The Tibet Post International

Page1 H.H Honorary Citizen of Budapst Page 2 Teaching by the 17th Karmapa Page 3 H.H"Menschen in Europa Award" Page 4 Tibet Film Shown Despite China Page 5 Two Monks Arrested in Lhoka

Mr Lhagyari

TS Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of

India

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Vol. 01, Issue 27, 30 September 2010

Tibetan Youth Discuss 2011 Elections

Trichen Namgyal Wangchuk

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His Holiness Becomes Honorary Citizen of Budapest

By YC.Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Tibetan Youth Association in Europe Discuss 2011 Elections. Photo: TPI

Zurich: The Tibetan Youth Association in Europe (TYAE) launched their Deine Stimme Entscheidet (Your Voice Decides) campaign last Saturday, September 25, in Zurich.

The campaign aims to educate the Tibetan diaspora in Europe about the importance of the upcoming 2011 Kalon Tripa and Chitue elections, ....... P 4

Candlelight Vigil in Taiwan

The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RYTC) Taiwan yesterday (27 September) held a candlelight vigil at Liberty Square, Taipei, to commemorate the Tibetan people's peaceful uprising in Lhasa on 27 September 1987. Photo: TPI

Taipei: The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RYTC) Taiwan yesterday (27 September) held a candlelight vigil at Liberty Square, Taipei, to commemorate the Tibetan people's peaceful uprising in Lhasa on 27 September 1987.

RTYC-Taiwan chairman Tashi Tsering inaugurated the event, which began at 1900, saying, "It seems China would like to push ....... P 4

Budapest: His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered the first of two days of teachings to a crowd of thousands at a sports arena in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, on Saturday (September 18). He then travelled to the town hall, where Mayor Gabor Demszky made him an honorary citizen.

A total of 22,000 are expected to attend the teachings over the weekend. All tickets have been sold out and the sessions are being broadcast live on the internet.

On Monday, His Holiness will make a speech to the Hungarian parliament and students of the Central European University of Budapest. No official meetings with members of the Hungarian government have been announced but, according to several reports, His Holiness will meet senior Hungarian politicians, including Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

This is His Holiness' seventh visit to Hungary - the last being in 2000. The country's connection with Tibet dates back to Hungarian scholar and pioneer of Tibetology Ko"rösi Csoma Sándor's visits to the region, after which he wrote the first Tibetan-English dictionary in 1824.

Rally Demands Access for Karmapa to Rumtek Monastery

Food Poisoning at Lower TCV

Students of Lower Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) school, Dharamshala, north India.

Photo www.tc.umn.edu

Dharamshala: The Lower Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) school, Dharamshala, north India, has been hit by a food poisoning epidemic, leaving one student dead and 300 ill.

Late last week, students at Lower TCV were affected by fever, diahorreah and vomiting. The poisoning is suspected to have come from a stirfried noodle dish, although it is possible it was caused by contaminated drinking water.

80 students were hospitalised in Delek hospital and other local facilities, of which half have now been discharged. The school campus will remain closed for five days as a precautionary measure.

The police have not been involved, but it has been reported that a committee will be formed to investigate the incident.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet receiving an honorary citizen of the city from Mayor Gabor Demszky on 19, September 2010. Photo: TPI

Ogyen Trinley Dorje the 17th Karmapa of Tibet.

Photo His facebook.

By Jimmy Halliday, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Followers of the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje will gather in Gangtok, Sikkim, India, today (September 25) to protest against the Indian government's ongoing restrictions on his travel to Sikkim, which prevent him from taking up the throne at Rumtek monastery as the 17th Karmapa.

His Holiness the Karmapa has been prevented from travelling to Rumtek since his arrival from Tibet, and has also had applications to travel outside India turned down. Many followers have complained the ten years he has waited for the freedom to perform his full duties as the head of the Kagyu line of Tibetan Buddhism are too long.

According to a spokesperson of the Karmapa

Reception Committee, several formal attempts have been made to contact the I n d i a n government on the issue, but have so far been met with no response.

