Mining in Tibet

Recent news relating to Tibet has included the latest updates concerning the Chinese mining companies attempting to extract mineral resources from Tibetan land. This problem is not new; for more than two years mining companies have been 'stealing' the natural resources from Tibetans. You can read a 2007 report relating to this matter here: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=1056.

The latest problem refers to a Chinese plan to develop a gold mine on a traditionally sacred site. Despite several weeks of Tibetan protest to the proposed mine, police and security arrived at the site during mid May. Circa 500 Tibetans cared sufficiently to group together to protect the sacred site where Tibetans have traditionally worshiped.

Contact between the local village and the villagers situated at the mine site was terminated by a cut on all their phone systems. These villagers are willing to die for making their stand to protect this sacred area. Further troops have since appeared threatening to force their way through if they need to.

One of the ways those of us who care about this situation can show our support is to sign an endorsement for a moratorium. This is being organized by 'students for a free tibet' and the link to follow if you wish to show your support is http://www.stopminingtibet.com/moratorium.php There is also further information about this issue at their website.

The climate and the economy

Over the past week and a half, items making the news in relation to Tibet have mostly centered on the worsening conditions of the country's climate and the Dalai Lama's discussion regarding the global monetary problems. The global warming problems of melting glaciers are not contained within the Artic and Antarctic regions; Tibet too is suffering, according to the Chinese Meteorological Administration.

The increasing likelihood of floods and drought is stemming from the rising temperatures that are resulting in melting glacial formations and the consequential swelling of lakes upon the Tibetan Plateau. With the localized temperature rising 0.32 degrees per decade over the past 4-5 decades, the district is one of the worst affected worldwide.

Both the Chinese Meteorological Administration and the Tibetan Regional Meteorological Bureau are in agreement that another cause for concern is the retreating permafrost in the vicinity of the railway link between the Tibetan Plateau and Qinghai Province. If neither problem is addressed in time, the loss of millions of lives and the railway link could easily lie ahead. Hopefully, this joint recognition will bring a joint response.

Meanwhile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been offering his Tibetan advice concerning another global problem - the economy - with Steve Hamm. Amongst his comments, the Dalai Lama offered the following Tibetan saying - "Nine times failure, nine times effort, without discouraging oneself." - and suggested that those hit hard by the economic crisis try to refrain from further anger and frustration. His Holiness puts the worldwide monetary crisis down to greed, and the lack of morals and ethics. He suggests that we focus less on money and more on alternative values, such as family and compassion

(Sources of information: www.tibet.net & Business Week.)

Investigation, promotion of peace, and the future leadership of Tibet

Over the past week or so, much news is pouring in concerning Tibet. The excess official chaperoning so often reported from Chinese hosts within Tibet has once again been mentioned. This time, a four-person delegation of human rights experts from Germany were left with unanswered questions, after a force-fed one-sided portrayal that everything was fine within Tibet.

Noticing a large and continual presence from the Chinese army, the quartet was forbidden the right to visit a jail whilst investigating the city of Lhasa. They noted that monks were being forced to attend 'voluntary' education campaigns aimed at Chinese patriotism. The German delegation has also discovered that there has been no accusatory evidence presented at the trials involving four Tibetans held under the sentence of death for recent fatal arson attacks. A second deputation investigated another area of Tibet, and discovered complaints of oppression due to the Chinese government.

In more harmonious and hopeful news, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been promoting peace. Last Saturday, the Dalai Lama issued a gift to Archbishop Desmond Tutu on the occasion of his receiving a spiritual leadership award from Humanity's Team in Freedom Park, Pretoria. Although proffered by his representative rather than in person, the Dalia Lama's traditional Tibetan gift of respect of a white scarf was symbolic of both peace and respect. This closely follows another recent event, where Archbishop Tutu and FW De Klerk opted out of a peace conference when the South African government refused to issue His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a visa. The peace conference was subsequently canceled.

Since January 2000, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa has also been in exile from Tibet. He recently spoke with Jaideep Sarin from the Indo-Asian News Service, stating his wish to return to Tibet someday, providing there was sufficient freedom. The question of his possible leadership of the Tibetan community pursuant to the eventual passing of His Holiness leads supporters and Tibetans alike to take another look at Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who confirmed the previous system of choosing reincarnations was in need of an upgrade to address the current situation of Tibetans living both within and without of Tibet and showing his acceptance of a recently made decision that high profile lama reincarnations might only be taken from the exiled population.

