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A Young Tibetan Dies in Latest Tibet Self-immolation Protest

27-year-old Man Dies after Self-Immolation in Amdho: Tibet

I n t e r n a t i o n a l

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A Messa ge For T he Voiceless

Vol. 02, Issue 75, 31 September 2012

If Stop Repression, Self-immolation will Stop

B o d - K y i - Cha- Trin

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama Commences Teachings to Korean Guests By: Samuel Ivor, Tibet Post International

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the Regional Council of Piemonte in Torino, Italy, on 26 October 2012/Photos/Office of Tibet By: CTA Media: Tibet Net

Torino, 26 October: Today two Tibetans self-immolated in Tibet.

It is the 5th incident in less than 7 days. The total number of Tibetans who have self-immolated since February 2009 is now 60.

"Stop the repression and self-immolation would stop," said Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay during his address to the Regional Council of Piemonte, Torino, Italy.

There is no space for protest in Tibet, thus the Tibetans are resorting to self-immolation. In late June, a 17-year-old girl named Jigme Dolma protested in Kardze region of eastern Tibet. The Chinese security forces beat her and two months later, she was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

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Twelve Tibetan Monks Arrested in Dzachukha

The image from Tibet showing, hundreds of armed paramilitary forces were deployed in Sershul Dzachukha of eastern Tibet, on October 16, 2012. Photo: TPI By: YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Chinese authroties have detained twelve Tibetan monks in connection with a Tibetan flag raising protest in the Sershul Dzachukha county of Eastern Tibet.

Lhudup, who is around 40 years old monk from Wonpo monasery was arrested by Chinese police on October 18, 2012 after dozens of Chinese police arrived at the monastery. Lhudup normally looks after the electronics and machines of the monastery.

Lobsang Dupsal and Lobsang Tharchin were arrest on the afternoon of the same day. The authorities took away their documents with 30 articles in the Tibetan language after raiding their rooms.

In October 2012, the authorities arrested seven monks from the monastery, including Sozang, the clerk of the monastery, Sonyi, a teacher, and Wangyal.

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Dharamshala: Commencing the first of three days of teachings to a group of Korean disciples, His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet introduced Chapter 24 of ‘Nagarjuna's Fundamental Treatise of the Middle Way’ on October 29th 2012 in the Main Temple, Dharamshala, India.

The Korean guests, which numbered almost 1000,were treated to clear skies upon their visit to the Tibetan exile community; nestled scenically in the foothills of the Himalayas. Warmly addressing the audience, which was filled with a mixture of Tibetans adorning colourful traditional garments (chubas), international tourists from 62 different countries, monks, nuns and almost 200 Indian guests, His Holiness the Dalai Lama opened by giving an insightful introduction into Buddhism itself.

The revered spiritual leader highlighted key topics such as the need to develop peace of mind within oneself, the importance of non-violent action, and highlighted the commonalities that we all share, stating: “We must acknowledge the sameness of human beings”.

His Holiness also addressed key Buddhist teaching frameworks, such as the Four Noble Truths, adding that one must not take His teachings for granted, but to logically question and test what is taught with reason. He added: “Texts need to be studied; not simply kept on an altar. Although we can use Buddhist texts as objects of veneration, we must examine the subject matter of Buddhism through reason and logic”.

An emphasis was also made by His Holiness for followers to not simply to avoid violent actions and negative emotions, but to actively develop and foster a positive, altruistic approach to life. He highlighted the nature of interdependency; the notion of Dependent Origination being unique to Buddhism as a religion, and the manner of cause and effect when studied carefully and critically.

An insight into the nature of attachment was also made by His Holiness, who conveyed: “When you see a beautiful thing, you can become attached to it. When you see something ugly, aversion can occur. It is not only the subject, but you, who finds things the way they are.

One creates attachment and aversion themselves”.

Additionally, He added that when you experience anger, it is not simply the object or the person creating the majority of the negative emotion; rather it is created within oneself. Drawing upon scientific research, His Holiness highlighted that 90% of

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives at the main Tibetan temple, as 3 days of teachings to Korean devotees commence today, Dharamshala, India, on October 29, 2012. Photo: TPI/Artemas Liu

the negative feeling towards the person or object is projected by the individual.

Amid generous helpings of Tibetan tea served by the resident monks, and amid a buoyant atmosphere, His Holiness drew the afternoon session to a close by introducing the text: Chapter 24 of Nagarjuna's Fundamental Treatise of the Middle Way. Nagarjunawho lived between 150 and 250 CE, was an important Buddhist philosopher and teacher, credited with founding the MadhyamakaSchool Buddhism and developing the ‘Two Truths’ doctrine.

His Holiness expressed His happiness to the Korean guests that He was able to teachNagarjuna's Fundamental Treatise of the Middle Way, adding that it was a treasure to have the text in the form of both its Korean Tibetan translations. Having thoroughly educated and enthralled the audience, His Holiness

drew the teachings to a close at 3pm, ready for the following day.

The teachings on Nagarjuna's Fundamental Treatise of the Middle Way will continue on October 30th in the Main Temple, Dharamshala. A live webcast of the event is available from Tibetan to Korean, English, Chinese and Russian at: dalailama.com/liveweb.

China's Policies Create Tensions in Tibet

Tibetan Political Leader Thanks Rome For Support For Education Oct. 24, 2012: U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing by Spokesperson Victoria Nuland in Washington, DC. Photo: U.S. Department of State By: YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The United States government on Wednesday voiced deep concern about the current tragic situation in Tibet and urged Chinese authorities in Tibet to take immediate steps to address the underlying grievances of the Tibetan people.

However, there is still a lack of an international pressure on China to find a lasting solution to the year after year of tragic situations in Tibet.

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Tibetan Man Self-immolates in Labrang

Vigil in Exile to Mark the Self- Immolation

Photo taken on October. 22, 2012, shows Dhondup laying down his body on the ground with flames, near the Labrang Monastery in Sangchu County, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI latest By: YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - A Tibetan layman from Labrang has set himself on fire Monday, 22 October, while shouting slogans calling for the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet, an information received by The Tibet Post International said.

Dhondup, a Tibetan layman in his 50s from Labrang, sangchu county, north-eastern Tibet, (Chinese: Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province.), set himself on fire Monday morning (9.47am, local Tibet time), October 22, 2012," according to sources inside Tibet.

"Within a few minutes, Chinese security forces and police arrived at the scene, doused the still fierce flames, and took him away," according to Tibetan sources in exile in touch with Tibetans in the Sangchu area.

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Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay’s Public talk at the Rome Provincial government. Photo: tibet.net

By CTA Offical Media: tibet.net

Rome, 24 October: "Your support for education of Tibetans will help the future of Tibet and in fulfilling the aspirations of Tibetans in Tibet", said Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay at a public talk at the Rome Provincial Government.

The Tibetan Community in Italy, AREF International Onlus and other Tibet related organisations hosted the public talk. The Rome Provincial Government provided financial support for students at the Centre for Teacher Education at Bhuntar, India.

In his address, Dr Sangay said he appreciates the support by the Tibet related organisations in Italy. This support is vital in keeping the issue of Tibet alive. "Your support is deeply appreciated," he said.

Speaking about the present situation in Tibet, the Tibetan Political leader said that during the last seven days, four Tibetans in Tibet have self-immolated. He reiterated that he urged Tibetans not to take such drastic actions.

The reasons the Tibetans have self-immolated are due to the Chinese government's systematic repression of Tibetan religion, language and culture, and forced resettlement of Tibetan nomads in Tibet.

On his arrival at the Rome Provincial Government, Mr Nicola Zingaretti, President of Rome Provincial Government received Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay. During their meeting Mr. Zingaretti, who had met His Holiness the Dalai Lama and also visited Dharamsala, enquired about the present situation in Tibet.

Candlelight prayer vigil in Mceoldganj, Dharamshala, on 20 October 2012. Photo:TPI By: Samuel Ivor, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Observing the latest in a wave of self-immolations this month, the Tibetan exile community marked the latest loss of life within Tibet by lining the streets of Dharamshala on the evening of October 20th with a candlelight prayer vigil.

27 year old LhamoKyap self-immolated in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet on October 20th 2012 at around 2 o'clock (local See Page 6 ...

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The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

Power of Truth Is Stronger Than Guns: His Holiness Told NBC

VIEWS & ANALYSIS

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

Rinchen Dolma From Sikkim Wins Miss Himalaya 2012 Title

By The Tibet Post Intetnational

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is interviewed by NBC’s Ann Curry during his October 2012 Visit to Syracuse, New York, USA. Photo: NBC

By CTA Media: Tibet Net

New York: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was interviewed by NBC's Ann Curry during his October 2012 Visit to Syracuse, New York, USA. The interview was originally broadcast on 11 October. Excerpts: Ann Curry, NBC: More than sixty Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the three years, expressing a desire for greater religious freedoms and a desire to be able to speak their own language? Their deaths have brought no change from the Chinese. Have they died for nothing?

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: It is difficult to judge whether these kind of methods are right or wrong.

They are expressing in a non-violent way regarding the Chinese policies [in Tibet].

Ann Curry: One young Tibetan set himself on fire two days ago left an online statement that read: "If we reflect on the past we can see nothing but signs of defeat, anger, anguish and tears." What should your people do to express these feelings? Do you support their decisions to set themselves on fire?

Do you want them stop setting themselves on fire?

His Holiness: I always consider myself as the free spokesman of the Tibetan people, and not their boss. My boss is actually the six million Tibetans in Tibet. I am in free country and quite comfortable.

But they are passing through a very desperate situation, so they take these decisions. I am quite certain that those who sacrificed their lives with sincere motivation, for Buddha dharma and for the wellbeing of the people, from the Buddhist or religious view points, is positive. But if these acts are carried out with full anger and hatred, then it is wrong. So it is difficult to judge. But it is really very sad, very very sad.

Ann Curry: Through out history, the least powerful are repressed by the powerful. And in some cases, the powerless fight.

His Holiness: The struggle, which we are carrying out, is a struggle between power of truth and the power of gun. For short term, the power of gun is

much stronger, but in the long run, the power of truth is more stronger than power of gun. That is my fundamental belief. I am not admiring the United States' military power, including nuclear weapons. I really admire the United States' moral principle, democracy, freedom and liberty. I admire these things, which are the source of the American power and not weapon.

Ann Curry: In the region of Tibet how long they might ask is this going take their setting themselves on fire out of desperation?

His Holiness: Six million Tibetans and so long the Tibetan people remain, the Tibetan spirit will carry on. Now judging the past 60 years' event much has changed in China. I think the next 6o years will see more changes. The world's trend is towards democracy, openness and freedom. Now matter how powerful the People's Republic of China, it cannot go backward, it has to go along with the world trend.

The basic human desire from the birth is that every human being has the right to be free, and not force can stop this. Ultimately the People's Republic of China become a more open society, more democratic institution, with freedom of press. 1.3 billion Chinese people have every right to know the reality. Once they know the reality, they also have the ability is judge what is right and wrong. Therefore censorship on their own people is immoral.

Ann Curry: You can speak to world leaders, you have influence. If there is one thing you can do for your people, what would it be?

His Holiness: Just one word - freedom. Complete freedom, with meaningful autonomy, about matters of religion, culture, and education among others.

The defence and foreign affairs are up to the Chinese central government.

Ann Curry: Next month there is going to be a change for China, it will have a new leader, Xi Jinping. How are hopeful?

His Holiness: It is difficult to say. I do not create some kind of speculation. Better wait for six months, one year or two years, then we will see.

A book on Tibet’s History of Independence and Occupation launched

Russian Writer’s book on Tibet’s History of Independence and Occupation launched online. Photo: File

By CTA Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - The English version of ‘Hidden Tibet: History of Independence and Occupation', a book penned by Russian writer Dr S.L. Kuzmin, has been made available online. (Click here to read) The book was released by Sikyong Dr Lobsang

Sangay at a function organised by the publisher, Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, in Dharamsala in April this year.

Sikyong (English: Tibetan political leader) said the book is neither pro-Tibet nor anti-China. "It is an unbiased book which depicts a complete evidence based history of Tibet's relation with the different dynasties that ruled China," he said.

The Tibetan political leader also welcomed the efforts made by Dr Kuzmin as well as many other western intellectuals to create more awareness about Tibet through books, adding, it helps disseminate more information on the current situation inside Tibet.

"The idea for the book began with his goal to analyse the history of Tibet from the point of view of ‘what was Tibet?' You find contradicting views in different sources, especially between the official Chinese academic books and the Tibetan documents," Dr Kuzmin added.