The recognition of the 17th Karmapa, and the political landscape of Sikkim, both have a history of controversy and struggle.

Although Ogyen Trinley Dorjee is acknowledged

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the vast majority of Tibetan Buddhists as the true 17th Karmapa, two other claimants are vying for the title. Sharmapa Rinpoche - who identified Trinlay Thaye Dorjee as the true 17th Karmapa - met with the Dalai Lama on 13 August 2010 to discuss the issue. Sharmapa noted afterwards that a resolution would not be easy due to the issue's connection to Tibet's political relationships with India and China.

The rally will start at 1030 in the Guards Grounds of Gangtok, Sikkim's capital, and journey to the official residence of Chief Minister Dr Pawan Kumar Chamling. Representatives will then submit a memorandum to Dr Chamling, who organisers say has been supportive of their cause.

Human Rights Discussed in Delhi

Tibetan Human Rights Discussed in Delhi on Tuesday 21 September 2010.Photo TPI

Delhi: A discussion of the Human Rights Watch report I Saw It with My Own Eyes, which documents abuses by Chinese security forces in Tibet between 2008-2010, was held in the Indian capital New Delhi on Tuesday (September 21). ....... P 2

“Singing Nun” Escapes to India

Palden Choedron, Tibetan ex-Political prisoner.

Photo: ICT

Dharamshala: Palden Choedron, one of a group of 14 nuns who smuggled a recording of religious and patriotic songs out of their cells in Drapchi Prison in 1993, has escaped from Tibet and arrived in Dharamsala, north India, on September 1st.

Born in 1973 in Nyemo, near Lhasa, Palden became ....... P 2

TPI TIBET IN EXILE 2 Tibet in Song Screeni- Karmapa Rinpoche Keeps Teachings Fun ngs to be Held in New York 30 September, 2010 Dharamsala

The Tibet Post

By Jimmy Halliday, The Tibet Post

Filmmaker Ngawang Choephel, who is an Ex-Tibetan Political prisoner, spent 6 years in Chinese prisons in Tibet. Photo: tibetinsong.com

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

New York City: Filmmaker Ngawang Choephel has suffered more for his art than most, having spent over 6 years in Chinese prisons under charges of espionage. Today, Friday 24th, he will attend the theatrical premiere of the documentary film that he shot over several years starting as far back as 1995.

"Tibet in Song" tells the struggle of the Tibetan people under Chinese rule by focusing on the traditional folk music which has been drowned out by Chinese pop and propaganda over the period of occupation. With music as a backdrop, the film weaves the history of Tibet into the narrative and uses the experience of Tibetans and Choephel's own story to press a powerful message.

Having lived in Vermont USA for several years, he started filming in 1995 on returning to his homeland but within a couple of months he was stopped by a Chinese checkpoint, had his camera confiscated and was convicted of spying and sentenced

to 18 years in prison. After continuing his research behind bars, transcribing songs from his fellow prisoners and then memorising them after his notebooks were captured and destroyed, he was released in 2002.

Although the official reason for his early release was health issues, it coincided with a visit from US President Bush and Choephel feels international pressure was the real issue, helped by the tireless campaign led by his mother.

Having grown up as a refugee in northern India , he was surrounded

by Tibetan folk songs but found them harder to hear when he returned to his homeland, finding Chinese propaganda music and Tibetan groups supported by the Chinese authorities changing their traditional lyrics.

The film won a special documentary prize at the Sundance Film festival last year and will play in New York for a week before touring the US throughout October to December.

Dharamshala: His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa finished his autumn teachings yesterday (September 19), with a day of insights, laughter and lighthearted stories. The talks took place at the Gyuto Tantric Monastery near Dharamsala, north India, and were broadcast live on his website.

The five-day event, on the broad topic of How to Cultivate Relative Bodhichitta, covered subjects including self-awareness, and understanding and demonstrating kindness to all sentient beings. The Gyalwang Karmapa, whose title translates as The embodiment of all activities of the Buddhas, is highly respected in Tibetan Buddhism, and plays an important role in preserving and spreading Tibetan Buddhist teachings.

