Issue 24 Vol. 01 31/08/2010

Himalayas
Buddhism
in Photos:
page 4......
Vol. 01, Issue 24, 31 August 2010
Tibet Exihibition Protest
I
n
t
e
r
n
B o d - K y i - Cha- Trin
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
Global
Population
Is Tired
of Violence
Bi-Monthly
....
page 6...
www.thetibetpost.com
Rs.5
First Tibetan National General Meeting Begins in South India
By YC.Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Tibetans and Taiwanese supporters protesting Chinese
exihibition about Tibet. Photo: TPI
Taipei - A group of Tibetans and Taiwanese
protested at the National Palace Museum Sunday
against an exhibit of Tibetan treasure.
The demonstrators accused the museum of
endorsing China's territorial claim over Tibet
because the exhibition does not mention the
military takeover of the region in the 1950s.
They demanded the museum display the Dalai
Lama's portrait and mention China's 'invasion' of
Tibet at the exhibit.
Museum spokesman Lin Chen-feng flatly rejected
both demands.
The exhibition Tibet - Treasures from the Roof of
the World, focuses on Tibetan arts and Buddhism,
but makes no mention of the Dalai Lama or China's
occupation of Tibet.
Sera Je Buddhist Students Graduate
Thousands of people including guests and officials
gathered for the ceremony in Sera-je Monastery.
Photo: TPI
Bylakuppe: Over 100 Tibetan monks at Sera Je
monastery received their BA & MA diplomas in
Buddhist philosophy on Saturday (August 28).
The Venerable Tsering Phuntsok, Tibetan minister
of religion and culture, presented the degrees at
the 15th graduation ceremony in Bylakuppe,
Karnataka state, South India.
Bylakuppe: The First Tibetan National General
Meeting began in Bylakuppe's Tibetan settlement,
Karnataka State, on Thursday (August 26). Around
450 Tibetan delegates are attending, including
scholars, specialists, doctors, social activists,
politicians and journalists. They represent a
spectrum of instititutions - amongst them exiled
government bodies, independent bodies, four
regional schools, monasteries and non-government
organisations.
The opening session began with a minute's silence
as a mark of respect for the people affected by the
recent natural calamities in Tibet and other parts of
the world.
During the six-day meeting, delegates will discuss a
range of issues such as politics, democracy, religion,
culture, sustenance of settlements, education, health,
the economy, welfare of Tibetans living in scattered
communities and the resolution of the Tibet issue
through the middle-way approach.
In his opening address, Mr Penpa Tsering, speaker
of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, said the attendees
will be divided into eight groups to discuss largely
preordained topics. “This meeting will mainly focus
on China-Tibet talks," he said. "However, the
delegates initially will have choice to join sub-groups
[relevant to] their...field, responsibility and
interest...[so] various subjects such as education
and health will be discussed.
"This meeting will...be to discuss your support [of]
the current policy of Tibetan government and its
democratic system and further development...I hope
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Karmapa Rinpoche among the Tibetan officials, monks, nuns, and lay praying for
vitims of natural disaster in Tibet, Pakistan and Russia, Dharamshala, India on 14th August 2010. Photo: TPI/Sangay
every parliament member, including officials,
individuals and attendees...from far away, will use
the best of their skill and intelligence to make this
platform fruitful."
Mr Penpa added, "A unanimous resolution was
passed...at the seventh session of the Tibetan
Parliament in-exile, [after] His Holiness the Dalai
Lama...called for an annual Tibetan general meeting
Tibetan PM Inaugurates Prayer
Halls At Sera Jey School
Philosophy Debate at Gyudmed School
Students and teachers having a group photo oportunity
at Gyudmed School, Shouth India.
Photo: TPI
Interview: Geshe Ngagrampa Lobsang Dawa, acting
director of the Snowland School of Tibetan Studies.
Hunsur: From August 22-26, the Snowland School
of Tibetan Studies at Gyudmed monastery in South
India held a series of teachings and debates on
Buddhist Philosophy. The programme was
conducted by eleven teaching masters and
attended by 114 students from seven schools,
including the Tibetan Children's Village and the
Central School for Tibetans.
The teachers included: Jangtse Choeje Rinpoche
Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, former abbot Geshe
Lobsang Delek, present abbot Alak Youngzin
Rinpoche Tenpai Gyaltsen, vice-abbot Geshe Tashi
Tsering and other Geshe masters.
The Tibet Post International (TPI) met with the
school's acting director, Geshe Ngagrampa Lobsang
Dawa, to discuss the school's activities.
Tibetan prime minister, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, speaking media in Dharamshala, India: Photo: TPI/file
By YC.Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Bylakuppe: The Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister)
of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile has
inaugurated two newly built prayer halls at the
Tibetan Secondary School, Sera Jey Monastery,
Bylakuppe, south India.
Kalon Tripa Professor Samdong Rinpoche on
Tuesday (August 24) told 700 assembled
monks, teachers and students, "In addition to
courses on social studies and science, there
must be facilities for the students to study key
texts of Buddhist studies.
"In Tibet, children in your age group do not
get the opportunity for proper education. Even
if some of the children do have access to
education, they are taught only modern
subjects through Chinese language as the
medium of instruction and denied any
[at] the Special General Meeting on Tibet...in 2008."
The Kalon Tripa Samdong Rinpoche (Tibetan prime
minister) said in his address, “Under the leadership
and blessing of His Holiness the Dalai lama, the
Tibetan community-in-exile, unlike other refugee
communities, has become one of [the] most
exemplary and successful establishments in terms of
society, education and health.
"However, the sustenance of the present condition
of Tibetans in exile will solely depend on the Tibetan
people's collective merit and their way of thinking
and moral behaviour.”
The Kalon Tripa continued that, since addressing
the problems of exile from 1959 to the 1970s, the
Tibetan community-in-exile has achieved good social
sustainability, but since the 1980s, and particularly
in the last two decades, this positive trend has
undergone great changes which should be
discussed during the general meeting.
He concluded by emphasing the need for serious
deliberation on strengthening efforts to achieve
specialisation in the issues of education, population
growth, community self-reliance and the degeneration
of ethical behaviour.
The final recommendations of the meeting will be
presented in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama during the closing ceremony on August 31.
opportunity to study Buddhist philosophy."
The function began with a welcome address
by Khen Rinpoche Acharya Geshe Lobsang
Palden, and the inauguration of a statue of
Buddha and a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama.
Sera Jey school has 40 faculty members and
630 students. It was the first monastically
administered school to be recognised by the
Central Tibetan Schools Administration, and
participates in the CBSE class ten board
examination.
The monastery is one of the three main
institutes of the Gelug tradition, founded in
Tibet by Lama Tsong Khapain in the 15th
century. It was reestablished at Bylakuppe in
South India in 1970, following the occupation
of Tibet by the People's Republic of China and
the subsequent destruction of monasteries and
persecution of monks.
2
31 August, 2010 Dharamsala
TPI VIEWS AND ANALYSIS
Economy Buys the Value of
Human Rights and Tibet
China’s core interests
By Claude Arpi, Indian Express, 28 August 2010.
