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Promote Inner Values Through Education: His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Tibetan Adm. Thanks HP Govt. For Withdrawing Case Against Karmapa

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A Voice For Tibet

Vol. 02, Issue 64, 30 April 2012

Meeting of Tibet Support Groups in Berlin

B o d - K y i - Cha- Trin

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Nobel Peace Laureates Express

Support For Tibet

By: Rajeshwari K., The Tibet Post International

Meeting of German-speaking Tibet Support Groups in Berlin. Photo: TID By: The Tibet Post International

Berlin, April 26th, 2012 - For the second time already Tibet Initiative Germany (TID) had the honor of organizing the meeting of Germanspeaking Tibet Support Groups in Berlin.

Among the participants were delegates from the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Organization (GSTF), Save Tibet Austria, Les Amis du Tibet Luxembourg, the International Tibet Network, the Tibetan Youth Association Europe (VTJE), the Association of Tibetans in Germany (VTD) and the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT).

From 2007 onwards German-speaking TSGs have been meeting on a regular basis to exchange ideas and discuss common strategies.

This year's topics ranged from the ongoing crisis in Tibet, the forced settlement of Tibetan nomads, Tibet Lobby Day to the EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs.

Furthermore delegates seized the opportunity to interview Dr. Eva Lichtenberger, MEP (The Greens, Austria), Vice-President of the Tibet Intergroup in the European Parliament, during a conferencecall via Skype.

Kalon Tripa At Nobel Laureates Summit

Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay with Nobel Laureate Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi at Nobel Peace Summit in Chicago. Photo: Tibet Net By: The Tibet Post International

Chicago: The political leader (Kalon Tripa) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr. Lobsang Sangay is currently in Chicago city to attend the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates being held in Chicago from April 23 to 25, 2012.

He will give a Public Talk to the Tibetan community of Chicago on April 26 which coincides with the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Chicago.

He also had a series of meaningful meetings with Nobel Peace Laureates such as F.W. De Klerk, Jody Williams & Shirin Ebadi at the side of the Summit, and attended the Closed meeting of the Noble Peace Summit as a Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, held at J.W. Marriot Hotel. During the course of the meeting, Kalon Tripa also had a series of informal meetings with other Peace Laureates and their Representatives.

The meetings with the Nobel Peace Laureates were mainly focussed on the current situation inside Tibet, leadership changes in Dharamsala and other issues relating to Tibet.

The World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates comes just weeks before Chicago hosts President Barack Obama and numerous foreign leaders for the NATO summit. The Nobel summit has taken place for a dozen years, but this is the first time it's been held on this continent.

Chicago, USA: The Kalon Tripa (Political Leader) of Tibet Dr. Lobsang Sangay and His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with several world leaders and Nobel Peace Laureates on the second day of the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

In the first meeting of the day, both the Tibetan leaders met with the former Polish President and Nobel Peace Laureate and discussed an array of subjects. Among the many topics that were discussed in the short span were those that ranged from the current situation inside Tibet, the historic transfer of political powers in the exile Tibetan administration to the call for the release of Liu Xiaobo.

Expressing his desire to raise a strong call for the release of Liu Xiaobo, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to Lech Walesa about taking up a joint initiative for the cause. Dr. Sangay and the Dalai Lama then spoke with the former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev for over an hour which was followed by the Tibetan spiritual leader attending the final session of the day along with Gorbachev, Jody William and Muhammed Yunus.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama elaborated of the non-violent nature of the Tibetan freedom struggle and democratization of Tibetan Administration by stressing on the transfer of Political leadership to the democratically elected Leader who was born and educated in exile by expressing his trust in Sangay's competency and preparedness to lead the Tibetan movement.

Dr. Sangay Thursady met with Nobel peace prize winners FWD Clark for half an hour and Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi for forty five minutes at the ongoing 12th Noble Laureates Conference held in Chicago, United States.

As the political leader of the Tibetan people, Kalon Tripa informed them the present crisis in Tibet and the ongoing selfimmolations by Tibetans to resist Chinese occupation. Since Tapey’s self-immolation on 16 March 2009, thirty-six Tibetans –monks, nuns, lay Tibetans – have set themselves on fire to protest China’s iron-grip occupation of Tibet. Of them, twentyeight lost their lives.

All the Nobel Laureates present during Wednesday session unequivocally expressed their admiration for the historic transfer of political powers while ensuring their support to the new leadership and the Tibetan cause.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his happiness over the firm stand of the new leadership on the Middle Way Policy to resolve the Tibetan Issue, Jody William focussed on the need for de-militarization in the world.

Muhammed Yunus elaborated on the ‘Grameen Bank' stressing on the thought that poor people have potential and need space to grow in the society whereas Mikhail Gorbachev stressed on the need for political reforms to be introduced without

His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay with Nobel Peace Laureate & former President of Poland Lech Walesa

bloodshed.

Applauding the youth of the world who are standing up and speaking out in protest against injustice and inequality and defending the right to peace, social justice and a sustainable future The Nobel Summit's closing statement urged the youth to question leaders on the following issues 1. Abolition of nuclear arms and other indiscriminate weapons and reduction of military spending 2. Bridging the divide between wealth and crushing poverty 3. Saving our planet from environmental disaster 4. Protection and promotion of human rights and equality between women and men Dr. Lobsang Sangay is scheduled to address the Tibetan community in Chicago at 7.30am followed by the Dalai Lama's address to the Tibetan community.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is also scheduled to give a public talk on non-violence as well as on interfaith dialogue before addressing an event at Loyola University.

Karmapa Opens New Library at Tibetan Gyuto Monastery

Middle Way Still Best for Tibet

Chinese Arrest Four Monks in Eastern Tibet

By: Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

Dharamsala: On the evening of April 14, Dendol, the 40-year-old abbot of Ba Shentri monastery, Ba County, Qinghai province, eastern Tibet, was detained along with three other monks by Chinese police. The reason for their arrests is unknown.

The Chinese military surrounded the monastery and are keeping it under 24-hour surveillance. Around 50 Chinese police and officials entered the monastery to conduct a ‘re-education' programme.

Earlier, on March 18, around 1,000 local Tibetans protested against the Chinese government and more than 50 arrests were made. Most have now been released but 14 monks remain in custody: Tsultrim Rinchen, Yeshe Dorje, Sherib Palsang, Pema Rigzin, Jamchup Norbu, Shenpen Thaye, Chogle Namgyal, Tenzin Rangsher, Soepa Gyaltsen, Lobsang, Jamchup Gyaltsen, Guru Dorje, Jamyang Gyatso and Gedun Choepal.

The monks are being held in the county court where they are undergoing a ‘re-education' programme.

Five of the laypersons arrested at the same time are still being held at an unknown location. They are: Dorje Tsebe, Dorje Gyal, Dorje Dhundup, Pathar Gyal and Tseten Gyal.

During the March protests, one male participant was injured by tear gas, and is currently being treated at an army hospital in Xining city. He sustained brain damage, is in a serious condition and is not being allowed any visitors.

China Detains A Well-known Tibetan Singer

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International Dr. Shirin Ebadi, left, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, at the 12th World Summit of Nobel Prize Laureates at the Symphony Center.

By: The Tibet Post International

Chicago -The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said Wednesday, April 25 he would not alter his non-violent quest for greater Tibetan autonomy, even after Beijing blamed him for inciting a wave of unrest.

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Dharamshala: - On April 18, His Holiness the Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje opened a new library at Gyuto Monastery, near the Norbulingka cultural institute in Dharamsala, northern India. He also presented Geshe Nagrampa degree certificates to four of the monastery's monks.

The ceremony was also attended by the former Kalon Tripa (political leader) of the Tibetan Central Administration, Samdhong Rinpoche, Pema Choejor, minister for religious affair s, and Tulku Tenzin Jampa

Choesang Rinpoche, abbott of Gyuto Monastery.

Samdhong Rinpoche said that library and information science is becoming a popular subject of study in the West, but that there it has only a four-hundred-year history, whereas the subject originated in Tibet.

He continued that India's ancient Nalanda University was nine storeys high but that there is no record of whether library science was practiced there.

He added that, in Tibet, library science developed during the process of categorizing Buddhist texts, including See Page 4 ...

Tibetan singer, Lolo with his Album over of Tibet Raise Your Flag.

Photo: TPI/file

Dharamshala: - A well-known Tibetan singer named Lolo has been detained by the Chinese authorities in Yulshul county, See Page 2...

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TPI NEWS

China Detains A Well-known Tibetan Singer for Patriotic Songs ...From front Page

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

eastern Tibet (Chinese: Yushu Qinghai Province), in April 19, 2012 after he released an album titled "Raise Tibet Flags," according to information from a source in Tibet.

The singer dedicated the album to Tibet, calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland, solidarity with those Tibetans who self-immolated for their country and reunification of the Tibetan people.

"He also dedicated the album to the Tibetans' struggle, called on Tibetans to keep the continuity of their sovereign tribes, loyalty to Tibet, struggle for independence. Lolo also said "Tibet Raise Your Flags for the truthful middle-way" in his songs," Lobsang Sangyal, a Tibetan monk living at Sera Jhe Monastery in South India told The Tibet Post International.The 29 year-old singer, who belongs to Dhomdha town in Yulshul county, eastern Tibet has has bee detained by Chinese authorities a few months after releasing his album that contained 14 songs. Lolo is son of father Jamyang Choegyal and mother Choekyid Dolma.

His present condition and whereabouts are not known.

On 20 March 2012, a 25-year-old singer, Ugyen Tenzin, was sentenced to two years imprisonment for singing songs calling for Tibetan unity and freedom by Chinese court in Yulshul contuy,

TIBET

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

Chinese Authorities Impose ‘Mandatory Signature Campaign’ in Eastern Tibet

eastern Tibet.Ugyen was detained last February soon after the release of his album titled, "An Unending Flow of My Heart's Blood," with songs of praise in honour of the Dalai Lama, Karmapa and Lobsang Sangay, the political leader; of Central Tibetan administration. He was charged with singing political songs.

A young Tibetan female singer, Hortsang Lhalung Tso was detained by Chinese authorities in August 2011, in Tsoe-town of Sangchu county, eastern Tibet. She was supposed to perform a Night Concert Opening Song. There are no an accountability report or information on her condition since the arrest.

Choegon, 19, a popular singer from Jomda county in East Tibet, was reported to have been arrested

by Chinese police in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, on 11 October 2011. His whereabout also still unknown since following a arrest.

China has jailed scores of Tibetan writers, intellectuals, spiritual leaders, artists, singers, and educators for asserting Tibetan national identity and civil rights since its invasion of Tibet, particularly after widespread protests swept the Himalayan region in 2008. According to media reports, 10 out of 27 known journalists and writers imprisoned by the Chinese regime are Tibetans, six are Uyghurs.

Arrests and Harsh Beatings Increasing Across Eastern Tibet

Photo: TWA lithang County. photo: Loten

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - On April 25, Atruk Tseten, member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, passed on a report from a source in eastern Tibet on Chinese human rights abuses in the three villages that comprise the Mola area of Lithang County, Kardze Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

Chinese officials visited the Tibetan nomad villages around two months ago and started a signature campaign in which they tried to force villagers to sign a seven-clause document. When they refused to sign, several villagers of all ages, male and female, were severely beaten and forced to shave their heads.

Two villagers were tricked into signing the document, under the misapprehension that it bound them to behave fairly when staking areas of wild land from which to harvest the valuable Ophiocordyceps sinensis (‘caterpillar fungus').

However, the seven-point document actually denounced His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a ‘splittist,' blamed him for instigating the recent wave

YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International Chinese armed police and security forces surrounding Drakgo county, Karze, eastern Tibet, in July 2011. Photo:TPI/file

YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - Reports of harsh beatings, arrests and monks being expelled from monasteries, closing down schools and Buddhist institutions continue to flow out of Tibet as the entire region reels under, what His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently has called, an undeclared "semi-Cultural Revolution."

On April 14, two hundred and fifty Tibetans were detained over protest against closure of Tibetan institution in Dayul township of Karze c o u n t y, e a s t e r n Ti b e t , a r o u n d t e n w e r e seriously injured.

According to sources from inside Tibet, the Tibetans protested and expressed their disagreement against such is taken by the Chinese authorities. Immediately, the district police and armed forces started beating the Tibetans. Around 10 Tibetans were seriously injured and hospitalized.

"A Tibetan institution (Tibetan: Dayul Tundril Tsokpa) in Dayul township "Unity Dayul Association" was ordered to close-down after arriving over three hundred Chinese armed security personnel lead by the head of Karze District police station, (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture)," said the sources.

The authorities have accused members of the association of organizing political events, called "it cannot be continued," according to sources. The authorities have accused members of the association of organizing political events, called "it cannot be continued," according to sources. The authorities detained Dhontok, the head of the association along with 250 Tibetans.

Over 2000 Tibetans gathered and continued on April 15, to protest, demanding the release of those Tibetans arrested on 14 April 2012.

However, most of the Tibetans arrested the

day earlier were released but 33 still remain detained. Immediately following this incident, the authorities shutdown all means of communication of the township and surrounding areas.Immediately following this incident, the authorities shutdown all means of communication of the township and surrounding areas.

D a y u l T h u n d r i l Ts o k p a i s a Ti b e t a n organization set up in 2008 by thirty villages of Dathama township, with representatives from all thirty villages.

Two more separate incidents in eastern Tibet, over 100 Tibetans beaten harshly by Chinese authorities in Ngaba county and sixty Tibetans arrested in Lithang county.

On 14 April 2012, 100 Tibetans were injured after they were beaten by Chinese armed police for protesting against the local government's move to reward and honor officials who have been alleged to be corrupt in a village in the upper part of Ngaba County, eastern Tibet.

Sources say around 15 to 20 people were arrested, out of which three have been identified as Tenzin Tsering, Tsenor and Tsamchen of Tsosum village. There is no information on their whereabouts and their medical condition.

Around April 5, at least sixty Tibetans have been arrested Jalsa township in Lithang county, eastern Tibet after protests against a patriotic re-education programme had been staged

by Chinese authorities. "At least 60 local Tibetans arrested in Chinese police clash with villagers over Forced Patriotic Re-education to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama," according to information from a source in Tibet. Forty of them were taken to Lithang district, remaining twenty held in the village.

Their present condition and whereabouts are not known.

Dharamshala: - Two young men set themselves on fire on Thursday (Tibet time: around 02.20pm) in northeastern Tibet, becoming the latest Tibetans to self-immolate in protest against China's colonial and brutal repression of Tibetans in Tibet.

These recent immolations have reportedly been protests against the Chinese government's repression of freedom of religion and cultural rights in Tibetan areas. However, China accused His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his associates of planning the 35 selfimmolations in Tibet and another in India recently.However, China accused His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his associates of planning the 35 self-immolations in Tibet and another in India recently.