Commenting on his easy wit and references to contemporary pop culture, one first-time attendee told the Tibet Post International they were pleasantly surprised by the Karmapa's youthful ‘rock-n-roll' approach. Apparently keen not to alienate followers, he demonstrated a clear ability to convey the wisdom of Buddhist teachings while using language and examples relevant to a modern audience.

On the first day, the Karmapa noted that many people seem to think they cannot achieve Buddha's level of wisdom because, thanks to his wealth and position, Buddha must have been able to obtain a top-of-the-line mind developed by Apple, while we are all

pioneer of the exile Tibetan education

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

The discussion at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, included panellists Nicholas Bequelin, senior Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, and Dr Srikanth Kondapalli of the university's Department of East Asian Studies.

The report documents the Chinese crackdown following the sustained Tibetan protests in March 2008, using only eyewitness testimony and official Chinese sources. It concludes that more serious human rights abuses were committed than previously thought, including disproportionate

use of force, ill-treatment of detainees and politically determined judicial proceedings.

The report says China has yet to explain the circumstances leading up to the clashes between protesters and security forces. It also says China has failed to reveal the fate of hundreds of Tibetans arrested during the protests, or disclose how many it detained, sentenced, still holds pending trial, or has sentenced to extrajudicial forms of detention, such as 're-education through labour'.

The full report can be read at http:// www.hrw.org/en/node/91846/section/1

stuck with PC minds running Windows XP. This, he said, is untrue - we all have this level of clarity when we learn to truly understand suffering and happiness.

A recurring theme throughout the Karmapa's talks - and one he seems to hold dear - is the importance of displaying kindness to all sentient beings, and not treating any being as less worthy of respect. On the third day, he questioned how different it would be if we could talk with animals and how hard we would then find it to justify eating them.

He argued that if animals could talk, they would surely hire lawyers and sue us for trying to kill them. He also

questioned our brutality and selfishness, saying that it would be difficult to use an excuse such as "but you taste good" if animals could communicate with us.

During his teachings, the Karmapa regularly burst into laughter - setting off the audience into bouts of the same - and didn't hesitate to laughingly pointing out errors in the translations.

With his good-natured approach and ability to connect with the audience, he gave his followers a fun and thoughtprovoking experience.

The teachings attracted around 400 attendees over the five days, and were also broadcast on the Karmapa's website.

Wangdu Phuntsok Gonsar Dies Leaving Strong Legacy

Mr Wangdu Phuntsok Gonsar, fomer

Tibet Human Rights Report Discussed in Delhi

Karmapa Rinpoche Keeps Teachings Fun at the Gyuto Monastery, near Dharamshala, India.

Photo: Karmapa official website

system and member of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Photo: TPI

By Jimmy Halliday, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Mr Wangdu Phuntsok Gonsar, pioneer of the exile Tibetan education system and member of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), has passed away unexpectedly, on August 5 2010.

He will be missed by many, particularly the large community of students and teachers he worked with, and to whose lives he made such a difference.

Born 24 February 1954 in Yanor, Shelkar, western Tibet, Mr Wangdu came to India as an exile and was one of the few Tibetan students to receive a scholarship to attend the Branleigh Towers Cambridge Academy. He later graduated from Sherwood College in Nainital in 1973. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1978 and a Master

of Arts in 1996 from the Delhi University.

Between 1977 and 1989 he worked as a project coordinator then assistant director at the SOS Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie, India.

In 1993, Mr Wangdu was deputed as director of what is now the Namgyal Higher Secondary School, where his dedication and leadership saw it rise from tentative beginnings to one of Nepal's top-ranking schools.

He also worked tirelessly outside of his professionial life, giving time and energy to a range of projects in

education, the environment and social welfare.