A symbol of economy buying the values of the Human Rights and Tibet. Photo:
Desidgned/file
By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: It's a fact that, today,
the developed nations are far more
advanced technologically and
economically than in previous
centuries, and their citizens lead a
"better life". But it does not mean that
Human Rights are better protected in
this new century. An honest
examination shows that the Chinese
economy determines or buys the
value of ‘Western’ Human Rights and
democracy, particularly when it
comes to the most vulnerable aspects
of our world.
Take the genocide of the culture and
language of the Tibetan people. It’s
difficult for a person without freedom
to preserve ancient values and live
in genuine social harmony. Tibetans
today face not only the onslaught of
Chinese culture and language, but
they are caught in a complex game
between China and its Western
counterparts. A dirty war is being
played out between the shadow
economy and Human Rights, the
latter being able to author Human
Rights abuses.
Why are the economy and Human
Rights treated differently, by the
West, in the ‘special case’ of Tibet?
The United Nations made an
attempt to put Human Rights into a
broader context, through decades
of first-hand experience with
Tibetan refugees worldwide. The
Europeans and Africans Unions
treat the Tibetan similarly, even as
they play their economy games
with China.
Rather than simply killing the whole
populations of prisoners from all
parts of Tibet, the armed Chinese
paramilitary forces are carrying out
programs of torture. Torture can be
either physical or psychological,
and it aims at the "humiliation or
annihilation of the dignity of a
person." Physical torture might
include mutilation, beatings, and
electric shocks to lips, gums, and
genitals. In psychological torture,
detainees are occasionally
deprived of food and water for long
periods, kept standing upright for
hours, deprived of sleep, or
tormented by high-level noise.
China is forcing Tibetan political
prisoners to admit to being
‘extremists’, ‘separatists’ or ‘spies
of Western imperialism’, all of which
amounts to treason. Torture is used
also as a means to carry out
interrogations
and
extract
confessions or information. Today
in Tibet, torture is increasingly used
as a means of suppressing political
and ideological dissent, or for
punishing political opponents who
d o n o t s h a r e t h e i r i d e o l o g y,
sympathise
with
Tibetan
independence
or
have
communication with exiled
Tibetans.
Tibetans made an urgent appeal to
the world for more freedom of
conscience and against cultural and
language extinction in Tibet. The
world needs a comprehensive
definition of "Universal Human
Rights", which should include the
right to religion and culture for all
citizens on earth, the right to be free
from ‘values’ created by
speculators, the right to protection
of population and control of their
land, and the right to protect their
traditional way of life.
Why does the world treat Human
Rights differently from the
economy in industrialised China? Of
late it's been my experience that,
everyone seems to be concerned
about suffering in Tibet or Sudan.
But when the Western world sees a
great chance and exchange between
its economy and the Tibetan
people, and witnesses Chinese
human rights violations with
disgust – they then fail to act. China
has killed over 1.3 million Tibetans
and over 150,000 have been forced
to leave their country, including
t h e i r s p i r i t u a l l e a d e r. W h y d o
western nations treat the last and
largest communist regime, China, as
though it were unworthy of their
dignity and the values of mankind?
The Western countries achieve a
healthy economy and China
practices the worst Human Rights
violations in the history of mankind.
We say media is a strong tool for
democracy, and this took form when
China suppressed the uprising in
Tibet in 2008, taking more than 224
lives. But the western government
failed to react to these Human
Rights violations. I wonder if they
have a heart that shows the same
compassion and solidarity towards
Tibetans.
The article is a personal opinion
and it does not reflect the view of
The Tibet Post International. If you
have any comment, you will be able
to
reach
the
author
at
thetibetpost@gmail.com
The Tibet Post
Have you heard of ‘Core Interests’? No,
it has nothing to do with ‘organising’
the CWG, IPL auctions, mining in tribal
areas or OBC vote banks, though it is
true that in India ‘core’ issues often veer
around these subjects. 'Core interests’
is the subject of a serious debate
amongst the top leadership of the
People’s Republic of China, both civilian
and military. Traditionally, the ‘core
interest’ of the Communist regime has
been the continuation of the party’s raj.
For the past 60 years, the Communist
Party of China has ruled supreme over
the Middle Kingdom. Chinese rulers are,
however, anguished about the future of
the Communist dynasty. They are aware
that in the past, Heaven has withdrawn
its Mandate from many dynasties,
bringing disasters, famines, floods or
earthquakes to different parts of the
empire (it is happening right now)
leading to the dethronement of the
emperors. This is why, in June 2006 the
State Council ordered an eight-episode
TV research entitled Preparing For
Danger in Times of Safety — Historic
Lessons Learned from the Demise of
Soviet Communism. The project was
given to no less than the Academy of
Social Sciences, the prime government
think-tank. Party members were
requested to carefully study and
‘discuss’ the conclusions offered by the
Chinese president himself: “There are
multiple factors contributing to the
disintegration of the Soviet Union, a very
important one being Khrushchev
throwing away Stalin’s knife and
Gorbachev’s open betrayal of MarxismLeninism.” Apart from the survival of the
party, the PCR has a few core issues,
namely Taiwan and Tibet and Xinjiang
(which symbolise the stability — or
instability — of the empire).
During the last 60 years, China has
grown bigger and more powerful. In
2008, Beijing successfully organised the
Summer Olympics; in 2010, the Universal
Exhibition in Shanghai was another
show; Beijing has maintained its rate of
growth despite the economic crisis and
has now become the No 2 world
economic power. Many in China believe
that the time of the Middle Kingdom has
come and Beijing should act
accordingly. As Steve Tsang, a fellow at
St Antony’s College of Oxford University
put it in an excellent paper Nationalism
risks felling China’s peaceful rise:
'Chinese officials then saw that there was
scope to push the boundary'. Some in
China believe that the chance to grab
the South China Sea and the Yellow Sea
has now arrived.
Probably encouraged by President
Obama’s wishy-washy approach during
his first visit to Beijing in November last
year and his vacillating attitude vis-àvis the Dalai Lama and the sale of F-16
jets to Taiwan, the hawks in Beijing have
awakened.
Tsang says: “By declaring the South
China Sea a ‘core national interest’ and
elevating it to the same status as Tibet
and Taiwan, Beijing has marked another
territorial claim. If this is not challenged,
it will gradually gain de facto international
acceptance, as its claims over Tibet and
Taiwan have in the last six decades.”
The China Brief of the Jamestown
Foundation cites some PLA majorgenerals to explain Beijing’s new
aggressive attitude. General Luo of the
Yuan Academy of Military Sciences
objected in June to the joint US-South
Korean exercises. The general put it
vividly: “How can we let a stranger fall
sound asleep just outside our bedroom?”
On July 3, an article debating the strategy
behind the US use of its aircraft carriers
was published in the China Review
News. According to the author there
were four reasons for the US to send its
carriers: (1) pushing China to buy more
US bonds; (2) using war threats to
hammer China’s development; (3)
reducing US debt pressure; (4)
confirming that China doesn’t dare to
start a war. The author believed that
Americans manipulated all of the issues
troubling China (Taiwan, Tibet,
Xinjiang, India, Vietnam, the South
China Sea, Mid-Asia, and Falun Gong).