"So I compared and analysed these documents including some independent views from various intellectuals to conclude what was Tibet," Dr Kuzmin had said.

"Tibet is an occupied country which used to be an independent nation before. The only relationship that Tibet used to have with the Yuan and Qing dynasties were Priest-Patron relation," he added.

The book was earlier published in both Russian and Mongolian. It is being translated into Chinese.

Dharamshala: - Rinchen Dolma, 23-year-old Himalayan girl from Sikkim was crowned the Miss Himalaya 2012 in the Himalayan town of McLeod Ganj on Saturday night. She is a final-year college student from Chandigarh, was determined the winner among the five contestants by a panel of three judges, organiser said.

After winning the Miss Himalaya crown, she said, "Goals are brain work and foot work; dreams are heart work."

"I have always followed my dream. Today I am feeling proud and honoured to achieve the title Miss Himalaya 2012. I want to thank my family who were always there to support me to overcome every hurdle in life. I would also like to thank the organisers for giving us such a beautiful opportunity.

"Additionally, I would like to convey this message to all the youngsters that it is not only about winning or losing but it's about gaining an unforgettable experience and meeting wonderful people."

According to the event organisers, the show began with a performance of Snow Lion and Yak dance before a backdrop of a snow mountain range.

The Director of the pageant introduced the idea and the mission of the Miss Himalaya Pageant event. During gathering, a tribute of solidarity was paid to the Tibetans who died for freedom of Tibet.

A minute's silence was also observed to express public support and solidarity with the people of Tibet.

The contestants then took to the stage for their Introduction round. This was followed by the presentation of the Traditional costume round. In the final Interview round, the judges asked different questions to the contestants. The pageant concluded with a modest coronation ceremony and presentation of awards.

Rinchen Dolma, the winner of Miss Himalaya Pageant 2012, waves after winning the crown in McLeod Ganj, India, on 13 October 2012. Photo: www.misshimalaya.com

US Ambassador Gary Locke Visited Ngaba, North-eastern Tibet

By Sophie Jay, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: -The United States (US) Ambassador to China has visited Ngaba - the epicentre of the spate of self- immolations by Tibetans protesting Chinese rule in their country.

According to the US State Department, Ambassador Gary Locke met government officials and residents during a visit to Ngaba county, in north-eastern Tibet, last month.

During a press briefing in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, October, 16, US State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, described how Ambassador Locke visited villages and monasteries to: "learn more about how Tibetan people live and work, and to have a chance to talk to them."

The majority of the 55 self-immolations in Tibet since February 2009, of which at least 45 were fatal, took place in Ngaba, home to Kirti monastery, of which several of those who set themselves alight were monks and former monks.

All the self-immolaters shouted slogans demanding freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Urging "better dialogue" between China and Tibet, Ms Nuland said: "We have grave concerns about self-immolations in Tibet and about the underlying grievances that the Tibetan people have.

"We have consistently urged dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Tibetan people with regard to those grievances."

Asked whether Ambassador Locke plans to share the experience of his visit with Congressional

US Ambassador to China nominee Gary Locke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 26, 2011, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination/Associated Press Photo

leaders and Tibetan communities in the US, Ms Nuland said: "Whenever we have members of Congress visiting China, they are always briefed

by Ambassador Locke.

The various human rights issues in Tibet always come up, and he shares his impression and they talk together about how to raise these issues with the Chinese Government.

"He's not shy about that. If the Congress is

interested in his trip, I'm sure that he will address any questions they have."

The announcement follows the publication on October 10 of a US Congressional report on China, which warned that a key communist party official's recommendation that the Chinese government should abolish ethnic minority status could "adversely affect the Tibetan people's cultural and linguistic identity."

Twelve Tibetan Monks Arrested in Dzachukha of Tibet Update ...... Continued from front page "A total of twelve Tibetan monks of Wonpo monastery have been detained, including five monks on Monday, 15th October.

"Dividing monks into two groups, an investigation was carried out by the authorities on Friday afternoon, 19th October to search those who drew the Tibetan national flag and wrote slogans on the leaflets. They invsgated the each and every monk by looking at their handwritting," said Jampa.

"A member from each family were ordered to attend a meeting on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012, but authorities did not mention to them what the meeting was about," said Ven Jampa Yonten from Sera Monastery in South India, (citing sources from inside).

"On October 15, 2012, Monday night, several armed Chinese police and paramilitary forces arrived in the County and blocked the exits and cut all communication channels.

"The authorities also warned the local Tibetans

against carrying out protests during political reeducation sessions, which they said will be carried out in the area soon," Jampa said.

"However, it seems, the military forces already pulled back from the region," he added.

According to sources from inside Tibet, "the Chinese authorities had imposed heavy restrictions on Tibetans in the county, after pulling down a Chinese flag at a school in the area, raising the Tibetan national flag and distributing leaflets calling for Tibet's freedom."

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

TPI NEWS

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Honored for Promoting World Peace

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is presented with an honorary doctorate in liberal humanities from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT, on 19 October 2012. Photo/WCSU

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: On October 19, His Holiness the Dalai Lama received two honorary degrees from Amercian colleges. In the morning, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by James Schmotter, president of Western Connecticut State University, in recognition of his humanitarian work and to celebrate his dedication to promoting world peace. Three students, one Tibetan, one Chinese, and one Indian, participated in the presentation.

The Hollywod actor Richard Gere introduced His Holiness to an audience of 3,500, speaking of the fragility of our lives, the softness of our hearts and the good fortune of His Holiness' presence.

His Holiness briefly outlined his life commitments: the promotion of human values to solve human problems and the fostering of inter-religious harmony. He said all religions convey the same message of love and compassion and that it is possible for religious practitioners to live together peaceably, as is demonstrated in India.

"I appreciate this honorary degree," he said, "especially as I haven't studied to earn it. The first time I received such a degree was in 1956 from the Sanskrit University in Varanasi, India."

based on having a sense of loving kindness - that if we feel an urge to do harm, we must restrain ourselves and practise self-discipline and thus protect ourselves in our own interests.

In the afternoon, around 600 Chinese students, artists, academics and other professionals gathered at Hunter College, New York City, to listen to His Holiness. College president Jennifer Raab awarded him a second honorary doctorate in liberal humanities in recognition of his work in spreading peace and compassion in the world.

"I appreciate receiving this degree," said His Holiness, "not because I attach any importance to myself, but because it is a recognition of my small contribution to humanity, which gives me encouragement.

"Thank you. I assure you that for the next 20 or 30 years my body, speech and mind will continue to be dedicated to the well-being of others. I will continue to try to spread awareness that warm-heartedness is important for peace - a secular approach based on common sense and scientific findings."

The spiritual then joined a panel consisting of Ming Xia, Professor of Political Science, and Ho-Fung

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is presented with an honorary degree from Hunter College in New York, NY, on 19 October 2012. Photo/Sonam Zoksang

Beginning his talk on Advice for Daily Life, His Holiness said, "I usually share with my friends the suggestion that we should not place all our hopes for a happy life on money, material development and its values.

"I know some very well-off, well-educated people who have all they need, yet remain unhappy. I believe that to ensure that individuals, families and society are happy, we need to encourage a full education system that includes instruction about inner values."

His Holiness explained that inner peace entails remaining calm whatever is going on around you, that it is linked to self-confidence and a calm mind and that without it we easily develop a sense of insecurity, fear and mistrust, to counter which we need a sense of concern for others.

"We need to think along these lines in our daily lives," he said. "Inner peace depends on warmheartedness and concern for others' well being. This is in our own interest. When you get up in the morning, promise yourself to follow this aim.

"At the end of the day, review how you did. If you did well, rejoice, if you made a mistake, criticise yourself and resolve not to repeat it. Over days, weeks and months these moral principles will become part of your life."

The Nobel Peace Prize winner reiterated that love and compassion, tolerance and forgiveness are all

Hung, Associate Professor of Sociology, and moderated by Professor Peter Kwong.

"Brothers and sisters in general and Chinese brothers and sisters in particular," said His Holiness, "I'm very happy to meet such a large number of you once again. When I came before I still bore political responsibility for Tibet, but now I have completely retired - although it's not possible for me to retire from being Dalai Lama."

He continued that he considers himself to be one among the seven billion human beings on the planet, none of whom want problems and all seven billion of whom want to lead a peaceful life.

"I want a happy life and you want a happy life. The more you become concerned about others, the greater your inner strength. Too often we are beset by suspicion, mistrust, jealousy, fear and anger. But once you begin to regard others as your brothers and sisters, you develop a sense of self-confidence.

You can be more transparent, which brings trust, friendship and a more harmonious society. " His Holiness remarked that China and Tibet have long and close links and that both have to live side by side. He said that Tibetans need Chinese help to develop, but Chinese too need help. He continued that Tibetans have a rich tradition of Buddhism and the person who played the principal role in introducing Buddhism to Tibet, Shantarakshita, was a leading philosopher and logician.

H.H THE DALAI LAMA

The Tibet Post International

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His Holiness The Dalai Lama of Tibet Continues Six-State US Tour

By Amy Ruben, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Continuing his six-state US tour, the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness The Dalai Lama stopped in Middlebury, VT, on 13 Oct., to give a speech on finding common ground ethics for a whole world.

His Holiness was introduced by his old friend Senator Patrick Leahy. Leahy praised His Holiness not only for his determined promotion of nonviolence but also for his unflinching pragmatism.

"Firstly, I want to say a few words to the respected Senator. I was 16 when I lost my freedom, 24 when I lost my country, so my life has been quite difficult and yet throughout that time the people on Capitol Hill have shown a consistent support for freedom, liberty, democracy and the rule of law. The United States is the greatest democratic country and the leader of the free world. There may be an economic crisis now, but we will eventually recover from it.

You have great creativity - the US must succeed. I want to thank you for your long-standing and stalwart friendship," says the Dalai Lama.

When asked about whether he encouraged visits to Tibet, His Holiness replied that he always encourages any help in the fields of education and health care in Tibet. He also feels it is good for foreigners to visit Tibet to see the situation for themselves and to report back when they return. It is also good for Tibetans' morale to feel that they are not alone. In addition, he said it's important to make friends with Chinese students and business people and raise their awareness about Tibet. Once they understand the truth, their support for the Tibetan cause grows.

In seeking to create a happy world, His Holiness said, our approach must be realistic. "If it is unrealistic, it will not bear fruit. To understand reality, we have to look from different angles, from a distance as well as close up."

On 14 Oct., His Holiness was greeted on arrival in Boston, MA, by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and Ven. Tenzin Priyadarshi, Founder and Director, The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and transformative values.

In a meeting with the Deans of Admission of several Universities and Schools in the greater Boston area, His Holiness was asked about his philosophy of education.

"Every sentient being, beings who have experience of pleasure or pain, has a desire to live a happy life.

Human beings have a brain that allows them to see that some emotions are destructive, while others are helpful," said His Holiness. The Dalai Lama noted that we tend to focus on appearances; however, there is often a gap between appearance and reality.

"Education's role is to help us bridge that gap and help us cultivate a more realistic approach to whatever we do," said His Holiness.

When asked why it is important that TIbetans become experts in various fields, His Holiness answered, "In order to be able to take responsibility for protecting Tibetan culture and the environment."

His Holiness also mentioned that Tibet is referred to as the "Third Pole," because of its significance as the source of rivers that provide water for about one billion people across Asia. For this reason, Tibet's fragile natural environment needs preserving, as does Tibet's peaceful and compassionate culture. Education can further these goals.

Continuing his tour in Boston, His Holiness attended the Global Systems 2.0 Forum on 15 Oct, a day-long multidisciplinary forumas part of programs at The As a result, His Holiness said, Tibetan Buddhism consists of a very thorough understanding of Buddhist philosophy, logic, epistemology and the workings of the mind, and it is on the basis of this knowledge that he considers Tibetans may be able to help Chinese.

However, he said, while Buddhism may make a contribution to creating a more truthful and compassionate society, religion alone may not achieve change, adding that that also requires reliance on common sense and scientific findings, and encouragement of the development of warmheartedness here and now.

His Holiness referred to this approach as secular ethics, which gives impartial respect to all religions, rather than their dismissal. He noted that the egalitarian values of original Marxism focused on the uplift of the poor and equal distribution of wealth, that the means of production have been spoiled by a lack of moral principles and that work needs to be done to restore them.

"That's my number one commitment - to intricately make known that the ultimate source of happiness, joyfulness and friendship is deep in here," he said.

"Not money. Not power."

His Holiness is currently on a six-state tour of the US. During his time in New York, he also took part in a health conference at The Rockefeller University, hosted a seminar on Buddhism at Avery Fisher Hall and gave a talk on the Essence of Buddhism at the Lincoln Center.

