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Posts Tagged ‘Free Tibet’


The world can no longer turn a blind eye to the fact that 119 Tibetans have chosen to sacrifice their lives by burning themselves to death as a way to call attention to the misery of the Tibetan people. Voice of America has recently released a new, one hour documentary that uncovers the reasons why Tibetans are going to such extreme measures. The film, Fire in the Land of Snow, combines smuggled videos, first-hand accounts and interviews. It provides an in-depth and comprehensive look at the recent history of Tibet and the powerful forces that lie at the heart of one of the largest waves of political self-immolations in history. In English.

Especially for Buddhists, it is important not to shy away from this disturbing tragedy by glibly blaming the Tibetan’s bad karma. Of course, karma is the underlying cause for the current crisis, however, does not mean that we should not do anything. To remain silent is to support the Chinese government’s policy of cultural genocide in Tibet. I believe that there is room for creative, intelligent, non-violent actions particularly on the part of the international community that can change the situation in Tibet for the better.  Each small, individual act we take with a pure motivation will accumulate and turn the tide.

A good starting point is to watch the VOA documentary and get educated.

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98 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009 in protest of the Chinese government’s political and military crack down. Just recently, a seven teen year old boy, Jigjey Kyab, ingested poison and then set himself on fire. He swallowed the poison to ensure that he would die and not fall in the hands of the Chinese police. According to phayul.com, “In earlier instances, surviving Tibetan self-immolators have suffered amputations of all limbs, verbal abuse, interrogations, and maltreatment by doctors and Chinese officials at the hospitals. The condition of more than a dozen Tibetan self-immolators remains unknown.”

On March 18 and 19, 2013, Tibetan-Americans and friends of Tibet are invited to Washington, DC for the Fifth Annual Tibet Lobby Day.  This is an important opportunity for Tibet supporters to explain the current situation to our Congressmen. For more information, please contact your local Tibet group or contact ICT advocacy team at lobbyday@savetibet.org or ICT at (202) 785-1515. Details and registration are online.

In memory of the 98 Tibetans who took their own lives and for their surviving families and all the people in Tibet, please do your part.

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Tickets for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speaking engagements in the U.S. have sold out very quickly, often within minutes or hours of when they went on sale. Clearly, Americans are interested in His Holiness’ teachings on love and compassion.

It is truly wonderful that Americans have abundant opportunities to see His Holiness. In contrast, Tibetans in Tibet are burning themselves to death. Tibetans can be imprisoned for owning a small photo of His Holiness and, of course, they cannot receive teachings from him in Tibet.

While Tibetan Buddhist groups seem to be popping up on every street corner in the US,  interest in the Buddhist community about the preservation of Tibet’s culture and religious freedom does not seem to be increasing. I recently attended several pro Tibet events in Washington D.C., and there were very few non-Tibetans.

China definitely pays attention to who attends these events. Chinese spies estimate the size of the crowds. Rumor has it that being photographed at a protest gets your name on the black list for travel to Tibet. A suspicious Chinese individual was spotted at an event with the Gaden monks that was sponsored by the Guhyasamaja Center.

Over 50 TIbetans have self immolated since February 2009. Imagine that out of desperation, you burn yourself to death, and no one cares. Mainstream media has paid little attention to the burnings. Similarly, the American Buddhist community has paid little attention to the burnings.

As Buddhists who are followers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it is our responsibility and moral obligation to do all we can to help stop the cultural genocide in Tibet, to protect the Tibetan people, and to preserve the Buddha’s teachings for everyone to share.

This is putting the teachings into practice. After all, we want a Fifteenth Dalai Lama, don’t we?

Lend a hand:

http://savetibet.org/

https://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/

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Please show your support for Tibet!

( source: http://savetibet.org/action-center/events )

Torch Relay across North America to Highlight Crisis in Tibet Flame of Truth Relay
September 2 to December 10, 2012

WHO: Tibetan-Americans and Tibet supporters

WHAT: Solidarity March for Tibet

WHEN: September 2, 2012 (1pm – 4pm)

WHY: The worldwide Flame of Truth Relay was launched by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, based in Dharamsala, India, on July 6, 2012, the birthday of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and carries the message of the people in Tibet to the world – including the tragedy of 49 Tibetan self-immolations since February 2009 – to urge an appropriate response from the United Nations to the current crisis situation.

DETAILS:
12:00 Noon: Assemble at Dupont Circle

1:00 pm: Procession to start towards Freedom Plaza, via Connecticut Ave, turning south on 17th, through closed off portion of Pennsylvania, to Freedom Plaza.