He argued that the right way to handle
the US carrier situation was to sink the
carriers having a joint naval exercise
with South Korea in the Yellow Sea.
Another Chinese analyst, Real Admiral
Yang Yi accused Washington of doubledealing exacerbating its time-honoured
containment policy against China. On
August 13, Yang wrote in The PLA Daily:
“On the one hand, (Washington) wants
China to play a role in regional security
issues, on the other hand, it is engaging
in an increasingly tight encirclement of
China and constantly challenging
China’s core interests.”
General Yang added that American
military drills were a provocation aimed
at creating “enmity and confrontation
in the Asia-Pacific region — and that
the Chinese must make a firm
response”.
One could ask, why are the generals
seemingly speaking out of turn or at
least in opposition to the official policy
promoted by Hu Jintao of a peaceful
rise of China. Major General Xu
Guangyu, a researcher at the China Arms
Control and Disarmament Association,
explained that “it was natural for the
PLA to speak out first on these issues.
It’s the PLA’s sacred duty to defend
China’s territory and interests.”
Many analysts believe that it is
probably an occasion for hardliners
among the PLA and PLAN (Chinese
Navy) ‘to lobby for more economic and
political resources to upgrade their
arsenal. Particularly in view of largescale personnel changes scheduled for
the upcoming 18th CCP Congress.’
Undoubtedly, jockeying has started for
the elevation of several generals to a
revamped Central Military Commission
in 2012. President Hu probably needs
some hawks to help him to keep his
chairman’s cap after he resigns from his
two other posts — president of the
republic and party general secretary.
However, several think-tanks and
influential commentators do not agree
with the generals.
On August 1, in an article published in
Xinhua, Han Xudong, a professor at the
Strategy Department of the PLA National
Defence University said it was currently
not appropriate for China to explicitly
state what its ‘Core National Interests’
are. He gave reasons why: China’s
military capability is not as good as
America’s military capability in many
respects. Publicly identifying China’s
core national interests will place the
armed forces in a passive position and
China does not have the power to protect
all of its core national interests yet.
The peaceful rise of China will probably
continue to be the official motto for
some time, but many other forces are at
play. Let us not forget that China is not
a monolithic empire, but a puzzle of
many disparate forces. Only the future
will tell who will prevail. By the way,
what are India’s Core Interests?
Tibet Exhibition Visits Hunsur
Tibetans in Rabgyal Ling settlement visiting exhibition on 28 Auguts 2010. photo: Tibet Net
By Jiimy Halliday, The Tibet Post
Hunsur: The second leg of a
travelling photographic exhibition
which looks at the life of Tibetans
in exile was displayed in Hunsur
Rabyeling Tibetan Settlement,
Karnataka state, south India on
August 28 and 29.
Organised by The Tibet Museum
and the Department of Information
and International Relations (DIIR),
the exhibition aims to create
awareness among the Tibetan
populace about the efforts to
establish structures such as
schools, monasteries and hospitals
in the early stages of exile.
According to a report by Tibet.net,
the exhibition attracted over 1,500
local Tibetan residents, including
monks from the Gyumed and
Zongkar Choede Monastery, and
students and teachers of the Central
School for Tibetans.
The exhibition moves to Sera Lachi
in Bylakuppe today (August 31) and
will be on display there until
September 2.
The Tibet Post
TPI H.H THE DALAI LAMA
His Holiness in Kullu: "We Should
be Non-Violent at Heart"
31 August, 2010 Dharamsala
3
His Holiness Speaks on
Religious Conversion
By YC. Dhardhowa, translated by Yangsham, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: This morning, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama performed the
Heruk (Tibetan: Dechok) initiation in
Garshia, Lahoul and Spiti district, as he
continued his teaching tour of Himachal
Pradesh, north India. Over 5,000 people
attended the event, including Chinese
and other foreign devotees.
His Holiness spoke on religious
conversion, saying, I have heard many
local people of Lahaul and Kullu used
to be Buddhist but have now converted
to Hinduism. "people who follow any
religion, it is better to keep the ancestors'
religion and follow it. Religious
conversion brings complications and
difficulties."
Tomorrow, His Holiness will conduct
the Avalokiteshvara empowerment
ritual, receive a ‘long-life' offering from
the audience and attend a press
conference.
Teachings on Diamond
Sutra for Koreans
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visiting Dhakpo Shedrup Ling monastery in Kais, District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Photo: TPI
Reported by: YC. Dhardhowa, translated by Yangsham&Matthew, The Tibet Post International
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai
Lama this morning delivered a discourse
entitled
The
Bodhisattva's
Development of the Heart to around
3,000 Buddhist followers at Dhakpo
Shedrup Ling monastery in Kais,
District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
The teachings were attended by
devotees from the local community and
around the world. Dhakpo Rinpoche,
the head of the monastery, made
offerings to His Holiness.
In the afternoon, His Holiness visited
the Tibetan Vocational Training Centre,
a branch of Tibetan Children's Village
School, at Patlikul. He addressed
students and teachers on the topics of
the good characteristics of Tibetans,
world peace and the importance of
education.
"Thanks to ancient Buddhism and its
culture, we Tibetans have pleasant
character, warm heart and smiling face
in the eyes of others, including
Chinese," His Holiness said. "These are
really helpful in our daily lives and
essential for the harmony of
community."
Speaking on world peace and nonviolence, His Holiness said, "It is not
enough to just say, 'Stop violence!
World needs peace!' Basically
[we]should be non-violent at heart". He
also reiterated the Buddhist viewpoint
that "all living beings have been our
mothers in our countless past lives, and
so stop harming others, including
insects."
His Holiness concluded his speech by
pointing out the importance of modern
education and urged students to
engage with contemporary knowledge,
saying, "Due to our lack of modern
education, Chinese look down [on] us
as backward and stupid. Therefore, it is
very important for us to gain modern
knowledge with full attention."
His Holiness will proceed to Jispa to
deliver the Heruka initiation and will
give teachings from August 19-22.
His Holiness: News Should Be Reported Truthfully
His Holioness the Dalai Lama giving teachings in Jispa, Lahour, HP india on 20 Auguts 2010.
photo: TPI
Reported by YC. Dhardhowa, translated by Yangsham & Matthew,The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai
Lama this morning urged journalists
to be truthful and unbiased in their
reporting.
Speaking in Jispa, Lahaul and Spiti
district of Himachal Pradesh, north
India, he said, "Like elephant's nose,
journalists should be active enough
to see all the perspectives".
His Holiness made his comments after
conducting the Avalokiteshvara
empowerment ritual. He proceeded to
discuss the lack of press freedom in
China, saying, "1.3 billion Chinese
people have the right to know the
factual news taking place in this
world."
His Holiness advised local Buddhist
followers to strive to understand the
meaning of Buddhism, saying,
"Despite of man and woman from lay
society, it is very important to debate
about Buddhism and improve the
understanding of it."
He also praised the teaching of
Tibetan language in the newly
established school near Ka-lacakra
temple in Jispa, and promised to offer
both Tengyur and Tanjur (The
Tibetan Buddhist canon) to the local
monastery.
