The Xi-Ma Meeting: A Tiny Hope for Peace
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
China’s new dams in Tibet impact on Asian freshwater: Sikyong P- 5 ... Vol. 03, Issue 144, Print Issue 68, November 15, 2015 Pelosi voices support for His Holiness during China visit
B o d - K y i - Cha-Trin
A Voice For Tibet Bi-monthly
P-5 ... www.thetibetpost.com
Rs.10
Tibetan is the best language for studying Buddhism: His Holiness By Molly Lortie: 03 November 2015
US Democratic leader Pelosi and congressional delegation in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa during their historic visit to Tibet this week. Photo: Leader Nancy Pelosi’s Office By Yeshi Choesang: November 14, 2015
Dharamshala — The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, enjoys strong support in the United States, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told Chinese officials during an official visit this week to the remote Himalayan region of Tibet, while expressing concern about human rights of Tibetan people. ““We engaged in candid talks with the Secretary of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), Chen Quanguo; Vice Party Secretary of TAR, Baima Chilin; and Party Secretary of Lhasa, Qi Zhala regarding the importance of respecting Tibet’s autonomy, its ecology, and the human rights and religious freedom of its diverse people,” US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. Pelosi, a long time friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and supporter of Tibetan issues in the US Congress, was leading a senior US Congressional delegation on a rare visit to Tibet, which China has ruled with an iron fist since 1949, when it was occupied by the Communist China— killing of 1.2 million of 6 million Tibetans and destroying more than six thousand temples and monasteries. P-2...
Pelosi praises progress in Tibet: State-Run Media By Yeshi Choesang: November 14, 2015
Dharamshala — During her meeting with Chen Guoquan Beijing-appointed Chinese party chief in Tibet on Tuesday, US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi praised Chinese government for “progress progress in Tibet,” a state-run Chinese newspaper has reported on Friday. US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and six other Democratic lawmakers traveled to the so called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) before meeting the head of China’s top legislature in Beijing on Thursday. An article published in a Chinese state-owned newspaper, ‘Tibet Daily’ claimed that Pelosi “highly praised” developments in Tibet, including “the efforts made by the Chinese government to protect religious freedom, ethnic culture and the environment.” Chen Guoquan, the party chief in TAR warned his party members and cadres, to avoid any appearance of any wrongdoing, just ahead of the US Democratic lawmakers’ trip to the in region this week, a report published by the party’s central anti-corruption and discipline agency, on Monday. “We must severely punish those party members and cadres who don’t have firm beliefs and ideals, who don’t share the same mind with the party and the people, who have ‘two faces’ when it comes to the important question of what’s right and wrong,” Mr Chen said. “Pelosi spoke highly of the great transformation in the new Tibet and the efforts by the Chinese government in guaranteeing freedom of religion, protecting ethnic tradition and culture and ecological environment,” the Tibet Daily, reported. “Thanks to the efforts by the Chinese government, the living standards of Chinese people, including Tibetan people, have improved significantly. People all over the world have recognized this, and you have every reason to feel proud of this,” Pelosi was quoted as saying by the Tibet Daily. The Chinese State-Run Media reported on Thursday that “Chen Guoquan, Party secretary of the Tibet autonomous region, met in Lhasa on Tuesday afternoon with the US delegation.” “Chen extended a welcome to the US delegation and expressed his appreciation to the efforts and contributions made by Pelosi in supporting the healthy development of China-US relations over the years,” the report said. The report said Chen “hoped that on issues relating to Tibet, the US will keep its promise of respecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and does not support activities aimed at separating China.” The report said Mr Chen “called on the US not to allow a visit by the Dalai Lama and not to provide any form of support of activities by Tibetan separatist forces.” ‘Chen also briefed US lawmakers of the social and economic development of Tibet and hoped Pelosi would have a deeper understanding of Tibet through the visit,’ the report said. He said ‘he also hoped Pelosi will help introduce the real, prosperous and harmonious Tibet to Americans and the world.’ “Thanks to the efforts by the Chinese government, the living standards of Chinese people, including Tibetan people, have improved significantly. People all over the world have recognized this, and you have every reason to feel proud of this,” Pelosi was quoted as saying by the Tibet Daily.
Dharamshala — The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said Tuesday that “the best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is Tibetan.” Thousands of Tibetans and devotees gathered early Tuesday morning, November 3, at the main Temple in McLeod Ganj to participate in a teaching and long life offering for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. After the cancellation of several planned appearances and general concerns for His Holiness’s health, the Tibetan community and other devotees came out in large numbers to receive the teaching and pray for his long life, with the total number of devotees at more than 7,000. The long life offering was organized in collaboration by several organizations including the Barkham Tibetan communities; Sogshoe and Tridho, and the standing committee of Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk based in Dharamshala. The day was celebrated in accordance with Lhabab Duchen, a Buddhist festival celebrated to observe the descent of the Buddha from heaven back to Earth. Prior to initiation of the long life offering ceremony, His Holiness conducted preparatory rituals for the Long-Life Empowerment he was to give. “Since it is an auspicious day, I thought I’d begin by making a reciprocal offering to you of a Long-Life Empowerment. We have groups of today’s sponsors, residents of Dharamshala, people from the Trans Himalayan regions and others who come from traditionally Christian countries gathered here today.” The Nobel Peace Prize laureate began the event with a teaching and empowerment, revisiting the roots of Buddhism in Tibet which was spread by Indian masters who not only built monasteries and spread teachings, but encouraged the Tibetan language to grow into the spiritual depth it now commands. “Particularly, Master Santaraksita advised Tibetans to study the Buddha Dharma in our own language, so since the 8th century when he came to Tibet, we have a Tibetan translation of over
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses the crowd gathered during the long life offering ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Main Tibetan Temple, Dharamshala, India, on November 3, 2015. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo
100 volumes of the words of the Buddha,” His Holiness said. “Over 200 volumes of texts on these teachings. So today we can say that the complete teachings of the Buddha exists in Tibetan language,” he added. “The best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is Tibetan. The reason is because before Buddhism came to Tibet, Tibetan language didn’t used to have a vast vocabulary, but since we began to translate Indian literature into our own language, Tibetans began coining new words so in this way Tibetan has become very rich in vocabulary when it comes to understanding the philosophy of Buddhism. Tibetan words for the Sanskrit
China detains father of four for calling for freedom in Tibet
terms in philosophy are quite exact.” “We can think of Buddhism in terms of three main categories - philosophy, science and religion. The religious part involves principles and practices that are of concern to Buddhism alone, but the Buddhist philosophy of interdependence as well as the Buddha science of mind and human emotions are of great benefit to everyone,” His Holiness added. Following the teaching was a long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and a short presentation in the yard below the temple by Barkham Tsogsho dedicated to the Tibetan leader including several offerings and a dance performance. P-2... Worldwide support for Tibet growing tremendously: DIIR Kalon
DIIR Kalon DICKI Chhoyang speaking to the participants of Asia regional Meeting of ITN, 11 November 2015. Photo: DIIR By DIIR: November 11, 2015
Armed Chinese paramilitary force deployed in Ngaba county, eastern Tibet, 19th October 2011. Photo: TPI/file By Yeshe Choesang: 30 October 2015
Dharamshala — Sources coming out of Tibet say a Tibetan father-of-four was arrested by Chinese authorities in Ngaba County, north-eastern Tibet for a staging peaceful protest against Chinese rule by shouting slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “Tashi, a 31-year-old man was held by Chinese police on October 26, within minutes of having started his protest march on the county-town street,” said Kanyak Tsering, a monk from Dharamshala-based Kirti Monastery October 30. “Tashi took to the main street of Ngaba town, holding a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” and shouted slogans calling for “freedom in Tibet” and “return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Ven Tsering said. “Chinese authorities arrived at the scene within minutes and arrested him. His conditions remain unknown and he is currently in Chinese police custody,” the monk said, having spoken to someone who asked to remain anonymity. Tashi, a native of village no. 5 of Meruma town, Ngaba County in Amdo Region of north-eastern Tibet Tibet (Ch: Aba County, Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in the north-west of Sichuan Province). “His wife’s name is Kalpe and has four children: two sons and two daughters.” Fear is growing in Ngaba Count of Tibet as dozens of Tibetans, including monks and women were arrested and
disappeared in recent months. Earlier this month, Chinese authorities detained a 15-yr-old Tibetan monk for staging peaceful protest and shouting slogans calling for “freedom in Tibet” and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” The situation in Ngaba County has deteriorated with “patriotic re-education” campaign since widespread peaceful protests swept most parts of Tibet in 2008. Tibetans are arbitrarily arrested, severely beaten, and imprisoned by the Chinese police forces for staging peaceful protests and even expressing their views in favour of human rights, including religious freedom. All communications, include Internet lines in the county and surrounding areas severely restricted and oftenly blocked, except for Chinese government offices and institutions. Tibetans are under heavy surveillance by the increasing number of Chinese police forces, with security checkpoints and Chinese work team officials monitoring their movements and activities, as was reported earlier. The list of Tibetans arrested and detained by the Chinese police and security forces for staging peaceful protests in favor of freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is consistently growing in recent months. This tendency clearly contradicts China’s recently released white paper, which claims that Tibet has reached its ‘golden age’.