1:40 pm: Arrive Freedom Plaza – Speakers include,

  • T Kumar, Amnesty International
  • Harry Wu, Laogai Foundation
  • Rebiya Kadeer, Uyghur World Congress
  • Lobsang Nyandak, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
  • Tashi Namgyal, Member of Tibetan Parliament

2:30 pm: Procession to continue east towards 13th st, turning to Pennsylvania till it meets Constitution, turning right on Constitution to Washington Monument Grounds.

3:00 pm: Arrive Washington Monument Grounds – Program begins after National Anthems. Disperse at 4pm.
Contact: Mr. Karma Zurkhang, President, Capital Area Tibetan Association :: (703) 554-4956

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Tamding That, a father of three sons, self-immolated on June 15 in Amdo, Eastern Tibet. His last words were:

“I take refuge in the Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
With the hope that peace prevails on earth,
With the yearning for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his land,
For Tibet to be ruled by Tibetans, I set my body on fire as an offering of light.”

(source: Phayul.com)

In addition, two more Tibetans Ngawang Norphel, 22 and Tenzin Khedup, 24 self-immolated this week in Kham.  According to Phayul.com, with Tenzin Khedup and Ngawang Norphel’s self-immolation protests today, as many as 42 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009, demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet.

(source:  http://phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Breaking%3a+Two+Tibetans+self-immolate+calling+for+Tibet’s+independence&id=31621)

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A short article appears on the Voice of America website about His Holiness’s meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi on June 19, 2012 in London.

More coverage about their interview is available on His Holiness’s website.

It’s heart warming to see His Holiness together with Aung San Suu Kyi both of whom have made so many personal sacrifices in the name of peace.

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Here’s the link to my article in the Washington Post On Faith section with some thoughts about what it means to be an engaged Buddhist in the 21st century. Or really, what does it mean to be Buddhist? Can you call yourself Buddhist if you are not out there serving your community?

Please feel free to share your comments.

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“What I want to convey here is the concern of the six million Tibetans. At a time when we are making our final move toward our goal – if you have money, it is the time to spend it; if you are educated it is the time to produce results; if you have control over your life, I think the day has come to sacrifice your life. The fact that Tibetan people are setting themselves on fire in this 21st century is to let the world know about their suffering, and to tell the world about the denial of basic human rights. If you have any empathy, stand up for the Tibetan people.”

Jamphel Yeshi self-immolated on March 26 and passed away March 28 in New Delhi, India

“Jamphel Yeshi’s sacrifice was an act of the highest order of service to one’s country and people. He knew exactly what he wanted to tell us Tibetans and the world that freedom is the basis of happiness for all living beings”.  Dhondup Lhadar, vice-president of Tibetan Youth Congress. (source: Phayul.com)

Join us at the Prayer Vigil for Tibet, Friday, April 6 at the International Campaign for Tibet, 1825 Jefferson Place, NW, Washington D.C.  The Gaden Jangtse monks led by Geshe Dorji Wangchuk will offer the Lama Chopa puja beginning at 6:30 pm, this will be followed by a procession to Lafayette Park. Co-sponsors: ICT, American University – Students for Tibet, Capital Area Tibetan Association, Guhyasamaja Center.

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Lama Soepa Rinpoche recorded a statement that in many ways encapsulates all of the Buddha’s teachings and explains why he took his own life.  His voice is calm and matter of fact. The silence that follows the end of the recording is chilling. A short excerpt:

I am giving away my body as an offering of light to chase away the darkness, to free all beings from suffering, and to lead them – each of whom has been our mother in the past and yet has been led by ignorance to commit immoral acts – to the Amitabha, the Buddha of infinite light. My offering of light is for all living beings, even as insignificant as lice and nits, to dispel their pain and to guide them to the state of enlightenment. I offer this sacrifice as a token of long-life offering to our root guru His Holiness the Dalai Lama and all other spiritual teachers and lamas….(prayers)… I am taking this action neither for myself nor to fulfill a personal desire nor to earn an honor. I am sacrificing my body with the firm conviction and a pure heart just as the Buddha bravely gave his body to a hungry tigress (to stop her from eating her cubs).

Link to the full English translation of his teaching and the audio recording on the Students for a Free Tibet website. Please do what you can to stop the killing in Tibet: support Senate Resolution 356 affirming US support for Tibet.

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Dear all,
(source: Capital Area Tibet Assoc. email)
As urged by the Kalon Tripa, to show solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet, Tibetans and friends around the world will be participating in a global vigil on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Tibetan Association of Charlottesville, Capital Area Tibetan Youth Congress and CATA will be also together joining the world wide movement. Please join us with your family and friends in traditional Tibetan attire on this occasion. Don’t forget to bring along a half face black mask.
Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
Date: February 8, 2012
Location: China’s Embassy
Address: 3505 International Place, N.W.,
Washington DC 20008
Nearest Metro Location: Van Ness UDC Metro

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