On the subject of animal sacrifice, His
Holiness urged fellow Buddhists to
take refuge in Lord Buddha instead
of mountain deities, saying, “If you
are a Buddhist, it is absolutely wrong
to do animal sacrificing to the mountain
deities. Mountain deities, like us,
haven’t overcome the afflictions,
therefore shouldn’t be the object of
refuge. Our true protector and object
of refuge is Lord Buddha”.
He concluded the lecture by advising
local people not indulge in drinking or
smoking, for the sake of their health.
Continuing his teaching tour, His
Holiness will speak on Gyalsey Thokme
Sangpo's 37 Practices of A Boddhisattva
(Tibetan: Laklen Sodunma) in Manali on
August 22.
Visit our news gallery for more about
His Holiness' teachings in Himachal.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Korean Buddhist leaders walking to Tibetan main temple
in Dharamshala, India on 28 August 2010. Photo: TPI
YC.Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave
teachings on the Diamond Sutra at the
main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala
from August 28-29.
The teachings, held at the request of a
group of Korean Buddhists, were attended
by thousands of followers, including
Tibetans, Japanese and Spanish.
This morning (August 30), His Holiness
left for south India to attend the first Tibetan
National General Meeting, the
recommendations of which will be
presented at tomorrow's closing ceremony.
His Holiness in Jispa: “Inner
Peace is Essential”
By YC. Dhardhowa, translated by Yangsham, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai
Lama yesterday reached Jispa, 133 km
from Manali, to continue his teaching
tour of Himachal Pradesh, north India.
He was welcomed by over 1,000 local
people, including Dr Ram Lal
Markandey - former member of the
Legislative Assembly - and community
leaders, lamas and monks from
Drugchoe Kor monastery.
His Holiness thanked the organizers of
the teachings and described his journey
through picturesque valleys to reach
Jispa. He also spoke about inner peace
and happiness, saying, "For the
comfort of physical body, external
material development is necessary.
Meanwhile, to be happy at heart and
antidote challenges, inner peace is
essential.
"It is more important to understand the
philosophy of Buddhism than just
chanting Buddha Dharma in mouth."
His Holiness conferred the Heruka
(Tibetan: Dechok) inition this morning
and will give teachings tomorrow,
before heading back to Manali to
deliver a religious discourse on
Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices
of a Boddhisattva on August 22.
4
31 August, 2010 Dharamsala
TPI HIS HOLINESS IN MANALI & JISPA
The Tibet Post
TPI TIBET
The Tibet Post
Police Kill One, Injure 35, in Dege, Eastern Tibet
Chinese armed military personnels in Lithang County eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI
By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
By YC. DhardhowaThe Tibet Post
Dharamsala: One Tibetan has been
killed and around 35 severely wounded
after Chinese security forces opened
fire on demonstrators in Palyul County,
Dege, eastern Tibet.
The incident was reported to the Tibet
Post International by the Venerable
Drime Gyaltsen. Mr Drime, who
currently lives in south India, hails from
Dege, from where an anonymous
contact relayed him the information in
this report.
On August 18, protesters gathered
outside a local government building in
Tromthar village, after village leader
Tashi Sangpo wrote to the local
authorities requesting a halt to the
environmentally detrimental expansion
of gold mining in the area.
Local Tibetans are concerned about the
impact of mining on their livelihoods
and
have
been
demanding
compensation from the government.
Over 100 people camped outside the
government headquarters waiting for a
response from the Chinese authorities.
Security forces responded by releasing
a harmful gas. One Tibetan, Tashi
Sangpo, together with other locals, saw
Chinese officers moving unconscious
protesters into a waiting truck, and began
to scuffle with them.
The security forces reportedly then fired
indiscriminately into the crowd, killing
one Tibetan. At least five others
sustained bullet injuries, and several
protesters were detained.
No official statement has been made on
the incident, or the condition of those
injured and arrested. The Chinese
authorities have brought in
reinforcements from neighbouring
counties, and the situation remains tense.
Four Magazine Editors
Detained, Two Sentenced in Tibet
31 August, 2010 Dharamsala
5
Tibet: Two-Year Jail Sentences for Two Student
Magazine Editors
Paris: Reporters Without Borders
condemns the two-year jail sentences
that have been imposed on Sonam
Rinchen and Sonam Dhondup, two
students who helped to edit the
Tibetan student magazine Namchak.
Two other editors of the magazine, who
were arrested at the same time as them
in March, are still awaiting trial.
Their conviction has coincided with
other cases of repression. For example,
the Tibetan writer Kalsang Tsultrim,
also known by the pen-name of
Gyitsang Takmig, was arrested on 7
July in Dzoge, in Sichuan province.
According to relatives cited by Tibetan
sources in the northern Indian city of
Dharamsala, his arrest was prompted
by his book “Miyul La Phul Ve Sempa”
(Share My Heart’s Inner Thoughts)
and recordings of his speeches voicing
his concerns for the Tibetans that
have been distributed on CDs.
The lack of independent observers in
Tibet allows the Chinese authorities to
arrest and convict Tibetan journalists,
writers,
bloggers
and
environmentalists without any form of
due process. The government
prevents the foreign media from
working in Tibet so that there are no
witnesses.
When the Foreign Correspondents’
Club of China recently polled its
members, 98 per cent said it was
impossible to cover the situation in
Tibet properly because of obstruction
by the authorities.
Arrested on 17 March, the four Tibetan
students who edited Namchak were
charged with separatism and inciting
separatism in their writing. Sonam
Rinchen, 19, and Sonam Dhondup, 18,
were registered as students at the
University of Barkham (in Sichuan
province), as were the other two, who
have been identified as Yargay and
Dakden.
Kanyak Tsering, an exiled Tibetan monk,
told Reporters Without Borders that
they had published comments about
China’s policies towards minorities,
including Tibetans.
Tibetan writer Tragyal, also known by
the pen-name of Shogdung, has
meanwhile been held in harsh
conditions since April in Xining
detention centre, in Qinghai province,
where his family has not yet been
allowed to see him. His lawyer says the
police are dragging their feet and have
not passed the case to prosecutors. In
a book entitled “The Line between
Heaven and Earth,” Tragyal called for
peaceful resistance by the Tibetan
people. As a result, he has been accused
of inciting separatism.
Before his arrest, Tragyal said: “I am, of
course, terrified by the idea that, once
this essay is published, I will have to
endure every kind of hell this planet has
to offer. I could lose my head because
of my mouth, but this is the road I have
chosen.”
His Holiness's Special Envoy
Meets with US official
Special envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari (L) and envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen
speaking to Foreign, Indian and Tibetan journalists in Dharamshala, India on 2 February 2010. Photo: TPI
By Tibetan Official media: Tibet Net
Sonam Rincehn, Yargye, Sonam Dhondup and Dakden arrested on 17th March 2009 by Chinese authorities in Bharkham, eastern Tibet,
two of them also sentenced for 2 years each, two other still detained. Photo: TPI
By YC. DhardhowaThe Tibet Post
Dharamshala: A Chinese court in
Bharkham, eastern Tibet, has sentenced
two editors of the local school magazine
Namchak on charges of incitement to
split the country and encouraging
students to participate in 'splittist'
activities. Two other editors have been
detained on similar charges.