Dharamshala — “The worldwide sympathy and support for the just cause of Tibet is growing tremendously across the world,” said Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information and International Relations, while addressing the final day of International Tibet Network’s (ITN) Asia Regional Meeting, held in Dharamshala “As we take a hard look at where we stand in terms of Tibet support groups, I notice that the interest and support for Tibet is growing tremendously. Therefore, we have to be organised in such a way that we can harness that support to highlight the Tibet issue,” she said. Underlining the importance of making the Tibet issue relevant to current trends of the world, DIIR Kalon said that we have to find a way to make the Tibet issue topical. “For instance in the case of environment, we made a concerted effort to link Tibet to COP21 by drawing on the importance of the Tibetan plateau to south Asia and other parts of the world,” she said. “The recent All-India Tibet Support Groups Meeting was held in Assam. Assam is significant as the Brahmaputra flows from Tibet into their backyards. Therefore, even if the people of Assam is not interested in politics, they are interested about their access to water because it’s going to affect their livelihood,” she added. Highlighting the importance of the Tibet issue to sustain nonviolence in the world, she said, “In a world constantly confronted with violent conflicts, we need to sustain and support non-violent political movements. Tibet is probably one of the oldest non-violent political movements and support for the Tibetan movement is crucial to encourage other peaceful movements.” Clarifying the Chinese government’s allegation that the unrest in Tibet is due to the insidious conspiracy from the exile community, she explained that the Tibetan movement is led by Tibetans inside Tibet and not by exiles. “The Central Tibetan Administration and other Tibetan groups are just amplifying the aspirations and wishes of the Tibetan people to the free world on their behalf,” she explained. Emphasizing the role of Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate and democratic representative of the Tibetan people, she said, “The older generation of the Tibetan people has invested tremendous effort in setting up this institution and it’s imperative that we don’t lose sight of their hard work and sacrifice.” Forty-six delegates from 14 Tibet support groups based in ten countries including the US, UK, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Italy and India took part in the meeting.
2 TPI NEWS TALK FILMS DIFF 2015- celebrating celluloid His Holiness speaks on compassion at IIT Madras and The Tibetan Movement The Tibet Post International
November 15, 2015
By Yeshe Choesang: October 20, 2015
Sikyong Dr Lobsang attended the final day of the Dharamshala International Film Festival 2015 in Dharamshala on November 8. Filmmakers and dignitaries who attended 2nd-3rd day of the festival. Photo: TPI/DIFF By Garima Pura: November 13, 2015
Dharamshala — True to their annual promise, DIFF brought to the mountains, the choicest of talent yet again in 2015. The festival that lasted 4 days starting 5th November, provided a platform to budding filmmakers whilst the presence of established and experienced members of the industry. Day 2 marked the premiere of 3 short films in India -Hu Wei’s Oscar nominated Butter Lamp, Tashi and the Monk by Andrew Hinton and Lo Sum Choe Sum. In the question answer round that followed, LobsangPhuntsok, the protagonist of Tashi and the Monk, attended to audiences’ queries. “The Monk was very powerful and character driven. The portrayal of the turbulences their lives encounter despite the Zen exterior, was quite insightful.” said one of the attendees. Later, a discussion titled ‘The New Indian Indiewave’, was moderated by Aseem Chhabra andhad the likes of Ruchika Oberoi, Kanu Behl, Gurvinder Singh, Abhay Kumar, and Bhaskar Hazarika on the Panel. These indie filmmakers have in the past, by their work and initiatives defined the contemporary lateral of Indian cinema.The panel brought under scrutinythe new wave of Indie films, Indian contribution to it and their competence. The closing film, Prashant Nair’s Umrika (Winner of the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival)was presented alongwith film producer, Swati Shetty and actor PrateikBabbar. “Umrika, reveals the struggle of a family after migration to America, it is relatable” said Nair, while interacting with the audience referencing to the parts which were drawn on his experiences. “Such discussions reveal what goes into the making of the movie and the intent of the makers. The beauty of independent cinema is spotting the charm in the ordinary aspects of life”, said a member of the audience. On 7th November 2015, a specially curated children’s package and Indian shorts was showcased. Film curator Monica Wahi custommade a package of children’s films for DIFF 2015’s special programme, Reel Neverland. Among the movies that were screened, Astrid Bussink’sGiovanni and the Water Ballet, and Alê Abreu’s animation, The Boy and The World gained wide approval. The day began with Bhaskar Hazarika’s hairraising feature, Kothanodi. International premiere of acclaimed Japanese director, Kaoru Ikeya’s documentary, Lung Ta and Israeli filmmaker, TalyaLavie’s feature film, Zero Motivation, were a few of the many highlights of the day. The Club House venue hosted screenings of the Indian shorts selection, curated by Marathi independent filmmaker, UmeshVinayak Kulkarni.
I n Adviser Adviser Adviser Adviser
t e r
n
a
The 3rd day saw a deliberation on Women and their role in the Film Industry-‘Film and the Female Gaze’, presided over by panelists, 4 women filmmakers: AnkaSchmid (Switzerland), DechenRoder (Bhutan), TalyaLavie (Israel), and Ruchika Oberoi (India). The discussion was moderated by DIFF Director and filmmaker, Ritu Sarin. The concluding day, 8th November 2015 opened with Joshua Oppenheimer’s documentary, The Look of Silence, recipient of the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. Monica Wahi introduced two more films from DIFF’s Reel Neverland package: an animated short by Dina Velikovskaya, About a Mother, and Jury Feting’s feature film, Celestial Camel. A session, later during the day, on ‘Making Masaan’ moderated by Namrata Joshi, featured director Neeraj Ghaywan and screenwriter Varun Grover. They engaged the audience in a freewheeling discussion about the making ofMasaan as a reflection of a society subjected to rapid change and the struggle of people to cope. Swiss director, Dodo Hunziker premiered his documentary, Tibetan Warrior, along with the film’s main protagonist, LotenNamling, in India. The attendees included dignitaries and ministers from the Tibetan administration, including the Ministers for Home, Finance, Religion and Culture, Education, in addition to the Sikyong Lobsang Sangay. The president of the Tibetan Youth Congress and the private secretary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Taklha also showed solidarity with the members of the industry, by marking their presence. The festival came to a close with an evening adorned with two of India’s most acclaimed independent films: Island City (director-Ruchika Oberoi) and Chauthi Koot, (director-Gurvinder Singh). The closing night film for DIFF 2015 was NeerajGhaywan’s feature, Masaan. With the concluding ceremony, DIFF successfully hosted yet another film festival, having honored the industry and its custodians, laboring to put indie-cinema on the same pedestal as conventional cinema. On being asked about his journey with DIFF as a volunteer, Sushant Bhat said, “I am a media student and DIFF was where I attained unparalleled knowledge over the span of this festival. While editing I understood the know-how of production with guidance from experts from the Industry who just like me, were volunteering for the love of films! On attending the panel discussions, I was made privy to how the makers themselves wanted the movie to be received. The atmosphere definitely made movie-bugs gravitate towards DIFF and as a student of this field, I couldn’t have asked for a more wholesome experience.”