"Choephak Kyab, 20 years of age, and Sonam around 20 from Zamthang county, Ngaba region, northeastern Tibet, self-immolated in protest of Chinese oppression," Tseyang Gyatso, currently based in Dharamshala told World News Network.

"According to information from a source in Tibet, they haven't been caught by Chinese authorities, but, both of them were already dead after setting themselves on fire on Thursday," Tseyang further added.

Local Tibetans managed to prevent the paramilitary troops from removing the bodies of the two Tibetans. They then took away the bodies to the monastery to carry out prayers.

The situation in the area remains tense following the deployment of a large number of military troops, sources said.

Tibetans living in exile and hundreds of their supporters from abroad on Thursday evening, April 19, held a mass candlelit vigil in Dharamshala to pay respect to the two young Tibetans who died.

On April 2nd, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said concerned people should examine the causes of the self-immolations. "I think this problem w a s n o t c r e a t e d b y. . . Ti b e t a n B u d d h i s t

of self-immolations in Tibet, and bound the villagers neither to call for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, nor to support statements issued

by Kalon Tripa (Tibetan political leader)Dr Lobsang Sangay.

At some point around April 15 or 16, the villagers realized the contents of the document, threatened to ex-communicate the two signatories from the village and demanded that they pay a fine of 500 yuan each, despite the signatories' protests that they were ignorant of the document's true contents.

When the local government of Lithing County learned of these events, 300 to 400 Chinese police and paramilitaries in black uniforms descended on the three villages, and called a meeting at which they tried to force all the villagers to sign the document. Those villagers who refused were forced to beat each other.

Chinese officials told the villagers that the signing of the document was obligatory, and that if they had any other questions or problems they must report them directly to the authorities, who would

address them. None of the villagers responded to this ‘invitation'.

One official approached a village grandmother and asked what problems she faced, apparently offering to help. She replied, "My problem is I cannot get a visa to visit India. My dream is to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama once before I die." The official became angry, and asked the same question of another village grandmother who replied, "In my life, the biggest problem is that I have two siblings, both of whom were killed by the Chinese government.

I have no other problems."

The Chinese authorities' ‘mandatory signature campaign' was also implemented at Thangkarma monastery in Lithang County around ten days ago.

The monks refused to sign the document and Atruk Tseten described the current situation at the monastery as ‘critical'.

Thangkarma is the monastery of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted of alleged involvement in a series of unsolved bombings in his region.

Arrests and Harsh Beatings Increasing Across Eastern Tibet

A Tibetan in Dharamshala, India carrying candle-light for Tibetans in Tibet. Photo: TPI/file

culture," he told a Taiwanese news channel N e x t TV, " w h i c h i s v e r y p e a c e f u l , v e r y compassionate... This problem was started by totalitarian, blind policy. So the people who created that policy must think seriously about these things."

"In Tibet, they are doing it because there is no room for any form of protest - hunger strikes, rallies, demonstrations. Anything you do, the Chinese authorities will come and arrest you, put you behind bars, Anything you

do, the Chinese authorities will come and arrest you, put you behind bars, and sometimes you'll get killed," Dr. Lobsang S a n g a y, t h e p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r o f C e n t r a l Administration told Next TV. Since 2009, 35 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire calling for freedom and His Holiness the Dalai Lama's return to his homeland. 25 of these self-immolators have died, and others are either critically injured or their status unknown.

TPI NEWS

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

NGOs Demand China’s Divulging of Panchen Lama’s Whereabouts

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Tibetan Adm. Thanks HP Govt. For Withdrawing Case Against Karmapa

members of Tibetan NGOs in Dharamshala, Indian commemorating the 23th birthday of His Holiness the Panchen Lama, April, 35th 2012. Photo: TPI/Pema Tso

By Rajeshwari K., The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala, India: On the event of the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet's 23rd birthday, Tibetan NGOs and Tibet supporters from across the globe held campaigns and demonstrations demanding his whereabouts from the Chinese government Wednesday.

Four major Tibetan NGOs based in the exile Tibetan headquarters in Dharamsala held a day-long drive gathering petitions demanding the Panchen Lama's release. Petitioners were also encouraged to call the Chinese embassy to inquire the whereabouts of the Lama who was abducted in his childhood, soon after his identification as a reincarnated monk.

"Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's abduction is not only a violation of Tibet's religious freedom but also a human rights violation," stated Tashi Dolma, the newly elected President of Tibetan Women's Association.

"There was a report sometime back that the 11th Panchen Lama had died long ago which gave reason for us to be concerned. This is escalated by the presence of a widespread belief among Tibetans that the Chinese government had a hand in the untimely death of the 10th Panchen Lama," said Lukar Jam, Vice President of GuChu-Sum Movement of Tibet.

"China has violated The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance by abducting Gedhun Choekyi Nyima." said Dorjee Tseten, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet, India. "The International community must hold China accountable for the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama," he added.

Despite numerous requests by foreign diplomats and United Nations representatives for verification of his wellbeing and whereabouts, no tangible evidence have been provided by the Chinese Government on Gedhun Choekyi

Nyima or his family since the Nyima's abduction as a sixyear-old boy in 1995, shortly after his identification.

The last known information on the abducted monk was received in March 2010 when Padma Choling (Pema Thinley), the Chinese-appointed Governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) stated that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family were living ‘a good life' as ordinary citizens in Tibet, evidence to the ascertain the accuracy of which has not been provided by the Government of China till date.

"The abduction and disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the rightful Panchen Lama, and the instalment of Gyaltsen Norbu in his place is evidence enough of the fact that Tibetans in Tibet do not enjoy any special child rights, human rights or religious freedom, and that Chinese authorities have no regard whatsoever for these rights and freedoms," stated the press release which was jointly issued by the Tibetan Women's Association, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamsala and Student's for a Free Tibet, India.

OVERVIEW A resident of Tibet, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was born on 25th April 1989 and went missing on 17 May 1995, just days after his identification as the 11th Panchen Lama by the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Following the incident, Beijing handpicked another Tibetan boy named Gyaltsen Norbu to occupy the seat of the Panchen Lama.

He and his family have not been seen for nearly 17 years.Despite constant international pressure, the Chinese government has refrained from disclosing the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family.

Kalon Tripa Announces Extensions to Tibetan Registration Certificates

YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - The Central Tibetan Administration Thursday, April 26 thanked the Government of Himachal Pradesh for withdrawing case against His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche.

"The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) welcomes the Himachal Pradesh State government's decision to withdraw the criminal case pending against the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee," Secretary for Information CTA Tashi said in a statement.

"The Kashag would like to thank all the relevant authorities for making this just decision," the secretary Tashi stated.

"The exile Tibetan community is a law abiding community and respects the law of the country they are living in," Tashi further added.

"The Central Tibetan Administration would also like to reiterate its appeal to the Tibetan

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

Dharamsala: - Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalon Tripa (political leader) of the Central Tibetan Administration, announced on April 18 that the Indian government has decided to lengthen the period required for the renewal of residential permits for thousands of Tibetans living in exile.

Addressing the Annual General Body Meeting of the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce (TCC) in Dharamsala, northern India, Dr Sangay said Tibetan registration certificates, or RCs, will now be extended to five years, as opposed to the previous one year or six months.

However, Tibetans born outside India are required to have stayed in India for at least two decades before they can avail the benefits of the extension.

RCs are required to obtain work, rent an apartment, open a bank account, and obtain other legal documents such as driving licenses and identity certificates, which are necessary for international travel.

Also on the subject registration certificates, Dr Sangay said that, when he was in Bodhgaya for the December/ January Kalachakra, he was informed by TCC members that some Tibetans in northeast India face problems using their RCs to obtain visas to enter Thailand, Singapore and other countries. He said this is not the case, and that RCs can be used to enter these countries, with the

exception of Malaysia.

The chief guests at the TCC meeting were Dr Sangay and Tibetan finance minister, Tsering Dhondup.

Dr Sangay praised the TCC for its consistent hard work, which he related to the Kashag's (cabinet's) three guiding principles of unity, innovation and self-reliance.

He said that unity implies that there should be no discrimination between members of the three regions of Tibet, between men and women, or between rich and poor.

He continued that the TCC has made important innovations, such as extending its networking and operations nationally and internationally- a necessity in both politics and business. He emphasized the importance of information technology in business, the importance of women's education and also praised the TCC for its practice of self-reliance.

Finally, Dr Sangay announced that the Kashag plans to establish a social bank, which will benefit the TCC. On the meeting's second and final day, Tsering Dhondup spoke on the TCC's development plans, including the building of trade relations with other countries.

The TCC was founded in 2004 and has 150 members in India, Bhutan and Nepal.

Dharamshala: On the final day of its tenth General Body Meeting (GBM), April 16, the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) elected its new executive members.

Tashi Dolma, former vice-president of TWA (2000-2003) was unanimously elected as president, while Samten Choedon was reelected as vice president.

"I feel much honoured to be elected, and vow t o d o m y b e s t . We l o o k f o r w a r d t o f u l l cooperation from all of you - our regional executives and members," Dolma told the 140 grass-roots women leaders from 33 regional chapters who had gathered at the meeting.

Nyima Lhamo, TWA's former programme coordinator, was elected as the new general secretary.

After six days of debate on the meeting's 17point agenda, TWA passed a list of resolutions touching upon political, social and educational issues and initiatives.

The delegates also passed a new regulation barring members of the exile Tibetan Parliament-in-exile from serving on TWA's executive board.The delegates also passed a new regulation barring members of the exile Tibetan Parliament-in-exile from serving on TWA's executive board.

Others elected to the eleven-member executive committee included Tsering Dolma, Tenzin Dickey, Tsering Wangmo, Tenzin Bhuti, Tenzin Tselha, Tsering Choedon, Tsering Dolma, and Pema Choedon.

The GBM convenes every three years and is TWA's highest decision-making body. On the first day of the meeting, TWA announced that the 500,000 rupees raised in the third phase of its Suitable Development Project Inside Tibet will be conveyed through a reliable NGO based in Tibet to support female students from nomadic families to attend day school and to help young Tibetan women complete four-year BA degrees in Tibet and China.

p e o p l e t o u p h o l d t h e I n d i a n l a w, " t h e statement said.

According to media reports, the Himachal Pradesh government had on Tuesday, April 24 decided to drop the name of His Holiness Karmapa Rinpoche from the chargesheet in the foreign and Indian currency recovery case, on the request of the Tibetan Religious head.

"The government, in exercise of its power under section 321 (withdrawal of prosecution) of CrPC, decided to delete the name of Karmapa from the chargesheet after getting the matter examined by the Home and Law departments," an official spokesman told Press Trust of India Yesterday.

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee was recognized by the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He has contributed mightily to the development of Buddhism in Tibet in the 1990's, including rebuilding the Tsurphu Monastery, the main

seat of the Karmapas that was completely destroyed during the 10-year Cultural Revolution in 1966, launched by Mao Tse Tung, the communist dictator of China.

Age of 14, he was eventually forced to leave Tibet at the end of 1999, and arrived in India on Jan 5, 2000. According to media reports, Born in Lhatho Township, Chamdho county, eastern Tibet, to primarily nomadic parents had felt that he was unable to obtain in Tibet under Chinese rule the specialized instruction he needed to complete his studies and to realize his full spiritual authority.

His Holiness is now temporarily living in Gyuto Monastery, a Tibetan Tantric University based near Dharamshala, where he is receiving the full lineage transmissions and benefiting his Buddhist followers from across the world.

Thousands of Tibetans, Indians, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Asians, and westerners visit His Holiness every year.

Tibetan Women’s Association Elects New Executive Committee

140 delegates of the Tibetan Women's Association's 10th General Body Meeting pose for a picture after the inaugural ceremony in Dharamshala on April 11, 2012. photo: TPI/Sangay

Prior to the GBM, TWA organized a four-day Women Empowerment Training session, on topics including legal empowerment and human rights, women's health, communication skills, team building, grants and fundraising,

and environment and climate change.

TWA is today the second largest Tibetan NGO in exile and the only women's NGO in Tibetan history, with a global network of 56 regional chapters spread over three continents.

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TPI NEWS H.H. THE DALAI LAMA

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

His Holiness Tells Chinese Students His Holiness Addresses in US that the PRC Broke His Spirit Crowds In San Diego, Urges Inner Peace

By Matthew Singh Toor, The Tibet Post International

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to a group of supporters during a luncheon in Long Beach, California, on April 20, 2012. Photo: DonFarber

Dharamshala: - On April 22, the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Rochester, Minneapolis. He was greeted by several hundred members of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota and received by officials and doctors of the Mayo Clinic.

Later, he addressed more than 100 Chinese students and scholars studying in Minnesota, and told them it is in the Tibetan people's own interest to remain within the People's Republic of China. However, he said, there should be meaningful autonomy.

His Holiness continued that the 17-Point Agreement Tibet signed with China was in the spirit of ‘one country, two systems', but that some local officials

had made a pledge during the Cultural Revolution that they would exterminate the Tibetan language within 15 years. He also mentioned the Chinese Party Secretary of Tibet Autonomous Region's banning of the study of classical Tibetan texts in Tibet University in Lhasa.

His Holiness said these were causes of the 2008 protests in Tibet, but that the Chinese authorities wanted to find a scapegoat and blamed him, adding that his faith in the Chinese Government had grown thinner although his faith in the Chinese people remained strong.

He told the audience that he had tried his best for the past 30 years to work for a solution to the

Tibetan issue but that the Chinese United Front has destroyed his spirit. China aspires to be a superpower, he said, and if it did so with joy, liberty and freedom, the Tibetan people would feel proud to join in.

However, he concluded, China is a closed, secretive and unpredictable society which needs to open up, comparing it unfavourably to other countries such as Taiwan and the US where politicians are accountable to the law.

In the following question-and-answer session, His Holiness was asked about the spate of self-immolations in Tibet. He said that, historically, they have taken place not only among Tibetans, but also among Chinese, Vi e t n a m e s e a n d e v e n i n t h e f o r m e r Czechoslovakia, and that they are the actions of people who are in a desperate situation but do not want to harm others.

He added that the issue is politically sensitive and so, since he has retired from politics, he did not want to comment further.

Questioned about China's attitude towards the 2008 Tibetan uprising in relation to the Olympics, His Holiness responded that he had actually supported the Beijing Olympics, and that this was recognized by a member of the Olympic Committee.

F i n a l l y, H i s H o l i n e s s s a i d t h e P e o p l e ' s Republic of China belongs to its 1.3 billion citizens, who have the right to know the truth in order to distinguish right from wrong. He called for transparency and said censorship is immoral.