Our source Kanyak Tsering, who
currently lives in exile, named the four
young adults arrested on March 17 as:
Sonam Rinchen (19), son of Rindor and
Tamdho from Dzoge District, Ngaba
county; Yargye and Dakden, both from
Ngaba District of Ngaba region; and
Sonam Dhondup (18), son of Drugkhar
and Wotruk from Dzoge county.
Sonam Rinchen and Yargye have both
received two-year prison sentences.
Kanyak Tsering told the Tibet Post
International that on March 17 the four
editors, who were students at Bharkham
High School, commemorated the 2008
pan-Tibet demonstrations, in which 224
lives Tibetans lost their lives. They also
occasionally used the school magazine
to publish articles about China's Tibet
policy, which included comparison of the
equalities and rights afforded to 'minority'
and 'mainstream' citizens in China.
No official statement has been issued
by the Chinese authorities, and the the
exact location of the four detainees
remains unknown.
Washington: Tibetan spiritual and
political leader, His Holiness the
14th Dalai Lama's Special Envoy
Lodi Gyari met a senior State
Department official here and
discussed issues related to Tibetan
refugees, among others.
The meeting with the Assistant
Secretary of State for Population,
Refugees and Migration, Eric
Schwartz, was held at the Foggy
Bottom headquarters of the State
D e p a r t m e n t o n We d n e s d a y
according to Press Trust Of India.
"My brief is refugees, among other
humanitarian issues. The United
States Government, provides
considerable
support
and
assistance through international
organisations.
"For Tibetan refugees, whose
circumstances in the region are
increasingly difficult. I expect that
that issue will occupy much of our
discussion," Schwartz told
reporters before the meeting.
He said this was not a first such
meeting, and US officials have been
meeting Gyari time and again.
"Gyari is a US citizen and has met a
number of US officials in the past,"
he said in response to a question.
6
31 August, 2010 Dharamsala
TPI INTERVIEW
His Holiness in Manali:
Global Population Is Tired of Violence
Hinduism and Buddhism. However,
basically, they are like twin brothers,
sisters. The religious harmony is part
of India's tradition. Wherever I go, I
always carry the message of Ahimsa and
the message of religious harmony. So
these two things are very much relevant
today.
The Shiite-Sunni conflict and CatholicProtestant conflict - when I see these
kind of things, then I think India's real
tradition [of] religious harmony is very
much needed today. So India can take
important role. Now, I want to tell you,
my Indian friends, you need more effort
- hard working! Like the Commonwealth
Games - it indicates we are not always
so efficient!
Tromthok Rinpoche, the abbot of Namgyal Monastery and monks lead prayer service at
Tsuglagkhang for victims of devastating heavy rain and mudslides in Tibet's Drugchu.
Photo: Tibet Net/ Drubgyu Nyima
By Ye-Rinne Park, The Tibet Post
His Holiness in Manali: 22 August Press
Conference Transcript
Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the
14th Dalai Lama (HH): I have nothing to
say! Only I am very much happy, very
much. Last few days [I have been]
touring different places and met quite a
number of people - very faithful,
devoted. So I have opportunity to
explain what is Buddhism. That I really
feel is important. Number of people claim
to be Buddhist but without knowing
what is Buddhism.
I jokingly asked one person, "What is
the difference between Buddha
Shakyamuni and Jesus Christ?" He said
, "Same." Of course, as a spiritual
master, they are same. But in the
philosophical field, the teachings of
Jesus Christ and the teachings of
Buddha, there are differences. Even
between Christianity and Islam there are
differences. There is the Trinity
according to Christians but, according
to Islam, there is just one Allah. So there
are differences. So I had the
opportunity to explain what is
Buddhism. So I am very happy. Whether
they understand fully or not, that I don't
know!
Question: Your Holiness, what is your
vision of the world in the next few
years?
always exist and in the future will always
remain but, [regarding the] whole
picture, judging by changes and
development of a more civilized way of
thinking, there are big differences
between the early part and the later part
of the 20th century.
Also between spirituality and science.
In early part, people feel these are two
different things. In later part of 20th
century, they made new findings, like
quantum physics. And also nowadays,
among the scientists - the top scientists
- they are [investigating] more and more
about the human mind, about the human
emotion.
For example, some of my friends - top,
respected, well-known scientists - they
consider my explanation about Buddha
dharma as a science, not a religion. So
science and spirituality become closer
and closer. Now this is 21st century. Of
course, there are some unhappy events
here and there, but the future is the
continuation of the later part of the 20th
century. So therefore, I believe that the
21st century will certainly be a more
peaceful century. There's no doubt.
Question: And India will play a very
major role in this?
HH: Oh, that is good question...Until
the mid-part of the 20th century, the
concepts of 'my nation' and ‘other
nation' were very strong...a clear
demarcation between ‘we' and ‘they'.
That's the basis of violence and war.
Now, in the later part of the 20th century,
with global economy and also
environmental issue, the demarcation
between ‘we' and ‘they' reduced.
HH: No question! In the 70 years since
this country has got indepencence,
compare living state. Despite millions
of Indians still not [being] very
educated, democracy is deeply rooted
in this country. And, moreover, I
consider myself as a messenger of India.
Two factors. Number one: a thousand
years in this country Ahimsa (the
avoidance of violence). Is not newly
invented - last 1,000 years, 2,000 years,
3,000 years. That is still an important
Indian concept - Ahimsa.
The whole world should be considered
just one entity. Western economy
entirely depends on East or Middleeast. Eastern economy needs
technology and therefore depends on
the West, and also depends on Arabs,
because of the oil. And Africa same like
that. So the global economy factor
makes us one entity. The environment,
because of its fragility, also makes one
entity.
Second - religious harmony. Today, I
think all major world religions exist in
this country. In ancient times, I think
more than 1,000 years ago, besides
home-grown religion - Hinduism,
Jainism, Buddhism and, later, Sikhism came from outside Zoroastrianism from
Iran (Parsi), then Christianity, then Islam,
and Judaism in Cochin area and Kerala.
So whole major religious traditions live
together in this country.
This is one thing. Second thing is that
people everywhere are really fed up with
violence. Of course, hateful people
Of course, in the philosophical field,
there are some arguments,
disagreements. For example, in
Question: Your Holiness, on your
Twitter site you have recently said that
your middle-way policy has been
somewhat criticised by your own
community, especially by the Tibetan
Youth Congress. So what do you see in
the future, after you? Do you see the
Tibetans denouncing the middle-way
path?
HH: The middle path - of course there
are critical views, but the majority fully
support it. From time to time, you ask
the public for their opinions and
suggestions, but always the majority
fully support it. And as far as nonviolence is concerned, even the youth
organisation is fully committed to nonviolence. One or two individuals...that's
a different thing.
Question: We are making a
documentary about the influence of
globalisation in Ladakh. We've found
out that, due to globalisation, there is a
loss of religious values and social values
in the people. So how can we join
globalization and religious values in the
future?