Members of the audience listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talk on “Beyond Religion: Ethics, Values and Well-being” in Boston, MA, USA, on 14 October 2012/Photo/Sonam Zoksang

Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The forum was dedicated to exploring ethics, economics and environment in the morning, and peace, governance and diminishing resources in the afternoon.

When discussing the topic of global warming, His Holiness remembered that while he was in Tibet, he had no idea about ecological issues. He only began to be aware of them when, having been accustomed to drinking from any water source in Tibet, he was cautioned in exile to be more careful. He said, "Climate change is not like other kinds of violence that have an immediate impact.

Environmental change is not sufficiently visible.

Once it becomes obvious, it's often too late to do anything about it. This is serious. We have a responsibility to act because we have no option to move elsewhere. The moon, which looks so beautiful in the sky, and which is the object of so much poetic

admiration, would actually be a horrible place to live. Our blue planet is the only home we have."

Continuing his tour, His Holiness will give a public talk on ‘A Global Challenge: Creating a Culture of Peace' at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on October 17, followed by public talks at the Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, on 18-19 Oct. on ‘The Art of Compassion' and ‘Advice for Daily Life.'

Concluding his tour in New York, the Dalai Lama will hold a one-day discussion on ‘Contemplative Practice and Health: Laboratory Findings and Real World Challenges' at the Rockefeller University on 20 Oct. On 21 Oct., the Tibetan leader will attend the final public event of his tour at the Lincoln Center, on The Essence of Buddhism, at the request of the Tibetan and Kalmyk Communities.

For a full schedule of The Dalai Lama's talks and teachings, visit http://www.dalailama.com.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama Addresses The Forum 2000 in Prague

The Forum Hall is quickly filling up for the official conference opening in Prague, the capital of the Czech state, on October 21, 2012. Photo: TPI/Forum 2000

By The Tibet Post International

Prague : - Attendees again paid tribute to the late President and Forum 2000 Co-founder Václav Havel as an early discussion focused on his role as an inspiration for those struggling against totalitarianism.

If we intend to change the world for the better, we need to start by changing ourselves, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet said via video message. Another video message featured Cuban dissident Yoani Sánchez, who was invited to the conference, but unable to attend because of government travel restrictions. Someday I hope to find Václav Havels books in all Cuban libraries, she said.

A Monday morning breakfast featured a short introduction by Forum 2000 Board of Directors Chairman Tomá Vrba, followed by remarks from Vesna Pusi, the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs. Ms. Pusi said European society has almost lost the political vision [and is] completely focused on our economic problems.

Another of the days early panels sought solutions for the worlds so-called bottom billion, the poorest among the global population. With three former African presidents addressing the issue there was consensus that foreign investors to Africa have a

responsibility to attend to the very poor.

Globalization must enhance the living conditions of all people, former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo said.

In a panel focused on how medias role is changing, The Economists Vendeline von Bredow said that absolutely tectonic shifts are underway. During the same discussion, European Broadcasting Union Director General Ingrid Deltenre concluded that, technology will change the business models.

The political inspiration of Václav Havel and the Czech Republic was apparent in another of the days sessions. Tibet is always on the way forward. One of the reasons is Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution," said Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong for the Central Tibetan Administration, an exiled government based in India. "We could become a museum piece, but we don`t want to be."

The conference continues through October 24, encompassing 50 plus events at 13 venues in the Czech capital and three outside Prague. More than 2,500 registered observers will attend, making it the largest Forum 2000 ever.

Find out the most up to date information about this years conference at www.forum2000.cz or follow us on Twitter, @Forum_2000, and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/forum.2000.

4

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

38-year Old Buddhist Monk Arrested In Eastern Tibet

TIBET

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

Two Tibetans Self-immolate in Protest Against China's Rule

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

jinpa, Photo: TPI

By Samuel Ivor, Tibet Post

Dharamshala: On 25th of October 2012, a monk named Jinpa (38) from Mura monastery (also Mayul Choekhorling) of Mura area, Marchu County (Eastern Tibet) was arrested by Chinese authorities.

The reason for his arrest remains unknown.

Jinpa was arrested in Chengdu city (Chinese: Sichuan Province). His whereabouts are currently unknown. Furthermore, Chinese authorities have not given a reason for his arrest.

In an interview for the Tibet Post International, Lhamo Kyab, an ex-political prisoner who resides in Dharamshala: India, explained that: ‘Jinpa was arrested several times before this event.

He has been accused previously of sending information to the outside world for information on the 2008 protests in Tibet’

‘Jinpa usually resides in his monastery. He is well educated, and everyone admires him. This time, his family and friends are very concerned about a prison sentence from the Chinese authorities.’

Lately in Mura area, which is in Amdo Eastern Tibet, Chinese military forces have been visibly present.

Chinese police are reportedly also present in schools.

Communication in the region has been severed by Chinese authorities, leaving further whereabouts and conditions of Jinpa only speculative. However it is reported that in the Mura area Tibetans in the street are checked by Chinese authorities regularly, and it would appear that the drastic measures the Chinese government are now taking to enforce rule are beyond the margins of basic human rights.

Two Men Self-immolate in Tibet Amid Protests Over China's Rule

Dharamshala: - Two young Tibetan men died in two separate self-immolation incidents in Tibet today. Another Tibetan man died on Friday evening after setting himself on fire in north-eastern region of Tibet, an information received by The Tibet Post International Friday evening said, in the fifth selfimmolation protest in the region in less than a week.

Tsephak Kyab, a 21-year-old man from a Sertri village of Sangkhok area in the Sangchu county, Northeastern Tibet, (Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province.) died after setting himself alight around 8.0 p.m. near a local bus stand at the township, said Ajam Achok, a Tibetan from Bangalore, south India, citing sources inside Tibet.

"The local Tibetans protected him from Chinese authorities during his protest and later they took him back to his home town. Traditional prayer services are also reportedly being held for Tsephak," he added.

He also said that "the local Tibetans paid their last respects to Tsephak and offered traditional white scarfs to his body."

"Tsephak shouted slogans calling for "return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, freedom in Tibet, and release of the Panchen Lama, including all the Tibetan political prisoners," Ajam further said.

A photo shows that local Tibetans were surrounding him paying their respects, while his body still burning and smoking from the ground.

The incident follows that of another Tibetan man today, Lhamo Tseten, a father of two years old daughter who set fire to himself near a hospital in the region today at around 2.30pm. Three other Tibetan men have self-immolated in the same county

A photo taken shows Tsephak Kyab's self-immolation protest in Sangchu county, north-eastern Tibet, on 26 October, 2012. Photo: TPI

since Saturday, October 20.

The tragic wave of protesting against Beijing's heavy-handed rule in Tibet have been taking place since 2009, demanding freedom for Tibetans and

the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Over 60 Tibetans - including monks, nuns, students and lay people - have set themselves on fire and that 50 of them already passed-away.

A Young Tibetan Dies in Latest Tibet Self-immolation Protest

By Amanda peters,The Tibet Post

Chinese military in Lhasa, Tibet on 14 March 2008. Photo: TPI

By Samuel Ivor, Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Amid further communication blackouts imposed by the People’s Republic of China, reports have emerged of a double selfimmolation on Thursday 26th of October, in Nagchu prefecture, Tibet. The news emerges amid a month of escalating protest in the region, which has witnessed the self-immolation of at least 62 Tibetans since 2009.

Two young men; Tsepho aged 20, and Tenzin aged 25, took to the streets of Nagrog Phampa village in Driru County (Nagchu prefecture in Tibet Autonomous Region ) eastern Tibet. The two young men self-immolated near a local school in the village, and reportedly shouted slogans of ‘Free Tibet’, and unity for Tibetans as brothers and sisters. It is reported the men also called for a return of exiled spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet; a trend that has emerged for the majority of the self-immolation protests.

Amid a deteriorating situation, draconian blackouts have been enforced in the region by Chinese authorities to prevent Tibetans from sending information regarding protests to the outside world.

It has emerged that Tsepho reportedly died after setting himself on fire, though it is not confirmed weather this was Tsepo or Tenzin.

However, it is reported that Tenzin (25) was in India in 2008. The young Tibetanapparently joined Suja School in Bir; Himachal Pradesh (Northern India).

He stayed for 6 months to study, and then returned to Tibet.

No photos have emerged from the event. However

the news comes after two young men died of separate self-immolations the following day; also in Eastern Tibet.TsephakKyab (21) from Sangchu county (Northwest China's Gansu Province) who died after setting himself alight around 8 pm near a local bus stand in the Sertri village of Sangkhok.

In a separate incident, LhamoTseten; father of a two year old daughter, set fire to himself near a hospital in the region the same day (Friday 26th October 2012). Three other Tibetan men have selfimmolated in the same county since Saturday, October 20th, pushing the total since 2009 past 62.

The shocking rise in self-immolations this month alone, which have witnessed Tibetans take to the form of protest against Beijing's heavy-handed rule, have been taking place since 2009. The majority of protests demand freedom for Tibetans, as well as the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. Over 62 Tibetans - including monks, nuns, students and lay people - have set themselves on fire amid a deteriorating situation and escalating forms of self-immolation protest by Tibetans.

The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, has stated he does not encourage the protests, however has praised the courage of those who engage in self-immolation, blaming the "cultural genocide" by Chinese authorities to lead Tibetans to such measures. In return, Chinese authorities have tightened their grip on Tibetans, imposing blackouts on even the most basic forms of communication and arresting those involved in protests with severe penalties and prison sentences.

Dharamshala: - A young Tibetan man from Achok Yultso township of Labrang, Sangchu county of north-eastern Tibet , (Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province.), died on Friday, 26 October, after setting himself alight in the latest nonviolent act of self-immolation protesting against China's failed policies in Tibet.

"Achok Lhamo Tseten, a 24-year old young Tibetan from Achok Yultso township of Labrang, Sangchu county, north-eastern Tibet, set himself on fire today (Firday, around 2.30 pm, local Tibet time), October 26, 2012," in front of a local Chinese court in Amchok township of Labrang," said Lhachab Jinpa from Dharamshala, citing sources inside Tibet.

This is the nineth self-immolation death in the month of Octobeer, as a result of Tibet protests against the oppressive policies of the Chinese regime in Tibet.

Lhamo Tseten reportedly died in Amchok township, where he set himself on fire. He is the fourth to self-immolate in Sangchu county and at least 59 Tibetans - including monks, nuns, students and lay people - have set themselves on fire and that 49 of them died.

"Today is a holiday of Yultso School, therefore, so many local Tibetans were gathered, where Tseten sacrificed his life for freedom of Tibet. Traditional prayer services are still taking place across his home-town and surrounding areas after the incident," according to Ajam Achok from Bangalore, South India.

"Achok Lhamo Tseten shouted slogans, calling for the return of His Holines the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom of Tibet, untill his last breath.

Local Tibetans protected him from Chinese police and military forces during his protest and later they took him back to his hom-town, after paying their respects and offering prayers for him in front of the local court," Ajam said.

Achok Lhamo Tseten. Photo: TPI

Lhamo Tseten, a father of two years old daughter Nyingmo Kyid was married to Tsering Lhamo. His father's name is Namchuk Tsering (49) and mother's name is Zungdhu Kyid (50).

Tibetans and their supporters are deeply

concerned over the increasing self-immolations in Tibet. However, there is still a lack of an enough international pressure on China to find a lasting solution to the year after year of tragic situations in Tibet.

Tibetan Man Self-immolates in Labrang, Sangchu of Eastern Tibet ...... Continued from front page "It was not clear at that point whether he was still alive," said Lhachab Jinpa, an official from exile Tibetan political prisoners' group, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet.

"Dhondup set himself on fire at Labrang monastery in Sangchu county, shouting slogans of protest against the Chinese government and the Chinese security forces and police stationed nearby ran toward him and tried to put out the flames," sources

said.

Jinpa stated this early morning that he could not immediately find any photo or video of the incident.

Dhondup's present condition and whereabouts are not known.

But, In a photograph taken on October. 22, 2012 in the area during the incident, Dhondup lies on the ground, his body still burning and smoking from setting himself on fire and the image received from

Tibet just hours after the self-immolations protest occured. The photo show that he is severely injured and may not survive.

Confirming the self-immolation, Dhondup who reportedly died in a hospital, is the latest to selfimmolate in a wave of protests against Chinese rule since 2009 and that have now surpassed over fifty seven. Dhondup was married to Dorjee Tso, and leaves behind his only son.