t i o
n
Dr Franz Pahl Mr Thomas Kemeil Mr Shalinder Kumar Ven Thupten Yarphel
a
l
Former speaker of South Tyrol, Italy A software engineer, Austria A professional graphic designer, India A Tibetan writer, India
Editor in Chief Yeshe Choesang Chinese Editor Keary Huang Tibetan Editor Choneyi Sangpo Assistant Editor Dawa Phurbu Project Manager Molly Lortie Taipei Photographer Artemas Liu Layout & Design Choneyi Sangpo Circulation Tsering Samdhup
Contributors to this editon Victor Reyes USA Yeshe Choesang India Choenyi Sangpo India Keary Huang Taiwan Yangchen Dolma India Dawa Phurbu India Molly Lortie USA Tsering Samdup India Tsetan Dorjee India Garima Pura India Himalayan Literacy Trust Room #, Top Floor, New Varuni House Temple Road, McLeod Ganj: 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P., India
E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com Skype: dhardhophonya1959 Mobile: +91-9882423566 www.thetibetpost.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/tpinews
Chennai — As part of their Extra-mural Lecture series, over 3,000 students listened to the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, deliver a stirring message of compassion and forgiveness in the Indian Institute of Technology Madras on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. “It’s a great honour for me to meet with students of this famous institution. Nevertheless, whenever I meet other people, I think of myself as just another human being. Still, in the Buddhist teachings it is explained that we all have Buddha-nature, the seed of Buddhahood within us,” His Holiness said. “Scientific research has shown that basic human nature is compassionate. Infants, even before they can talk, can be seen to respond positively to images of people helping each other and to shrink from images of people hindering each other,” he said, adding that “meanwhile medical research has found that constant fear and anger damages our immune response, so cultivating a more affectionate, compassionate outlook is of direct benefit to our physical health.” “Buddhists also talk about consciousness in terms of different levels of subtlety. The normal waking state with sensory input is relatively coarse. The dream state is subtler, while the state of deep sleep is yet subtler than that. Consciousness when we faint is very subtle, but the subtlest is the consciousness that remains at the time of death. There are individuals who, focussing on that subtlest consciousness, are clinically dead. Their brains have stopped and yet their bodies remain fresh. This is a phenomenon that some scientists are beginning to research. That subtlest consciousness remains pure; it is not obscured by destructive emotions. That is the Buddha nature, the essence of enlightenment.” “Since basic human nature is compassionate, the disturbing emotions that lead us to kill, harm and exploit others are due to secondary factors. And the fact that human nature is positive is a source of hope. It is on the basis of this that I believe that if we make the effort, with vision and self-confidence we can make this 21st century an era of peace and compassion, an era of true happiness,” said His Holiness. His Holiness remarked that although the 20th century was a time of tremendous development and progress, it was also a period of great bloodshed. He said that sadly some of that violence has spilled over into this century. By way of contrast, India has a long-standing tradition of ahimsa or non-violence and a system of secular ethics, values that reflect respect for all religions and even the views of those who have no faith. His Holiness the Dalai Lama also reiterated his three commitments, namely to promote basic human values, such as warm heart; to promote inter-religious harmony and to work for Tibet. “Firstly, as human beings we are all the same, physically mentally and emotionally. We all want to live a happy life, and we all have a right to do so. But we are all subject to emotions. My first commitment is to promote the oneness of all human beings, on the basis of which there are no grounds for killing or exploiting others. Climate change and the global economy are two things no longer limited to national boundaries. Instead they encourage us to consider that we all belong to one human family. You young people who belong to the 21st century are the generation who can build a better world, but you’ll need a sense of responsibility, determination and vision.” His Holiness then discussed why the Buddha appears to have taught different things to different groups of people at different times. He said he clearly wasn’t confused himself, nor was he seeking to confuse others. He actually taught according to the disposition and ability of the people who were listening to him. Similarly, our various other religious traditions have different philosophical views but still convey the same message of love. They also acknowledge that the practice of love needs the support of tolerance, forgiveness and contentment. Each of these traditions has the same
Tibetan is the best ...
... continued from front page
His Holiness spoke briefly on the issue of Dolgyal worship and Shugden followers who protest at many of his foreign events, urging the Tibetans to not criticise them but to sympathise them for their ignorance. “These days Shugden people protest against me. They call me a false Dalai Lama. They say I’m a Muslim and that Tibetans shouldn’t believe in me. Those who instigated people to protest against me like this must have done it out of a personal grudge. However, I advise Tibetans not to be angry towards them. On my own part, every day I practice developing Bodhichitta and an understanding of emptiness, so I don’t feel anger towards them either.” His Holiness ended the day’s events by acknowledging the spiritual bond between him and the Tibetan people, saying, “that’s what counts. For a small boy from a village near Kumbum to become leader of Tibet, there must have been a strong karmic connection between us all.”
purpose, but takes a different approach to it. “Besides home-grown religious traditions, India is home to several traditions that arose outside: Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and so forth. In this it is an example to the world that religious traditions can live side by side and at peace with each other. “I usually describe myself as a messenger of India, because I promote ahimsa and inter-religious harmony. I also call myself a son of India, because the knowledge that fills my brain all originated with the Nalanda tradition. What’s more, for the last 55 years my body has been sustained by Indian rice, dal and chapatis. “My third commitment relates to my being Tibetan. 95% of Tibetans in Tibet place their trust and hope in me, so I have to do what I can for them. These days I’ve resigned my political responsibility, but I am concerned about the natural Tibetan environment. A Chinese expert observed that since the Tibetan plateau is as important as the North and South poles, he referred to it as the Third Pole. One crucial issue is that while political changes can be effected overnight, any damage done to the Tibetan environment will take a long time to restore. As it is, North India and Central and Southeast Asia depend on Tibet’s rivers, with a billion people relying on them for their supply of drinking water. And just as our river waters are crucial to others, our culture of peace, compassion and non-violence is also worth preserving.” Among prepared questions from the students, His Holiness was asked how to distinguish dedication from attachment in relation to work. He replied that it all depends on your motivation. If you are essentially selfish, it will be attachment that arises. The next question was whether His Holiness was disappointed when foreign leaders decline to meet him. He responded that he always considers engaging with the public to be most important. Change in humanity begins at the grassroots with people like those he was talking to today. He defined success as leading a meaningful life, which he explained involved bringing happiness and joy to others. The spokesman for the students said, “We all have some kind of role model to follow; did you look up to anyone when you were young?” and His Holiness answered them, saying, “My first role model was my mother. She may have been an uneducated, illiterate farmer’s wife, but she was
really kind. Later, when I began to study, the stories of the Buddha and other masters gave me role models to follow and later it was Mahatma Gandhi.” His Holiness replied to an enquiry about whether a future Dalai Lama could be a woman by explaining that he’d first been asked this by someone from a Paris magazine years ago. His answer then and now was that if it would be more useful then it was quite possible for a Dalai Lama to be a woman. He stressed that he feels more women should take up leadership roles and speculated about whether if more of the world’s countries were led by woman, the world might be a more peaceful place. He told the students his greatest discovery was the correlation between Buddhist science and modern science. He cited the Indian nuclear physicist Raja Raman telling him that he had found strong resonance between what Quantum Physics has to say and the writings of Nagarjuna that are about 2000 years old. “Please think about what I have said. If it makes sense to you, try to put it into effect. If it makes no sense then it’s ok to forget it,” His Holiness appealed to the audience before leaving the stage. His Holiness met briefly with about 150 young Tibetans who are studying or working in Chennai. “I’ve met people from all kinds of backgrounds and talked with them. I’ve had no modern education, but I am wellversed in the Nalanda tradition and that has equipped me to engage in dialogue with modern scientists. “Mao Zedong had an idea that religion and science contradicted each other. In 1954/5 he told me that he thought I had a scientific mind and remarked that religion is poison. I was embarrassed. I keep in mind the Buddha’s advice that if something is useful, use it,” His Holiness told them. “Many scientists have what I think of as a reasoning Buddhist cast of mind. On the other hand a group of Thai Buddhist teachers I talked to told me that when they teach the Four Noble Truths they rely on scriptural authority rather than reason,” he added. “The Chinese also participate in the Nalanda tradition, but don’t employ a rigorous course of study as we do. The Nalanda tradition is our treasure. We should study it. It’s not enough to leave it to monastics to study; as 21st century Buddhists we should study too. Even though I am 80 years old, I am still a student. I read and study whenever I can. This is something to be proud of.”
Over 3000 students attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talk at IIT Madras’s Auditorium in Chennai, TN, India on November 10, 2015. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Pelosi voices support ... ... continued from front page
“Our delegation was grateful for the opportunity to travel to Lhasa,Tibettoobserve,learnandlistenaboutlifeontheTibetan plateau,” Pelosi explained by saying that her “delegation also met and observed monks at the Sera Monastery.” Jim McGovern, chairman of a Congress Human Rights Commission, also accompanied Pelosi in the delegation. “We expressed concerns regarding freedom of religion and expression for the Tibetan people; the preservation of Tibet’s uniquecultural,religiousandlinguisticheritage;anddiplomatic and public access to Tibet,” she further said. “We also conveyed to the Chinese government officials the strong, bipartisan support the Dalai Lama enjoys in the Congress of the United States and among the American people.” “Ours was the first Congressional delegation to enter Tibet since the 2008 unrest marked by protests, demonstrations and violence, the statement said, adding that “The delegation recognized China’s commitment to building infrastructure across China, including in Tibet, and addressing climate change.” “ThedelegationwaspleasedtovisitUNESCOWorldHeritage Sites including the Potala Palace, which served as the living quarters and burial sites for former Dalai Lamas; and the Jokhang Temple, a sacred destination for religious pilgrims,” the statement concluded. The delegation, the first Congressional delegation Chinese authorities have allowed to enter Tibet since widespread unrest in 2008, also expressed concern over the recent arrests and detentions of human rights lawyers and activists in China. China’s tightly controlled state media gave some positive coverage, presenting only one side of the Tibet
visit. The Tibet Daily had claimed Pelosi praised the huge changes that had taken place in Tibet and the hard work of the Chinese government in protecting religious freedom and cultural practices. Meeting Pelosi in Beijing, Zhang Dejiang, the thirdranked Communist Party leader said he was pleased to see her looking well. “Madame Pelosi, you have been to Tibet. I was concerned about your health. I can see there is nothing wrong with your health. This shows your health is very good. I want to first hear your impressions of your visit to Tibet,” said Zhang. Pelosi responded that she had shared some views on Tibet at an earlier meeting, and hoped “some of that conversation will be useful as we try to talk about some other subjects as well”. Rights groups and Tibetans say China tramples on the cultural and religious rights of the people of Tibet. China denies this, saying it has brought much needed development to what was a backward region. Pelosi has regularly spoken out about human rights issues in Tibet and has met His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whom Chinese government reviles as a separatist— seeking Tibetan independence. However the Nobel peace laureate openly and repeatedly declared he seeks only a “genuine autonomy” for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet within the constitutional framework of the People’s Republic of China. More than 140 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest against Chinese rule over Tibetan regions. Most of them have died from the injuries sustained in their act of protest. The self-immolators have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people.
