Central Tibetan Administration, and Dr Tsering Tsamchoe of Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute. Apart from cultural activities and entertainment showcases and screenings, the festival also has stalls that feature Tibetan delicacies like Momos and the Tibetan tea. Aimed at increasing awareness about Tibet in France, this unique festival enables Parisians to experience the rich and vibrant Tibetan culture making it one of the most authentic and diverse festival organised in the city.

Annual Tibet Festival held in Paris a cultural affair By Aditi Padiyar: 24 June 2013

The protests against the construction of the InterContinnental in Lhasa, Tibet

Photo 1. MEP Thomas Mann speaking at the seminar. Photo 2. EP’s Mr. Thomas Mann and Mr. Csaba Sogor at the seminar. Photo 3. the seminar being held in the European Consulate. Photo: CTA.

Paris: The Tibet House in Paris organized its annual Tibet festival held on the 15-26 of June. The festival featured the culture and traditions of the people of Tibet and the Himalayan regions and like every year, attracted thousands of visitors. The 13th edition of this festival, was held at the Bois de Vincennes Park this year and received blessings from the monks at Sera Mey Monastery on the opening day. The monks also offered to share their dances and sacred chants for the spiritually-inclined audience members. Tibetan officials present at the ceremony include Venerable Thupten Wangchen, Member of Tibetan Parliament in exile (Europe), Mr Ngodup Dorjee, Representative of Bureau du Tibet, Brussels, and

InterContinental surrounded by US-Tibet protestors by Aditi Padiyar: 21 June 2013

New York: On June 20 2013, to protest the construction of a luxury resort in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, a group of Tibetan-Americans and their supporters outside InterContinental Hotels Group’s “Future of Local” event in their Times Square hotel where the project was being planned. “As a Tibetan, I am here to tell Larry Light, Chief Brands Officer of InterContintental Hotels Group, that Lhasa under Chinese occupation is essentially a prison. Occupation is no vacation and InterContinental’s attempt to brand Lhasa as a luxury tourist destination is a gross insult to the Tibetan people living daily under the shadows of Chinese guns,” said Pema Yoko, Students for a Free Tibet Campaigns Director. “Right now, as historic parts of Lhasa are being destroyed, InterContinental’s executives are trying to sell China’s lies about Tibet. London and New York are only the beginning - Tibetans and people of conscience around the world will continue to escalate pressure on InterContinental until it cancels its plan for the Lhasa hotel.” “IHG’s claim on their website that they ‘work to protect nature, heritage and communities, preserving them for future generations to enjoy’ is in direct contradiction with their decision to profit from Tibet, one of the most repressed regions of the world,” she added. Eleanor Byrne-Rosengren, Director of Free Tibet said “IHG’s involvement in ‘The Future of Local’ is a cynical attempt to present an image of a responsible multinational corporation. The reality is that the company is cosying up to a repressive regime and trading on its propaganda. While the panelists at this discussion discuss the ‘future of local’, local culture in Tibet is being systematically destroyed. Tibetans who try to defend it pay with their liberty and lives,”. “As long as Western multinationals collude with the Chinese regime in portraying Lhasa as a happy and peaceful place, the ‘future of local’ in Tibet is bleak. IHG must pull out of Tibet.” The Times Square protesters distributed leaflets carrying graphic images of human rights abuses in Tibet, following two recent similar events outside the

Intercontinental Park Lane London hotel, organised by Free Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet UK. At IHG’s Annual General Meeting at the Park Lane hotel in May, campaigners staged a ‘die-in’, blocking the main entrance. This hotel, amongst the several other construction projects happening in the capital city of Tibet is a part of a large scale redevelopment plan which destroys the heritage culture and history of the Tibetan people and land and once intiated and executed with, this cannot be undone.

The hotel, ‘Intercontinental Resort Lhasa Paradise’ is being built by Sichuan-based Exhibition and Travel Group (ETG). Originally planned to open in 2012, the 1,100 room Lhasa hotel is now scheduled to open in 2014. ETG’s chairman Deng Hong has close links to the Chinese regime and, according to Chinese media, both he and ETG’s chief executive are being investigated for corruption. The organization has, in the past, also been involved with controversial development in the Federated States of Micronesia.

By Aditi Padiyar: 17 June 2013

India has always provided support and expressed solidarity with the Tibetan resistance movement. But despite that, it has ceased to take any tangible measures towards the betterment of Tibet and has so far, only been in a spectator in that capacity. Not only is this a grave problem for Tibet which if being subjected to acute suppression but also India as in acquisition of Tibet, it can now assert its political influence furthermore. Tibetan Support Groups in India receive political backing and an enormous non-Tibetan support too. On the 17th of May, the TSG in Arunachal Pradesh observed International Tibet Solidarity day. Tibetans are essentially an ethnic minority in China which has served to strengthen the hold the regime has over them. The religious divide is another cause of grief for the Tibetans as the larger Han Chinese community is not entirely Buddhist and the Chinese government has a history of incapacitating and persecuting any religious sect that threatens to overthrow the central communist ideology and system. It is such life-threatening cultural and religious conflicts that Kahfa Bengia also makes a case of and urges the Ministers at New Delhi to not just look into it but take tangible measures to affirm if not autonomy, then political self-determinacy and cultural sovereignty.