HH: Good question. I'm often telling
people - the Buddhist community - not
only Tibetan but also Chinese,
Japanese, Korean - all Buddhist
brothers and sisters - that now we
should be 21st century Buddhists. That
means use all the...modern facilities and
be a modern person - full of knowledge
about modern science [but] in the
meantime preserve our own traditional
religion - Buddhism.
A number of scientists, including
medical scientists, are seeking methods
to prevent illness and recover more
quickly, and to make better
concentration. They are seeking for
some Buddhist methods. They are not
Buddhists but they recognize
Buddhism...as a science of the mind. As
I mentioned before, if Buddhists carry
Buddhism as a ritual or some kind of
ceremony, it won't remain and the
superstition...will not remain.
But if you know what is Buddhism - it's
utilising our human intelligence in the
maximum way and transformation our
emotions. There are two kinds of
emotion. One category of emotions is
spontaneous, without reason - like
anger, hatred...fear, attachment, pride.
Then another emotion - genuine
compassion, genuine altruism. These
emotions do not spontaneously come,
but through training, through
reasoning.
The Tibet Post
So in order to develop a calmer mind,
these positive emotions are a very
important factor - not thinking about
next life or Buddhahood [but] simply in
order to become a happier person, and
happier family, happier community,
happier humanity. I think this training
of mind, which comes from Hinduism
and Buddhism...is very relevant today.
opportunity to visit this large area.
Without modern technology, we would
have used mules or horses! That's terrible!
So I don't think the material development
and genuine spiritual development can't
go together. No problem.
Question: Can Buddhism help fix the
problem of loss of altruism in the social
community?
If the people - for example, Ladakhis just practice without knowing what is
Buddhism, then it goes away. I noticed
in the early '60s, in Ladakh, those
modern educated people's attitude
towards the monasteries was quite
critical. Now, it has changed, because
I've asked them to study Buddhism. You
must have full knowledge about Buddha
dharma. So now these educated people,
including government officials,
whenever they find the time,
organize...the class for Buddhist
studies.
HH: Like any other major religion,
Buddhism has the same sort of advice practice of love, compassion, altruism.
Then differences: Buddhists, in order to
promote these things, use our
intelligence. So those scientist nonbelievers like [the] Buddhist approach.
They find it difficult to believe [in a]
creator...According to Buddhism, oneself
is the creator.
I think all major religions can make an
effective, significant contribution for a
better world, if we sincerely practice. Like
Christian brothers and sisters - they say
the true teachings of Jesus Christ, if
implemented in daily life, are very helpful
to bring inner peace, harmony in the
family, in the society. Islam also.
Sometimes we get a different impression,
but actually those Islam practitioners who
genuinely practice, they extend love to all
creatures. Same like Buddhists.
So...for the last 40 years, at least 5,000
to 6,000 monk students come from
Ladakh to Arunachal. They carry out
studies in our monastic institutions.
These people who study thoroughly for
15 or 20 years, when they return to their
own monastery - much improved. In the
'60s...a lot of monks often drunk! Now
that's gone. Discipline improved,
knowledge improved. As a result,
respect from educated people has now
developed - sufficient.
The problem is, like in many other fields economy, business, politics - the religious
field also carries some hypocrisy - saying
nice things but not being concerned with
real life. That's the problem. So that's why
religion itself sometimes becomes
instrument for additional problems for
society. Not properly follow religion - just
use the name of religion for one's own
interest.
Education usually brings scepticism. In
Buddhist studies, scepticism is very,
very important. Why? Sceptical attitude
brings question. Question brings
investigation. Investigation brings
answer. That's the general Buddhist
tradition and particularly the Nalanda
tradition.
Question: Yesterday, our Foreign Minister
Krishna said you are an esteemed guest
of India but you should refrain from
making any political statements, and that
Tibet is an integral part of China. Do you
think this is a statement of a helpless friend
or is India going for a double standing?
[There are] two cultural aspects. One:
cultural heritage. For example, the Tibetan
religious community - right from the
beginning we make distinctions. There
should be two categories of cultural
heritage - one due to social system and a
certain way of life. That part of cultural
heritage will go. It cannot be preserved it has no use to be preserved. Then there
is another category of cultural heritage,
which is really based on Buddhist
thinking. That is very much relevant in
our daily life, particularly when we are
facing some problem. That part of cultural
heritage will remain and we will want to
preserve.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet: No,
no, no. In 1951, we developed direct
contact with Chinese government.
Meantime we also appealed to the United
Nations. Then India suggested that, since
direct talks with China have continued
since 1951, it is not necessary to raise the
issue at the UN. Then in 1954, the
agreement between the Chinese
government and the Indian government
clearly mentioned Tibet as an
autonomous region. Since then,
continuous - same, same. But Indian
government supports.
Therefore, modernisation, globalisation,
is necessary. Nobody can escape and in
fact it is very useful. Because of modern
technology, within one week I had the
I
The Tibet P st
n
t
e
r
n
Advicer
Advicer
Editor
Sub Editor
Reporter
Reporter
Circular
Publisher
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
Mr. Thomas Keimel
Dr. Vincent Brucel
Mr. YC. Dhardhowa
Mrs. Yangyal Sham
Mr. Sangay
Ms. Keary Huang
Ven Phuntsok Dhondup
Mr. Tenzin Kunga
Contributors for this edition
Matthew Singh-Toor
Ye-Rinne Park
Jimmy Halliday
The Tibet Post International
Press of Tibet
(Head Office)
1st Floor, Dolkhang House, Jogiwara
Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt.
Kangra H.P 176219 India
UK
France
Australia
Tele: 0091-1892-224641
Moble:+91-9882423566
E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com
www.thetibetpost.com
The Tibet Post
TPI TIBET WORLD
The World Needs Spiritual Dialogue
Says His Holiness
His Holiness the Dalai lama giving a special public for Tibetans in Manali, H.P India on 22
August 2010. Photo: TPI
By Ye-Rinne Park, The Tibet Post
Jispa: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
gave a press conference on Friday
(August 20) at which he said the world
needs to develop a spiritual dialogue to
find the right way to address conflict and
violence.
Speaking in Jispa, as part of his teaching
tour of Himachal Pradesh, north India,
His Holiness made the following speech:
"Buddhism and all other religions very
much emphasise the practice of love,
compassion and forgiveness. These are
[the] bases of dialogue, of reconciliation.
Therefore, the world now needs spiritual
dialogue.
"When we face differences...that causes
conflict and violence. We must find the
proper way to deal with this problem:
that's dialogue. So more dialogues, not
out of fear but [voluntarily], with selfconfidence, with truthfulness.
"Buddhism, as any other religion, can
refund human compassion, human
brotherhood, sisterhood. That's one
thing. Then, [what's] unique [about]
Buddhism - there's Buddhist ideology,
philosophy.
"Now, there's a big difference between
different traditions - between Christianity
and Islam, between Hindus and Jains.
[But] in [science] and in Buddhism, no
idea of creator. Everything happens or
comes due to [its] own condition.