His Holiness will undergo a routine check-up at the Mayo Clinic during his stay in Rochester, and on April 24 he will join a panel discussion on resilience through mindfulness there.

His Holiness Shares His Thoughts on Meaningful Life at UC San Diego

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama speaks with his interpreter at an event on the campus of UC San Diego Wednesday. Photo: NBC San Diego/Greg Stickney YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

San Diego, California, USA, 18 April 2012 - The spiritual leader of Tibet and Nobel peace laureate, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, on the first day of a five-day visit to Southern California, urged students at UC San Diego on Wednesday not to be distracted by materialism.

A large house and a good salary, His Holiness told a morning gathering at the La Jolla campus, should not be considered the "meaning of life." "No, certainly not!" the 76-year-old spiritual leader of the Tibetan people said during a panel discussion on global warming attended by more than 4,000 persons in the campus basketball arena.

People everywhere should strive to promote tolerance, nonviolence and concern for the environment, His Holiness said. "This is something serious, very serious," he said. "This small blue planet is our only one.... This beautiful planet (was) created by God. It is wrong just to exploit (it) as

much as possible without care."

With a slight laugh, His Holiness said it is good to remember the advice of an 8th century monk: if a problem has solutions, do not worry; if a problem has no solutions, do not concern yourself.

The Tibetan spiritual leader said that while he is not a scientist, he respects the scientific method: "Without skepticism there are no questions; with no questions there is no research; and with no research there are no answers."

At a press conference before the panel discussion, he was asked about the Los Angeles Times decision to publish photos of American soldiers with dead Afghan insurgents: His Holiness said he was neutral on U.S. involvement in Afghanistan but prefers a non-violent approach to resolving conflict.

"All violence is wrong, I abhor all violence," he added.

"The world belongs to humanity and each country belongs to its own people, not religious leaders or

kings or queens or emperors or political parties....

America belongs to about 300 millions of American people, not (the) Republican or Democratic party," His Holiness stated.

The Nobel Peace Laureate also said the news media's sniffing around is crucial to democracy. "You should have long nose, like elephant nose," he said.

His Holiness also addressed global warming to about 4,200 students and others at the University of California, San Diego, and during the brief news conference, he preached compassion and fielded questions.

His Holiness left Honolulu on April 17th morning arriving in San Diego the same evening. His Holiness was received by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, officials of the University of California San Diego, University of San Diego, and San Diego State University, which are hosting his programs. At the hotel, members of the small Tibetan community in San Diego and others welcomed him.

Photo of His Holiness speaking at the San Diego State University's Viejas Arena in San Diego, California, on April 19, 2012. A capacity crowd of 13,000 listened to His Holiness talk on "Upholding Universal Ethics and Compassion in Challenging Times". Photo/Tom Mantoani YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

San Diego, California, USA: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, spoke to a rapt crowd of 12,000 at San Diego State University on Thursday morning.

He stressed the importance of compassion and the oneness of humanity.

"We are the same family -- now 7 billion human beings, actually brothers and sisters," he said.

"Mentally, emotionally, physically, we are the same. Furthermore, our potential for good things, for constructive things -- the same.

Also the potential for destructive things -- the same."

He told his listeners, many of them college students, that they should make good use of their time on earth. "You have the opportunity to make a new world, a happy world. My generation, not."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was given a key to the city of San Diego, a University of San Diego Medal of Peace, and three colorful visors.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders lauded His Holiness the Dalai Lama's speech.

"Throughout his teachings, His Holiness encourages all of us to strive for a better future, through peace and compassion for others," he said. After Thursday's event, His Holiness headed to Los Angeles.

His Holiness' visit has heightened awareness of the struggles within Tibet, a Himalayan plateau that has sought greater autonomy since it was completely seized by China's military in 1959. In response to Chinese repression of Tibetan Buddhism and cultural traditions, many young Tibetans have protested recently by setting themselves on fire.

In recent months, those protests have intensified. More than 30 Tibetans have engaged in self-immolation so far this year; most have died.

During an interview with BBC on Wednesday, he said that the Tibetan struggle is a "very sensitive political issue. If I involve that, then retirement from political power is meaningless.

Whatever I say, the Chinese government immediately manipulates... they do not understand what's the real Tibetan feeling."

He set out from Dharmsala last week to begin his international tour, which includes visits to Hawaii, San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago and Ottawa, Canada. His Holiness will speak to various audiences over the next few days, but his central message is expected to remain the same.

"The compassion emotion," he said Thursday, "is the most important part of life." His Holiness said the seed of compassion was in each and every individual. He said even animals like cats, dogs and birds respond to affections shown to them.

Explaining that compassion was something that needed to be cultivated by oneself, His Holiness talked about his growing awareness of western societies since his first travel to Europe in 1973. His Holiness said the situation in these countries clearly indicated that material development alone cannot bring about inner peace.

His Holiness added that physical comfort couldn't subdue mental affliction. On the other hand, if one is mentally calm, this can subdue any physical pain.

His Holiness also talked about the situation of gap between the rich and the poor throughout the world. He said during his visits to Africa and Latin America, he could see this condition. He said one of the issues affecting the world is corruption, which he said is the new cancer.

He said these problems come about because of a lack of self-discipline and training in moral ethics. Although there are people who say that moral ethics should be based on religion, His Holiness said such a situation would have limited effect as no one religion can claim universal acceptance. Since the problem, is universal, he said that we need to look for a universal solution. His suggestion was to look for an approach that is not grounded in religion.

His Holiness said people could understand the importance of the need to promote compassion through common experience, use of their common sense and through scientific findings about the connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind. He said calm mind could only be developed through warm heartedness.

Karmapa Opens New Library at Tibetan Gyuto Monastery ...From Frond Page

By Tibetan Official Media: Tibet.Net

Kangyur and Tengyur, as they were translated from other languages into Tibetan.

His Holiness the Karmapa said that many Tibetans have an image of Tibetan libraries being full of shelves of rarely studied dusty old books with prayer offerings laid out in front of them.

He continued that, during his recent teachings in Bodhgaya, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said his followers always request him to give Buddhist teachings, but don't take the initiative to study the Buddha's teachings much themselves. The Karmapa said he often feels the same.

Pema Choejor told the audience that, when China occupied Tibet, around 90% of Tibetan religious and cultural artefacts were damaged

or destroyed, but that most were later repaired.

He continued that there are now around 700 Buddhist centres worldwide, some of which are located in places where previously people had never heard of Tibet.

Mr Choejor said there are many refugees in the world but that Tibetan refugees are different because they have His Holiness the Dalai Lama and are able to restore and develop their religious culture.

He joked that Mao Tse Tung used to tell His Holiness that religion is poison but that, if he were alive today, he would see the error of his ways.

Mr Choejor concluded that, although Tibetan religion and culture are in a process of repair and development, their future is still a major question.

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

TPI NEWS

INNER VALUES

Promote Inner Values Through Education: His Holiness The Dalai Lama

The Tibet Post International

Middle Way Still Best for Tibet: His Holiness The Dalai Lama ...From front Page

By: The Tibet Post International

"Recently things become very, very difficult but our stand -- no change," the Dalai Lama told the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

"Independence, complete independence is unrealistic -- out of (the) question," the Dalai Lama said, saying his non-violent "Middle Way" of seeking change from Beijing still has the support of 90 percent of Tibetans. "So we can continue," he said in a press conference at the conclusion of the summit.

Tibet's leadership-in-exile in India remains committed to "meaningful talk" with the Chinese government in order to establish "meaningful autonomy" for the Tibetan minority, he said.

The latest self-immolations by a pair of young Tibetan men occurred last week in the prefecture of Aba in a rugged area of Sichuan province, overseas Tibetan rights groups said.

"Sometimes I describe totalitarian regimes as no ear, only mouth," he told the summit with a laugh.

The Chinese officials "lecture us, never really listen" and are angry that "I am not acting like 'yes minister'," he said.

"Our approach failed to bring some concrete or positive result from the government, but the Chinese public, or Chinese intellectuals, or students who study in foreign countries -- they are beginning to know the reality," he said. "That, I think, is a positive side, a significant result."

The Dalai Lama also expressed the need for patience in the decades-long struggle.

"Sometimes people have the impression (this is) April 24: Panel Discussion from the Mayo Clinic His Holiness the Dalai Lama will join in a panel discussion on "Integrating Mindfulness in Healthcare" from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Min...nesota, USA.

By Matthew Singh Toor, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - On April 24, the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama participated in a panel discussion on Resilience Through Mindfulness organized by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, United States.

Dr John Noseworthy, president and CEO of the Mayo Clinic, welcomed His Holiness, after which Dr Amit Sood, chair of the Mayo Mind Body Medicine Initiative, spoke about its resilience education and training program and its positive impact on patients.

The Mayo Mind Body Medicine team has developed innovative practice models, including meditation, stress management and resiliency training programs.

In his initial remarks, His Holiness spoke of the importance of generating compassion in order to realize the goals of the training. He said enthusiasm must be accompanied by intelligence and not blind faith, adding that in order to have a realistic goal, one needs to understand reality, for which the mind must be calm.

During the following discussion, His Holiness was asked whether, during his experiences with the Chinese, he was in any danger of losing his compassion. He replied that, following the Tibetan

demonstrations in Lhasa on March 10, 2008, he was filled with anxiety and, in the subsequent days and weeks, he performed the Buddhist practice of ‘giving and taking' (tong len) - visualizing the Chinese as people with the desire to be happy and avoid suffering, and having a sense of concern for their negative actions.

He added that such an approach may not be effective in resolving the problem, but it does help to maintain a calm mind.

When asked how compassion can be developed in others, His Holiness responded that modern life and the education system have become very materialistic and that people are more concerned about external development.

Therefore, he said, there is a need to promote inner values through education.

His Holiness expounded that compassion can work on two levels. At one level, one might become aware of another's suffering and be concerned. At another level, one might feel concern about another's suffering but also wants to do something to overcome it. The first level alone might lead to a sense of helplessness, but practicing the second level gives new energy.

Summing up the discussion, His Holiness said there

was general agreement that inner values are important. He urged that it is our common responsibility to promote these values, beginning within the family and then expanding outwards. He concluded that this was the way to change the society.

After the session, six young recipients of the Mind And Life Institute's Francisco J Varela research awards presented findings from their projects to His Holiness, in a session titled Latest Findings in Contemplative Neuroscience.

Earlier in the day, His Holiness was interviewed by Piers Morgan of CNN, who began by asking His Holiness about his medical check-up at the Mayo Clinic. His Holiness responded that for the last seven years he has had annual check-ups there and that his basic physical condition is good.

His Holiness also answered questions about the future of world peace, his views on the United States and President Obama, the self-immolations in Tibet, China's future, vegetarianism, movies and music.

In the evening, His Holiness left Rochester for Chicago, Illinois, for the next leg of his US tour, to participate in events connected to the Nobel Peace Laureates' Summit on April 25.

His Holiness Arrives in Hawaii to Begin United States Visit

On his arrival at the airport, His Holiness was received by Governor of Hawaii State, Neil Abercrombie, his wife Dr. Nancy Caraway; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Peter B. Carlisle; Kasur Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama for the Americas, and hosts Pierre and Pam Omidyar as well as Kelvin Taketa, president and CEO of the Hawaii Community Foundation. Photo: HHDL By:

Ben Gutierrez, HawaiiNewsNow

Honolulu, Hawaii, 14 April 2012 (by Ben Gutierrez, HawaiiNewsNow) - Tenzin Gyatso, better known as the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, arrived on Oahu Friday and quickly charmed a group of students who greeted him with music and hula. (video of arrival at http:// youtu.be/gHND6kxtsxQ) The Dalai Lama was accompanied by eBay founder and chairman Pierre Omidyar, who also accompanied him to the welcoming ceremony. Omidyar's foundation also provided a lead grant to fund the visit.There was

a nervous hush in the room as the Tibetan spiritual leader first entered. But the Kamehameha Schools Glee Club and Hula Ensemble quickly caught his attention; instead of walking to the stage, he headed the students to shake hands, and to smell the lei that glee club member Jonah Ho'okano was wearing.

Ho'okano was caught by surprise. "He grabbed my lei, he smelled it, and all I could utter was the word 'plumeria,' because that's the lei, and I didn't know what else to say," said Ho'okano.

The Dalai Lama also interrupted the beginning of the

some crisis very recently happened," he said.

"I meet some Chinese. They are frustrated. Very hostile. Then I tell them long stories... 60 years of stories. Then they understand, oh -- the Tibetan issue is really a very, very complicated issue."

Since 2009, 35 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire calling for freedom and His Holiness the Dalai Lama's return to his homeland.

Atleast 25 of these self-immolators have died, and others are either critically injured or their status unknown.

Beijing has repeatedly accused His Holiness the Dalai Lama of inciting the self-immolations in a bid to split the vast Himalayan region from the rest of the nation. On April 2nd, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said recently concerned people should examine the causes of the self-immolations.

"I think this problem was not created by...Tibetan Buddhist culture," he told a Taiwanese news channel Next TV, "which is very peaceful, very compassionate... This problem was started by totalitarian, blind policy. So the people who created that policy must think seriously about these things."

Twelve Nobel laureates including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu recently have urged China's president to resume talks with the Dalai Lama, but the Buddhist monk said that up until now, negotiations had not been productive.

"Recently things become very, very difficult but our stand -- no change," the Dalai Lama told the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

His Holiness Promotes Compassion and Addresses Tibet Situation

His Holiness the Dalai Lama answering questions from the audience during his talk "Advancing Peace through the Power of Aloha" at the University of Hawaii's Stan Sheriff Center on Oahu, Hawaii, on April 15, 2012. Photo: TPI By:

ceremony to put on an orchid lei and a maile lei. "One!," he said as he placed the orchid lei around his own neck, eliciting laughter from the room.

He also told the students to smile. "You show me smile," he said. "I think everybody seems to decide to show me your teeth," he added, drawing another round of laughter. "Some teeth seems not very good." Even louder laughter.

The Dalai Lama last visited Hawaii in 2007. "Although I have been in Hawaii on a few occasions, I think your customs seem so familiar," he said.After speaking for a few minutes, the Dalai Lama took a group photo with the glee club students, and then did a traditional Hawaiian ha, or exchange of breath, with Kamehameha Schools Trustee Corbett Kalama.

"To share our custom of sharing our breath with one another, the Ha -- to allow someone in your space is very significant," said Kalama. The Dalai Lama then walked back to the students and quickly exchanged another ha with one of them before leaving.

While he brought laughter to the brief meeting, the Dalai Lama is still a controversial figure in the dispute over Tibetan independence or autonomy from China, and security is very tight for his visit. The media was told not to even disclose the location of Friday's welcoming ceremony.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to make two public talks in Honolulu, one for students on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and another on Sunday for the general public at 1:45 p.m. Both events are sponsored by the Hawaii Community foundation and will be held at the Stan Sheriff Center. The University of Hawaii has already issued an advisory that traffic and parking will be tight, as the events will happen at the same time with athletic and other activities this weekend.