5 TPI NEWS INTERNATIONAL Italian Support: Important for the Tibet Seeks Genuine Autonomy, Not Tibet's Non-violent Struggle The Tibet Post International

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

Separation - Political Leader

By The Tibet Post International

Press Conference at the Italian Parliament- Mattoe Mecacci, MP, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay (C) and Gianni Vernetti MP

By Tibetan Official Media: Tibet.Net

Rome, 25 October: On the second day of the political leader of Tibetans, (Sikyong) Dr. Lobsang Sangay's visit to the Italian capital Rome, he had a meeting with 11 Italian Parliamentarians from different political parties.

The Tibetan Political leader thanked the Italian Parliamentarians for their continued support for Tibet. He said the 8 February 2012 resolution for Tibet by the Italian Parliament was a testimony of their support for Tibet during the very tragic and difficult period in the Tibetan history.

"Your support sends a very strong message to Tibet," said Dr. Sangay. "Your support is very important and it is also a support for democracy and non-violence - two core principles of the Tibetan struggle."

He said 42 Tibetans have self-immolated since 8 February. In the last seven days, four more Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet. Despite his plead to the Tibetans not to restore to such drastic measures, the self-immolation continues.

"It clearly speaks of the very difficult life under Chinese oppression," he said.

A total of 58 Tibetans have self-immolated since February 2009 and 48 of them have died. They have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

and Freedom in Tibet.

The reasons the Tibetans have self-immolated are due to the Chinese government's systematic repression of Tibetan religion, language and culture, and forced resettlement of Tibetan nomads in Tibet.

The Tibet Group within the Italian Parliament organized a Press Conference for Dr. Sangay. Six Parliamentarians took part and expressed their support and concern for the situation in Tibet.

In the afternoon, the Tibetan Political leader met with Ms. Emma Bonnio, Vice President of the Italian Senate at her office.

Ms. Federica Mogherini, MP of the Democratic Party received Dr. Sangay at their party head office.

Mr. Leondard Taoudt, MP and Ms. Carmen Motta, MP also joined the meeting. Ms. Mogherini expressed her support for dialogue with China and her concern at the self-immolations in Tibet.

The Tibetan Political leader before leaving Rome had a meeting with Mr. Marco Pannella, President of the Radical Party. Mr. Pannella re-counted his several memorable meetings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay said that he was very happy to meet a long time and strong friend of Tibet.

Radical Party has maintained a long and steady

Prague - The Central Tibetan Administration "seeks genuine autonomy within China" for Tibet and it wants China´s written laws to be implemented, its political leader Lobsang Sangay, who is taking part in the 16th Forum 2000 international conference, established by late president Vaclav Havel, according to a Czech News Agency.

"We seek genuine autonomy within China and within the framework of the Chinese constitution, that is what we call middle-way policy," Sangay told the news agency called ?eská Tisková kancelá? (CTK.) "So we don´t seek independence or separation from China, and we do not challenge China´s sovereignty or territorial integrity," he said.

Speaking about the current situation in Tibet, Sangay said at the moment it is an occupation.

He said Chinese written laws are not implemented on Tibetan territory. For example, all the Tibetans should have been under one administrative structure, yet in reality there are five administrative areas, he added.

Tibet´s top official has never been a Tibetan, he pointed out.

Tibet´s exile government has been seated in Dharamshala, India since the 1950s, after China took control of Tibet.

Sangay said Tibetan people should have a fair share in the administration, economy, education, environment and other issues.

He became the head of Tibet´s government-inexile last year, after His Holiness the Dalai Lama handed-over his political posts to elected leaderships but retained his position of the spiritual leader.

Sangay said a number of Tibetan people burnt themselves in protest against the continuing occupation and repressive politics of the Chinese government.

The latest case was reported on October 21. Until now, 56 persons have burnt themselves and at

friendship and support for the Tibetan issue.

The Italian national TV channel 2's prime news showed the meeting between Mr. Pannella and Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.

Forum 2000: Commitment to Furthering the Legacy of Václav Havel

The 16th Forum 2000 Conference in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. Photo: TPI/Forum 2000

By James Dunn, The Tibet Post

Prague: - Fresh from traveling around the globe as the new President of Czechoslovakia, Václav Havel, came to realize that while civilization had always faced challenges, those that it faced today appeared more complex, more interconnected and more in flux than at any time in history.

He saw that a single individual, group, country, or region could not effectively meet such challenges, nor could they be dealt with from the perspective of a single ideology, religion, or branch of knowledge.

Instead, he believed that the search for solutions would require a continuous, open-minded dialogue on a broad range of topics involving a wide variety of participants.

Václav Havel searched for a way to make this happen and along with Elie Wiesel and Yohei Sasakawa established Forum 2000 in 1997. They provided it with their sponsorship, their ideas, and practical means to operate. Over the past decade and a half, Forum 2000 has made a unique contribution to

facilitating a wide-ranging global dialogue on many different issues set in the symbolic environment of Prague.

For centuries, Prague has been a crossroads of history. It represents a symbiosis of different cultures, in particular the Czech, German and Jewish cultures, until their relative harmony was destroyed by nationalist clashes and the horrors of Nazism. In both 1938 and 1948, Czechoslovakia paid dearly for the politics of appeasement and yielding to intimidation. Communism, which established a totalitarian state in post-war Czechoslovakia, managed to survive attempts at reform by crushing the Prague Spring in 1968 and went on to last a total of forty years. Democracy has not come easily to this region, and it has had to be struggled for throughout a troublesome transformation. The quest continues.

The past year has been marked by two painful losses: the passing away of Václav Havel and the death of Old?ich ?erný, who from the beginning

was Forum 2000's Executive Director.

Forum 2000's founders have left us the indelible legacy of their ideas and approaches, whether it be Václav Havel's insistence that "telling lies can never save us from further lies," or Elie Wiesel's profound observation that "indifference is the epitome of evil," or Yohei Sasakawa's devotion to alleviating disease and human suffering. These are the principles that will continue to guide us as we move forward.

Since 1997, the growing number of Forum 2000 participants, prominent personalities from all walks of life who cherish the experience and often return to participate have also shaped our discussions again providing us with valuable feedback and inspiration for our further activities.

Forum 2000 believe that injustice and tyranny must be confronted with courage and perseverance.

The very least we can do is to remember and remind.

The late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá, as well as Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi, were regularly invited to Forum 2000 conferences, even though it was certain their authoritarian rulers would not allow them to attend. Forum 2000 also repeatedly drew attention to the plight of freedom-loving people in Belarus, Russia and Tibet.

Václav Havel was the first head of state to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet for an official visit, and support to Tibetans has been maintained via Forum 2000 till the present. Through Forum 2000's Shared Concern Initiative, Václav Havel began a successful campaign to award the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo, jailed in China for his human rights activities, and urged his and his wife's release from prison. As symbolic as these actions are, we believe they bolster the power of these powerless and confirm the legitimacy of their uncompromising stances.

The struggles of human rights activists are an acute reminder of the need to stand up for democracy and human rights, freedom and liberty, and the principles of citizenship, civility and responsibility, wherever they are under threat.

They believe that vibrant and engaged civil societies form the bedrock on which respect for human rights, functioning democracy, social justice and sustainable economic prosperity are based. These

Dr. Lobsang Sangay on October 21), addressing during the 16th Forum 2000 conference in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. Photo: CTK

least 44 of them have died, he said.

Sangay said this is a sad part of Tibetan history, however, it also shows that Tibetans have still been strong seeking in searching for and aspiring for basic freedom.

Many Tibetans are deeply shocked by the selfimmolations as such acts are against the Buddhist teachings, which consider all life sacred. The government-in-exile calls on Tibetans not to resort to such an act.

The exile government said some time ago it is ready to starts talks with China.

Sangay said he believed the situation in Tibet would improve sooner or later because there were so many examples of freedom winning in the world.

He mentioned the 1968 Prague Spring and the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia but also the Arab Spring and the Colour Revolution, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi being free.

"Our day will come and we will return to Tibet," he said.

This is Sangay´s first visit to the Czech Republic.

He is participating in the Forum 2000 conference

that opened on Sunday.

Sangay said modern Czech history and Havel´s life and ideas are a great inspiration for the Tibetans.

He said Havel´s death is a big loss for people in Tibet, too. He added he regretted very much that he had not had the chance of meeting Havel.

Havel died last December after a long illness. He was a friend of the Tibetan Dalai Lama who often visited Prague. The Dalai Lama is to come to the Czech Republic next year again.

According to available information, Sangay does not plan to meet representatives of the Czech government during his stay in Prague. He is to talk to the members of parliament associated in the Group of the Friends of Tibet.

Czech politicians recently had a dispute over the position of the Czech diplomacy on China. Prime Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS)indicated that support to His Holiness the Dalai Lama may threaten Czech exports to China.

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg (TOP 09) criticised such an argument, CTK reported.

China's Policies Create Tensions in Tibet, Threaten Its' Culture: US ...... Continued from front page "We have consistently expressed our concern about the violence in the Tibetan areas, about the continuing pattern of self-immolations, heightened tensions, and Tibet in general," US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters during a press briefing in Washington.

"We continue to both publicly and privately urge the Chinese Government at all levels to address the underlying policies in Tibet that have created these tensions and that threaten the cultural heritage of the region," she added.

The spokesperson, Nuland's comments came when asked by a reporter whether she was aware about a reward of about $8,000 offered by the Chinese government for information about people planning to set themselves on fire. Nuland said she was not aware of the reward offer but expressed concern about the volatile situation in Tibet.

The U.S government voiced deep concern about the tragic situation in Tibet a day after a Tibetan man in his late fifties set himself on fire Tuesday,23 October to protest against the oppressive Chinese policies in Tibet. The Tibetan man, identified as Dorjee Richen, reportedly suffered third-degree burns and died.

Dorjee Richen set fire to himself near a military camp and in front of the Cayuga market on the main street of Lab rang in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Kano in Gan's province. According to some reports, Dorjee Richen died at his home in Sayue village, where he was taken by the local people.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile based in India yesterday, 24 October, strongly urged governments and human rights organisations to apply meaningful pressure on China to find a lasting solution to the aggravating situation in Tibet.

It strongly urged "the international community, including governments, human rights organisations, and freedom loving people, to take serious note of the grim situation in Tibet and apply meaningful pressure on the Chinese government to address the problem of Tibet through dialogue," it said in a statement.

"The self-immolations by Tibetans is a highest form of non-violent protest against the Chinese government's systematic repression of their freedom of religion and human rights, destruction of Tibetan language, culture and environment, and assimilation of Tibetan nationality through induced massive influx of Chinese population into Tibet," it added.

"The Chinese government is solely responsible for the continuing self-immolations by Tibetans in Tibet as it refuses to address the underlying the causes of the problem, and instead intensifies measures to suppress the Tibetan people," it said.

"If the Chinese government's allegations against the so-called "Dalai clique" for fomenting selfimmolations in Tibet are right, then it should allow independent fact-finding delegations and the media to find out the ground reality in the Tibetan areas," it continued.

civil societies are equally vital for posing the key questions of public life, and often help find practical solutions.

They believe in genuine and open dialogue. Rather than pretend they have ready-made answers to the problems we face, Forum 2000 seeks to create a space for frank and profound reflection about the values that underlie human behavior and for exploring how they can be applied to real-world situations. It seeks to be a place where commonly accepted orthodoxies can be questioned with audacity, and directly.

They believe that real partnership can exist among those who speak openly and tell the truth. Such a relationship requires tolerance between nations, ethnic groups, cultures, religions and individuals at a basic human level. It requires a willingness to listen

and, on occasion, an agreement to disagree. It is only by attempting to place oneself in the shoes of another that entrenched differences can be overcome and solutions to great challenges envisaged.

Forum 2000's flagship annual Conferences gather dozens of participants of many different ethnic, cultural, religious and professional backgrounds, including prominent politicians, senior academics, religious leaders, but also little-known dissidents and young activists. The discussions are open to the public in Prague, and to a global audience via online broadcasting and the publication of contributions and outcomes. In addition, Forum 2000 conducts specific dialogues in other smaller-scale formats. We envisage bringing the dialogue to other locations in the world.

6

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

EXILE

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

Tibetans Attend Vigils in Unprecedented Prayer service being held for Self-Immolations in Tibet Numbers for Self-Immolators

By CTA Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - The Central Tibetan Administration organised a prayer service yesterday at the main temple here, to mourn and express solidarity with all those Tibetans who have self-immolated for the cause of Tibet.

Three more Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the last four days, protesting against the Chinese government's wrong policies in Tibet. The prayer service was presided over by Dakri Tulku from Sera Jey monastery.

Lhamo Kyab, 27, set himself on fire in Bora village in Sangchu County, Kanlho, in north-eastern Tibet, around 2pm (local time) Saturday (20 October).