"Einstein noticed that Buddhism is a
little different from other religions.
Therefore, Buddhist concept is, I think,
more suitable to non-believers,
like...David [Barnhill], Wysconsin
University's professor. Gradually we
[have] developed close contact,
dialogue, discussion about modern
science, then Buddhist science, [and] I
explain Buddhist philosophy.
"So these people gradually develop
more enthusiasm [for] Buddhist
explanations about reality - particularly
how to develop inner peace without
believing in God or a creator. Simply, you
[come to] realise human intelligence.
That is one of the unique [things]
Buddhism can contribute.
"You [local people] already have some
monasteries here. Monasteries must [be]
learning centres - not just requiring puja.
There's so many things to learn. So these
monasteries should be education centres
for Buddhist studies. And then, of
course, we can provide teachers for
Buddhist studies [and] philosophy.
"As I mentioned earlier, no creator, no
God [in Buddhism]. Oneself [is the]
essence, [the] full master. Buddha is our
teacher. He shows us, he [didn't create
the] essence.
"Study Buddha dharma, in Tibetan
translation from the Sanskrit written by
those masters like Nagarjuna. Altogether
[there are] 300 points - commentary 200
points. Whenever I have time, I teach
some of these points, and study. So learn
Buddha dharma, including Buddhist
logic.
"Those masters always use
[explanations] not relying on Buddhist
quotations. Because, in Buddha's own
words, there are different philosophies.
If we totally rely on Buddha's own words,
then how can define all [of Buddha's]
concepts [using the same] words?
"Buddha's followers [understood things
on] different levels - there are many
different explanations. Therefore he
taught according [to] different people's
wisdom and understanding levels.
"..Certain Buddhist [thought] brings
contradiction in reasoning logical
approach. So in Buddhist philosophy
we have the liberty to investigate
Buddha's own words. Therefore there
are lots of commentaries. We must study
Buddha's teachings and commentaries
written by Buddhist masters. Plus full
knowledge about modernity. That's the
definition of [the] critical stances of
Buddhism.
"Buddha himself didn't make
discrimination between male and female.
We find [a] rank issue [concerning monks
and nuns]. [That came from] a different
tradition of monastery system, eight or
nine centuries [ago] I think. 40 years ago,
I introduced to nunneries in Dharamshala
the serious studies, like for monks. So now
many [nuns] learn through debate. That
should be known.
"Many years ago, a women's magazine
asked me if in the future [my] reincarnation
can be a female. I said yes. Because,
among Tibetan high reincarnation, I think
[in the] last 800 years, female reincarnation
already happened. Yes, we accept it. The
purpose of the reincarnation is to serve
people. If female born is more useful, then
why not?"
Please visit our news gallery for pictures
of this event.
31 August, 2010 Dharamsala
7
Chinese Group Visit New
York's Office of Tibet
Tenzin Norzom, Kingfisher Miss Tibet 2010, joined a signature campaign with activists in
Dharamshala on Friday Photo:TPI
YC.Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
New York: A delegation of Chinese people
resident in the USA met with Tibetan
officials at the Office of Tibet in New York
on August 17.
Coordinated by Mr Tang Yun Jung,
president of a US-based Chinese prodemocracy organisation, the meeting
provided an opportunity to exchange
views and learn more about the Tibet
issue.
"Despite their concern for the issue of
Tibet, our Chinese friends have no means
to learn clearly about the issue in China,"
said Mr Kunga Tashi, China analyst at
the Office of Tibet. Mr Tashi briefed the
visitors on the middle-way approach and
the activities of the Tibet office in New
York.
Mr Tsewang Phuntso, member of the Task
Force On Sino-Tibetan negotiations,
China Stages Conferences on Tibetan Security
and Monastic Activities
US Government Encourages Substantive Talks on Tibet
ETC is a biennial assembly of all Tibetan Communities in Europe. Photo: TPI
By YC.Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: The US State Department
has submitted its annual report on Tibet
negotiations to Congress, encouraging
substantive dialogue between His
Holiness the Dalai Lama and the
Chinese government.
The 2009-2010 report outlines US
policy on Tibet, and covers the "steps
taken by the President and Secretary
of State to encourage the government
of the People's Republic of China (PRC)
to enter into a dialogue with the Dalai
Lama or his representatives, leading to
a negotiated agreement on Tibet."
The report states that, "The US
government believes the Dalai Lama
can be a constructive partner for China
as it deals with the difficult challenge
of continuing tensions in Tibetan areas.
His views are widely reflected within
Tibetan society, and he commands the
respect of the vast majority of Tibetans.
His consistent advocacy of nonviolence is an important principle for
making progress toward a lasting
solution.
"China's engagement with the Dalai
Lama or his representatives to resolve
problems facing Tibetans is in the
interests of both the Chinese
government and the Tibetan people.
Failure to address these problems will
lead to greater tensions inside China
and will be an impediment to China's
social and economic development."
The report also reiterates the US
government's call for China to respect
the unique religious, lingustic, and
cultural heritage of the Tibetan people,
together with their human rights and
civil liberties.
By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: The People's Republic of
China has staged two conferences this
month to discuss public security in the socalled Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR)
and the activities of Tibetan religious
institutions.
According to Chinatibetnews.com, from
August 18-19 the Public Security Ministry
held a meeting of the public security bureaus
of ethnic Tibetan areas, covering TAR and
the four provinces, to assess their
experiences of "upholding public security,
the struggle against the current separatist
movement, and [identifying] current
challenges facing stability in Tibetan areas."
During the meeting, action plans were
devised to "step up the fight against
separatists, create bodies to protect social
security, increase border security, and
improve the communication infrastructure,
uniform and skills of public security
bureaus."
From August 14-15, the Communist Party
of China's United Front Work Department
summoned to Shigatse the heads of
monastic institutions and United Front leads
from TAR and the four provinces, to address
the tightening of religious institutions'
activities.
The two conferences are follow-ups to
January's Fifth Work Forum on Tibet which
implemented measures to bring a 'restive'
Tibet under control.
In the wake of the spring 2008 pan-Tibet
protests, the Chinese government has
drastically curtailed the flow of Tibetans
between Tibetan areas. Further, ordinances
have been passed in Lhasa that require
pilgrims, businessmen and visitors to be
accompanied by guarantors when applying
for short-stay permits at the Public Security
Bureau. Visitors who fail to register face arrest
during security checks.
'Strike hard' campaigns have also been
launched to identify political activists, with
anyone suspected of participating in
political activities being interrogated and
either placed under surveillance or detained.
8
31 August, 2010 Dharamsala
TPI CULTURE AND BUDDHISM
Global Population Is
Tired of Violence
Mr Phurbu Tsering (2/5/1953 - 29/7/2010). Photo: Tibet Net
By Tibetan official media: Tibet Net
His Holiness in Manali: His Holiness
the Dalai Lama on Saturday (August
22) gave a press conference in Manali
to mark the end of his teaching tour of
Himachal Pradesh, north India.
In answer to questions from journalists,
he explained his beliefs that the world
should be viewed as one entity,
consisting of interdependent factions,
that the global population is now tired
of violence and war, and that India,
because of its history of religious
diversity and harmony, will have an
important role to play in the 21st
century.