The students were still in awe after the Dalai Lama left. "Probably the most amazing thing that I've ever had happen to me in the shortest amount of time that I've ever experienced," said Ho'okano. "I'm still kind of -- 'he smelled my lei!'"

5

Rajeshwari K., The Tibet Post International

Honolulu, Hawaii: As a part of the last leg of his tour to Hawaii, the Dalai Lama on 16th April promoted warm-heartedness in his speech to a receptive audience of students and blessed Hokule'a, a Polynesian canoe that is scheduled to depart for a voyage around the world in 2013 to draw awareness Hawaiian culture.

Thanking the State Education Department in the Tibetan language, he proceeded to orate his speech titled ‘Cultivating Unbiased Compassion,' in English stating that he wanted the audience to get a taste of his mother tongue with a trademark dimpled smile.

Speaking of non-violence, the Tibetan spiritual leader stated that mere intelligence is not enough and that man being a social animal, an individual's future depends on that of the community.

In the course of his interaction with the students, the Dalai Lama addressed a variety of questions ranging across topics like education systems, political promises, ethics, morality and much more.

Referring to the people's states of minds during the post-world war era, and then the fall of the Berlin Wall he spoke about how people started to look deep inside themselves for inner peace, thus bringing about de-militarization in many places.

Advising the students to maintain a positive and optimistic approach towards life, he concluded his speech and proceeded to accept the canoe paddle and a ‘peace quilt' made by the students.

Following lunch, the Dalai lama progressed to Kualoa Regional Park and blessed Hokulea- The canoe that is scheduled to embark on a voyage around the world with a Khata (Traditional Tibetan scarf) and prayers.

Also present at the ceremony were the Mayor of Honolulu Peter Carlisle and the President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Nainoa Thompson.

Thompson, speaking of the similarities between the

native cultures of Tibet and Hawaii as far as how people go about their daily lives said, "The Bridge is really a kind of core universal value."

"Hawaii is a culture of kindness and it's still that way, where many parts of the world it's not," he added.

In the press conference that followed the ceremony, the Dalai Lama was asked about the 30 self-immolations carried out by Tibetans in the course of one year to which he responded s a y i n g , " T h e s e w e r e v e r y, v e r y s a d developments."

"We have to look at the causes and conditions and these are related to the difficult experience of the Tibetan people for the past 50 to 60 years," he said as he mentioned the Panchen Lama's public statement of 1989 as to how the Chinese rule has brought about more damage than development in Tibet.

He also referred to the Chinese authorities as worshippers of the guns (referring to Mao Tsetung's statement about power coming from the barrel of the gun), he mentioned that time had come for the authorities to investigate the real cause of the Tibetan resentment.

When asked about the situation in Tibet, the Dalai Lama mentioned Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's call for political reform and his warning about the rise of Cultural Revolution along with the subsequent dismissal of Bo Xilai by referring to them as signs of hope.

It's the Dalai Lama's fourth visit to the islands and his first since 2008, when he went to Maui.

His Holiness departed Honolulu for San Diego in California on April 17, 2012 arriving there in the evening. His programs will begin today as per the schedule.

6

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS CHINA-TIBET TALKS

His Holiness Talks About Promoting Peace in Today’s World

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

“Where is China Heading on Tibet?”

- Lodi Gyaltsen Speaks In US

The special envoy of His Holiness the Dalai lama of Tibet, Mr. Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari. Photo: TPI/file

By Matthew Singh Toor, The Tibet Post International

His Holiness wearing a custom-made mahi'ole — a traditional Hawaiian helmet made out of a gourd and typically adorned with feathers - presented to him during his visit to the Bishop Museum on Oahu, Hawaii, on April 14th, 2012. Photo/Brian Tseng/Civic Beat.

By The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Honolulu, Hawaii: - On his second full day in Hawaii on Sunday, April 15, the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama participated in a panel discussion on "The Importance of Native Intelligence in Modern Times" with Native Hawaiian leaders and spoke about peace at a sold-out public talk.

His Holiness also gave an interview to Renee Montagne of National Public Radio (NPR). His Holiness responded to questions about the possibilities of bullies in schools changing themselves, his impression about Hawaiian culture, as well as about the current situation in Tibet. This interview is being aired in NPR's Morning Edition program on April 15, 2012.

Thereafter, His Holiness went to the East West Center where Mr. R. Brian Tsujimura, Chairman of the Board of Governor of the Center, received him. As His Holiness entered the venue of the panel discussion, he was welcomed with traditional Hawaiian chants.

His Holiness inquired about the meaning of the chant before going to the stage.

The topic of the panel discussion was "the Importance of Native Intelligence in Modern Times, and His Holiness' co-panelists were Dr. Pualani Kanahele, writer and expert on Hawaiian cultural practices and Mr. Nainoa Thompson, President of the Polynesian Vo y a g i n g S o c i e t y. T h e d i s c u s s i o n w a s moderated by Mr. John De Fries, president of Friends of the Future that focuses on Native Hawaiian cultural practices. He began by requesting His Holiness to share his experience after a day and a half's stay in Hawaii this time.

His Holiness responded by saying that at the level of a human being, he was impressed with the smile of the Hawaiian people, both old and young. He then expanded on his view on culture saying that it was an evolutionary one.

In Tibet, the Tibetan culture evolved on account of the particular environment there and similarly in Hawaii its culture evolved with its connection to the sea. He said in general a small community that has not had an easy life develops a sense of community heritage unlike developed urban areas where people are almost becoming like parts of a machine. His Holiness said that it was good that the Hawaiian people were able to keep alive their culture.

Thereafter, the two co-panelists talked about their own experience in what the Hawaiian culture meant to them and the challenges they see their community facing. The moderator talked about the research that Dr. Pualani Kanahele had undertaken among which was the finding that there were more than 400 names for cloud in the Hawaiian language.

The moderator then requested His Holiness to explain if there was any relation between his concept of a universal responsibility and the discussion they were having. His Holiness said that universal responsibility was at a different level, at the level of humanity. He

said it meant developing a sense of oneness of humanity, without letting the difference in nationality, color, race, religion, etc., divide the people. He said that he found this spirit of oneness among scientists irrespective of their background. Similarly, it was also present in the religious tradition, too. His Holiness felt that if people only thought of the "small we" then problem would arise. Instead they should think about the "big we" that that is global, he said.

His Holiness suggested that the Hawaiian people could preserve their culture while not looking at modern technological development as totally a negative thing. Technological development has brought comfort while culture was more related with the mind, he said. He said certain cultural heritage were useful and needed to be preserved. Some other cultural values may not be any use in daily life now and could be put in museum.

At the end of the discussion, Mr. Nainoa Thompson presented His Holiness with a specially commissioned paddle. Appreciating the gift, His Holiness said it was symbolic as a Buddhist text compared the precious human life to that of a boat, which was to be used as a vehicle to cross the ocean of suffering.

In the afternoon, His Holiness made brief remarks at the luncheon for dignitary and partners. Hawaii's Governor, Neil Abercrombie, greeted His Holiness and presented him with a proclamation declaring April 15, 2012 as "Dalai Lama Day." Among others present at the luncheon were Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and former Hawaii governor George Ariyoshi.

In his remarks, His Holiness referred to the presence of Governor Abercrombie who is a former member of Congress and acknowledged the support of the United States Senate and House of Representatives to Tibet. He said this support was a source of hope to the Tibetan people. He then said if we look at the Tibetan problem at a local level then the situation may appear to be hopeless, but from a wider perspective there was hope. He said the Tibetan Buddhist culture, which he termed a culture of peace, culture of compassion, and culture of non-violence, was something worthwhile to be preserved for the benefit of the world.

He said the environmental aspect of the Tibetan issue that needed to be paid close attention recalling that some Chinese scientists have termed Tibet as a Third Pole.

His Holiness, therefore, suggested that he referred to those who supported the Tibetan issue as not being "pro-Tibet" but being "projustice." He talked about the difference between the power of truth and power of gun.

He said the power of gun was only short term and limited whereas the power of truth was always there and for the long run. He talked about increasing interest in Tibet among Chinese people many of who were interested in the Tibetan Buddhist culture. He said that historically Tibetans have our own language, script and geographically separate and racially

different (from the Chinese). Tibet was materially backward and all Tibetans want modernism. Therefore, he felt that the Chinese authorities should look at the example of India where diverse linguistic and cultural communities exists in different parts of the country without any risk of separation. His Holiness however blamed the narrow-minded Chinese leftist policies that were the cause for the continued problem in Tibet.

His Holiness also talked about his democratization of the Tibetan community in exile. He said that in 2001 Tibetans began a period of directly elected leadership with Prof.

Samdhong Rinpoche being elected for two terms. He said he had then become semiretired. He then felt the situation encouraging and said that in 2011 he had voluntarily, happily and proudly handed over his legitimate political authority to the elected Tibetan leadership. He said now the small Tibetan community in exile was more advanced than China in terms of democratic administration and suggested that we could be a small example (to China.).

Thereafter, His Holiness went to the Stan Sheriff Center, venue of his Public Talk, "Advancing Peace through the Power of Aloha." Singer songwriter Michael McDonald, formerly of The Doobie Brothers, and Hawaiian musician Henry Kapono were performing "What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love" to the audience as His Holiness walked on the stage. His Holiness greeted Governor Neil Abercrombie who drew his attention to the sister of President Barack Obama, Maya Soetoro-Ng, among the audience.

A video of an especially composed music by Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele virtuoso, was played. Thereafter, Mr. Kelvin Taketa of the Hawaii Community Foundation welcomed everyone and hoped that the people gathered here would find inspiration from the event. Mr. Pierre Omidyar then introduced His Holiness.

Relating a brief biography of His Holiness, he said he had to flee Tibet in 1959, the same year as Hawaii entered into statehood. He said His Holiness inspires everyone through the example of his life. He then explained the philosophy of the spirit of Aloha as being that of kindness, unity, joyfulness, humility and patience. He added that those familiar with His Holiness' messages would see the similarity. He added that for the people of Hawaii His Holiness was an embodiment of the spirit of Aloha.

His Holiness began his talk by highlighting the fact that everyone gathered here the same human being, mentally, emotionally and physically. He said this kind of mental thinking was helpful in bringing together people.

His Holiness said although he had been to Hawaii a few times, this time he was able to speak to a large number of people. He said he found his program with students yesterday meaningful.

See Page 8...

Washington: - On April 23, Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, Executive Chairman of the Board of the International Campaign for Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama's chief interlocutor in talks with the Chinese leadership, addressed the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC, United States. Below, TPI summarises the key points of his speech.

China-Tibet Dialogue · Lodi Gyaltsens Gyari's last meeting with his counterparts in Beijing was in January 2010 and he does not see any prospect for an early resumption. · Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically-elected Tibetan leader has expressed a strong continuing commitment to pursue the Middle-Way approach initiated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Misapplication of the ‘One-China' Policy· In the 1972 Shanghai Communique, in deference to Beijing's ‘One-China' policy, the US acknowledged that "all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait claim that there is but one China and that Taiwan is part of China and the United States does not challenge that position." · Adherence to the ‘One-China' policy has been reiterated by successive American administrations.

Beijing increasingly demands that other governments with whom it has relations also endorse it. · China invokes the ‘One-China' policy to prevent legitimate inquiry or engagement by members of the international community on the Tibet issue. · No Tibetan government has ever claimed to be the government of China, so the application of the ‘OneChina' policy is irrelevant. · His Holiness the Dalai Lama's proposals and statements concerning ways to resolve the Tibet question call for the exercise by Tibetans of genuine autonomy within the People's Republic of China (PRC), not for independence. · The PRC has misled a number of governments into believing that the ‘One-China' policy applies to Tibet, and that it restricts the extent to which their government officials can interact with Tibetan leaders in exile, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. · By accepting the applicability of ‘One-China' to Tibet, governments are subtly aligning themselves with the Chinese position that the Dalai Lama is trying to ‘split' China. · Since the ‘One-China policy was developed to make it possible for the US to continue to conduct relations with Taiwan, while recognizing the PRC government as the sole government of China, if the policy were at all relevant to Tibet, it should enable governments to conduct relations with the Tibetan exile leadership without incurring Beijing's displeasure. · Every government has the duty to promote a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue by engaging with both sides in the conflict.

Moderation and Dialogue · His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the tenets of Tibetan Buddhism have been moderating factors against the destabilizing and potentially dangerous effects of hate propaganda, increasing tensions and economic inequalities between Tibetans and Chinese, and other risk factors in Tibet. · Governments and world leaders seen to engage with Tibetans, especially with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, endorse the message that dialogue and nonviolence is a laudable path to follow to bring about change. · Fear and even refusal to meet with Tibetan leaders sends the opposite signal to those around the world who stand before the choice of whether to pursue their objectives through dialogue and democratic means or through the use of violence.

Autonomy · A prominent member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recently published an article advocating the scrapping of the Chinese constitutional provisions on autonomy as they apply to the Tibetans and other nationality minorities within the

PRC. For several years, a certain academician with strong ties to the CCP leadership has also been advocating this view in various forums. · His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile administration propose that the situation in Tibet should be resolved by transforming what is now a nominal autonomy for Tibetans into a genuine and effective autonomy. · The international community is increasingly aware of the benefits of decentralization of power and the contribution of autonomy arrangements in the resolution and prevention of conflicts, especially in multi-ethnic states. · The autonomy Tibetans are asking for, as set out in the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People, respects the Chinese constitutional framework and is in line with the best practice of states in the area of autonomy. · Those advocates of the elimination of ethnicity and minority status for Tibetans, coupled with assimilationist policies, are negating the distinctiveness of Tibetans and other non-Chinese and seek to hasten the serious cultural destruction already underway in Tibet. · If the Chinese National People's Congress were to take up these suggested changes in the autonomy laws, there would be serious ramifications, because it is on the basis on a genuinely autonomous Tibet that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been able to build a consensus among Tibetans for a future of coexistence with the Chinese. · Further, the recognition by certain governments of China's claim to Tibet was on the understanding that Tibet's distinctive identity would be respected as an autonomous area within the People's Republic of China. Perhaps most important in this regard was India's demand and China's explicit assurance, given

by Prime Minister Chou Enlai to Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956. · Joint communiques between India and China make the important distinction of referring to the autonomous status of the Tibetan region. A revocation of Tibet's autonomy by China or a further dilution of its meaning could have serious consequences for China and the region. · If the constitutional basis for autonomy were to be removed from the Chinese constitution and a MiddleWay approach could no longer be accommodated within the PRC constitution, Tibetans would be compelled to look for a totally different approach.