Tibet News November 15, 2015 3 Sikyong congratulates Myanmar on democratic elections Leaked document suggests intensifying reled by peace icon, Daw Aung San Su Kyi ligious oppression in Tibet: Right group in the general election, in Myanmar also The Tibet Post International
TPI NEWS
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the inaugural session of the Asia Regional Meeting of ITN, Dharamshala, India on November 9, 2015. Photo: TPI/Dawa Phurbu By Yangchen Dolma: 11 November 2015
Dharamshala — The political leader of the Tibetan people, SIkyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, has congratulated Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy Party (NLD) for their apparent landslide victory in which garnered nearly 85% percent of the vote during the parliamentary election held last week. “ O n b e h a l f o f t h e C e n t r a l Ti b e t a n Administration and Tibetan people, I extend my warm greetings and congratulations on your party – National League for Democracy’s massive victory in the recent general election of Myanmar,” Dr Sangay said in a statement dated November 11, 2015. “When you were released from house arrest in November 2010, the world watched in hopeful expectations of gradual democratic changes in Myanmar. Now in November 2015, exactly five years after your release, your party’s decisive victory through popular vote is indeed a victory for the ideals of democracy that you hold close to your heart,” Sikyong said. “The virtues of patience and non-violence that you espouse are a source of strength for the entire world including the Tibetan
people. Tibet, besides sharing a common Buddhist heritage, is unified with the people of Myanmar by their deep commitment to democracy, the universality of human rights, religious harmony, and the brotherhood of all peoples,” the statement read. “I wish you all the success as you embark upon your new responsibilities and hope that you will raise your pivotal voice for a quick resolution of the Tibet issue just as you have done to usher in democracy in Myanmar,” Sikyong also expressed. His Holiness the Dalai Lama met privately with Burmese pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in London, on June 19, 2012. During the 30-minute meeting, the spiritual leader of Tibet told the fellow Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, “I have real admiration for your courage. I am very happy we’ve been able to meet.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama told her that he was confident that she would continue her late father’s legacy as a dedicated leader in service to humanity, and wished her success in her goals. Analysts expect a landslide victory for the National League for Democracy Party
CCP chief in Tibet: Cadres who don’t share same mind must be punished By Yeshe Choesang: 11 November 2015
Dharamshala — ‘We must severely punish those party members and cadres who don’t share the same mind with the communist party,’ said Chen Quanguo, Beijing-appointed Chinese party chief in the so called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). “We must severely punish those party members and cadres who don’t have firm beliefs and ideals, who don’t share the same mind with the party and the people, who have ‘two faces’ when it comes to the important question of what’s right and wrong,” Mr Chen said, according to the transcript of the question-and-answer session that was published by the party’s central anticorruption and discipline agency, on Monday. Mr Chen said it was important to go after party members who “pretend not to be religious but indeed are” and those who “follow the clique of the 14th Dalai Lama.” He emphasized that party investigators should seek out members who have gone to India, where the Dalai Lama lives, to “worship” him or ones who send their children or other relatives to schools run by him. China routinely denounces the spiritual leader of Tibet, saying he is “plotting towards Tibetan independence” even though he has openly and repeatedly declared he seeks merely a “genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet within the constitutional framework of the People’s Republic of China Despite ban, a growing number of Chinese Buddhists flock to India and follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama around the world to receive his teachings, and seek his blessing. His Holiness have met with hundreds of Chinese scholars, lawyers, educators, writers and human rights advocates who cautiously endorse his pursuit. There were more than one thousand articles written by Chinese scholars that are very critical about the Chinese government policy in Tibet. Many believe that Chinese not only control the political power in Tibet, but also the economic cultural and religious life of the Tibetan people. Since a widespread uprising of Tibetans in 2008, Chinese officials have tried to clamp down on the border between Tibet and Nepal to prevent most Tibetan pilgrims from leaving via a popular route. In 2012, security officers in Tibet detained hundreds of people returning from a Kalachakra religious teaching
ceremony in India over which His Holiness the Dalai Lama had presided. The ceremony is sometimes held in India, and officials had turned a blind eye to some Tibetans seeking to attend, but the 2012 mass detention showed that Mr Chen, Beijing appointed party chief in TAR and other regional leaders were intent on taking a harder line. Mr Chen said in the question-and-answer transcript that officials in the Tibet Autonomous Region, which includes Lhasa and the central Tibetan plateau, had uncovered 19 cases of violations of political discipline and had punished 20 people. “In 2015, not one person from the Tibet Autonomous Region has gone to the 14th Dalai Lama’s prayer sessions,” Chen said, without mentioning the severe restrictions that China had imposed on Tibetans in the region. It is no new thing for the authorities in Beijing, Chinese soldiers along the Tibet-Nepal borders have been known to shoot and kill Tibetan refugees, including women and children as they try to escape the Chinese regime. While many countries are looking for ways to stop refugees from entering, the Chinese regime is looking for ways to prevent Tibetans from escaping. A new frontier monitoring system was detailed by the staterun China Daily news outlet on November 6. It uses advanced radars and unmanned aircraft to track people, and has already been deployed by border defense units in Tibet and other regions. In August, an official publication of the party’s Organization Department, which manages postings for party members, said the party in TARt was tightening discipline. China said the party there had issued a policy called the “six absolutely don’t-use,” which described criteria for rejecting potential party members or officials. Those include people who have gone abroad to “worship” the Tibetan spiritual leader or to prayer sessions and teachings by himconsidered “intentionally manufacture ethnic conflict or disrupt ethnic unity.” Unlike Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Tibetans in Tibet always treated in a totally different way. Tibetans believe that the only logical reason for the Beijing is that the Tibetans are not Chinese, because they have no flesh connection with Chinese, even if they try to, mix their bones.
known as Burma. Vote counting continued, Ms Suu Kyi reiterated that she plans to run the government above the presidency, having been barred from that office under an army-drafted constitution. The army has also enshrined its power in the constitution – reserving 25% of parliament seats – keeping the most powerful ministerial portfolios and banning Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency as she has foreign family members. Her late husband was a British academic and they have two sons. The army ignored a similar victory by the party in 1990 and implemented a brutal crackdown that saw Ms Suu Kyi kept under house arrest for 15 years. The 70-year-old Nobel laureate has won a stunning victory will shape the future of the country which was ruled for half a century by despotic army generals. A total of 498 seats are being contested in the upper and lower houses of Myanmar’s parliament. The 2015 polls were observed by around 10,000 election monitors, including many from the European Union and United Nations, and early indications from monitors suggested a largely transparent process.
By Molly Lortie: 10 November 2015
Dharamshala — At a press conference at McLeod Ganj in Dharamshala Monday, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy released a Chinese document allegedly leaked from Tibet which they claim proves the crackdown of Chinese authority on religious freedom and human rights violations in Diru (Ch: Biru) County, Nagchu (Ch: Naqu) Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), in Kham province. TCHRD said that the new rules contained in the documents target what the Chinese see as being the Lama’s influence on ordinary people, restricts the size and finances of monasteries, sets educational syllabi in monasteries, and even forbids ordinary people from carving Buddhist mantras on stones which Tibetans consider a meritorious act. Monasteries are threatened with having their religious status stripped and denial of rights to harvest Yartsa Gonbu, a local herb that has been an important source of economic activity in recent years. The group has closely monitored the situation in Diru County, publishing accounts from local Tibetans which have suggested the authority’s strengthening grip on the region. It claims this document not only proves those accounts of a crackdown, but also takes a concerning step in the oppression of the region.
“This regulation evokes the memory of the Cultural Revolution when the whole structure of the society, from top to bottom, was subjected to sweeping state scrutiny and punishment,” said Tsering Gyal, Tibetan/Chinese researcher at TCHRD. “Each level of the party and government offices and units, from County to village, is held responsible for any leniency in their duty to enforce the regulation.” Tenzin Nyinjey, Tibetan researcher at the exiled group recalled during the organization’s press conference. “Many years ago, when the Communist Party was in Tibet, they made a famous statement, saying that in order to kill a snake you have to chop off its head. Meaning that if you want to destroy the Tibetan resistance you have to target the monasteries, as they are the foundation of Tibetan culture and religion,” he suggests that this document clearly shows this policy in action, years later. Another point of concern brought up by the TCHRD is that in this instance, the Chinese authority goes beyond this initial policy to also target individual acts of religious worship, as the document threatens the economic livelihood of individuals found placing Mani stones or carving, as they will not be allowed to harvest the local’s most lucrative crop. The group claims that punishing religion like this is “chopping off the Tibetan lifeline.”