NCP state unit President Bengia urges Center Govt. to support Tibet issue

Itanagar: - On June 16th, 2013, NCP’s state unit President Kahfa Bengia urged the Centre to reconsider their policies concerning Indo-China relationship in light of the Tibet crisis. His concern was on the need for immediate preservation of the cultural and religious heritage of Tibet. Bengia stressed on reconsidering the stance India has taken on the atrocities of the Chinese government on the Tibetan culture and community and advised on tackling the problem internationally and internally. India must rethink its approach towards the Chinese control over Tibet and not treat it as a Nation crisis within the political jurisdiction of China. Earlier this year, The Tibetan parliamentary delegation met with the chief minister and the minsters of the state avowed party support for the passing of an ‘AllParty Parliamentary Resolution on Tibet Crisis.’ Supporting the Tibetan cause is not merely establishing a functional relationship with the Tibetan community in India but engaging in a diplomatic dialogue with China regarding the fragile situation in the region. India must volunteer to facilitate for the restoration of freedom and safekeeping of Tibet in order to ensure a harmonious Sino-India relationship in the future.

TPI NEWS back page focus

30 June 2013

The Tibet Post International

China denies lifting ban on His Holiness’ portraits

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A large portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was enthroned at a monastery in eastern Tibet where a 10-day religious ceremony held from 15th July 2011. Photo: TPI By Yeshe Choesang: 28 June 2013

Dharamshala: - The Chinese government has strongly denied recent reports that it is moving toward easing the decades long hard-line policy of banning portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at some areas in Tibet. In an official statement, the state bureau for religious affairs told the BBC there had been no policy change, while responding to recent reports claiming Tibet may lift 17-year ban on portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The official statement comes after local reports claimed that restrictions on displaying portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama had been eased in some areas of eastern Tibet, including Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. A proposal to display portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, end denunciation of the Tibetan leader, and lessen police presence in monasteries and nunneries have been discussed at a series of meetings in Tsolho (Chinese: Hainan, Qinghai) and Kham Karze (Ganzi, Sichuan), eastern Tibet, according to several unconfirmed sources in past few days.

It has been widely covered after circulating on various social media that monks in Gaden Monastery in Tibetan capital Lhasa, and in some areas of eastern Tibet, may have been told that they are allowed to display portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. But monasteries contacted by the BBC said they were unaware of any change in policy and, in a faxed statement to the BBC on Friday, [June 28, 2013] the government said that China’s policy towards the Dalai Lama was “consistent and clear”. “If the Dalai Lama wants to improve his relationship with the Central Government, he must really give up his stance in favour of ‘Tibetan Independence’ or independence in any disguised forms,” said the government statement to BBC. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has repeatedly and consistently stated that he is not seeking separation or independence. His Holiness says Tibetan side only seeks a ‘genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people’ that would ensure the long-term survival of Tibetan Buddhist culture, Tibetan language and Tibetan distinct identity as a people. The BBC said it “was unable to confirm this news, despite repeated phone calls to monasteries in Lhasa,

the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and Tibetan areas in the provinces of Qinghai and Sichuan.” “Several monks admitted they had heard of possible changes to the government’s long-standing policy, but said they had not witnessed any relaxation in policy themselves,” Celia Hatton BBC Beijing correspondent reported. “Portraits of the Tibetan spiritual leader are still banned, the monks explained. Only officially sanctioned images of the Buddha are permitted to be displayed,” one monk in Lhasa has confirmed BBC on Friday. Some sources said that local Chinese official are playing tricks with the local Tibetans in recent days, in a bid to prevent further protest against China’s repressive policies on Tibetans, as Beijing officials may allow some foreign tourist and journalist groups to enter Tibet near future. The US based Human Rights Watch, however says ‘Beijing has sealed off large areas of the Tibet plateau to outsiders, barring foreign journalists and limiting access by diplomats, Western tourists and non-Chinese researchers.’

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Zurich: The political leader of the exile Central Tibetan Administration in India, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, arrived in Switzerland on April 10 for a 12-day visit.

Dr Sangay was scheduled to address the Swiss Tibetan community on April 14 in Fribourg, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama was also set to give a teaching. From April 20 to 21, the Sikyong

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Even before coming to ETB program, Lobsang did a great job by creating an appealing www.tibetanhomestaybusinesses.com website which attracts 60 visitors per day. In the last one year company has successfully served 40+ foreign students. For bigger groups, THS provides customized activities such as classes, interaction with local associations etc. to create a more fulfilling experience. Loving and caring Tibetan host families, strong support by local Tibetan community and strong customer focus by THS are key enablers for THS’s achievements so far. THS business model allows direct benefit through channelization of foreign money into Tibetan community. Lobsang and his father want to make THS a first choice among customers for Tibetan cultural experience outside Tibet. In Jan 2013 THS catered to first student group from Birmingham University, UK “Super enthusiasm shown by all Tibetan participants” was attributed as key success factor, as University Coordinator declared THS experience as top notch among many other European and African cultural packages. Bond developed in this short period were amazing and couple of guests even broke down to tears on their departure speech. Lobsang’s biggest challenges were finding effective area coordinators who understand permit process, handle workload and customer payment issues. Showing commitment and passion, the duo has made it work. THS has plans to invite more Tibetan families to host guest, revamp website and increase customer traffic. Watch them expand as they create employment, wealth and happiness.

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