The Future · The wave of self-immolations in Tibet is the direct result of Tibetans living under daily oppression. The Chinese government's failure to grasp this situation and to act responsibly is of serious concern to many governments. · Prospects for deepening religious repression in Tibet, continuing attacks against His Holiness the Dalai Lama, constraints on culture, and escalating economic disparities between Tibetans and Chinese all forecast an intensification and broadening of the protest movement in Tibet. · A continuation or worsening of the current level of repression in Tibet will increase Tibetan resistance, as people feel they have little left to lose. · In circumstances of intense government repression against its own citizens, or of open conflict, the international community has coalesced around the Responsibility to Protect or ‘R2P' principle, which has been invoked in UN debates on Darfur, Burma, Libya and elsewhere. · In the case of mass atrocities, the international community has a responsibility to intervene to assist the people and protect them from intolerable harm. · The PRC is not immune to the will of the people it governs or to the condemnation of the international community when it violates international norms of behavior.· Tibetans will continue to appeal to the international community, despite the major obstacles they may encounter. · Unless China's leaders change their course, the international community must be increasingly vigilant and prepared to act in a qualitatively different manner to help save Tibet.

TPI NEWS

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

INTERNATIONAL

Tibetan Political Leader, Dr. Sangay To Visit US and Canada

Dr. Lobsang Sangay speaking to media during an event being held in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/file

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - The political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr. Lobsang Sangay will leave Dharamsala Friday to take part in the upcoming 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago and the 6th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada.

According to a report published in the official media of CTA "Tibet Net," at the Nobel Peace laureates' summit in Chicago from 23 - 25 April, Dr Lobsang Sangay will join a galaxy of Nobel laureates including Tibet's spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, former US President Jimmy Carter, former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, former Polish

President Lech Walesa and former South African President Frederick Willem de Clerk.

The Nobel Peace Laureates will engage in a series of panel discussions on a wide range of issues such as New Challenges for Peace: A Conversation About Promoting Peace and Justice in a Multination Strategy; Investing in Peace: The Responsibility of Businesses and Governments to Build a Fair and Sustainable World; Women Forging Peace; A World Without Nuclear Weapons; and World Peace and Nonviolence: Never Give Up. (Watch proceedings on www.nobelsummitchicago.org) The democratically elected Tibetan leader Dr. Sangay will leave Chicago for Ottawa to attend the 6th World Parliamentarian's Convention on Tibet from 27 - 29 April. Over 100 delegates, including 50 parliamentarians from 30 countries, will discuss China's policies impacting the Tibetan people, Tibet's global environmental significance, and proposals to strengthen world parliamentarians' movement to resolve problems in Tibet among other issues. The convention will adopt Ottawa Declaration and an Action Plan.

After attending the WPCT, he will preside over the annual meeting of the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The political leader will return to India on 4 May. He will preside over the 50th founding anniversary of the Central School for Tibetans in Shimla on 6 May. He will also address the general Tibetan public living in Shimla. On 7 May, Kalon Tripa will pay a visit to Tibetan settlement in Dholanji near Shimla. He will be back in his office on 8 May.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama Talks About Educating the Heart

The University of Hawalii's Stan Sheriff Center, Venue for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's talk in Honolulu, Hawaii, on April 14, 2012. Photo: Civic Beat By

Officie of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Honolulu, Hawaii, 14 April 2012 - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke about Educating the Heart to around 9,500 students of Hawaii advising them about the importance of inner mental development for a wholesome education.

As he left the hotel for his engagement, he gave a brief audience to the small Tibetan community in Hawaii in the hotel's lobby. His Holiness inquired about the profession the people were involved in and told them not to forget their Tibetan identity. He stressed on the importance of preservation of the Tibetan culture and pointing to a person who was from Ladakh, he said that the Ladakhis had done much in this effort.

Thereafter, His Holiness went to the Bishop Museum, the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific. On his arrival, he was welcomed with a special chant. Young children of the ‘Aha Pu-nana Leo Honolulu, an institution set up to promote Hawaii's culture, sang a song of welcome. Thereafter, His Holiness went through the museum's exhibitions. The Museum was established to house the collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family of Hawaii. It has since expanded to include artifacts,

documents and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific island cultures. His Holiness asked about possible influence from other countries in Hawaii's culture.

At the end of his tour, His Holiness was presented with a traditional ceremonial hat (which he wore on his head mentioning that it seemed similar to Tibetan monastic hats), as well as a scarf specially woven by the staff of the museum.

In brief remarks at the museum, His Holiness appreciated the gifts saying he looked upon them as the Hawaii people's acceptance of him as part of their community. He said this was a great honor.

He referred to the Hawaiian people as an ancient people with cultural heritage, including language.

His Holiness said that during his travels to Latin America and Europe, he noticed that the indigenous people there were very determined to keep their culture and language. He said that in a similar way the Tibetan people had the same spirit.

His Holiness said that today the world was much civilized. He said most indigenous culture, including that of the Native Americans and the Japanese follower of Shintoism, had close feeling toward nature. He said that this was important adding that the technologically developed people should learn from this tradition and know that we cannot control nature or that we are above nature. He said people needed to realize that our survival depends on nature.

His Holiness also emphasized that the

preservation of one's own language was very essential. He said language was particularly essential for a living culture saying that museums were more for dead culture. His Holiness also said that additionally there was the need for a written script as mere oral linguistic tradition was not stable.His Holiness said that hearing about the struggle of the people of Hawaii in a way reminded him that we Tibetans also were carrying on a similar struggle.

His Holiness then went to the ‘Iolani Palace, the official residence of King Kala-kaua and Queen Lili'uokalani, who were the last in a long line of ruling Hawaiian royalty, where he was welcomed

by Princess Abigail Hawananakoa. He spent some time with the Princes inquiring about the origin and nature of the belief traditions among different communities in Hawaii.

Thereafter, His Holiness went to the East-West Center and was received by its President, Charles Morrison. He had lunch together with some of the event organizers.

His Holiness then went to the Stan Sheriff Center, a multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, which is the venue of his talk to the students. At the Center, the University's Chancellor, Virginia Hinshaw, and executive director of the Hawai'I Association of Independent Schools, Robert Witt, received him. As he entered the stage, Jack Johnson, an American folk rock musician, was performing a song. His Holiness greeted the singer and patted

The Tibet Post International

7

His Holiness and Kalon Tripa Speak on Tibetan Self-Immolations

A Taiwanese reporter for the Taiwanese televison "Next TV" meeting with His Holines the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India, on April 7 2012. Photo: TPI By

Matthew Singh Toor, The Tibet Post International

Dharamsala: - The Taiwanese television channel "Next TV" broadcast two interviews with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kalon Tripa (political leader) Dr Lobsang Sangay on April 7, during which both figures discussed the spate of self-immolations

by Tibetans in Tibet and India.

His Holiness said concerned people should examine the causes of the self-immolations.

"I think this problem [was] not created by...Tibetan Buddhist culture," he said, "[which is] very peaceful, very compassionate... This problem [was] started by totalitarian, blind policy. So the people who created that policy must think seriously about these things."

His Holiness added that the self-immolations are the result of the Chinese authorities' "lack of respect for others' lives... [It is a] very short-sighted and too much self-centred attitude - ‘My power! I have to control these people, even if necessary to kill!'"

In the second interview, Dr Lobsang Sangay differentiated between self-immolations in Tibet and in exile, saying, "As a human being, life is precious and you don't want anyone to die like that.

"In Tibet, they are doing it because there is no room for any form of protest - hunger strikes, rallies, demonstrations. Anything you do, the Chinese

authorities will come and arrest you, put you behind bars, and sometimes you'll get killed.

"But outside, in the free world, you can organize any form of demonstration, any kind of rally, any kind of hunger strike. We just had three hunger strikers sat for 30 days in New York in front of the United Nations. So, when we have other avenues, we should use these avenues.

He continued that the Tibetan administration has made several appeals discouraging drastic actions, including self-immolation, both inside Tibet and especially by Tibetans in the free world.

However, he added, "As a Buddhist, when someone passes away, you pray for them. As a Tibetan, you show solidarity, because [the self-immolators] died for Tibet and Tibetan people. They died for us, our homeland and our people. That's our stand.

"These self-immolations are quite extreme, but one should know the motivation. The intention is not to harm anyone. It's a conscious, deliberate effort not to harm anyone. The action is really tragic."

Dr Lobsang also stressed that the Central Tibetan Administration has issued directives/appeals that any protests held in exile be peaceful, legal and dignified.

his knee much to the amusement of the gathering.

In his welcome address, Mr. Kelvin Taketa of the Hawaii Community Foundation said that there was hope that so many students had decided to spend a Saturday afternoon to attend the event.

He talked about the inspiration behind the initiative of the event and introduced Mrs. Pam Omidyar. Mrs. Omidyar gave a brief biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and thanked him for an inspiration and a role model for peace.

His Holiness began his remarks by making the case that we were all same as humans, mentally, emotionally and physically. He recalled that some of the students who welcomed him on his arrival in Honolulu yesterday looked like Tibetans and so even physically there was the sameness.

He said everyone had the desire to achieve a happy life and that this was a basic right. He said the very purpose of life was to achieve happiness and joyfulness. However, happiness should not be understood merely at the level of physical happiness, he said. Physical happiness might sometimes bring about mental satisfaction, which in turn brings inner peace. He said happiness at the sensorial level was a physical one but mental happiness was superior and more effective. He explained this by saying that while physical ailment can be cured by mental peace, mental disturbance cannot be subdued at the physical level. He thus said there was the need to pay serious attention to mental happiness. His Holiness recalled being in the house of a rich American many years back and while using the rest room, he happened to peep into the medicine cabinet and found some tranquilizers. He said that this indicate that wealth was not in itself a solution for mental happiness.

However, His Holiness said that while there was much research about the external material reality, modern education had not paid adequate attention to the mental, emotional development until now. He said this clearly showed that modern education failed to reduce the gap between reality and appearance in terms of happiness.

Talking about mental happiness, His Holiness said the real destroyer of inner peace were things like fear and distrust. He said distrust leads to fear, which in turn leader to frustration and to anger. These lead to violence and applied at both the national level as well as the family level. He said trying to tackle these challenges through violence was not a winnable one and that only through non-violence could we approach them.

His Holiness said that here he was sharing his views based on his experience. However, although his experience was primarily through his Buddhist education, His Holiness said that he was approaching the issue at the human level, without touch the religion.

His Holiness then explained his concept of secular ethics saying that he subscribed to the definition of secularism as promoted by ancient Indian thoughts, namely respect for all religions, including respect to non-believers. He said secular ethics should be approached through common sense and common ethics and based on scientific findings. He explained research that showed that when people were calm the left side of the brain was more active while the right side became more active when people were filled with anger or hatred, etc.

His Holiness touched on the need to have more self-confidence with a sense of concern for other's feelings as a way to reduce fear. He also talked about having respect for others, including one's enemies saying this was not submitting to injustice. He then explained the nature of compassion and how it was at two levels, one biological and limited and the other unconditional.

He called for awareness on the value of inner positive thoughts and that this could be achieved through prayers but through warm-heartedness.

His Holiness said that in this world some portion of the seven billion human beings did not practice the teachings of their religions although they consider themselves as believers.

Here he talked about the situation in India saying that although he love and respected India the attitude of some people who did ritual prayers but involved themselves in cheating in their daily lives.

His Holiness said the people should either worship god and practice his teachings or worship money and do what ever they want. There was no third way, he added. As an aside, His Holiness mentioned here that when he had called himself a son of India some years back, some Chinese journalists questioned him on this thinking that he was making a political statement. However, he had explained his reason saying that mentally every portion of his brain was filled with the ancient Indian thoughts of the Nalanda tradition. He said physically, his body was sustained for more that five decades

by Indian rice and dal (lentils) and by chapatti (Indian bread). His Holiness thought the Chinese journalists seemed to understand the context thereafter.

See Page 9...

8

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

WORLD SUMMIT ON TIBET

6th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet to Be Held in Canada

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa Addresses Tibetan Transit School

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the Matteo Mecacci, the President of the Italian Parliamentary Inter-Group for Tibet. Photo courtesy: Tibet Bureau, Geneva

By The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: The 6th Wo r l d Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT) will be held in Ottawa, Canada from April 26th - 29th 2012, said a statement issued by the Tibetan Parliament in exile, Wednesday, April 17th.

"In this upcoming convention, over 50 parliamentarians from 30 countries and over 60 Tibetans and all-together over 100 delegates will be taking part. Besides the inaugural and concluding sessions, there will be six plenary sessions as below:

1. Tibet - The Third Pole: Importance of Environmental Stewardship 2. Challenges before the Tibetan People Today 3. Discussion on China's Policies in Tibet and Future Prospects in view of the upcoming Change in Chinese Leadership 4. The Interdependence between Cultural and Religious Freedom and Social Stability 5. Update on Parliamentary Initiatives on Tibet since Rome 2009. Regional Working Group Discussions: Proposals to Strengthen INPaT and Action Plan 6. Working Group Discussion on Action Plan

After having thorough discussions on above issues, the convention will adopt Ottawa Declaration and 6th WPCT Action Plan.

The 1st World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet was held in New Delhi in 1994, 2nd WPCT was held in Vilnius (Lithuania) in 1995, 3rd WPCT was held in Washington DC in 1997, 4th WPCT was held in Edinburgh in 2005 and 5th WPCT was held in Rome in 2009.

This upcoming 6th WPCT is being organized jointly by International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPat), Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, Canada and Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile."

...Talks About Promoting Peace in Today’s World ...From Page 6 His Holiness said that prior to being explained the deeper meaning of Aloha he did not have much understanding of the concept. He said although the term appeared simple the challenge was in implementing the real meaning of the concept.

He said basically everyone wanted happiness and that was his or her right. He said all living things, including trees and plants, have the right to survive.

He then said he wanted to explain his thought by talking about happiness and joyfulness as being results, which depend on certain causes.

He said at the human level, joyfulness and happiness entirely depends on ones own action, physical, verbal and mental. He said the mental action is the key factor.

His Holiness said that in order to have a successful life, attention needed to be paid to education or training. But education itself is not the goal. He said if one wanted good health, taking medicine or some vitamins were causes for positive results.

Therefore, His Holiness said that generating wrong causes and expecting positive results w a s u n r e a l i s t i c . Ta l k i n g a b o u t h i s o w n experience, His Holiness said although he began his study around the age of six or seven, he had no interest in study till the age of 13.

However, it was only later in his life that he found the knowledge gained from his study immensely helpful for cultivating peace of mind.