Dhondup, 61, set himself on fire near Labrang Monastery on 22 October.

Dorjee Rinchen, a 57-year-old Tibetan man set himself on fire in front of the local police station in Sangchu county, north-eastern Tibet around 04:30 pm (local time)on 23 October.

Kalon Pema Chhinjor, the officiating Sikyong, delivered the statement of the Kashag.

Since 2009, 58 Tibetans in Tibet set themselves on

Tibetans in exile attending a mass candlie-light vigil which being held in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, India, on 28 October, 2012. Photo: TPI/Atermas

By Samuel Ivor, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Amid a month of escalating protests in Tibet in the form of self-immolations, the exile community of Dharamshala has responded in unity and symbolism. Lining the streets with candlelight vigils and alliance, Tibetans in exile have proven that those facing suppression and loss in their homeland will not be forgotten.

Marking the emerging news of a double selfimmolation on Thursday 26th of October in Nagchu prefecture, Tibet, the community of Dharamshala o continued to show enormous support; closing shops in respect, and taking to the streets.

Numbering at least 500 attendees, Saturday 28th October marked the day when news finally emerged of the protest which had occurred the previous Thursday.

Amid a month of escalating protest in the region, which has witnessed the self-immolation of at least 62 Tibetans since 2009, two young men; Tsepho aged 20, and Tenzin aged 25, took to the streets of Nagrog Phampa village in Driru County, eastern Tibet and self-immolated against Chinese rule.

Responding in Dharamshala, holding aloft empty

coffins draped in Tibetan flags, the streets of the exile community were illuminated once again with candlelight and unity.

Upon the final destination of the peaceful march, a series of speeches were made by members of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress.

Political activist Tenzin Tsundue highlighted the urgency of the situation in Tibet, highlighting the manner in which the west is ‘directly funding the economy of China', and the desperation Tibetans are facing to take to such extreme measures.

Tsundue also highlighted the manner in which organisations such as the United Nations are ignoring the crisis in Tibet; largely due to the power and funding of economic giant: China.

After a series of speeches, a minute of silence for those who had self-immolation, and songs of unity, a quiet prayer service was held for those who had sacrificed everything for their homeland. As the number of Tibetans self-immolating surpasses 62, one can only speculate when intervention and change will occur for Tibetans to have even basic human rights and freedoms.

Conference to Highlight the Tibetan Self-immolation Protests

Kalon Pema Chhinjor expressing solidarity with the wave of self-immolations in Tibet, October 24, 2012.

Photo: Tibet Net

fire calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai

Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

Tibetan Childrens' Village Celebrates 52nd Founding Anniversary

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) school celebrated its 52nd anniversary on October 23 at a special ceremony presided over by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dojree and high officials of the three pillars of Tibetan democracy, Kalon Pema Chhinjor, Speaker Penpa Tsering and Chief Justice Commissioner Ngawang Phelgyal Gyechen.

In his address as chief guest at the ceremony, the Karmapa said, "We all know the world is changing continually, as well as sources of community and culture. Particularly, science development is changing rapidly. We have to meet the century.

"On the other hand, there are two questions: How we can protect our culture? And how we will be able to follow the century, especially those Tibetans who were born and grew up in exile? How we can stand on our own feet whilst living within a new community and also be self-reliant. To protect our culture is an very important issue at the present time.

"In answer to the first question, it seems as time passes within a new community, and as it faces difficulties, it needs to be self-reliant. However, I would like to take this opportunity to urge all young Tibetans, including students, to hold on firmly to the golden times of their education, and continue their efforts without wasting opportunities for study. I also hope and pray that you will be able to build good foundations for the future of Tibet as well as for your own futures.

"Many students from TCV came to India after crossing many rivers and mountains for an education and for freedom, whilst keeping their provenance strong. So, become a complete Tibetan in India, or wherever you live, after finishing your studies in exile, including Tibetan religion and culture, and hold your provenance inside. It is also important to keep your hopes and strength to serve our Tibetan

H.H the Gyalwa Karmapa addressing at the the 52nd founding anniversary of TCV at Dharamshala on 23rd October 2012. Photo: TP/Artemas Liu

community."

Speaking on the importance of education, the Karmapa said, "We should think of both moral and modern education as being equally important. Being a Tibetan, it's important to be loyal to our moral education, culture and language and and keep an interest in them. For example, just as we plant a tree, then see its branches develop, we need modern education, like science, with other forms of modern education as branches. However, if we cannot build a stable trunk, the branches will not flourish.

Therefore, all young Tibetans should always be

to India. Then, in 1960, His Holiness founded the Tibetan Childrens' Village - a great development which was continued by the efforts of His Holiness' sisters, Tsering Dolma and Jetsun Pema," Kalon Pema Chhinjor applauded TCV’s development since it’s founding by the late Mrs Tsering Dolma, elder sister of His Holiness, and later under the leadership of Kasur Jetsun Pema. “In the past 52 years, TCV has produced hundreds of bright students who have contributed to our society by serving the Tibetan community after their education,” he said. He added that the 14th Kashag

Vigil in Exile to Mark the Self- Immolation of Lhamo Kyap ...... Continued from front page Tibetans in exile attending a mass candlie-light vigil which being held in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, India, on 28 October, 2012. Photo: TPI/Atermas

By Samuel Ivor, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Speaking at a press conference meeting on October 26th in the exile community of Dharamshala - India, a young Tibetan Lobsang Choejor put into motion the arrangements of a special meeting by young Tibetan intellectuals in exile.

The meeting will be held on 17th November 2012.

Its focus: to draw together ideas and solutions on the wave of self-immolations that have fanned across Tibet recently, with the hope of utilising some of Tibet’s finest young minds in exile.

Choejor told reporters that the meeting will be held on 17th November 2012. Its focus: to draw together ideas and solutions on the wave of selfimmolations that have fanned across Tibet recently, with the hope of utilising some of Tibet’s finest young minds in exile.

Cheojor individually organised the conference.

Future meetings hope to look behind the recent self-immolations from an alternative view. he said he has invited 43 Tibetan researchers, historians and writers from around Dharamshala to the event, and together they will they will discuss the reasons behind the self-immolation in Tibet,

as well as focus on the prophecy of the selfimmolations, the results and their effect, and how to address this issue. However, the names of Tibetan intellectuals in exile have not been mentioned yet.

Lobsang also hopes to better place the form of protest in the context of Tibetan history, as well as looking into what we should do for the future regarding the phenomenon.

Addressing the media, Lobsang explained: “All Tibetan intellectuals in exile have a duty to keep Tibetan culture and ethics alive. Political issues should be especially concentrated upon.

Young Tibetan intellectuals have a special duty to use their energy, working together for Tibet”.

Conclusions, ideas and resolutions made at meetings will be forwarded to the Tibetan Kashag, Parliament, and further to NGOs, as well as the United Nations; hoping to resolve and readdress the situation using the power of young creative minds.

The first meeting will be held on 17th November 2012, in Hotel Tibet, McLeod Ganj (Himachal Pradesh, India)

time) in Bura town (Amdo).

The 27 year old layman was married to 29 year old Dojee Kyi, and leaves behind two daughters, aged 10 and 7 years old. Lhamo reportedly died at the scene.

In return, the community of Dharamshala; exile home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, took to the streets the very same evening, holding aloft candles and connected by a string of Katha prayer scarves. At least 250 people attended the vigil, which concluded at the Main Temple of the town.

Speaking at the event in an interview for the Tibet Post International, Lamsangfrom the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress stated: "It is the 56th selfimmolation of a Tibetan inside Tibet" "Since 1959 Tibetans in Tibet have been suffering under Chinese rule. The situation has become worse and worse. This is the helpless voice of Tibetans in Tibet. They can do nothing. The only thing they can do is burn themselves;to let people know how they are suffering in Tibet".

"This is not only a protest against the Chinese government. This is a message to the world; to let people know what is happening inside Tibet. Thisis a very big message to the world".

Lhamo Kyap is the latest to self-immolate amid a series of similar protests since 2009, which have now surpassed 56. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Hundreds of TCV students forming a Tibet map which including Tibetans from three traditional provinces during the anniversary showing how Tibet was occupied by China, Dharamshala, India, on October 23, 2012.

Photo: TPI/YC. Dhardhowa

proud of being Tibetan, without losing their own traditional values."

The Karmapa also praised His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his great efforts and contributions in the last 50 years of the development of Tibetan education in exile. "Looking towards the future," he said, "we should always remind ourselves about the past. As His Holiness said, Tibetans inside Tibet have great strength even under a very difficult situation. Tibetans in exile live peacefully and happily because of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In his address, Mr Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in exile, told the audience, "Due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and around 80,000 followers escaped

has outlined education as one of its top priorities and urged Tibetan students to concentrate on specialisation and professional studies.

Speaking on the situation inside Tibet, the Kalon said over 57 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

The day's ceremony also marked the arrival of the ‘Flame of Truth’ torch relay to Dharamshala.

Founded in 1960, with its head office in Dharamshala, the exile seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration, TCV has branches ranging from Ladakh in northern India to Bylakuppe in the south, with over 15,000 children under its care.

TPI NEWS

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

Suu Kyi and H.H. The Dalai Lama Join Advisory Board of The Forum 2000 Fdn.

International Advisory of the Forum 2000 Foundation. Photo: File

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Prague, October 17th, 2012: - The Forum 2000 Foundation is delighted to announce that Aung San Suu Kyi and His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet have joined its International Advisory Board, said in a press release by the Forum 2000 Foundation.

Both of them will now join the existing members of the committee, namely the former president of South Africa Frederik Willem de Klerk, the chairman of The Nippon Foundation and co-founder of Forum 2000 Yohei Sasakawa, the former dissident and editor-in-chief of the Gazeta Wyborcza daily Adam Michnik, the scientist and brother of the late Czech president Václav Havel Ivan Havel, and the director of the People in Need foundation Šimon Pánek.

"I know that Forum 2000 will keep up the spirit of Václav Havel's tireless work with renewed vigor and determination," His Holiness the Dalia Lama wrote in a letter to Forum 2000. "I look forward to working in close cooperation with Forum 2000 Foundation towards building a more peaceful, open and just world."

"We are very pleased that, besides His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Burmese opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi has also accepted membership of the International Advisory Board of the Forum 2000 Foundation," said the Forum 2000 Foundation's executive director Jakub Klepal. "We invited her to the conference every year even though it was clear to us that the governing regime would not let her travel. Now she is finally free and therefore we hope that we will be able to welcome both her and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Prague in the near future."

"The International Advisory Board of the Forum 2000 Foundation comprises a group of respected figures from different cultures, traditions, and religious affiliations, who are united by their belief in democracy, the universality of human rights, and in a lively and vibrant civil society," Klepal added.

"Václav Havel also shared the same values. The members of the Board are global ambassadors for the foundation and at the same time they also come up with their own recommendations concerning the subjects and projects that Forum 2000 devotes

itself to."

The members of the International Advisory Board are also invited to the annual Forum 2000 conferences, which provide a platform for timely dialogue on the complex issues that are crucial to the future of our civilisation. The 16th annual Forum 2000 Conference will be held in Prague from 21 to 23 October. In accordance with the wishes of the late Czech president Václav Havel, the conference will focus on the relationship between democracy and the media. It will also focus on the legacy of Václav Havel in the field of democracy and human rights as well as ways in which this can be built upon and developed further.

As of today's date, more than 120 prominent global figures have confirmed their attendance at the conference, e.g. the former U.S. secretary of state Madeleine Albright, the British philosopher Roger Scruton, the Tibetan prime minister Lobsang Sangay, the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, and the former Slovak prime minister Iveta Radi?ová. You can find a list of all the confirmed delegates here as well as a preliminary conference program here. Upon registration, admission to the conference is free and open to the public. You can watch online streaming of the main part of the conference at www.forum2000.cz The Forum 2000 Foundation pursues the legacy of Václav Havel by supporting the values of democracy and respect for human rights, assisting the development of civil society, and encouraging religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance. It provides a platform for global leaders, as well as thinkers and courageous individuals from every field of endeavor, to openly debate and share these critical issues.

The Forum 2000 was founded in 1996 as a joint initiative of the late Czech President Václav Havel, Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel. Since 1997, Forum 2000 has organized fifteen annual conferences which have attracted a number of prominent thought leaders, Nobel laureates, former and acting politicians, business leaders and other individuals, whose common denominative is experience with bearing responsibility.

Stop Repression in Tibet, Self-immolation will Stop: Political Leader ...... Continued from front page "Political repression, economic marginalisation, environmental destruction and cultural assimilation in Tibet by the Chinese government are leading to self-immolations by the Tibetans," Dr. Sangay said.