5th International Tibet Network’s collaboration meeting concludes
Dr Lobsang Sangay and DIIR Kalon Dicki Chhoyang at the inaugural session of the Asia Regional Meeting of ITN, Dharamshala, India on November 9, 2015. Photo: TPI/Dawa Phurbu
By Molly Lortie: 11 November 2015
Dharamshala — The 5th Asia Regional Meeting of the International Tibet Network (ITN), a global coalition of Tibet support groups, concluded today, November 11th, at the Norbu House in McLeod Ganj. The International Tibet Network was established in the year 2000, with the goal to foster effective coordination among the many Tibet support groups and strengthen their overall campaign capacities. More than 50 delegates from 14 Tibet support groups from the US, UK, Bangladesh, Taiwan,
Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Italy and India participated in the three-day meeting, which was aimed at generating new strategies and maximizing the impact of the Tibetan movement worldwide. Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the Tibetan people’s utmost gratitude to supporters for their strong commitment to the Tibet cause. He expressed that the support extended by the Tibet groups is crucial to sustain as well as amplify the Tibetan movement at a global stage.
Explaining that Tibetans are strategically disadvantaged in terms of demography to pose a formidable challenge to the Chinese government, Sikyong pinpointed certain issues of concern where the efforts of the Tibet support groups are pivotal to shore up support from world leaders and international rights groups. He highlighted the political situation of the Tibetan people inside Tibet, the human rights violations, the rapid environmental degradation of the Tibetan plateau and the annihilation of Tibetan culture and heritage as the focal points of Chinese repression in Tibet, calling for a concerted effort to allay the sufferings of the Tibetan people. The days following consisted of campaign development of projects including the topics of Tibet’s environment, political prisoners, Lithium mining in Tibet, and the promotion of dialogue. The outcomes of the discussion created three new campaigns to be implemented in the coming year, including the creation of a Tibet Advocacy Week in Indian Parliament, Tibet Third Pole to coincide with India’s Climate March, and the Free Tibetan Heroes Campaign, highlighting former political prisoners. Nyima Lhamo, the Asia regional coordinator concluded the final day of the meeting saying, “Each participant has left this meeting having made their own personal commitment to contribute towards better collaboration. With robust campaign plans and stronger personal relationships between groups, we are confident that our movement in Asia will be more effective as a result of this meeting.”
The Xi-Ma Meeting: A Tiny Hope for Peace By Keary Huang: 13 November 2015
Taipei - The presidents of China and Taiwan have met for the first time since 1949. Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of self-ruled democratic Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou smiled and shook hands for well over a minute in Singapore on Saturday- more than a second for each of the 66 years since Taiwan split at the end of China’s civil war. Every moment of the meeting was scrutinised with every protocol finely honed to avoid any diplomatic slip ups. The two men addressed each other as ‘mister’, as Beijing officially views Taiwan as part of its territory, and not an independent nation. The meeting comes as Xi hopes to cement his legacy among China’s great leaders and Ma, stepping down next year due to term limits, tries to shape his legacy marred by growing anti-Beijing feeling in Taiwan. Anti-Beijing sentiment has been rising in Taiwan ahead of elections, though Mr Ying-jeou called for mutual respect for each other’s systems and said his nation wanted China to use peaceful means to resolve issues. Beijing sees Taiwan as a province awaiting a return to the motherland, and several predicted that reunification could be achieved within 10 years. China’s Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang (KMT), retreated to Taiwan after losing the civil war to the Communists, who are still in charge in Beijing. The mainland has never renounced the use of force to bring what it considers a breakaway province under its control. Zhang Zhijun, the head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said Xi told Ma that the biggest threat to the peaceful development of relations was proindependence forces.
Xi Jinping Ma Ying-jeou shake hands in Singapore, in first time of high-level meet since China’s civil war in 1949. Photo: Reuters
“The compatriots on both sides should unite and firmly oppose it,” Zhang said. The meeting comes ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Taiwan which the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is favoured to win, something Beijing is desperate to avoid. But there were no announcements or indications that either man would move to change the status quo. The subsequent meeting lasted less than an hour, as protesters marched outside the meeting venue five-star Shangri-La Hotel - curbed by police. Xi told Ma that “no matter how long divisions last, there is no power that can separate us, because
we are brothers connected by flesh even if our bones are broken, we are a family whose blood is thicker than water”. Ma asked Xi indirectly to respect Taiwan’s democracy. “Both sides should respect each other’s values and way of life to ensure mutual benefit and a win-win situation across the straits,” he said. And speaking to reporters after the talks, Ma said he hoped Xi could pay attention to China’s missile deployment Taiwan has long fretted about batteries pointed its way - to which Xi replied that was not an issue about Taiwan. “I at least raised the issue, and told him that the Taiwanese people have questions and concerns about it, and hope he will treat it with importance,” Ma said.
4
TPI NEWS
November 15, 2015
C OM PU T ERISED EYE TESTING
Tibetan Thangka Paiting
BHARAT OPTICALS
Manoj Lama
A collection of selected desserts Time - 9 : 00am to 7 : 00pm Our specialty
* Fresh beans coffee * Handmade cappuccino * Chocolate Vegen cake * Gluten free cake * Fresh breakfast * Chocolate Chilli Lollipop
Located below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Road, McLeodganj.
Closed on Monday
CENTRE FOR TIBETAN CULTURE We are newly formed organisation, our main objective is to preserve Tibetan literature.
Dealers in branded frames,
Hand Painted Best Quality Thangka
DEALS IN:
ccccccaaaaaa
• LENSES:-
Visit Manoj Lama’s workshop in the remote hill station of McLeod Ganj. Manoj is interested in the possibilities the net brings for him to connect with collectors of authentic thangka paintings. Located near Japanese Restaurant, Jogiwara Road, McLeodganj, opp My Cafe, Dharamshala E-mail: manojmoktanlama@gmail.com Mobile: 98821-16173 75440-62513
BLACK
Phone no. 9816272816/8350962155 Email- tibetanonline2015@gmail.com
Crizal Lenses Zeiss Lenses Ao Lenses Suprol Lenses
Computerised Eye Testing
• Hearing Aids.
• CONTACT LENSES:Bausch & Lomb Lenses Colour Contact Lenses
CAFE
The only genuine and professional opticians in Dharamshala and McLeodganj. Special discount for all Tibetan students and senior citizens Special discount in Diwali Festival
A GR OU P OF O PTICIANS DHARAMSHALA DEHRA MCLEODGANJ DISTT. KANGRA. (H.P.) 176215
DENTAL CLINIC
On Jogiwara Road, McLeodganj, near the Post Office
Dr Natasha Mehra specialises in
LATEST TRENDS IN GENERAL DENTISTRY: Painless Extractions, Root Canal Treatments, Fillings (Metal/Mercury-free), Crowns and Bridges, Dentures, Gum Treatments & Oral Hygience Procedures ALL YOUR DENTAL SOLUTIONS UNDER ONE ROOF
Our sterile, state-of-the-art clinic places special emphasis on INFECTION AND CROSS-INFECTION CONTROL COMPETITIVE RATES COME AND VISIT US FOR A CHAT OR CALL 09218-742046 FOR AN APPOINTMENT E-mail: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com
LHAMO’S CROISSANT
Two minutes from Main Square Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj. Visit us for delicious French cuisine with a Tibetan twist. Try our croissants, pain-au-chocolat, quiche, salads, freshly baked cakes and tarts, herbal teas, freshly brewed coffee and pure fruit juices, all hygienically prepared.
Great views from our roof terrace and Meditation Lounge on the second floor.
EXILE BROTHERS V E G ON E A R T H
Hotel Fine-Dine Restaurant Coffee Shop Call: +91-9857-555333 +91-9857-666333
www.bellaheights.com
CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA
MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, CONTINENTAL & THAI FOOD
COSMETIC DENTISTRY: Veneers, Metal-free Crowns, Smile Designing
Located near Post Office, McLeodganj, Jogiwara Road, Dharamshala E-mail: Blacktentcafem@gmail.com Mobile: 9882547660
Please order 2 hours in advance
WE YOUREYES EYES WE CARE CARE FOR FOR YOUR
PERFECT 32
• Veg Bread • Tsampa Momo • Chicken Burger
BELLA HEIGHTS Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj
“Your Health is our Happiness”
NEED A DENTIST??? Then visit...
You can feel the taste of Tibetan traditional food and many more. The comfortable and reading facilities you can get here with good services.
One of the finest Indian, Chinese,Continental,Thai Speciality in Mutton; • Rogan Josh, • Mutton Saagwala, • Mutton Rahra, • Mutton Do Pyaza, • Mutton Kadhai, • Mutton Seekh, • Babri Seekh Kabab, • Gulati Seekh Kabab.
The Tibet Post International
Tel: 01892-224629; 94180-17245 E-mail: mkangharia@gmail.com
TENT
Programme
Location- Hope Cafe near Koran restaurant, Jogiwara road.
sunglasses and contact lenses.
Specialization in progressive spects.