His Holiness said it was essential to have realistic goals. He recalled an event in the Indian State of Bihar where the Chief Minister said at a function that he was hopeful that the state would develop on account of the blessings of the Buddha. When the turn came for His Holiness to speak then, he said he told the Chief Minister, whom he knew well, that if the state's success depended merely on the Buddha's blessings it should have developed a long time back as the Buddha was there more than 2000 years back. He said it was essential that the Buddha's blessings should be channeled through the action of the Chief

By The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Minister. His Holiness said that prosperity has to come through action, not prayers.

Therefore, world peace must come through inner peace, His Holiness said. He added that at the individual level, a healthy body was very much linked to a healthy mind.

His Holiness recalled a meeting with an American scientist a few years in Stockholm, Sweden who told him that when we develop a n g e r, t h e o b j e c t o f a n g e r a p p e a r s v e r y negative. The scientist had added that actually, 90 percent of that negativeness is mental projection. His Holiness said that Buddhism also talked about a similar state.

His Holiness said that people should try to develop proper mental attitude through training of the mind. He said any decision under strong emotion often becomes wrong as much emotion is actually biased.

His Holiness cited the case of the global economic crisis. He said he had asked some people to explain how things went wrong because people involved in the business were supposed to be experts. His Holiness said he received the response that it was account of t o o m u c h g r e e d . To o m u c h g r e e d i s a n unrealistic desire, he said. He was also told that too much speculation and lack of a holistic view were also responsible for the crisis. These were all related to the mind, he added.

Here His Holiness talked about President George W. Bush. He said he really love him and that he is a really nice person. His Holiness said during the Congressional Gold Medal award ceremony, he was walking hand in hand with President Bush and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. President Bush had mentioned that they (the democrats) were always creating problems for him but that today they were peaceful. His Holiness said although he loved and respected President Bush, it did not mean that he agreed fully with the President's policies. His Holiness said he had mentioned this to the President himself. His Holiness said President Bush' motivation concerning Iraq was very good: to bring democracy and rule o f l a w. H o w e v e r, t h e m e t h o d b e c a m e

unrealistic and so failed to achieve that noble goal.

His Holiness said the real basis of inner peace was warm-heartedness. Once we develop warm-heartedness, that kind of attitude, automatically develops respect, he said. He said fear brings about distrust and that love and compassion help dispel distrust. He said once anxiety is reduced and distrust reduced, one develops more compassionate feeling toward others.

He said love, compassion, affection are at two levels. One level is biological and is biased.

His Holiness said that type of compassion could be taken as the seed and then utilizing human intelligence, using our common sense, and most important, through scientific findings, one can work on inner peace. That is realistic compassion and is unbiased, and also brings good health, he said. This can begin at the family level and then at the level of the community.

His Holiness said all major religious traditions carry this practice, but now we need to find an approach that is universal. He talked about his friend, Richard Moore, who lost his sight to a r u b b e r b u l l e t s h o t b y a B r i t i s h s o l d i e r.

However, he did not have any anger or hatred towards the perpetrator and in fact went on to establish friendship with the soldier. His Holiness that Richard Moore wasn't really religious but had developed this kind of attitude as a human being. His Holiness said he always described him as his hero. He added that human beings have that kind of ability.

These positive mental attitudes are not based on religious belief, he said adding that he usually called this secular ethics. He said many people essentially are non-believers. He said therefore we need a universal way to approach this universal value. If we rely on a particular religious faith, it will never be universal, he said.

His Holiness said the 20th century was a wonderful century, but it was a century of bloodshed. He said that we needed to try to build this century as a century of dialogue and

Dharamsala: - His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje visited the Tibetan Transit School (TTS) in Dharamsala, northern India, on April 16. He inaugurated a giant mani prayer wheel and addressed staff and students.

His Holiness told the audience that all Tibetans who flee Tibet for India are equal, face the same problems and perhaps hold the same hopes and dreams.

"I have visited TTS twice before," he said, "and the students' conditions have improved.

"I hear that student numbers have gone down from around 700 to 400, due to the reduction in new arrivals from Tibet. The number of students isn't important. What should be remembered are the various reasons Tibetans leave Tibet. I hear that some come to India as a means of then moving on to other countries, many come to study Tibetan language, and many come hoping for an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama."

His Holiness continued, "Every single Tibetan life is important and should not be wasted, because Tibetans are in the minority. We are facing the biggest ever difficulties in our

history, so to be selfish and focus on the trivialities of life is not enough. We must avoid being narrow-minded, but rather take a broad perspective. You should use your lives to affect the future of Tibet."

He added that, since 2008, protests in Tibet have been continuous and many people have sacrificed their lives.

"When these sacrifices occur, we all feel pain and sadness, and wonder what we can do. We must think not only in the short term about demonstrations and protests, but also in the longer term. Therefore study is important."

TTS school captain, Phurbu Nyima, explained to the audience that the giant prayer wheel was constructed voluntarily by students, and financed with the surplus of funds raised last year for the students to attend Kalachakra in Bodhgaya. Around 1.6 million rupees were donated, with over 110,000 rupees remaining after Kalachakra.

Nyima said the prayer wheel is dedicated to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life, to those Tibetans who have died in the struggle for Tibet, and to those Tibetans who are buried in the old cemetery on which the TTS building was constructed.

peace. His Holiness said that this does not mean that there would not be any problems in this century. Touching on the back of his head where the brain is located, His Holiness said as long as it was active there would be problems. He added that we must find ways to tackle these problems, not through the use of force, but through talk, with respect, listen to others' point of view.

His Holiness said Hawaii's small community could make a contribution through the spirit of Aloha. It could start a pilot project in one school to incorporate education about the value of non-violence in the curriculum. He said then after five years, it could examine the experiment and expand accordingly. That's the way to change the way of thinking in our society, he said. Through that way you can build a happy, peaceful society. The initiative must come from the individual, he added.

He said human beings create the problems in this world and so human beings themselves should find the solution. He asked the people not to feel helplessness. He asked them to help create inner peace and to share the feeling with more people, including friends and enemies.

That's the way to transform our world, he said.

Thereafter, His Holiness answered some questions submitted to the organizers. To a question on how to handle a situation where one is making effort for peace but others don't seem to reciprocate. His Holiness said it was important to bear in mind that the effort for peace was there because there were problems.

One should not lose hope but continue with one's efforts. That way one could influence others, he said. His Holiness talked about his experience with his gall bladder surgery where because of complications it took more time than scheduled. However, his recovery was fast and the doctor had called him "young patient." He said the doctor had told him that his physical condition was that of a person younger than his age. His Holiness felt this could be because of his inner mental calmness.

To another question about repentance and forgiveness, His Holiness said one should no to differentiate between forgiveness and "forgetness." He said if one forgets then there is nothing to forgive. Forgiveness, however, does not been one should accept the wrongdoing. Here he asked the people to make

a distinction between the action and the actor.

Another question asked how indigenous communities who have become strangers in their own land and are surrounded by their oppressors act. His Holiness said people have every right to preserve their identity. But there was also the need to take a look at the reality of the situation.

In the case of Tibetans, His Holiness said we have adopted the Middle Way, which is nonextreme, practical and realistic. He said there was the need to think broadly. He said today's world has become such that it was unrealistic to think of remaining isolated.

When asked how happy can one be, His Holiness said that happiness could be at different levels, one at the level where even animals experience it and another at a higher level.

He said there was a need to take a multidimensional look at any development to get a complete perspective. He gave the examples of the Tibetan people. He said although he lost his country and the people were undergoing a tragedy, yet there was a positive aspect to the development. He said it opened the Tibetan people's eyes. Personally, too, His Holiness said the development led to his spending the past 53 years in exile, in India, and he had got the best of experience in this period.

Similarly, presently Tibetans are located in the Tibet Autonomous Region as well as the provinces in Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai, he said. On account of the Chinese policies, Tibetans in all these regions have developed a sense of unity.

Following the talk a group of children performed a graceful Hula dance, surrounding the area where His Holiness was sitting.

Thereafter, Mr. Kelvin Taketa said that in the spirit of transparency he wanted to inform the public that income from the event went to bear the cost related to it. He said His Holiness does not take speaking fees or financially benefit in other ways The event concluded with Hawaii's Governor Abercrombie coming on stage to present a souvenir of a paddle to His Holiness on behalf of the people of Hawaii. Mr. Pierre Omidyar also presented His Holiness with a wooden drum on behalf of the Pillars of Peace Hawaii.

On April 16, 2012, His Holiness will be addressing students in a local high school on the subject of compassion.

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

TPI NEWS

TIBETAN WOMEN IN EXILE

When Instability Peaks: An Interview With Tibet's Political Head

Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalon Tripa ( Political leader ) of the Central Tibetan Administration. Photo: TPI

By Saranch Sehgal, The Jerusalem Post

Series of self-immolations, mass protests by Tibetan Buddhists usher hints of Tibetan Spring. Protests by Tibetans who defy Beijing's sovereignty have been routine for 50 years. However, over the past 11 months a new type of demonstration by Tibetan Buddhists, mostly monks and nuns, has taken place, s h o c k i n g t h e w o r l d c o m m u n i t y. Ti b e t a n Buddhists are sacrificing their lives by setting themselves on fire, sending the message loud and clear - the Tibet issue is alive.

Close to two dozen self-immolations and mass protests have occurred in the ethnic Tibetan areas of Sichuan and Gansu provinces inside China - the epicenter of the most violent period for Tibetans since 2008, when the deadly rioting in Tibet's capital, Lhasa, extended to Tibetan areas in neighboring provinces.

Today, the Himalayan plateau region inside China is causing fears the growing instability in a region inside the rising economic superpower might become a massive popular uprising.

The reasons are obvious; the communist regime's despotic cultural and religious policies toward Tibetans, the massive influx of Han Chinese into Tibetan-populated areas and Tibetans' frustration given the absence of their spiritual head the Dalai Lama, who since the failed uprising in 1959 fled to India and never returned.?

The region's social unrest is such that almost every week news emerges of another selfimmolation or protest, and Chinese military clampdowns on Tibetans are becoming widespread. Because of these intensified tensions over the past year, Beijing has flooded the area with troops and closed Tibetan regions to foreigners entirely, even barring the international media.

According to the Chinese government, all this is the fault of the Tibetan exiles and the 14th Dalai Lama, who Beijing claims is a separatist and a wolf in monk's robes and blames for every unrest related to Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama hasn't been saying much publicly with regard to the recent crisis, however, Tibet's third-highest monk, the exiled 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who also resides in Dharamsala (the base in exile of the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan exiles in India) urged Beijing to confess the real human distress of Tibetans and take full responsibility for what is happening in Tibet.

Many would say Tibet seems to have little history in common with Israel. Yet much like the Jews after the devastation of the Second Te m p l e , t o d a y Ti b e t a n s f a c e a s i m i l a r unnerving task of conserving their religious culture and hopes of nationalism while facing an uncertain exile.

The writer focuses on the geopolitics of Tibet

and stories that touch the Himalayan region.

Exclusive interview with Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Tibetan Government in Exile In an exclusive telephone conversation with Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Tibetan Government in Exile in India, says China has made Tibetans' lives worse and the protests are calling world attention to China's brutality inside Tibet.

Sangay became prime minister last year when the Dalai Lama devolved his political powers as a leader of Tibet to the government in exile.

Sangay heads the highest political position in the exile community.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview: How do you see the Tibet unrest which has triggered series of self-immolations and mass protests in the Tibetan areas inside China?

It's turning out to be another tragic situation, where unfortunately Tibetans are ready to die rather than live under the Chinese repressive policies and occupation of Tibet. The Chinese government is continuing its military buildup and undeclared martial law. There were so many troops before, and with the current unrest they are sending hundreds and thousands more.

What is your view on Beijing's approach to the recent unrest inside the Tibetan areas?

There are now taking it seriously because r e c e n t l y C h i n e s e p r e m i e r We n J i a b a o commented on the tragedy, but unfortunately

they have made it into a blame game and denial.

And in fact local Chinese officials in Aba [province in China's western Sichuan region, the epicenter of recent turmoil] have declared war against the protesters.

The point is, which country and its government declares war against its own people? On the one hand when Chinese people protest they are allowed to protest anywhere they want - be it Beijing or Lhasa - and are treated with moderation, their voices and grievances are addressed. On the other hand, as far as Tibetans are concerned they, in their own place, cannot gather peacefully.

Would you term the Tibet crisis a "Tibetan Spring"?

There was a massive uprising inside Tibet in March 2008, and what is now happening is the continuation of that with increasing Chinese crackdown and resistance against China's repressive policies by Tibetans.

The entire thing is turning out to be a massive protest against Chinese policies. Now, whether it will take nationwide or not... is in the hands of the Chinese government. If they deal with it with leniency, more moderately, we can find a peaceful solution to the issue.

What do you think is the real cause of these recent incidents?

The main cause, I think, is the rejection by Tibetans of the Chinese occupation of Tibet, and the question of Tibetan ethnicity. ...Fifty years of Beijing's policies have failed to produce any good for Tibetans. Our religion and cultural identity is almost vanishing from Tibet.

What do the Tibetan exiles fear? Is there something they wish for?

What we are trying to do is we have urged Tibetans from the very beginning not to protest inside Tibet, given the harsh consequences of getting arrested. We have always said life is precious, and in January we urged Tibetans to refrain from taking extreme steps. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always discouraged such actions and we continue to maintain that. Despite this, Tibetans inside Tibet are still protesting and giving up their lives and it becomes our sacred duty to show solidarity and highlight the voices and cries of those Tibetans who are self-immolating as they speak for Tibetan freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

The Tibet Post International How do you think the world should react to this unrest?

We welcome all the support from different countries, but what we'd like to see is concrete action. The embassy officials could visit these affected areas and show concerns locally as well, and then investigate the reality and the reason why Tibetans are protesting and why there is a crackdown - and inform their respective governments.

And particularly for Asia; Tibet is very relevant from a geopolitical point of view, and in history it has played a great role in the central Asian region. Tibet has 10 rivers flowing from the region. It is a major source of water to the south Asian region. But since the Chinese occupation worse effects have been seen inside Tibet, ...directly affecting the climate in the Asian region. All the neighboring countries are affected by... China's rise - so the Asian organizations such as SAARC should press the Chinese government as the world wishes for a more moderate and reasonable China.the Chinese government as the world wishes for a more moderate and reasonable China. Because what is happening in China is detrimental to its image, and the claim of peaceful rising is nothing but a threat.

There will be new leadership in China as Xi Jingping will succeed Hu as general secretary and president in 2012. Do you think it will be fruitful for the Tibet negotiations with the Tibetan exiles?

The call by Hu Jintao for harmony within China is not happening in Tibet. But we remain always hopeful that any change in the leadership, with new personality and new thinking, will be productive.

[For] the past 50 years, it has not been possible, so we hope the new leadership will rethink Tibet policy. From our side we are always willing to have dialogue to solve the Tibet issue peacefully and we stand for genuine autonomy within the People's Republic of China.