Mr Wangdu was the recipient of numerous awards and certificates from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the departments of Education, Religionand-Culture, and Health, the Central Tibetan Administration, and various other institutions and organizations.

Mr Wangdu Phuntsok Gonsar is survived by his wife Chemi Dolkar Gonsar, sons Tenzin Sonam Gonsar and Palden Dorji Gonsar, and daughter Ngawang Youdon Gonsar.

Singing Nun ................

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

a nun at the age of 14 and was first arrested after a peaceful protest on Barkhor Street in 1990, after which she was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

In prison, along with a group of other nuns, she recorded songs praising the Dalai Lama and Tibet, hoping to demonstrate to the outside world that their spirits had not been broken by their harsh conditions. When the tapes were discovered, Palden's sentence was extended by five years and the group were reportedly subjected to torture,

leading to the death of one of their number, Ngawang Lochoe.

According to US-based Tibetan nongovernment organisation ICT, Palden made an unsuccessful attempt to escape from Tibet four months after her release in 1998, and was sentenced to three more years in a 'reform-through-labour' camp. In 2006, all 13 remaining nuns were released, but were banned from returning to their nunnery and kept under constant surveilance. Five of the nuns remain in Tibet and eight now live abroad in exile.

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The Tibet Post

His Holiness Praises Polish Solidarity

30 September, 2010 Dharamsala

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"Menschen in Europa Award" Presented to His Holiness the Dalai Lama

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

Rafal Dutkiewicz, the mayor of Wroclaw, presented His Holiness with Solidarity and Tibetan flags, while union members decorated him with a 'Solidarity For Ever' medal.Photo: AP

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

Wroclaw: His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, south-west Poland, yesterday (September 22) and gave a speech praising the country's 1980s Solidarity movement, as it marks its 30th anniversary.

His Holiness first toured an exhibition being held to mark the anniversary, then told a crowd of 6,000, "I think in terms of global change in this part of the world, Solidarity definitely made change, including the Soviet Union - it really made an important impact."

The Polish trade-union movement - the first such free movement in the Eastern Bloc - is widely regarded as being instrumental in ending communism in Eastern Europe.

Rafal Dutkiewicz, the mayor of Wroclaw, presented His Holiness with Solidarity

and Tibetan flags, while union members decorated him with a 'Solidarity For Ever' medal.

Comparing the struggle of Tibetans to win freedom in their own country with the struggle the Polish people faced to gain release from Moscow in 1989, His Holiness said, "It is human nature that from childhood we want freedom. God creates all human beings with the same nature - so the desire for freedom.

"So the suppression of freedom with certain ideology is only temporary. You cannot suppress a basic human desire."

However, His Holiness did stress that his aim is not to gain independence for Tibet from communist China.

This is His Holiness' fifth visit to Poland and his second to Wroclaw, having previously been awarded honorary citizenship of the city in December 2008.

His Holiness Praises 1956 Hungarian Revolution

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama arrives in Budpest, the capital of Hungary, on 17th September 2010. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Germany yesterday, following his tour of Hungary, to be honoured with the Menschen in Europa award - a symbol of peace and tolerance. At the ceremony in Passau, Roland Koch, former premier of the German state of Hesse, declared that China should not pass up any opportunity to hold talks with Tibetan spiritual leader.

The Menschen In Europa Award was inaugurated by Verlagsgruppe Passau in 1996, with the aim of bringing together artists, religious leaders, heads of busines and politicians in an open discussion forum. Previous winners include designer Karl Lagerfeld, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

In his speech Mr Koch remarked that His Holiness stands for non-violence and that failure to support him is akin to promoting the rule of the gun. During his time as premier of Hesse, Mr Koch became good friends with His Holiness and a special relationship was formed between Germany and Tibet. He urged the international community to stand up and support the cause of the Tibetan people.

In accepting the award, His Holiness reflected on the strong bond he has felt

a TV station he remembered the October 1956 Hungarian revolution, which took place while he was still living in Tibet. He said he admired the Hungarian spirit of freedom and felt solidarity with those who had rebelled against the Soviet government.