Information source: http://www.tibet.net

Thank You, India

For fifty years, India has been home not only to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but also to many thousand of the Tibetan exiles. At the end of March, the Dalai Lama offered 'Thank You India Address on the Occasion of 50 Years in Exile', posted in full at http://www.tibet.net/. Within his speech, His Holiness offered his own thank you message to India, (Quote) 'On behalf of all Tibetans, both those inside and those outside Tibet, I fervently wish to express our profound gratitude by saying “Thank You” over and over again to you, the people and government of India.'

Along with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, supporters of Tibet around the world can offer their own thank you to India in a number of ways. India has given long-term support to Tibetan exiles, and anybody with an interest in the Tibetan situation can offer their ongoing support to India as a thank you. Here are a few suggestions that you might wish to consider:

* On one night of each week, have an Indian meal for dinner. This can be done by purchasing 'made in India' groceries or ready-made meals from an Indian or Asian supermarket. If the food has been made in India that is where some of the money will end up, further supporting the Indian Government for their decision to assist the Tibetans.

* Whether purchased at a store or online, many items that are made in India come directly from India. Purchasing such items will increase the Indian economy and show your thanks to India for their having given so much to Tibet. Items such as clothing, incense, Yoga accessories, spices, movies, and books are examples of products that can be bought directly from India to show your gratitude to India.

* Visit India for your next overseas vacation. This is a great way to give direct financial assistance and tourist support to a country that has shown its continued assistance to Tibetan refugees. Not only can you thank India for its humane stance, but also you can learn more about the country, and perhaps additionally meet with some of the Tibetan population now living there.

* Letters to your government and local council showing your support for trade deals with India and an interest in making purchases from India are a cheaper way to say 'thank you' to India. Many of these can be sent by email, making them a free offering on the part of an individual, leading towards financial and political benefit for a country that has given to Tibet when its very own were in need.

Tibetan monk shares life story

Arjia Rinpoche escaped from what he called a “political asylum” in Tibet in 1998. Since 2006, he has been in Bloomington promoting Buddhist teachings, educating the community about Tibetan and Mongolian cultural events, and telling his life story to those who will listen.

On Wednesday, Rinpoche shared his story with students in Swain Hall East. He said his life is the inspiration for an upcoming memoir.

Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of the father of Lama Tsong Khapa, the great thirteenth-century Buddhist reformer, and as such became the Abbot of Kumbum Monastery in eastern Tibet.

He said his eventual move to Bloomington began in 1958 at age seven when the Chinese Communist government had a political campaign called “The Great Leap Forward.”

“My teachers, my tutors and people who taught me all I know about Buddhism were arrested,” Rinpoche said. “Monks were de-robed and became social workers and coal miners.”

He said the Dalai Lama, whom he met for the first time in 1954, escaped from Tibet in the 1960s when issues with the government weren’t getting better. He said he worked under the Panchen Lama, who was denounced by the Chinese government for being “contra-revolutionary.”

Rinpoche said he worked with the Kumbum Monastery in eastern Tibet and promoted spiritual leadership until 1998.

He then fled to a Chinese airport and flew to New York where he met the Dalai Lama once again. The Dalai Lama encouraged him to spread Buddhist teachings in America. Later, Rinpoche renovated the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington.

Rinpoche concluded his presentation with photos he had taken and said he edited in Photoshop. He created captions for each one that he said gave voice to his ultimate missions.

One reads “Wishing for Democracy in China,” while another reads “Wishing for compassion and compromise. Not confrontation and conflict.”

During a question-and-answer session after his presentation, Rinpoche was asked if he would go back to China if something happened there.

“My hope is after 10 years, I can go back,” he responded. “If something happens, like a war, my monastery, my monks are all still there.”

Students who attended Rinpoche’s presentation said they believed he had a lot to offer Bloomington.

“It is cool to learn of someone who was raised like that on a special path, has evolved as a spiritual leader,” junior Ben Fearnow said.

For sophomore Jamie Hammond, Rinpoche’s visit was more of a cultural experience.

“Seeing something like this gives a chance to become more worldly and to learn about an experience different from what you normally experience,” she said.

 By  Mickey Woods | IDS 
Photo by Ryan Dorgan | IDS
Story from: http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=67301