The Tibetan political leader thanked the members of the Regional Council of Piemonte for their support. "I urge you to call on the Chinese government to solve the Tibetan issue peacefully," he said.

In honour of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay's visit to the Regional Council of Piemonte, the Tibetan national anthem was sung before Dr. Sangay's address to the Council members and guest.

The visit coincided with the 10th anniversary since the Association for Tibet and human rights in the Regional Council of Piemonte was established. It was previously called the Association of Municipalities, Provinces and Regions for Tibet.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay met Mr Valerio Cattaneo, the President of the Regional Council of Piemonte at his office and Mr Giampiero Leo, the President of the Association for Tibet and human rights.

Mr Giampiero Leo and Dr Sangay jointly addressed a press conference. Both local and national media covered the Tibetan political leader's visit to Torino.

In the evening a public talk by Dr Sangay was held at the Natural Science Museum in Torino. The region's lawyers association hosted the public talk.

"During His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Torino in 2007," Dr Sangay said, "you all were able to see and hear His Holiness speak. Similarly, the Tibetans in Tibet are demanding His Holiness the Dalai Lama's return so that they can see and hear him."

Unfortunately, the response from the Chinese authorities is repression, he added.

"In Tibet today, there are more Chinese than Tibetans, more troops than Tibetan monks and more surveillance cameras than windows, more guns than Tibetan butter lamps," Dr Sangay said.

The Tibetan political leader said that the Middle Way approach policy is seeking genuine autonomy and not seeking separation from China.

Tomorrow Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay leaves for India.

INTERNATIONAL

The Tibet Post International

7

Special Representative Meets US Special Coordinator For Tibet Issues

By CTA Official website, tibet.net

Paris, 19 October: Special Representative to Europe Mr Kelsang Gyaltsen today met with Under Secretary Mario Otero, the US Sepcial Coordinator for Tibet issue in Paris, who was in the city to inform her counterparts in Europe about US's policy on Tibet issue.

Mr Keslang Gyaltsen was accompanied by Mr. Ngodup Dorjee, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for EU, Western Europe and Maghreb.

During an hour long discussion, the Special Representative briefed Under Secretary Otero on the situation of Tibet issue in Europe, underscoring the problems and challenges faced, and made some important points of suggestion for consideration.

From her part, the US Special Coordinator for Tibet issue highlighted the key issues and concerns of the US administration regarding Tibet and assured her continued support.

Under Secretary Maria Otero was appointed as the Special Coordinator for Tibet issues on October 1, 2009, by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The first Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues was appointed in 1997, which was later mandated by

Special Representative Mr Kelsang Gyaltsen and Representative Mr Ngodup Dorjee along with Under Secretary Maria OTERO, US Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues and her Senior Advisor Ms Charlotte.

Photo: CTA official website, tibet.net

the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 indicating United State's commitment to a negotiated resolution on

Tibet that preserves the distinct religious, cultural and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people.

Commemoration of 50 Years of Indo-China War in Mumbai

By The Tibet Post International

Mumbai: - On the eve of 50th Anniversary of IndoChina war, a conflict that changed the course of Indian history and lead to a full-fledged war between the countries who never had one in their entire history.

On October 20, 1962, at dawn the Chinese opened hostilities in Nefa and Ladakh and the war lasted for a month till China made a unilateral ceasefire on November 20, 1962. The war cost the Indian army bravest of their men, who faced the enemy on unequal terms with modest weapons and poor leadership.

Friends of Tibet (Mumbai) in association with the Republican Sena to organise an obituary and homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, Churchgate Station, Mumbai at 10am on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

The chief guest to this occasion will be Hon Dr Shri Anandraj Ambedkar, President of the Republican Sena and grandson of Hon. Dr BR Ambedkar who will offer flowers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. Rohit Singh, Campaigns Coordinator and CA Kallianpur, National Coordinator of Friends of Tibet will also speak on the occasion.

We gather on this day to salute and remember those great men who fought against all odds in the most

A monk in Mcleod Ganj, a Himalayan town of Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/File

difficult terrain in the world.

We, the people of India, pledge this day that we will never let down the sacrifices of those heroes

and will not rest till we regain the lost territories.

We request all of you to come and pay obeisance to the heroes of 1962.

Tibetan Political Leader Addresses Chinese Students and Tibetans

By CTA Media: Tibet Net

Minneapolis: - The political leader of Tibetans, (Sikyong) Dr. Lobsang Sangay paid his first official visit to Minnesota on October 12. He was greeted at the airport by Namgyal Dorjee, President, along with the board members of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota ( TAFM) and the members of the local Tibetan community.

His first event in Minnesota was a dialogue with 200 Chinese, Tibetan and other students at the University of Minnesota Law School. This student led initiative touched on topics ranging from reliable media sources to the recent changes in political structure of the Chinese government and what it signifies for the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.

In his address, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay presented a brief but detailed analysis of the current state of Sino-Tibet relations and the "middle-way" policy of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Dr Sangay said "genuine autonomy for Tibet within China and the Chinese Constitution does not challenge Chinese sovereignty."

The Sikyong also discussed the lack of dialogue between Chinese authorities and Tibetan envoys, stating that between 2002 and 2010 nine rounds of discussions were held and added that since then, no dialogues have taken place.

He also talked about the deteriorating situation inside Tibet, which prompted 54 self-immolations

by Tibetans inside Tibet. "Tibetans feel repressed and are choosing to die," he said, adding that there was "no freedom of speech and expression in Tibet ".

He stated that the Central Tibetan Administration had issued several statements asking Tibetans in Tibet to refrain from taking such drastic actions.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking to Chinese and Tibetan students in Minnesota

However, he argued that Tibetans must show solidarity and support the demands of the Tibetan people inside Tibet, for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

Addressing the Tibetan community the next day at the Lugnyi Phuntsok Khang community center, Dr Sangay reiterated his promise to fulfill the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, while expressing concern for the escalating situation inside Tibet as a result of the wave of self immolations.

More than 600 Tibetans from all over the metro

area came to Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay's address.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay also visited the Tibetan Cultural School and met about thirty Tibetan youths. He spoke to them about the importance of education in paving the way for a brighter future and how the youths have a responsibility of engaging in Tibetan issues to prepare for future leadership.

(With inputs from Tenzin Nordon, Kelsang Phuntsok and Tenzin Khando from Minneapolis, Minnesota.)

8

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

China Offers Rewards for Information on Tibetan Freedom Fighters

TIBET

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

Tragic Wave of Self-immolation Protests Continue: Another Tibetan Dies

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Ganan Public Security Bureau's notices in Chinese and Tibetan dated 21 October seen everywhere. Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Chinese authorities in Kanlho, northeastern Tibet (Chinese: Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province) are offering tipsters a reward of $7,700 for information about planned self-immolations in protest against the regime's rule in Tibet.

Since the notice was issued by Gannan Public Security Bureau on October 21, two more Tibetans have died after setting themselves on fire near Labrang Monastery.

Notices written in Tibetan and Chinese have been posted everywhere in the area asking residents to assist Chinese police in preventing the selfimmolations.

Gannan police issued a notice saying that people who tip off Chinese police about immolation plans will be rewarded 50,000 yuan. The notice also said that people who provide information on the “criminal acts” or the "black hands" who organized four recent self-immolations would be rewarded up to 200,000 yuan.

The notices also blamed the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and "separatist" forces, saying "recent incidents of self-immolation are a hidden political ploy instigated by the Dalai clique and separatists with the empty hope of splitting the country and destroying social harmony."

The notice stated that, "Self-immolation acts are against humanity and society as well as against the constitution. It an extremist behavior which deprives

people of life.

“Self-immolations have seriously effected social harmony and the working order of people’s daily lives. The Tibetan people should voluntarily fight against such illegal acts.

"It is a terrorist act, showing contempt for life and is a socially irresponsible behavior towards his/her family. We must fight against the illegal and criminal acts to maintain our harmony and stability "1. Public Security Bureau will offer rewards of 50,000 yuan [U.S. $7,913] for information on the scheming, planning, and instigation of such acts.

"2. Information leading police to the planners of the four most recent self-immolations in Kanlho— believed by most observers to have been solitary acts—will receive a reward of 20,000 yuan [U.S. $3,165].

"3. Public Security Bureau will protect and take responsibility for the safety and confidentiality of the informant, and the reward will be delivered in secret.

"4. The rewards will be provided through special methods as well as a special process."

Over 58 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the three traditional provinces of Tibet since March 2009, in protest against Beijing’s heavy-handed rule in the occupied region.

All of the self-immolators have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and for freedom in Tibet.

Five More Monks Detained from Wonpo Monastery, Eastern Tibet

Dharamshala: - Another Tibetan elder man from Sangchu, north-eastern Tibet died after setting himself alight in the latest nonviolent act of selfimmolation protest against Chinese communist rule over the Himalayan region of Tibet Tuesday.

Dorjee Rinchen, a 57-year old Tibetan layman from Sayue twonship, sangchu county, north-eastern Tibet, (Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province.), set himself on fire Tuesday(4.30 pm, local Tibet time), October 23, 2012," according to sources inside Tibet.

This is the eighth self-immolation death in the month of Octobeer, as a result of Tibet protests against the oppressive and discriminatory policies of the Chinese authorities in Tibet.

Confirming the self-immolation, Rinchen reportedly died on the spot. He is the latest to self-immolate in a tragic wave of protests against Beijing's heavyhanded rule in Tibet and that have now surpassed over 58.

Rinchen's body was reportedly taken by local Tibetans to his home-town after prayers and respects were offered for him by local Tibetans and monks from Labrang monastery.

"The local Tibetans refused to hand over his body to Chinese authorities and they took his body back to his home. As a mark of respect, they then gathered to pay their last respects to Dorjee Rinchen and offered traditional scarves to his

Dorjee Rinchen's body at his home in Sayue township, covering with traditional scarfs, on 23 October 2012.

Photo:TPI

body," according to sources inside Tibet.

The situation is still tense among grieving local Tibetans as China deployed a large number of armed military forces near to Sayue township and the surrounding areas. Phone lines and Internet connectivity in the area has suddenly been blocked after the incident.

Another Tibetan layman from Labrang died in selfimmolation protest yesterday, 22 October, after

setting himself on fire, while shouting slogans calling for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet and freedom in Tibet.

The Chinese state run media Xinhua News Agency quoted a provincial government official as saying "a 63-year-old herdsman set himself ablaze at the Labrang monastery on Sunday but the China's mouthpiece media did not give the man's name or say whether he survived.

Tibetan Head-of-County Police Officer Expelled For Safeguarding Protestors

By Samuel Ivor, Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Standing up for fellow Tibetans, Palthope; head police officer of Pema County in Amdo (Eastern Tibet) has been expelled from his position for advocating his beliefs and refusing to arrest peaceful protestors earlier this year.

Between the 18th to 26th January 2012, in Pema County (Amdo), the villages ofCharithang, Thakar,Jekar and Yarthangheld protests against Chinese rule. Calls were made among the communities for freedom and a return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet.

Local villagers of the regions were also reported to have called for all Tibetan political prisoners to be released, including His Holiness the Panchen Lama, who would be 23 years old this year. His whereabouts still remains unknown.

At the time of the event, which lasted around nine days, Chinese police arrested 6 people in the county for the protests.The Chinese authoritieshave since threatened that other protesters will also be arrested in connection with the event.

The PRC head police officer of the province, (Tibetan) officer Palthope, was instructed to arrange arrests for the protestors within three months of the event. If the arrests were not made, he was threatened with expulsion from his position and job.

In return, Palthope stated that hewould not arrest any of the demonstrators, in contradiction to the threat. On July 1st2012 he was expelled from his job, having refused to arrest the protestors.

After he was expelled the representatives of local

The Dharlak nomad settlement camp in Golok.Photo:Savetibet

monasteries visited his home, offering Karta prayer scarves, and offering long life blessings for his commitment and sacrifice. He was also invited to AshongJoanang Monastery in Pema County.

Upon arriving, Palthope advised Tibetans in the area how to work better and more effectively, having insight himself from such a high position and role in the region previously.

On August 1st2012 Palthope returned to his home in from Pema County to Dharlak County; joined by around 300 different cars full of well-wishers sent by representatives to bid him farewell. The sheer

number of people and support he received highlighted his commitment and sacrifice for his fellow Tibetan people.