• Portang Mien • Veg Burger • Cheese Momo
-Tibetan online class - English intensive course -Immersion Tibetan class -Free Tibetan class for Tibetans
Classified
JJI
S A V E
JAMYANG
ALL
JIGME
K I N D
INGSEL
Tibetan food; Momo, Thukpa, Thenthuk & more
Come and try our Tibetan style! Located on Bhagsunag Road, McLeodganj, Dharamshala Phone: +91-1892-221649 Mobile: 09418221659 E-mail: jjiexilebrothers@hotmail.com neemaphenthok@gmail.com www.jjiexilebrothers.com
• Healthy and hygienic - no MSG • Everything washed with sterilized water • Homemade muesli and homemade curd • Large variety of fresh juices • Wood-fired pizza oven and clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere including roof-top tables and Japanese style seating area • Live music every Sunday Located on Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, across from the Tibetan Reception Centre (down from Post Office)
TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO HEALTH & HEALING Dr. Dolkar skillfully combines the best traditional methods of healing for balancing and revitalizing the Body’s energy, applying both Chinese and Tibetan Technique of Healing. we are also giving our Tibetan Traditional Massage Course with Certificate for 5 days, 7 days and 15 days.
TRADITIONAL APPROACH *** Tibetan Medicine *** *** Moxa Therapy *** *** Healing and Rejuvenation Massage ***
MAIN DISEASES * Headache & Dezziness * General Ache & Pain * Arthritis * Food Poisoning Pain * Chronic Gastritis * Nerves Stress
BEAUTY SALOON * Facial * Hair Cutting * Hair Straightening * Threading * Nail Arts
AVAILABLE
FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM AT 2nd FLOOR, MOUNT VIEW HOTEL, JOGIWARA ROAD Two minutes Down From Post Office Cell: +91-98820-83741, +91-98826-61785 Email: dolkar248@gmail.com
Horoscopes for the Month of November, 2015 Sorces: Always Astrology ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You can make progress if you deal with the right individuals. Be careful not to come on too strongly. Knowledge can be acquired if you listen. Secret affairs can only lead to devastating circumstances. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Plan to do things with your faithful pet or with youngsters who have interesting hobbies. Your ability to communicate with ease will win the hearts of those you are in touch with this month. You may find yourself changing crowds. You may find your self in a romantic situation. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Concentrate on your career and on making money. Don’t let your emotions take over. Romance could develop through social activities or short trips. You will gain valuable insight and knowledge through the experiences you have along the way. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You might have a problem juggling your time. Relationships may be hard to handle. Join a choir or a drama club. You may be considering moving to larger quarters. Don’t deny yourself this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You may not be that popular at home but you should be able to shine at social gatherings. Don’t confront the situation if you don’t feel you can keep your cool. Romantic encounters are evident through travel or educational pursuits. Protect your interests legally if necessary. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You can have a great time if you go out with the one you love. Romantic opportunities are evident if you get involved in large groups or organizations. Be prepared to overcome frustrations and obstacles at work. Your intellectual charm will entice new love interests. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Promote your ideas now. You will inspire confidence in others. You can get a great deal accomplished if you bring work home. You may want to talk to your boss about your future goals. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Travel will promote new romantic connections. Do not expect others to do your work. The information that you gain can be used in every aspect of your life. You need some excitement in your life, and meeting new people in exotic destinations will certainly satisfy your desires. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Secret affairs will only lead to heartache. You can get ready to celebrate your new direction. Don’t start any arguments unless you’re prepared to accept irrevocable results. Clear up domestic chores that have remained undone for some time. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Don’t let domestic problems interfere with your objectives. Take a short business trip if possible. You will find the excitement gratifying. Good friends will give you honest answers. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Try to ease any disappointment by making amends. Frustrations and limitations could cause anxiety this month. Arguments with employers or colleagues will be to your detriment. You could lose a good friend because of it. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Arguments with children or friends may leave you steaming. Finish up any correspondence by early afternoon. Older relatives may make u n r e a s o n a b l e d e m a n d s . D o n ’t j u m p i n t o investments too quickly. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.
November 15, 2015 INTERNATIONAL 5 Kalam lives in the minds and hearts of the people: His Holiness American Enterprise panel convenes
The Tibet Post International
TPI NEWS
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the Abdul Kalam Seva Ratna Awards ceremony in Chennai, TN, India on November 9, 2015. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL By Jane Cook: 10 November 2015
Chennai — Presenting the Abdul Kalam Seva Ratna Awards 2015, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, organised by the Dr Abdul Kalam Vision India Movement, the spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama said the spirit and vision of Kalam lived on in the minds and hearts of the people. “It is your responsibility to fulfil his dreams.” “Although he is no longer physically among us, Dr Abdul Kalam’s spirit lives on in our admiration of him. We should all work to keep it alive. I offer my greetings and good wishes to all those who have just received awards.” “I remember, when I received the Nobel Peace Prize, I said I accepted it as recognition of the small contribution I may have made. But I realized that it meant I would have to keep up my defence of peace and dialogue. I request all of you too, ‘Don’t slacken your efforts, try harder to fulfil people’s hopes. Keep up the good work.’ “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world,” said the Nobel peace laureate
who was the chief guest at the event. He compared it to something His Holiness has said, “there is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” He said that India is an ancient nation that has produced many great thinkers and philosophers. “I first visited Chennai, Madras as it then was, in 1956 when I came to India for the celebrations of the 2500th anniversary of the Buddha, so this famous city is familiar to me. I came again in 1959 or 1960 when I remember Rajagopalachari welcomed me. This time I notice what a lot of heavy physical construction is going on. We see this happen all over the world, and yet it is at least as important that people also experience joy and peace of mind. You may have a big house, but if it is full of stress and tension, you won’t be happy living there. Physical comfort by itself doesn’t bring us peace. “This country has gathered a deep awareness of the function of our emotions and how our minds work. Understanding of how to tackle our destructive emotions gave rise to the concept of ahimsa and the tolerance that has allowed India to be the only country where all the world’s major religions live together
4th annual festival kicks off, bringing international film to Dharamshala By Molly Lortie: 06 November 2015
Dharamshala — More than 500 honored guests and movie lovers filled the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts on Thursday, November 5th for the opening night of the 4th annual Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF). This year’s festival features 37 films from 18 different countries, and the opening night was attended by people from across India who travelled to Dharamshala just for the festival, in addition to special guests and local residents. First screened was the film Titli, by Indian writer and director Kanu Behl, exploring family life within Delhi poverty. The screening was followed by a question answer with Behl and leading actor Ranvir Shorey. Festival directors Tenzing Sonam and his wife Ritu Sarin have organized the festival since its conception in 2011, collecting quality international independent films to bring to Dharamshala, a town that does not even have a proper cinema. Mr Tenzing said in an exclusive interview with the Tibet Post International (TPI) that in creating the DIFF, “the idea was that it would be an international film festival to showcase good international films from around the world, and bring that to Dharamshala so that the people here, Tibetans, Indians, westerners, would have an opportunity to be exposed to this kind of cinema.” He went on to address the placement of Tibetan films in the festival, first stating, “when we started this festival, we wanted to make it very much non political, non culturally specific. We never wanted to make it primarily Tibetan films,” later adding, “but of course every year we show Tibetan films. This year we have two documentaries with Tibetan subjects, but are made by non-Tibetans. We have two short films that are also on a Tibetan subject; one of them is made by a Chinese filmmaker, another by a British filmmaker.” The film Tibetan Warrior, a documentary by Swiss filmmaker Dodo Hunziker, will premier in Dharamshala on Sunday at 1pm, and film protagonist Loten Namling spoke with TPI about his personal pleasure in showing the film here, saying, “it’s being shown all around the world, but we’re so happy that the film is now being shown here in Dharamshala. Dharamshala is my home town, so this is of course something to be proud of.”
The film follows Loten Namling as he drags a coffin, symbolizing the death of his people and culture, from Bure to Geneva, Switzerland, a journey that took 53 days. Addressing the difficulties and physical strain of the journey, Mr. Namling said, “it was no so difficult because I was thinking about the difficult situation in Tibet, and compared to that it was insignificant—almost nothing. A bit of a physical strain, but the amount of suffering in Tibet and the self-immolations, keeping all those things in mind it kind of enlightened my journey.” Kaoru Ikeya, renowned Japanese director, will show his film Lungta on Saturday at 3:45pm, a documentary bringing to an international scene the Tibetan self-immolations that continue to happen as a result of the extreme suffering in Tibet. Ikeya told the Tibet Post, “showing this movie in Japan, it raises awareness about the Tibetan issue. So this makes it very fulfilling, very useful. Because many of Tibetan self immolators are appealing for the world to know about their problems, so to spread this to the people, to the Japanese people, this film is very important.” Lungta has been successful in Japan, where it’s been running in theaters in Tokyo since mid-July, raising public awareness and gaining media attention. However, Ikeya is looking forward to showing the film here in Dharamshala, adding, “this is the most ideal place to show Lungta, so I’m very happy to show it here and see the reaction of the people.” Dharamshala local, festival volunteer, and aspiring filmmaker Tenzin Phuljung spoke with the Tibet Post about the importance of the festival for local movie lovers, saying, “this event for people like me who love films, creates a very good platform for me to open my eyes to very wonderful films. Most of the stories are untold in Hollywood, Bollywood, within mainstream.” “This is my 4th year participating in this festival, through these experiences, meeting with lots of people from different backgrounds, for me it’s like a four day film class, where I meet lots of like-minded people.This festival has really encouraged local filmmakers.” He also added, “we have Tibetan movies at the festival, so this sends a great message for young Tibetans to encourage them to pursue the possibilities of film-making.”