How do you think the conditions will change in the future?

We want a peaceful situation, we do not want another tragedy unfolding inside Tibet. That is our hope, but given the military buildup, it's a no tourist zone and even barred to international media, so even if a tragedy unfolds inside Tibet no one will know what happened. Such is the situation.

Tibetan Women’s Association Elects New Executive Committee

...The Dalai Lama Talks About Educating the Heart ...From Page 7 His Holiness then talked about his three commitments. He explained the first one by saying it was for promotion of non-violence and peace. He said this commitment was at the human level and that there was the need to develop positive mental attitude. He said his second commitment was for promotion of religious harmony and this was at the level of him being a Buddhist. He said all religions have the same message despite having philosophical differences. They all aimed at making good human beings. His Holiness said his third commitment was on the Tibetan struggle. He said after having transferred his temporal authority to an elected Tibetan leadership last year, he felt a little free on this now.

His Holiness then encouraged the students to think about ways to make life more peaceful. He said most of the students might be below the age of 30 and so belong to the 21st century. He said his generation belonged to the 20th century that had passed. He said it was up to the new generation to shape the 21st century into a peaceful one knowing that the 20th century was a violent one.

His Holiness explained that wanting the 21st century to be one of peace does not mean there will not be any problems. However, there will be better ways to approach these problems, through

By The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama

dialogue and mutual respect. Therefore, the young students should realize that they have a heavy responsibility, he concluded.

His Holiness then answered some questions, selected from among 2000 that were received online. To a question on what made him laugh, His Holiness responded that he did not laugh when he was alone for that would make people feel that he was mad. His laughter came through his interaction with people, their friendship and gesture. He said a smile has no barrier of language or culture.

When asked what he found most peaceful about Hawaii, he said that although he had been here a few times, this time it has been just a day and a half. In order to understand Hawaii properly and to differentiate between appearance and reality he would have to spend a longer period of time.

Nevertheless, His Holiness said he was struck

by Hawaii's culture and heritage. He said it seemed very peaceful and closely connected with nature. He said this was important because nature creates humanity and if it is disturbed there would be problems of ecology, drinking water, Tsunami, etc.

To another question on how to approach the issue of showing compassion when there was no reciprocity, His Holiness recalled his explanation of two levels of compassions. He said in the compassion at the limited biological level,

there might be problems, but genuine compassion was not dependent on the reaction of the other side or the expectation of something in return.

His Holiness said that human beings by nature have the capacity to be good without any conditions. He talked about the childhood stage when children interacted with each other at the same level without any consideration of background. Here he recalled the kindness of his mother, which spoiled him as a child, he said.

He said among students there was the need to develop a genuine sense of companionship. He competition was good if it is at the level of wanting to excel oneself and striving for that.

However, extreme competition, which he defined as wanting to excel and in the process creating hindrance for others, was to be avoided. He advised the students to generate a sense of brotherhood and trust in their classrooms as such attitudes as bullying and fighting creates a negative atmosphere.

Following his remarks, three students sang an auspicious song. Thereafter, His Holiness was presented with a Hawaiin conchshell.

This concluded His Holiness' program for the day.

On 15 April, His Holiness will participate in a panel discussion on "The Importance of Native Intelligence in Modern Times" and give a public talk about "Advancing Peace through the Power of Aloha" at the University of Hawaii.

140 delegates of the Tibetan Women's Association's 10th General Body Meeting pose for a picture after the inaugural ceremony in Dharamshala on April 11, 2012. photo: TPI/Sangay

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: On the final day of its tenth General Body Meeting (GBM), April 16, the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) elected its new executive members.

Tashi Dolma, former vice-president of TWA (2000-2003) was unanimously elected as president, while Samten Choedon was reelected as vice president.

"I feel much honoured to be elected, and vow t o d o m y b e s t . We l o o k f o r w a r d t o f u l l cooperation from all of you - our regional executives and members," Dolma told the 140 grass-roots women leaders from 33 regional chapters who had gathered at the meeting.

Nyima Lhamo, TWA's former programme coordinator, was elected as the new general secretary.

After six days of debate on the meeting's 17point agenda, TWA passed a list of resolutions touching upon political, social and educational issues and initiatives.

The delegates also passed a new regulation barring members of the exile Tibetan Parliament-in-exile from serving on TWA's

executive board.

Others elected to the eleven-member executive committee included Tsering Dolma, Tenzin Dickey, Tsering Wangmo, Tenzin Bhuti, Tenzin Tselha, Tsering Choedon, Tsering Dolma, and Pema Choedon.

The GBM convenes every three years and is TWA's highest decision-making body. On the first day of the meeting, TWA announced that the 500,000 rupees raised in the third phase of its Suitable Development Project Inside Tibet will be conveyed through a reliable NGO based in Tibet to support female students from nomadic families to attend day school and to help young Tibetan women complete four-year BA degrees in Tibet and China.

Prior to the GBM, TWA organized a four-day Women Empowerment Training session, on topics including legal empowerment and human rights, women's health, communication skills, team building, grants and fundraising, and environment and climate change.

TWA is today the second largest Tibetan NGO in exile and the only women's NGO in Tibetan history, with a global network of 56 regional chapters spread over three continents.

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

TIBET

Final Message of Cousin Self-Immolators Circulates in Tibet and in Exile

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

Two Tibetans Self Immolate in Zamthang, Northeastern Tibet

A Tibetan in Dharamshala, India carrying candle-light for Tibetans in Tibet. Photo: TPI/file YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

A portrait of His Holines the Daai Lama with traditional white scarf seen in Drakgo county, eastern Tibet recently. Photo: TPI/file

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

DHARAMSHALA: - Details of a voice message recorded by the cousins Choephag Kyab and Sonam before their self-immolations have emerged in exile.

The message, recorded on a cell phone, is reportedly being widely circulated in the Zamthang region of Ngaba, the location of the twin self-immolation protest on April 19, in protest against China's continued occupation of Tibet.

Tsangyang Gyatso, an exile Tibetan with close contacts in the region said, "According to information that I received from Tibet, Choephag Kyab and Sonam left a voice message recorded before burning themselves to death."

The message is as follows: "Our selfimmolations are dedicated to the Buddha

dharma, the happiness of all sentient beings and particularly to freedom for Tibet. We are not free to remain here with our parents and relatives on this earth.

"After our self-immolations, the Chinese authorities may take our bodies. We request our family, relatives and fellow villagers not to try to stop them.

"We hope this message will inspire other Tibetans to action, that local monks and villagers will gather at the Jonang Monasteries to pray for us, and that local laypersons will pledge to cease all infighting and theft within the Tibetan community.

Tsangyang Gyatso reported, "As a direct consequence of the appeal to stop infighting, Tibetans in the region gathered in front of the Zamthang monastery yesterday and burned all

Tibetan Compassion School Shut Down, Two Teachers Arrested

Nyindrak and Yama Tsering. Photo: TPI YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - On April 2, the Chinese authorities shut down a Tibetan school in Karze County, eastern Tibet (Sichuan Province). Two teachers from the school have been arrested, according to information from a source in Tibet.The Compassion School (Tibetan: Rongpatsa khadrok Jamtse Rokten Lhodra) in Rongpatsa Khadrok was closed following an accusation that Tibetan language and cultural history were being taught there.

The teachers - Nyindrak, 51, and Yama Tsering, 36 - were detained by Chinese police for "suspected involvement in political activities".

Yama Tsering previously studied Buddhist philosophy for five years at the Seraje Monastery in South India. He also studied English at Suja Tibetan Children's Village school near Dharamshala, northern India. Tsering returned to Tibet in 2005 and has since taught a number of English-language courses. He has also won

sponsorship to fund the Compassion School.

The school was founded at the request of the people in the township in 1989 to teach young children Tibetan language and cultural history, as well as Chinese and English language. It began with a single classroom and very few students but expanded in 2005. Nyindrak served as a public school teacher for 20 years, especially afforded by teaching the Tibetan children the language, history, religion, and culture.The family members were also questioned several times, parents asked to send their children aged over seven years old to the government school in the township, sources said. Chinese authorities told their family members they did crimes, involving political activities, without further explanation. The authorities also have ignored the urgent appeals made over recent days.

Tsering and Nyindrak's location is currently unknown.

In 2010, two schools in Machu County, eastern Tibet, were shut down for planning to hold an education seminar.

their weapons.

"The gathered Tibetans pledged not to fight among themselves and adhere to the principles of non-violence and truth."

Choephag Kyab and Sonam self-immolated close to a local government office in Barma township, near Jonang Zamthang Gonchen monastery in Zamthang County.

Local Tibetans gathered in large numbers to prevent their bodies from being carried away

by Chinese security personnel, and carried the bodies to the main Jonang monastery.

Later, at around midnight, and following pressure from the Chinese authorities, the cousins were cremated nearby.

According to Tsangyang Gyatso, around 6,000 Tibetans from around the region attended the funeral.

YC. Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy

Dharamsala: Today is the 23rd birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, one of the most important spiritual leaders of Tibet, who disappeared into the custody of the Chinese government 17 years ago.

On 14 May 1995, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama announced the then six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the incarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. Three days later, on 17 May 1995, the Chinese government secretly abducted the six-year-old boy and his parents who remain ‘disappeared' to this day. There is no confirmed information on their well-being or if they are still alive.

Even after 17 years, no one - save the Chinese government - can confirm with reliable accuracy the current whereabouts and condition of the 11th Panchen Lama and his parents. Despite repeated interventions from the representatives of the United Nations Human Rights Council, UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance, and other governmental and nongovernmental organizations calling on China to disclose information on the Panchen Lama, the Chinese government has so far refused to share any detailed information that could shed important light on the Panchen Lama's current state. In its standard response, the Chinese government continues to maintain that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are in perfect health and that they do not wish to be disturbed.

On 18 October 2009, Zhu Weiqun, the Vice-Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party alleged in an interview with a German reporter that the Dalai Lama had destroyed the historical and religious rituals of the reincarnation system and so his recognition of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was illegal and invalid. Zhu also said, "As for the child recognized [by the Dalai Lama], he is our child, a Tibetan child and our citizen. So we will provide facilities to ensure his healthy growth."

The reporter then asked, "Where is this healthy growth of the boy recognized by the Dalai Lama happening? In Tibet? Will the Tibetan devotees recognize the [Chinese government] approved Panchen Lama?

Zhu replied, "The Dalai Lama's illegally recognized child is of course growing up healthy in China. He will grow into a useful man to China and to the Tibetan people."

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is now 23 years old and must have grown into a healthy young man, as Zhu Weiqun claims. According to the Chinese law, those who are 18 years old and above are considered adults, capable of

Dharamshala: - Two young men set themselves on fire on Thursday (Tibet time: around 02.20pm) in northeastern Tibet, becoming the latest Tibetans to self-immolate in protest against China's colonial and brutal repression of Tibetans in Tibet.

These recent immolations have reportedly been protests against the Chinese government's repression of freedom of religion and cultural rights in Tibetan areas. However, China accused His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his associates of planning the 35 self-immolations in Tibet and another in India recently.

"Choephak Kyab, 20 years of age, and Sonam around 20 from Zamthang county, Ngaba region, northeastern Tibet, self-immolated in protest of Chinese oppression," Tseyang Gyatso, currently based in Dharamshala told World News Network.

"According to information from a source in Tibet, they haven't been caught by Chinese authorities, but, both of them were already dead after setting themselves on fire on Thursday," Tseyang further added.

Local Tibetans managed to prevent the paramilitary troops from removing the bodies of the two Tibetans. They then took away the bodies to the monastery to carry out prayers.

The situation in the area remains tense

following the deployment of a large number of military troops, sources said.

Tibetans living in exile and hundreds of their supporters from abroad on Thursday evening, April 19, held a mass candlelit vigil in Dharamshala to pay respect to the two young Tibetans who died.

On April 2nd, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said concerned people should examine the causes of the self-immolations. "I think this problem was not created by...Tibetan Buddhist culture," he told a Taiwanese news channel Next TV, "which is very peaceful, very compassionate...

This problem was started by totalitarian, blind policy. So the people who created that policy must think seriously about these things."

"In Tibet, they are doing it because there is no room for any form of protest - hunger strikes, rallies, demonstrations. Anything you do, the Chinese authorities will come and arrest you, put you behind bars, and sometimes you'll get killed," Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of Central Administration told Next TV. Since 2009, 35 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire calling for freedom and His Holiness the Dalai Lama's return to his homeland. 25 of these self-immolators have died, and others are either critically injured or their status unknown.

Disappearance of Panchen Lama: Seventeen Years and Counting

making their own decisions, responsible for their own lives. For many years, the Chinese government has claimed that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is in "protective custody" of the Chinese authorities. Now that the boy is an adult, the Chinese government, in the true spirit of the law it drafted, should allow Gedhun Choekyi Nyima to exercise his right to selfdetermination and let him make his own decisions.

Ten years after the completion of his six-year prison sentence in May 2001, the fate of Chadrel Jampa Thrinley Rinpoche, the former abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the head of the Search Party to identify the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama remains unknown.

Chadrel Rinpoche was arrested on 14 May 1995, the day His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. After being detained incommunicado for two years, on 21 April 1997, the Intermediate Court of Shigatse Prefecture sentenced Rinpoche to six years' imprisonment and three years' deprivation of political rights on charges of "plotting to split the country" and "leaking state secrets" during his search for the 11thPanchen Lama.

There is no information on Chadrel Rinpoche except for an unconfirmed report in November 2011 that said Chadrel Rinpoche had died of poisoning. The Chinese government continues to maintain a deafening silence on Chadrel Rinpoche's whereabouts and current condition.

On the occasion of Panchen Lama's 23rd birthday, TCHRD would like to offer our gratitude to individuals, organizations and governments who have worked tirelessly and offered their steadfast support for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama. The Centre urges the Chinese government to respect and implement the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights if it wishes to be seen as a responsible, civilized world power.

The Chinese government should go beyond mere words on the condition and whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama and provide concrete, tangible evidence to back up its claims.

Holding the Panchen Lama and his family members incommunicado for years is a serious crime that violates multiple human rights enshrined in major international human rights instruments.

TPI NEWS

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

Tibetans Arrested Over Land-confiscation Protest

The Tibet Post International

Increasing Arrests and Beatings in Ngaba County, Eastern Tibet

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International , The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - Chinese authorities on Tuesday confiscated land belonging to a Tibetan businessman in Kardze County, and later arrested him and a relative for questioning and appealing against the government move.

"Sonam Gonpo, a 48-year-old businessman, and his relative, Khedup, from Lhopa region of Kardze County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, went to question local authorities after they learned of construction activity on land belonging to Gonpo, but police arrested them," said exile monk Pema

Tsewang, quoting contacts in the region.