Upon his arrival, at a specialgathering incense was burned to greet him. Wearing traditional Tibetan clothes (Chupa), he addressed and advised locals how to work with the authorities legally and peacefully. The sacrifice of Palthope of his high position, job and income highlights one of the many ways Tibetans are peacefully affirming their beliefs and basic human rights within Tibet, and within the boundaries of the regional law.

27-year-old Man Dies after Self-Immolation in Amdho: Tibet

By Samuel Ivor, The Tibet Post A recent photo shows, hundreds of Chinese scurity personels marching near by Wonpo monastery, Dzachukha, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The Chinese authorities arrested five more Buddhist monks from Wonpo Monastery in the Sershul Dzachukha county of Eastern Tibet, according to latest information received by The Tibet Post International.

In Further crackdown and arbitrary detentions in Tibet. The authorities arrested five more Tibetan monks from Wonpo monastery in Wonpo region of Dzachukha, eastern Tibet, on 22 October, allegedly involved in protest raising the banned National Flag of Tibet and distributing leaflets calling "Free Tibet."

"The latest development information from the area is stating that, five more monks from Kirti Monastery, who were studying at the Wonpo monastery have been arrested by Chinese police, on October 22, 2012, after dozens of armed Chinese police arrived at the monastery," Jampa Yonten, a monk from South India. .

The local authorities had imposed heavy restrictions in the county and arrested at-least 24 Tibetans including 23 monks and 1 layman, after pulling down a Chinese flag at a school in the area, raising the Tibetan national flag and distributing leaflets calling

for Tibet's freedom."

"But, the health conditions, whereabouts and details of these monks are unknown," Jampa said. It's difficult-to-reach and to get information from inside the areas, as all communication with local Tibetans have been cut off recently by the authorities. The total of people detained Tibetans, can be more than what we can give.

Jampa said that nine of the eighteen monks who previously arrested have been moved to another location. The Chinese government has sealed-off Wonpo monastery by deploying a large of number of paramilitary forces in and around the monasteries and the surrounding areas.

"The situation there remained tense, as large number of police and paramilitary forces are still deployed to the area since the incident occurred.

"A serious investigation was carried out by the authorities on 19th October to search those who drew the Tibetan national flag and wrote slogans on the leaflets. They investigated the each and every monk by looking at their handwriting," said Jampa.

Dharamshala: A 27 year old Tibetan man named Lhamo Kyap has self-immolated in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet on October 20th 2012 at around 2 o’clock (local time) in Bura town (Amdo).

Lhamo, who reportedly died at the scene, is the latest to self-immolate in a wave of protests against Chinese rule. The death of Lhamo marks the fifth case alone within the past month across Tibet.

Reportedly the body of Lhamo was taken by local Tibetans to (Bura) Ngonbo thang Monastery where prayers and respects were offered for him by local Tibetans and monks. His body was then reportedly taken to his home.

The 27 year old layman was married to 29 year old Dorjee Kyi, and leaves behind two daughters, aged 10 and 7 years old. The act of self-immolation by a young married man with a wife and children highlights the measures and suppression Tibetans face in the region against Chinese rule.

Lhamo Kyap is the latest to take to the symbolic form of protest amid a series of self-immolations since 2009 that have now surpassed 56.

Lhachab Jinpa, a Tibetan writer in exile provided the latest information to The Tibet Post International

Dorjee Rinchen's body at his home in Sayue township, covering with traditional scarfs, on 23 October 2012.

Photo:TPI

TPI NEWS

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

TIBET

The Tibet Post International

9

China Arrests Four Monks for China Sentences Two of Five Tibetan Monks Involvement in Tibet Who Shared News on Tibet Self-immolation

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

A photo showing a heavy military forces and polices were deployed in Tsoe county, Amdho, north-eastern Tibet, on October 17, 2012. Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Chinese authorities have arrested four Tibetan monks of the 'Dhokar Monastery' in Tsoe county, north-eastern Tibet on charges of allegedly involving self-immolation in protest against Chinese rule over Tibet. And several monks from 'Tsoe Monastery' also arrested under suspicion of taking photographs of another self-immolation, sources inside Tibet have said.

"The four Tibetan Buddhist monks were arrested for taking care of Sangye Gyatso's body and allegedly taking photographs of his charred body," said Gedhun Tsering, an exiled Tibetan writer from Dharamshala, India, citing sources from inside Tibet.

According to sources from inside Tibet, "Sangye Gyatso, 27, was from Tsoe City (Ch: Hezuo), Kanlho (Ch: Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture), in the traditional province of Amdho, North-Eastern Tibet. He passed away at the site of his protest following which monks and local Tibetans carried his body inside the Monastery premises."

"Three of the four monks; Jigme Gyatso, Kalsang Gyatso, and Kunchok Gyatso were arrested on October 17, 2012 by the Chinese police during a raid at the Monastery, eleven days after Sangye Gyatso setting himself on fire. However, Tashi was arrested a few days earlier, " said reports.

"Chinese officials offering bribe to family members of Sangye Gyatso, asking them to sign a document stating that his self-immolation protest was not

targeted against China's rule over Tibet. The situation became very tense in the areas," the Tibetan writer stated, citing sources in the region.

A highly respected Buddhist master, Tamdrin Dorjee, (52) passed away in his self-immolation protest in the same region on October 13. The Tsoe city and surrounding Areas have witnessed several protests against Chinese repressive policies in the past, with mass demonstrations in 2008. "Tamdin Dorjee was also grandfather of the 7th Gunthang Rinpoche, who is one of the most revered religious leaders in northeastern Tibet's Amdo Province,' he added.

"There are more reports stating that several Tibetan monks from Tsoe monastery also arrested under suspicion of taking photographs of Tamdrin Dorjee's self-immolation protest against China's rule. But, it is still unclear how many monks were arrested," Gedhun added.

"Local Tibetans in the region and monks from both Monasteries were heavily interrogated and severe restrictions have being imposed on their daily movements and activities," he added.

The Chinese government has sealed-off the monastery by deploying a large of number of paramilitary forces in and around the monasteries.

"The situation there remained tense, as large number of police and paramilitary forces are reportedly deployed to the area since the incident occurred," sources said.

Heavy Restrictions Imposed on Tibetans in Dzachukha, Tibet

Two images from Tibet showing, hundreds of armed police and paramilitary forces were deployed in Sershul Dzachukha of eastern Tibet, on October 16, 2012. Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The situation became very tense in the Sershul Dzachukha county of eastern Tibet in this week after making several arrests, deploying armed police and paramilitary forces, according to reports from inside Tibet.

"The heads of each families were ordered by the Chinese authorities to hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, but they did not mentioned what was the meeting of the local Tibetans about," said Ven Jampa Yonten from Sera Monastery in South India, citing sources from inside Tibet.

"On October 15, 2012, Monday knight, several hundred armed Chinese police and paramilitary forces being deployed in Sershul town of Dzachukha county, eastern Tibet," according to Jampa.

"The situation became very tense, as several

Tibetans arrested and all means of communication were blocked in Sershul Dzachukha of Kham, the eastern region of Tibet," according to sources inside Tibet.

"Two photos show hundreds of armed Chinese police and paramilitary forces marching through the street of Wonpo township in Sershul Dzachukha county, on Tuesday, October 16, 2012" report added.

The Serschul Dzachukha area has witnessed many protests against Chinese rule in the past, with mass demonstrations in 2008.

"Seven Buddhist monks from Wonpo Monastery have been sentenced to a 2-7 year prison term for involving with 2008 protest. They were convicted over 2008 peaceful protest marched by 14 monks from Sera Monastery in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet."

"Adhe Lama, a respected monk arrested in 2008,

Dharamshala: Two of the five Tibetan monks arrested last month have each been sentenced to two-year prison terms by an Intermediate People's Court in Siling city (Chinese: Xining - the capital of Qinghai province and the largest city on the QinghaiTibet Plateau) in Amdho region of north-eastern Tibet.

Sonam Sherab (45) and Sonam Yignyen (44) were arrested on 1 October 2012 during a Chinese police raid at Nyatso Zilkar Monastery in Kyegudho County, Kham region, eastern Tibet.

The two Buddhist monks were probably imprisoned last week, according to Lobsang Sangyal - a monk living in exile but orginally from Kyigudho, who cited sources from inside Tibet. The monks were reportedly detained last month for sharing information with the outside world about protests including a recent selfimmolation close to the monastery.

Sonam Sherab was arrested for photographing Chinese armed police and troops, but it remains unclear on what charges the three other monks were detained or where they are being held.

During the China police's raid on the monastery, several monks who complained about the detention and beating of their colleagues were also severely beaten.

These latest sentencings mark a continuation of the Chinese authorities' crackdown on Tibetan intellectuals and those who send information on the Tibet situation outside of Tibet.

A court in Barkham county, northeastern Tibet, has also sentenced a monk and a layman to long prison terms for "leaking news from inside Tibet to outside contacts". On September 18, the Barkham People's Middle Court sentenced Lonsand Tashi, a monk from Kirti monastery, to seven years in prison. Tashi (26) was detained in November 2011. Bu Thubdor (25) a layman who was also detained in November was

Soanm Yignyen (Left) and Sonam Sherab (Right). Photo: TPI/file

sentenced to seven and a half years on the same charge.

Yonten Gyatso, a monk from Khashi monastery, Ngaba county, Amdho region of north-eastern Tibet, who was 'disappeared' in October 2011 was sentenced to seven years in prison on 18 June 2012 for disseminating information about the situation in Tibet. According to sources inside Tibet, he was transferred to a prison in Wenjiang, Tridu city, where he was brutally tortured and kept in a dark room.

Three monks from Natso Zilkar monastery, Tridu county, Yulshul, eastern Tibet (Chinese: Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province) Sonam Gewa - Lobsang Samtem and Lobsang Nyima - were given jail sentences in March this year following similar charges.

The Paris-based international press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders strongly condemned the Chinese government's frequent arrests of Tibetan monks who try to inform the international community about the way they are persecuted.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, also condemned the Chinese government, saying that China has imposed various restrictions on Tibet, mainly targeting Tibetan Intellectuals in the Himalayan region. "At least 24 Tibetans intellectuals, including monks, men and women, have been given sentences ranging from few months to life imprisonment for excising their freedom of expression," he said.

Tibetan Man Dies After Self-immolation in Protest Against China

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - A Tibetan man set himself alight and died today, Saturday afternoon in Tsoe city, Malho county of Amdho region, north-eastern Tibet to protests against China's repressive policies targeting Tibetans in their homeland, according to a latest information received by The Tibet Post International, a news agency based in Dharamshala, India.

"Tamdrin Dorjee, over 50 year old, was from Khasok Lhungwarma town near Tsoe City (Ch: Hezuo), Kanlho (Ch: Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture), in the traditional province of Amdho, North-Eastern Tibet," Gedhun Tsering, a Tibetan writer in exile, originally came from Amdho told The Tibet Post International.

"Tamdrin Dorjee self-immolated near a Tibetan Buddhist stupa (Tibetan: Mila Serkhar Choten) close to Tsoe City, (around 1pm Tibet Time) on Saturday afternoon, 13 of October, 2012, and later passed away," he added.

Since 2009, the wave of self-immolations demanding freedom for the Tibetan people in Tibet and for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

"Witnesses say that he also shouted slogans demanding freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, while setting himself on fire near the Buddhist stupa," Gedhun stated, citing sources in the region after the latest incident.

"The local Tibetans refused to hand over his body to Chinese authorities and they took his body back to his home. As a mark of respect, they then gathered to pay their last respects to Tamdrin Dorjee and offered traditional scarves to his body," he further added.

Gedhun stated that "Tamdrin was grandfather of 7th Gungthang Rinpoche, a highly respected Tibetan master, also the second most senior religious leader at Labrang monastery in Amdho region. The Buddhist monks in the area offering prayers for Dorjee who sacrificed his life for Tibetans and Tibet."

A picture taken by a mobile phone during the self-immolation incident shows the local people taking Tamdrin Dorjee's body back to his home town, on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Photo: TPI/Gedhun Tsering

The situation there remained tense, as large number of police and paramilitary forces are reportedly deployed to the area where the incident occurred.

In recent months, Tibetans have become more forceful in their protests against China's repressive policies targeting Tibetans in their homeland, with

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a tragedy series of at least 55 Tibetans setting themselves alight since 2009, 45 of which already have resulted in death.

The Tsoe area has witnessed many protests against Chinese rule in the past, with mass demonstrations in 2008 and 2010.

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Mr. Thomas Keimel Dr. Vincent Brucel Mr. YC. Dhardhowa Ms. Keary Huang Mathew Singh Toor Mr. Sangay Dorjee Ms. Pema Tso Ven Phuntsok Dhondup Mr. Sonam Sangay Mr. James Dunn Mr. Sangay Dorjee

Contributors for this Editon

known as the spiritual head of Wonpo Monastery is still being held in Chushul detention center in Lhasa," the sources continued.