in harmony. I know this occasionally breaks down, but that’s because there are mischievous people who make trouble in any society. “In general, India presents an example to the world that different religious traditions, despite their different views, can live together in mutual respect. I often tell my Indian friends that you have an opportunity to combine the ancient understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions with contemporary scientific knowledge and development.” His Holiness recalled that Dr Abdul Kalam was a spiritually minded man, whose background was Muslim. When he visited his residence recently a photograph reminded him of an occasion when the former President had been reading Shantideva’s ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’. He expressed a great fondness for a couple of verses and asked His Holiness to sign those pages. The verses read: His Holiness remarked that he often draws a distinction between the generation of the 20th century, to which he belongs, and whose time is gone, and the generation of the 21st century. He half-jokingly said: “Those of us of the 20th century have created a whole host of problems, including damage to the environment, that has left a lot of work for those of you who belong to the 21st century to clear up. However, I believe that if we make an effort now, by the end of this century, but within your lifetimes, we could create a more peaceful, harmonious, compassionate world. “We are all physically, mentally and emotionally the same. We all have the same desire to live a happy life. However, strong self-centredness drives us to see others in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’, which leads to divisions that can even spill over into violence. The environment is telling us we live in one world,” he said. “Technology is making that world smaller. Even the global economy is showing us how interdependent we are. We all belong to one human family. Secondary differences of faith, race or status are not important in the broader context that we all have the same right to achieve a happy life,” he added, saying “as social animals we all depend on one another.” “Nowadays, many scientists are recognising the importance of our inner world. They are interested to know how we can set about reducing our destructive emotions and increase those emotions that are positive. Evidence is being found that our basic human nature is compassionate.” His Holiness said that “this is a basis for hope; it lends confidence to the idea that we can build a happier world. So my advice for young people today is to think about these things, not to relax, not to give up and not to just rest content with things the way they are. We can surmount our problems and build a better world.”
with His Holiness the Dalai Lama By Molly Lortie: 05 November 2015
Dharamshala — The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, hosted representatives and guests from American Enterprise Institute, a think tank based in Washington D.C., for a two day symposium beginning on Wednesday, November 4. A delegation of 38 from AEI met His Holiness at his residence to begin the first panel of the symposium entitled, Abundance without Attachment. In his introduction, Arthur Brooks stated the purpose of this symposium was to talk about purpose in their work, about enterprise and poverty, and how to lift people up. Remembering the four factors that His Holiness claims constitute a happy life; enlightenment, spirituality, w orldly satisfaction and wealth, he expressed that while his initial reaction to the last factor of wealth was surprise, he quoted the proud boast of a friend he’d met during his work in the Dharavi slum in Mumbai which made him understand: “I built something; I earned my living and I served other people,” a phrase Brooks came to understand was the meaning of His Holiness’s term wealth. Brooks introduced the members of the first panel, Jay Panda, an Indian Member of Parliament representing Odisha; Paresh Shah, a Gujarati living in LA who is an executive and yogi; and Robert Doar, now an AEI fellow, who was commissioner of New York’s Human Resources Administration. He asked them to consider ‘What is a meaningful life in the midst of poverty?’ When Brooks turned to His Holiness for his thoughts on the topic, His Holiness said, “We are all living beings with feelings of pleasure and
pain. All beings love their own life, but different sizes of brains mean we have different levels of intelligence. We human beings are the most intelligent and it is by using this intelligence that we can change the world for the better.” Addressing the main point of poverty, His Holiness stressed the need to bridge the gap between rich and poor, poignantly stating,” I often think of billionaires and the poor. The truth is that the physical size of the stomach is the same. And we have only ten fingers. You can acquire 20 or 30 rings, but you have only 10 fingers. So the reality is that poor and rich people are the same.” “In India, cities are getting bigger and bigger, but rural areas are staying the same, they are lacking development. What the rich can do is to respectfully provide facilities and education. But the poor have to work hard and develop self-confidence. Wallowing in anger and resentment wins nothing.” Suggesting a solution to the root of unhappiness for both the rich and poor, His Holiness said, “I often point out that existing modern education is not adequate to shape happy individuals living in happy families in a happy nation,” His Holiness said, “because there is too much focus on materialism. In the West people are affluent, but are beginning to realize that having inner peace is more important. Because no one religious tradition can have universal appeal, we need to adopt a secular ethics, a sense of respect for all spiritual traditions and even for the views of those who follow none.” After a morning of lively discussion the session broke for lunch, rejoining the following day for a fresh panel.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the delegates of AEI at the former’s residence in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, India on 4 November 2015. Photo: TPI/Dawa Phurbu
China’s new dams in Tibet impact on Asian freshwater: Sikyong By Yeshe Choesang: 03 November 2015
Dharamshala — Dr Lobsang Sangay, the current Sikyong of the central Tibetan administration (CTA) Monday said construction of dams by China on rivers originating in Tibet, including the Brahmaputra, would have serious implications on livelihood and ecology in India’s Northeast and other Asian nations. Addressing the fifth All-India Tibet Support Groups Conference in Guwahati, Assam, on Monday, special Guest Dr Lobsang Sangay said the Tibetan glaciers are sources of all major rivers that provide fresh water to India, Bangladesh and other Asian nations and building dams on these rivers will directly impact those countries. Describing the Brahmaputra as the “lifeline of Assam”, Dr Sangay said construction of dams by China on the river would have adverse impact on the Northeast, particularlyAssam, as well as Bangladesh. The Tibetan political leader said that Tibetans in India have for long been raising awareness about the threats from China’s dam constructions on Brahmaputra. He said continuous environmental degradation of Tibet by China had led to fast melting of glaciers which would create shortage of fresh water. “Now China has admitted about the construction. Also there are talks of China’s plan to divert water from rivers in Tibet. Given China’s significant chunk of its population facing shortage of freshwater, the diversion of water from rivers in Tibet is set to become a reality in coming days,” Sangay stressed. “Preservation of Tibetan ecology is vital for the livelihood and ecology of the neighbouring countries,” Sikyong said. On behalf of the Tibetan people, Sikyong expressed gratitude to India for supporting the Tibetan cause and allowing the Tibetans to stay in the country. On the sidelines of the event, Sangay appealed New Delhi to be more vigilant and make its concerns over China’s dam buildings on Brahmaputra more pronounced. “Tibet is the source of 10 major rivers in Asia including Brahmputra. Assam and even Bangladesh is green because of Brahmaputra. Already Tibet’s glaciers where most of these rivers originates are fast depleting. On top of that there is
deforestation and exploitation of water resources through dam construction and other activities. Downstream countries is going to bear the brunt of Tibet’s ecology destruction,” Sikyong warned. A fact sheet on Tibet issued by the Core Group of Tibetan Cause says that under Chinese rule there has been unprecedented and systematic destruction of environment in Tibet and the rich wildlife, forests, minerals and water resources have suffered irreparable losses and Tibet’s fragile ecological balance is severely disturbed. “Research indicated that the Chinese authorities denuded timber worth $54 billion towards the end of 1985 from the forest reserves of Tibet. In Amdo province alone, nearly 50 million trees have been felled since 1955 and 70 per cent of forests were cleared,” it added. Sikyong remarks on dam construction in Tibet came at a time when China recently operationalized 510 MW hydropower project on Brahmaputra. The Zangmu dam is built at an altitude of 3,300 meters above sea level at the cost of $ 1.5 billion for its first section,” Chinese state-run media
report said, adding the next five sections will be completed in 2015. According the Chinese media, in which the construction is described as a “huge project”, the plant is designed to generate 2.5 billion kilowatthours of electricity annually. Zangmu is one of the five projects planned on the Brahmaputra to generate a total of 2,000MW of hydro power. The two-day conference, which began at the District Library auditorium, is organised by the Core Group of Tibetan Cause, India. The organisers said that “the purpose is to highlight the ever-growing repressive implementation of Chinese policies and worsening human rights situation in Tibet.” The conference, held once every three year, is attended by around 182 Tibet support groups from across India. On the concluding day of the conference on Tuesday, a briefing on the present situation in Tibet will by Sonam Norbu Dagpo, the secretary of department of information and international relations.
Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking to Indian reporters during the All-India Tibet Support Groups Conference in Guwahati on Monday, November 2, 2015. Photo: TPI
6
November 15, 2015
TPI NEWS
Back Page Focus
Protection of Tibet’s ecology has global implications: His Holiness
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing a packed gathering of Tibetans and devotees at the main temple where a grand long life offering ceremony was held Dharamshala, HP, India on November 3, 2015. Photo: TPI/Choneyi Sangpo By Yeshe Choesang: 05 November 2015
Dharamshala — In his message to the “5th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference” held in Guwahati this week, the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that “protection of Tibet’s ecology has global implications.” The 5th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference, held once every three year, is attended by around 182 Tibet support groups from across India. The two-day conference, which held at the District Library auditorium, is organised by the Core Group of Tibetan Cause, India. His Holiness conveyed his warm greetings to everyone participating in the 5th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference took place in Guwahati, Assam from November 2-3, 2015. The organisers said that “the purpose is to highlight the ever-growing repressive implementation of Chinese policies and worsening human rights situation in Tibet.” “We have been in exile for over 56 years, which
is brief in terms of the history of a people, but in terms of one person’s life may seem very long. Nevertheless, in the face of great hardship the spirit of Tibetans in Tibet remains very strong,” wrote His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after the Chinese occupation of Tibet. “Geographical neighbours, India and Tibet also have strong, ancient cultural links. What’s more, to this day, a significant number of Indians, living mostly in the Himalayan region, share religious and cultural traditions with Tibetans,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in his message dated October 27, 2015. “Historically we have regarded Indians as our gurus, while we were the disciples. However, down the centuries, we have proved to be reliable disciples because while the traditions of Nalanda University have faced ups and downs in India, they have been kept alive in Tibet,” the Buddhist leader said. “We have, for example, maintained an active understanding of the profound explanations
of the workings of the mind and emotions, which we received from the masters of Nalanda University,” His Holiness said, adding that “this understanding represents an advanced psychology that could be very useful if made more widely available today,” the spiritual leader said. His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that “the fragile natural environment of the Tibetan highlands is also of concern to all of us. The way the grasslands and extraction of minerals are managed affects how Tibetans live. However, the snow, glaciers and permafrost on the Tibetan plateau influence climate change comparable to the North and South Poles.” “In addition, several of Asia’s great rivers, including those that flow across North India, rise in Tibet. They provide precious water to millions. Therefore, protection of Tibet’s ecology has global implications,” the message said. “Several aspects of circumstances in Tibet remain of grave concern to me. As the status of the Tibetan language and identity is diminished there is a risk that Tibetan culture, a valuable culture of peace and non-violence, will degenerate. Similarly as inward Han migration continues and urbanization gathers pace. His Holiness stressed to the conference, “Tibetans increasingly find themselves minorities in their own land. Consequently, international support for the Tibetan people, particularly the friendship and support of the Indian public, carries great significance.” “Furthermore, instigating historical research and convening conferences to discuss the role, status and relations between Asian states in the past could lay a firm foundation for strong, ongoing friendly relations in the future,” states the message. “I remain optimistic that a just solution to the Tibetan problem can be achieved. We need to keep up our determination and courage,” His Holiness added, saying “Knowing that all of you attending the 5th All India Tibet Support Groups conference continue to stand by us is a source of great inspiration.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama attends nuns’ annual Jang Gonchoe debate
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during Buddhist nuns’ annual debate session at the main temple in Dharamshala, HP, India on October 31, 2015. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL By Jane Cook: 03 November 2015
Dharamshala — The spirittual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, attended a traditional winter debate on Buddhist logic on October 31, 2015 during the 20th annual Jang Gonchoe debate session in Dharamshala, India. Over 30 nuns from seven Tibetan nunneries, gathered at the main temple in Dharamshala and gave a special debate presentation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This year’s annual inter-nunnery debates are hosted by Geden Choeling, the oldest Tibetan nunnery in Dharamshala. His Holiness spoke at some length about the importance of reason and understanding in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He mentioned that in Tibet, Buddhism spread throughout the country, but most people simply followed what had become customary on the basis of blind faith. “This is the 21st century and we need to understand the Buddha’s teachings in the light of reason. When we teach, we need to do so on the basis of reason. I’ve met followers of the Pali tradition, monks from Thailand who are scrupulous in their observance of Vinaya. “I asked them whether they explain the Four Noble Truths according to reason or citing
scriptural authority. They answered that they rely on the authority of scripture. “All Buddhist schools of thought teach selflessness to some degree. For example it is explained in the Abhidharma, but the explanation is not very precise. On the other hand, the explanations found in the Madhyamaka texts following Nagarjuna are very thorough and clear. Buddhist scholars in India such as Dharmakirti and Shantarakshita faced challenges from nonBuddhist scholars. The result was that their knowledge deepened and enriched.” “Nowadays, the Nalanda tradition of approaching the Buddha’s teachings with logic and reason is only found amongst Tibetans. It’s something precious we can be proud of and should strive to preserve.” His Holiness went on to say that in the course of his 30 year dialogue with scientists, they have come to appreciate Buddhism’s logical approach and its rich understanding of psychology. He pointed out that Tibetans do not need to learn Chinese, Hindi or English to discover this because it is available to them in the Kangyur and Tengyur that are already translated into Tibetan. He spoke about encouraging monasteries, such as Namgyal Monastery, that formerly paid attention mostly to rituals to study philosophy.
He mentioned urging nuns likewise to study and recalled teaching the ‘Ornament for Clear Realizations’ at Geden Choeling as a way of making a propitious start. Noting again that there are nuns on the verge of becoming Geshemas, he congratulated them. In a brief teaching that followed, His Holiness first cited what he had written in the colophon of ‘Illuminating the Threefold Faith: Invoking the Seventeen Great Wise Adepts of Glorious Nalanda’. “At the present time, in the ordinary world there is great advancement in the fields of science and technology. However, since we are distracted by the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, it is extremely important that those of us who follow the Buddha should have faith based on an understanding of his teaching. Therefore, we should examine it with an unbiased and inquisitive mind, analyzing it closely.” He explained how, with this in mind, he had added nine masters of Nalanda to the eight traditionally referred to as the Six Ornaments and Two Supremes. Each of them had composed works that wished to encourage others to read. He said that what distinguished the Nalanda masters was not only that they employed reason and logic, but that they also applied what they learned to understanding their own minds. He then read through the verses praising masters from Nagarjuna to Atisha, adding remarks on the way. He reserved particular appreciation for Shantarakshita who established the Nalanda tradition in Tibet. His Holiness advised those present to visualize the Buddha before them surrounded by the masters of Nalanda and others. He then led a short ceremony for generating the awakening mind based on the well-known four line verse for taking refuge in the Three Jewels and generating the awakening mind. He concluded saying: “Since we have Buddha nature we can achieve the Dharma Jewel within ourselves and so become a Sangha Jewel. And if we can help others, we should do so.” The Jang Gonchoe debate that began in 1995 and became an annual month-long inter-nunnery debating session— dedicated specifically to higher education for Tibetan Buddhist nuns in different nunneries in India and Nepal.
The Tibet Post International
Beijing better sit down with His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Column
By Allen R. Carlson, USA Today: 12 November 2015
If China’s Xi Jinping can talk with Taiwan’s leader, he can talk to Tibet’s. This may be the last chance. With this past weekend’s meeting with Taiwanese President Ma Ying Jeou, Chinese President Xi Jinping has accomplished something none of his predecessors at the helm of the People’s Republic of China has. Now, if Xi is the new type of leader of a more confident country as he styles himself to be, then he should turn his attention to another challenge: Tibet. For years, Beijing has professed an interest in improving the situation in Tibet. Yet, it has steadfastly refused to directly engage Tibet’s political and spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in discussions over the future of the region. Winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 and has been living in exile in India. However, he remains deeply revered and wildly popular among Tibetans, and stands at the center of the Sino-Tibet relationship. At most, China’s leaders have allowed for talk of talks with those associated with the Tibetan leader, but such prenegotiations have largely ground to a halt in recent years as China increasingly made it clear that it intends to simply wait things out in Tibet as the Dalai Lama ages. A bolder move, one consistent with Xi’s decision to finally meet with his Taiwanese counterpart, would be to now reach out to the Tibetan leader. If Xi is truly intent on demonstrating to the world that his China is different, a new type of great power, then he should be able to sit down with an individual who describes himself as nothing more than a simple Tibetan monk. Such a summit between Xi and the Dalai Lama would not produce any tangible results, but it would be of great symbolic significance and could introduce into the Sino-Tibetan relationship a prospect for real change and improvement,
something that has been missing for decades. It would also come at an especially important time, as this might be Xi’s last chance for a partner in the region. Once the Dalai Lama passes away, Beijing will find itself in a position where there is no one who has the status to make an agreement with China that most Tibetans would accept. In other words, if China simply waits until the Dalai Lama dies, it will find itself in an intractable place on the rooftop of the world. t the same time, it is far from clear that the Tibetan leader would be amenable to such an overture. The Dalai Lama has frequently expressed an interest in returning to Tibet, and talking with Beijing is the necessary first step toward such a possible goal. However, he, the Tibetan diaspora population and those within Tibet might not be at all willing to accept the costs China’s leaders will likely demand for such a return. Furthermore, improving relations with the Dalai Lama could run the risk of emboldening Tibetan opponents to Chinese rule within the country. Looking forward, the prospects for a breakthrough in Sino-Tibetan relations appear quite remote. Yet, only a few weeks ago, one could easily have said the same thing about relations across the Taiwan Strait. While the Xi-Ma handshake might not have changed the world, it did create the possibility of a new chapter opening between Taiwan and China. Xi, and China, should give serious consideration to doing the same in Tibet. Should the Chinese president take such a measure, the Dalai Lama might end up not being the only Nobel laureate at the table. Allen R. Carlson is an expert on China politics and government and is an associate professor of government at Cornell University. In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes diverse opinions from outside writers, including our Board of Contributors.