"The religious harmony is part of India's
tradition," he said. "Wherever I go, I
always carry the message of Ahimsa
(the avoidance of violence) and the
message of religious harmony."
On the issue of his advocacy of the
'middle-way' approach to Tibetan
autonomy, His Holiness said that there
are always disagreements withing the
Tibetan community, but that the
majority of Tibetans support his stance.
He also said that, for Buddhism to
remain relevant in the modern world,
Buddhists need to learn about and
question their religion, rather than
simply enacting Buddhist rituals.
His Holiness Begins Teaching
Tour of Himachal
The Tibet Post
New Tibetan School in South India
Discusses Buddhist Philosophy
By Lobsang Thupten, TPI
Interview: Geshe Ngagrampa Lobsang
Dawa, acting director of the Snowland
School of Tibetan Studies
Hunsur: From August 22-26, the
Snowland School of Tibetan Studies at
Gyudmed monastery in South India held
a series of teachings and debates on
Buddhist Philosophy. The programme
was conducted by eleven teaching
masters and attended by 114 students
from seven schools, including the
Tibetan Children's Village and the Central
School for Tibetans.
The teachers included: Jangtse Choeje
Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, former
abbot Geshe Lobsang Delek, present
abbot Alak Youngzin Rinpoche Tenpai
Gyaltsen, vice-abbot Geshe Tashi
Tsering and other Geshe masters.
The Tibet Post International (TPI) met
with the school's acting director, Geshe
Ngagrampa Lobsang Dawa, to discuss
the school's activities.
TPI: What is the aim of this school?
Geshe Ngagrampa Lobsang Dawa:
There were two main reasons for starting
the school. First, many people of
different nationalities from around the
world wanted to learn and practice
Buddhism, and Tibetan tradition, history,
culture and language. Secondly, our new
school is committed to working to
alleviate the suffering, violence and
conflict plaguing our world. Through
education and compassion, we work to
create peaceful minds and a peaceful
world.
27august201021TPI: What is the aim of
the Buddhist philosophical debates?
Geshe Ngagrampa Lobsang Dawa: The
main aim of our debate programme is to
introduce Buddhist debate to students,
not in the traditional style taught in
monasteries, but in a modern classroom
style - demonstrating the usefulness of
this uniquely Tibetan educational tool.
Young students today learn many
subjects, including science. Our
programme shows the parallels between
science and the ancient wisdom and
science of Buddhism, whilst also
teaching valuable lessons in ethics,
morality and how to live peaceful and
happy lives.
Education and science based on ethics
and morality provide new generations
with the tools they need to create a world
free of violence, hatred and suffering.
Buddhists believe that 'inner' sciences
have a much greater ability to change
the world than 'outer' science. When we
learn about ourselves we can grow
beyond the troubles we cause to the
world and find lasting peace and
happiness for ourselves and future
generations. Students learn the value of
being a person of character and finding
the respect and valued friendships that
come from it.
TPI: What was the inspiration behind
your new school?
Geshe Ngagrampa Lobsang Dawa: In
January 2007, His Holiness the Dalai
Lama visited and advised us to begin a
new institution which anyone,
irrespective of caste, creed, gender or
nationality, could attend. Construction
was started in October 2007 and
completed in April 2010. His Holiness
gave his blessing, and the name School
of Snowland Tibetan Studies.
In April 2010, teachings began after a
brief Rabney ceremony. For three days
great Buddhist masters - Geshe
Ngarampa Tenzin Sangay, Geshe
Ngarampa Tsering Tashi and Geshe
Ngarampa Yeshi Wangzin - taught 170
students from Bylakuppe and Gurupura
schools and 85 lay people from
Rabgayling settlement.
In May 2010, a month-long Buddhism
and Tibetan-language teaching was
given to Central School for Tibetans and
Gurupura students, with prizes awarded
to rank holders. In June 2010, lay people
from local settlements attended teachings
in two groups - each group representing
six villages. In July and August 2010,
classes where held for local lay people
every Sunday.
The interview article and photos sent by
Thupten Lobsang from South India on
27 August 2010.
Newly established Gyudmed Tantric School in Hunsur, Mysore, SOuth India Photo: TPI
His Holiness Begins Teaching Tour of Himachal
Dhakpo Shedrup Ling monastery in Kais, Kulu district of Himachel Pradesh. Photo: TPI
Report by YC. Dhardhowa, translated by Yangsham&Matthew,, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama
began his teaching tour of Himachal
Pradesh this afternoon, with an address to
thousands of devotees at Dhakpo Shedrup
Ling monastery in Kais, District Kullu.
He was welcomed by around 3,000
followers, including the Dhakpo Rinpoche,
Tibetan monks and lay people, and
devotees from France, Singapore,
Indonesia, Holland, Malaysia and India.
The 75-year-old Nobel laureate greeted the
crowd with "Tashi delek" and commended
Dhakpo Rinpoche's work on the
monastery's development, together with
its patrons' generous donations. He also
urged Dhakpo's monks to work hard at
their studies and practices, saying, "At this
plight, if we Tibetans don't love and study
Tibetan Buddhism and culture first, it is
fundamental wrong."
His Holiness spoke on Tibetan
Buddhism's ancient lineage, from Nalanda
University in India, and outlined the three
vehicles of Buddhist teachings: the
Hinayana, Maha-ya-na and Vajraya-na.
"The custom of Buddhist studies and
practices, [as it] flourished in Tibet, is one
of the best," he said.
Tomorrow, His Holiness will deliver a
discourse on the development of the heart
at the monastery then visit the handicraft
centre of Tibetan Children's Village in
Patlikuhl. His next stop will be Manali and,
on August 19, he will confer the Heruka
(Tibetan: Dechok) initiation in Jispa, Lahaul
and Spiti district, with teachings the
following day. He will then return to Manali
to teach on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37
Practices of A Boddhisatva (Tibetan:
Laklen Sodunma) on August 22.
Bylakuppe: Over 100 Tibetan monks
at Sera Je monastery received their BA
& MA diplomas in Buddhist
philosophy on Saturday (August 28).
The Venerable Tsering Phuntsok,
Tibetan minister of religion and culture,
presented the degrees at the 15th
graduation ceremony in Bylakuppe,
Karnataka state, South India.
Sera Je is one of the largest Tibetan
universities to offer BA & MA (Tibetan:
Uma and Pharshin) philosophy courses.
The graduating class have studied there
for 14 years, focusing on the
Madhyamike and Prajñaparamita.
Around 3,500 people, including top
officials of the Central Tibetan
Administration, Jangtse Cheoje
Losang
Tenzin
Rinpoche,
representatives of schools of Tibetan
Buddhism and students, attended the
convocation.
Addressing the gathering, Kalon Tripa
said remembering the monastic
community's poor living conditions at
Buxa Duar brings poignant memories,
but we feel happy to see the changes
of progress taking place now.
He said the main objective of learning
Madhyamika and Prajna Paramita
studies is to achieve a standard
learning of the major treatises of the
Buddhist teachings.