According to sources from inside Tibet, "the Chinese authorities had imposed heavy restrictions on Tibetans in the county, after pulling down a Chinese flag at a school in the area, raising the Tibetan national flag and distributing Leaflets calling for Tibet's freedom."

In recent months, Tibetans have become more forceful in their protests against China's repressive policies targeting Tibetans in their homeland, with a tragedy series of at least 55 Tibetans setting themselves alight since 2009, 45 of which already have resulted in death.

Keary Huang Mathew Singh Toor Sophie Jay Amy Ruben Samuel Ivor Thu Flower YC. Dhardhowa Sangay Dorjee Pema Tso

The Tibet Post International Himalayan Literacy Trust (Head Office) 1st Floor, Exile House Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt.

Kangra H.P 176219 India

Taiwan India UK US UK US India India India

Tele: 0091-1892-224641 Moble:+91-9882423566 E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com www.thetibetpost.com

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The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

31 October, 2012 Dharamshala

Austrian Save Tibet Delegation H.H The 17th Karampa Graces The 2012 Visits Tibetan Community Tibet Film Festival in Exile

By Amy Ruben,Tibet Post

The members of the Austrian Save Tibet delegation vising The Tibet Post International, an exile independent news agency based in Dharamshala, India, on October 16, 2012. Photo: TPI/Artemas Liu

By Sophie Jay,The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - A spokesperson for a European charity for exiled Tibetans has urged beneficiaries to “be honest” and not “misuse” charitable trusts.

Kathrin Mullner, from the Austrian branch of Save Tibet, made the comments during a ten-day tour of Dharamshala, when she and colleagues Hardy and Andrea Lutzky visited Tibetan institutions including the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV), Jampaling old people's home, and the Environment Desk of the Central Tibetan Administration's Department of Information and International Relations.

Asked on October 16 if she had a message for Tibetans living in exile, she said, “My message to the Tibetans is to be honest and not to misuse any trust.

“I think if Tibetans here are really in need, then Austrians are willing to help, but they (beneficiaries) shouldn't misuse this trust and if they are not in real need then they should be very honest and not only think of money.”

About 1,200 Austrian sponsors support Tibetan school children and elderly people through the charity.

Ms Mullner also advised exiled Tibetans living in India not to settle in Europe, stating that many Tibetans living in the West are in danger of feeling “lost” when separated from their community.

“I think that it's better for Tibetans here to stay in India rather than come to Europe or to other western countries," she said, "because they will not be happy there.

Prominent Indians Support Flame of Truth Relay in Rajasthan

Mr Karma Yeshi, a member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile speaking to students of Rajasthan University.

Photo: TPI/TPIE

By The Tibet Post International

Jaipur, October 18: - Flame of Truth relay in Jaipur received supports from Speaker of Rajasthan State Assembly & Deputy Leader of opposition in the Assembly, Educationists, Students and Indian public, according to a report received by The Tibet Post International.

"South India leg of Flame of Truth torch after having successful relay in Gujarat state reached touristic city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state on October 14. Leaders and advisors of Tibetan Sweater sellers received Flame of Truth torch. Later Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi, who is accompanying the Flame of Truth torch, met Sh. Ghanshyam Tiwari, deputy leader of Opposition in Rajasthan State Assembly.

Mr. Karma on behalf of Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPIE) briefed Mr. Tiwari on current grave situation inside Tibet and self-immolations taking place in Tibet. Mr. Tiwari signed the Tibet petition to be submitted to United Nations on December 10 and promised to continue his support in future.

On October 14 at 6.00 p.m. Tibetan delegation comprising of leaders of Tibetan sweater sellers led

by Tibetan MPs visited Rajasthan Home Minister at residence to pay condolences for the demise minister's father. Mr. Karma on behalf of TPIE thanked minister for continuously supporting Tibetan refugees during their seasonal business in Jaipur.

On October 16 at 3 p.m. Mr Karma addressed around 30 journalists from different media at Pink City Press

Club. He briefed journalists on current grave situation inside Tibet, 55 self-immolations in Tibet since February 2009, Importance of protection of Tibet's environment for larger interest of south Asian countries in particular and world at large.

He also appealed world leaders to stand behind Tibetan cause, if non-violence, peace and humanity have any value. He then presented pictures of selfimmolations in Tibet and how Tibetan people are being tortured under brutal Chinese occupation on the computer. Media people took keen interest and raised many questions, which were responded accordingly. TV channels and many print and online media widely covered the conference.

To mark US Congressional Gold Medal award to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2007, Tibetans sweater sellers association organised a function at Tibetan Market on October 17 at 9.30. Programme began with prayers and incense burning Puja. Mr. Pema Lhakyap, president of Tibetan market spoke on the occasion.

Later, as the chief guest of the day, Mr Karma spoke on live history of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, current situation inside Tibet and self-immolations in Tibet.

Programme then concluded with prayers.

On October 17 at 11.20 a.m Tibetan delegation led by Karma Yeshi met Sh. Deependra Singh Shekhawat, Honouarble Speaker of Rajasthan State Assembly Mr. Karma also briefed him on current grave situation

Dharamshala: Dharamshala is gearing up for the three-day, second annual Tibet Film Festival from October 26-28. The year's festival, which focuses on the theme of "courage," will first be presented to His Holiness the Karampa, followed by a presentation to festival sponsors.

"We are blessed to have His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa with us at this Benefit Event and his support to the Tibet Film Festival," says festival coordinator, Nyima Thondup.

Organizers of the Tibet Film Festival are holding a benefit event at the Art Gallery in the Norbulingka Insitute. His Holiness the 17th Karmapa will grace the occasion. The objective of the benefit is to support TIbetan film makers through the initiatives of the Tibet Film Festival. His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa believes this is a perfect opportunity for Tibetans to gain a strong sense of selfworth and pride in their identity and accomplishments.

The 2012 Festival will take place with the same programme in Dharamsala, India and Zurich, Switzerland. This year's first place film will be awarded 500 dollars, second place 300 dollars and third place 250 dollars.

Conceptualized in 2008, The Tibet film festival focuses on films made by Tibetan film-makers from Tibet and in exile. The Gyalwang Karmapa and festival organizers hope the festival will serve as a platform for young, inspired Tibetan film makers to continue making films about Tibet. The fourth annual event is a collaborative effort from Filming for Tibet; Tibetan Youth Association in Europe; and Students for a free Tibet, India.

The Tibet Film Festival will showcase around 20 feature films, shorts and documentaries and films by previous winners of the Tibet Film Festival. One of the main highlights of this year's film festival will be Pema Tseden's international award winning film "Old Dog." His previous film "Search" and his cinematographer Sonthar Gyal's film "The Sun Beaten Path," were both screened at last years Tibet Film Festival.

This year's festival will offer other platforms such as workshop discussions and forums where the general public and filmmakers can exchange their views on film making and the topic of Tibet.

Last year, participants from Asia, North America, and Europe took part in the annual short film competition, which focused on the theme of "Ama" (Tibetan for Mother). The theme "Ama" was chosen for its universality; it could be about one's own ancestry or searching for one's origin.

The 2012 Tibet Film Festival is dedicated to Dhondup Wangchen, who was detained shortly after completing filming his documentary, "Leaving Fear Behind." On 28 Dec., 2009, in a Chinese court, Dhondup Wanchen was sentenced to six years in

inside Tibet, self-immolations taking place in Tibet and submitted memorandum on the issue of Tibet.

Sh. D. S. Shekhawat signed the Tibet petition and expressed his solidarity with the just cause of Tibetan.

He also promised to forward memorandum to the External Affairs Ministry of Government of India.

On October 17 at 12 noon, Mr Karma visited Rajasthan University and delivered a lecture to the students (50) and professors (10) on the issue of Tibet and how Tibetans practice democracy in exile. He also stated to the gathering that Tibetan people inside Tibet under Chinese occupation enjoy no freedom of any kind. He also responded to the questions of the teachers and students and interactions went for almost two hours.

He also informed the gathering on Flame of Truth relay campaign initiated by Tibetan parliament. Later teachers and students signed the Tibet petition to be submitted to UN on December 10. Lecture was chaired

by Prof. Preeti Joshi, head of the Public Administration department and Dr. Om Mhela, lecturer of the university. In the end President of University Students Association thanked Tibetan MP for his talk and gave assurances that Indian students and general public are always with Tibetan people in their struggle.

On October 17 from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. Tibetans organised Flame of Truth relay and Candle Light Vigil at Udyog Maidan near statue circle. Programme began with Tibetan and Indian national anthem. On minute silence was observed to pay tribute to Tibetan martyrs, who laid their lives for just cause of Tibet. Pema Lhakyap, President of Tibetan Market gave introductory speech. Later Karma spoke in English and Tibetan.

In his speech he stated that no occupation will last forever and time will definitely come to Tibetans.

He also spoke on Flame of Truth relay campaign initiated by Tibetan Parliament. Later Tibetans recited prayers and prayer of truth composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Vigil ended with slogans - "Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama".

Leaflets in Hindi were distributed to local Indians.

There were over 200 Tibetans who took part in the vigil. Many media covered the event widely next day.

prison because of his filming activites. The production of "Leaving Fear Behind," which was screened all

over the world, was completed in Switzerland by Filming For Tibet.

Freedom for Tibet will Set the Stage for Freedom for All Humankind

members of the newly founded organisation of Tibet and Vitnam, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/file

By Sophie Jay, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - A Vietnamese freedom fighter who planned to self-immolate to protest the communist regime in her country attended the opening of an office of a Vietnamese-Tibetan campaign group in McLeod Ganj, India Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, 56, who has been jailed in Britain, The United States (US) and Vietnam for antiVietnamese government activities spoke at the Vietnam-Tibet Alliance Fighting for Freedom's opening ceremony alongside the organisation's president, Soepa Alias Phuntsok Wangdu, on Saturday, October 6.

Addressing the meeting, the mother of four, who in 2001 attempted to set herself alight in the ballroom of

San Francisco's Marriot hotel during a visit from Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dung, to protest the U.S.-Vietnam trade agreement, said: "I have and will always support you in any way I can.

"We all know that any organisation will gather more strength and consolidation when its leaders are best endowed with spirits of commitment, devotion and sacrifice.

"We are a fighting team with a dream and motto. The Vietnam - Tibet Alliance Fighting for Freedom organisation is always our ideal.

"We will do our best to honour our 54 Tibetan selfimmolation heroes who offered their lives for the ultimate and sacred goal - freedom for Tibet. There are many Tibetans who are voluntarily putting their names on a list of self-immolation for the freedom of Tibet.

"Freedom for Tibet will set the stage for Freedom for all humankind."

The ceremony was attended by a number of VietnamTibet Alliance Fighting for Freedom staff including Vice President, Thupten Tenzin, Advisor, Lama Ngawang Woeber, Secretary, Ms Ringzin, and Treasurer, Mrs Passang. The attendees were also joined via Skype by members Quang Nguyen from the US, Tr?n Qu?c Vi?t from Vietnam and Hoàng Hoa from Europe.

Ms Ngoc Hanh announced that the next important task is to select new team leaders for the organisation.

Conference on Tibet and China held in Taipei, Capital of Taiwan

A conference on Tibet in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. Photo: Tibet Net

By CTA Media: Tibet Net

Taipei: - The Office of Tibet and Taiwan Tibetan Association jointly organised a conference on Tibet and prospect for democratic development in China from the view of the current situation in both the region. The day-long conference was held at the international conference hall of Taiwan University on Sunday, 14 October.

More than 60 people, including university professors, researchers, Tibet supporters, members of ChinaTibet Association and students, participated in the conference. Some of the keynote speakers at the conference were from USA, France, Sweden,Australia and Hong Kong, who spoke and share their views on a number of issues such as experience and firsthand knowledge on Tibet after visiting Dharamsala, issue of Tibet and self-immolations by Tibetans in Tibet, democracy in exile Tibetan community, Taiwan

and Hong Kong, and prospect of democratic transition in China.

Addressing the conference, Mr Dawa Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Taiwan, explained the underlying causes of the tragic self-immolations by Tibetans in Tibet.

Tibetans in Tibet are driven to these drastic acts to resist political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalisation and environmental destruction, he said adding, the Chinese government, instead of addressing its failed policies in Tibet, misleads the international community by levelling baseless allegations against Tibetans in exile.

The conference concluded with a question and answer session. The organisers will bring out all the presentation papers by key note speakers and post them on the official Chinese language website of the Office of Tibet, Taiwan.