Fearing similar land confiscations after the incident, many local Tibetans, including Gonpo's wife, staged a protest condemning the government action and calling for the return of the land to its owner. They said their farm land is their livelihood, and without it they may as well be dead.

The protesters prostrated themselves in front of a digging machine. Chinese police threatened them with dire consequences and then arrested Gonpo's wife and another Tibetan woman, Sangay Kelsang.

New recent photo shows, Tibetan harshly beaten by the armed Chinese security forces in Serta county eastern Tibet.

Photo: TPI/file James Dunn, The Tibet Post International Sonam Gonpo, Photo: tibettimes.net

Sonam Gonpo, the son of Mr Dorje Tashi and Mrs Choedon (deceased) is from Lhopa township, Kardze County. Tsewang reported that, on 19 March 19 2009, Gonpo was arrested in a teashop in Kardze county and detained for almost four months, accused of engaging in ‘pro-Tibetan discussion'. He was beaten by police and admitted to Kardze County hospital.

The Chinese authorities confiscated his truck, worth 150,000 yuan, and his stock of valuable cordyceps sinsensis (‘caterpillar fungus' - used in Tibetan and

Chinese medicine).On 31 March 2011, when the Chinese authorities released the monks Tenzin Nagdhup and Lobyang, of Tsetsang Monastery, Kardze County, from prison, local Tibetans greeted them with a grand reception. The authorities accused Gonpo and six others of organizing the reception and detained them for one month.

After his release, Gonpo was arrested again and detained for nearly a year.

Tibetan Parliament and Kashag to Host 2nd Special Meeting

Dharamshala: Chinese Security personnel from People's Armed Police (PAP) have injured around 100 Tibetans in Ngaba county of eastern Tibet.

These beating too places on the afternoon of the 14th of April and were triggered by increased protesting by Tibetans against the local government's move to honor two corrupt officials in Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province and Adhue village in the upper part of Ngaba County in eastern Tibet.

One protestor, Lopon Kyab, was so seriously injured they had to be hospitalized in the Ngaba County hospital.

On the day of the protests a group of officials

from Ngaba County came and spoke in praise of the two officials who were already suspected by local Tibetans of embezzling local funds meant for housing developments for the local people. The officials announced that the two officials would be rewarded for their ‘good work'. This naturally led to the local Tibetans expressing their well placed outrage.

Immediately, about 10 truckloads of armed police who had accompanied the officials, obviously anticipating that their rewarding the officials would cause wide spread anger, began beating the crowd.

Sources say around 15 to 20 people were arrested, out of which three have been

identified as Tenzin Tsering, Tsenor and Tsamchen of Tsosum village. Currently their whereabouts and physical condition are unknown.

Elsewhere in Ngaba, the Chinese authorities have sentenced Tsering Tashi, aged 33 from Rongba in Adhue Thawa village, to a prison term of three years and 6 months after he was caught on camera protesting in Ngaba.

He was caught on camera, during the peaceful protests that rocked Ngaba following the 16 March 2011 self-immolation of Phunstok Jarutsang. It appears that, Chinese security services filmed much of the protests, searching for future arrests.

Chinese Authorities Arrest and Sentence Tibetans in Eastern Tibet

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post International

Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay announce Second Special Meeting of Tibetans in Dharamsala, on 16 April 2012. Photo: TPI/Sangay Dorjee Central Tibetan Administrantion: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Kashag will convene the Second Special Meeting of Tibetans as per Article 59 of the Charter of Tibetans in Exile. The Special Meeting will be held in Dharamsala for four days from 25 - 28 September 2012.

The main agenda of the meeting is to discuss ways to deal with the present crisis in Tibet.

During the four-day meeting, the participants will be divided into 10 committees to deliberate on how (1) exile Tibetans could carry out activities, (2) garner support from the international community, India and South East Asian countries, to deal with the tragic situation in Tibet. As per guidelines issued by the Tibetan Parliament and the Kashag, any activities carried out by Tibetans and Tibet supporters should be peaceful, legal and dignified.

There will be a long life prayer ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the special meeting on 28 September.

The composition of the members and representatives participating in meeting include incumbent and former Kalons (members of the Kashag), present and former Members of Tibetan Parliament, representatives from South Asia and Tibetan Associations from abroad including those in Europe, North America and Asia. (Click here for detail composition of participants in Tibetan) A special arrangement is made to Tibetan youth (below 30 years) living outside of South Asia to form a separate committee with English translation.

The proceedings of the meeting will be webcast live on www.tibetonline.tv.

The first special meeting was convened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in November 2008 following the Chinese government's brutal suppression of an unprecedented peaceful protests against its repressive rule by Tibetans across Tibet.

Dharamshala: - Over the past month, the Chinese authorities have made a series of arrests across eastern Tibet.

On March 18, monks and laypersons held a protest in Ba County, Amdho, northeastern Tibet (Chinese: north Qinhai Province). Chinese police arrested 17 of the protesters On April 14, including the abbot of Ba Shingtri Monastery.

Recently, the Chinese authorities sentenced two of the protesters to prison. Dorjee Gyal received one year and three months, whilst Pasang, wife of the popular musician Dorjee Tsebe, received one year.

The remaining arrestees are still being held in custody in Ba County ,where they receive roundthe-clock ‘re-education' sessions.

Visitors are currently banned from Ba County, unless they are carrying an ID card.

On April 26, the Chinese authorities sentenced 16 Tibetans who took part in protests in Drakgo County, Karze District, in January this year.

The sentences of 13 of the Tibetans are known: Wangchen Tsering (30) received nine years; Choenam (25), three years; Sonam Lundhup (30), life sentence; Aze Shopo (50), three years; Gebe (around 30), 12 years; Kuntho (around 20), 13 years; Kundhup (around 30), eleven years; Nyindak (around 30), one year and eight months; Phurpa Tsering (around 30), two years; Wangtse (20), one year and nine months.

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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 Ms. Pema Tso

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CANADA & TIBET

30 April, 2012 Dharamshala

His Holiness Meets With Canadian PM, Says Kalon Tripa Meets Canadian MinisTibetans Remain Hopeful ter for Citizenship & Immigration

Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay with Canadian Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, Jason Kenney. Photo: Tibet Net Central Tibetan Administration: Tibet Net

Prime Minister Harper receives His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 2007. Photo: File YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

Ottawa: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in Canada this weekend for a convention of world parliamentarians on Tibet. He said that his people remain hopeful in the face of increasing oppression by Chinese authorities.

His Holiness was welcomed by a crowd of Canadian politicians and supporters Friday that his native Tibet is at risk of cultural extinction, according to media reports. "As fellow human brothers, sisters really showing us your solidarity, and you really want to do something, I very much appreciate," His Holiness said, leaning over his dais to address the 6th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet.

"I always believe the world belongs to humanity," the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate said. "Canada belongs to the Canadian people, not your party or other parties."

His Holiness also spoke of his confidence in the next generation of Tibetans to carry on his life's political work -- freeing Tibet from Chinese rule. "I really feel happy. Now the younger generation has the ability to take full responsibility," he said.

Tibet's spiritual leader, said during a visit to Ottawa that his people remain hopeful in the face of increasing oppression by Chinese authorities. "Don't feel hopeless or feel discouraged," His Holiness said.

"The more suppression, the stronger the Tibetan spirit."

"In our own area, there are tremendous difficulties," His Holiness said. "The situation locally is one ancient nation, with very rich ancient cultural heritage, is

actually dying."

Addressing a group of MPs and senators from around the world at the parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet, he said Tibetan culture is at risk of cultural extinction at the hands of the Chinese.

They were discussing the dire and deteriorating situation of the Tibetans, who have witnessed the self immolation of more than three dozen monks over the last year to protest China's oppression.

The Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama Friday afternoon in his Parliament Hill office for about 20 minutes. It was not their first meeting: The two met on one of the spiritual leader's previous visits to Canada.

Conservative, Liberal and NDP parliamentarians are taking part in the conference, along with academics and experts on China and Tibet. Actor Richard Gere, a longtime supporter of Tibet, is also speaking at the conference. Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of Tibet is in Ottawa this weekend for the convention of world parliamentarians on Tibet.

Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair also met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama Friday afternoon, a spokesman confirmed, along with a group of MPs from all parties.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney reiterated his government's past support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Laureate on whom Canada conferred honorary citizenship in 2006.

Kenney spoke of Canada's commitment to open an office of religious freedom within the Foreign Affairs

Tibetans Protest Government Brutality in Derge, Eastern Tibet

Tibetans protesting in front of the police station and government center at Zogchen township in Sichuan province's Dege county, April 25, 2012

Dharamshala: - Many Tibetans have been arrested, detained and severe beaten by Chinese police in Dzogchen township, Dege county,

eastern Tibet during and after a large-scale protest sparked by a latest Chinese crackdown on Tibetans.

Department, as well as a 2008 statement from Canada calling on China to respect protests and enter into meaningful dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives to peacefully resolve the Tibet issue.

Hollywood Star, Richard Gere, in Ottawa for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit, says Harper should do more. "The positive thing was that he met him.

The less positive thing is that it wasn't public," Gere told reporters at the conference.

"I have no trouble with trade with the Chinese, but to diminish ourselves in the process is a double death for the Chinese people, because it perpetuates the totalitarian state and it kills us in the core of who we are," said Gere.

Gere was chairing a panel discussion at the Friday gathering. He called this a "delicate moment" in the history of their movement.

"This convention is attended by over 50 parliamentarians from 30 countries having 100 delegates including 60 Tibetans," said Mr. Penpa Tsering, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile during the Convention's opening session. This is the 6th World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet.

International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet, Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, Canada and Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile will jointly organize this Convention.

After having thorough discussions on these issues, the convention will adopt Ottawa Declaration and 6th World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet Action Plan. The 5th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet in 2009 was hosted in Rome in 2009.

YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post International

On April 24, around 9.30 Am (Tibet Time) over 3,000 monks and laypersons gathered for a sit-in in front of the Chinese authorities' government office and police station in Derge County, Kham region, (Chinese: Sichuan Province), eastern Tibet, in protest against the violent harassment of local monks and laypersons. Later Police beat the protesters, many of whom were admitted to Karze community hospital.

The protests were in response to an unexplained campaign of interrogations, beatings and detentions of local Tibetans in Dzokchen area, and raids on Dzogchen monastery.

The protests were sparked by the Dzokchen monastery being raid by hundreds of Chinese police on April 22, after Buddhist monks publicly enthroning a portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at a religious ceremony that began on March 19, said sources. Thousands of local Tibetans paid their respects to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by offering traditional scarves (Khata) to His Holiness's portrait.

Local sources reported that several monks were beaten, interrogated and arrested, one of whom, Gyatso, is said to be in a critical condition.

A monk from Dzogchen monastery, now living in exile, reported that, "Gyatso was beaten by the Chinese for simply staring at the face of the Chinese policemen." A 13-year-old monk is also reported to have been assaulted, according to sources.

The situation remains tense in areas of Dzokchen, amid a tight security lockdown and foreign journalists were denied access to the area.

Dharamshala: - Kalon Tripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay met with the Canadian Minister for Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney in regards to the immigration of Tibetan communities from Arunachal Pradesh.

Kalon Tripa met Jason Kenney for about 50 minutes at Hotel Elgin and exchanged a frank and friendly discussion about the Tibetan immigration project. Kalon Tripa explained in detail about the stage of the program and

apprised the Minister of the aspiration of the Tibetan community.Kalon Tripa thanked the Canadian Prime Minister and the Minister himself who have been a long term friend of Tibetan people for immigration programs.

Minister Kenney is hopeful of executing the current program successfully which will pave the way for similar programs in the future, and also proposed that he might talk with his Prime Minister to talk with to undertake such immigration project in other countries too.

Tibetan Home Kalon Meets Chief Minister of Karnataka State

Kalon Gyari Dolma and Mr Tashi Phuntsok with chief minister of Karnataka D.V Sadananda Gowda. Photo: Tibet Net Cetnral Tibetan Administration: Tibet Net

Bangalore: - Kalon Gyari Dolma, accompanied

by Mr.Sonam Topgyal, Secretary, DOH, and Mr.TashiPhuntsok, Chief Representative, Bangalore, met with Chief Minister and former Chief Minister of Karanataka and also the Chairman of Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) in Bangalore.

Shri D V SadanandaGowda, Chief Minister, hosted the delegation for a breakfast meeting at Krishna - his official residence on April 23.

The meeting lasted for an hour. A very fruitful discussion occurred prior to the arrival of the Chief Minister with Dr. S. M. Jaamdar, Principal Secretary to the Department of Home, Karnataka. Dr.Jaamdar participated in the meeting with the chief minister as well.

Kalon Gyari Dolma thanked the Chief Minister for his government's recent sanction of Rs 225 lakhs for water, road repair and electricity problem in the Tibetan settlements in Karnataka. She informed that it would go a long way in alleviating the basic and urgent civic amenities of the Tibetans. She further requested the release of the remaining projected estimates as the awarded funds would only give partial relief.

The issues of assistance for increasing the agriculture productivity of the farmers, assistance to the Tibetan Co-operative Societies, RTC and ration card were also raised. The Chief Minister was most gracious and promised to extend all the assistance for Tibetans and made special commitment to support the establishment of milk processing unit (Dairy).

In the evening, the delegation met with Mr. B. S Yeddyrappa, former Chief Minister of Karnataka at his Race Course Road residence.

She recalled their meeting in 2009 and thanked him for the steps he had taken to help the Tibetans during his tenure.

She informed him that she had met with the Chief Minister and had submitted request for further assistance for Tibetans. She urged him to use his good offices to bring fruition to the request. Mr.Yeddyrappa assured her that he would do everything possible to enable Tibetans to have basic amenities in the settlements.

The meeting with Mr.Sreenivasa Murthy, Chairman, KERC on April 24 morning was most fruitful. Nangsi Kalon thanked for the recent grant of Rs 54.8 lakhs for Tibetan settlement in Mundgod and discussed about similar relief for Tibetan settlements of Bylakuppe, Gurupura and Kollegal.

It was informed that certain fund was already in the pipe line for release of Bylakuppe and t h a t D r. B o r e , M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Ltd. in Mysore has kindly decided to inspect personally Gurupura and Kollegal and do the necessary.

NangsiKalon reiterated her invitation for him to visit Tibetan settlements to which he expressed his happiness to accept and decided to schedule the dates with Chief Representative later.

NangsiKalon's short but useful meeting was co-ordinated by the Office of Chief Representative, Bangalore. The Office also gave instructions to Representatives in Gurupura and Kollegal to liaise with Dr. Bore in Mysore to schedule his visits to the respective settlements to investigate the needs for the power supply relief.