Hungary's connection with Tibet dates back to the pioneer of Tibetology, Ko"rĂśsi Csoma SĂĄndor, who wrote the first Tibetan-English dictionary in 1824 after

with Germany since his childhood, saying, "You built a new nation from ashes. From immense destruction you have built a strong economy and developed a good democratic system. I admire you all."

Speaking to an audience of 3,500, he went on to discuss the education system, which he said should be based on secular values and moral ethics, without disrespecting religion.

In response to a question from the moderator he said the Tibetan issue is not about the institution of the Dalai

Lama but the issue of six million Tibetans. He said he is just a simple person in whom the Tibetan people have placed their trust to spread the message, but that China subverts the issue, saying it is about the Dalai Lama rather than Tibet.

His Holiness also said that, after the 20th century being an era of war, the 21st century should be a time of peace and dialogue, adding that although conflict will not come to an end, the goal for both sides in any conflict should be to find an acceptable solution.

His Holiness Concludes Teachings in Hungary Budapest: His Holiness the Dalai Lama yesterday (September 19) concluded two days of teachings in Budapest, Hungary. Around 22,000 followers attended, with an additional 45,000 watching a live webcast of the event.

His Holiness delivered his talks in English, with simultaneous translation into Hungarian, German, Russian, Romanian and Mongolian.

The Tibetan spiritual leader encouraged the audience to develop strong, positive values, saying, "Anger, fear and mistrust make it difficult for us human beings [to] carry out our normal function. More altruistic feeling is best for good health and peace, which helps in promoting good human values."

His Holiness delivered An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and Compassion: The Art of Happiness, and also answered questions from the audience and online viewers.

He said the common ground of all major religions is that they call for love and solidarity and strive to make

individuals tolerant and forgiving, and also place importance on education. He added that happiness requires happy

visiting the region. This is his Holiness' seventh visit to the country - his first being in 1982.

Tickets for the teachings, being held in a sports arena, have sold out, and 14,000 people from 74 countries having registered to watch the event live at www.esoguru.com. The webcast will be available in six languages (English, German, Russian, Romanian, Slovak and Hungarian).

Following a unanimous vote of the city council on August 26, Mayor Demszky will confer the title of Honorary Citizen on His Holiness. On Monday, his Holiness will deliver a speech to the Hungarian parliament and students of the Central European University of Budapest. He will also meet MPs, members of the HungaryTibet Friendship Association and Laszlo Tokes, Vice-President of the European Parliament.

By The Tibet Post

Budapest — His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in the Hungarian capital Budapest yesterday (September 17) to give a twoday teaching session. During his visit, he will address 22,400 Hungarian and foreign followers and speak before the Hungarian parliament.

Mayor Gabor Demsky welcomed His Holiness at Budapest airport, where he received VIP treatment. His Holiness told

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is presented with the Menschen in Europe Award in Passau, Germany, on September 21st, 2010. Photo: TPI

Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, gestures during a visit at the Parliament building in Budapest September 20, 2010. The Dalai Lama arrived in Hungary for a four-day visit to give lectures to his believers. Photo: Reuters

By Yc. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

families and happy societies, and that prayer does not bring material gain for that people must work.

Later, in acceptance of his award of honorary citizen of Budapest, His Holiness said the 21st century should be the century of world peace, and must also be the century of dialogue. "World peace will not come on its own," he said. "We have to work to create it ourselves.

Openness and transparency are necessary to resolve conflict, as we are all citizens of one planet - we belong to one family."

Today (September 20), His Holiness will meet members of the Hungarian Parliament and addresses students and faculty members of the Central European University.

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30 September, 2010 Dharamsala

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The Tibet Post

Iceland's RIFF Screens SFT Project Twitter Messages on to Wen Jiabao's Hotel Tibet film Despite Chinese Pressure

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

Lhagyari Trichen Namgyal Wangchuk, the 18th descendent of Tibet's Great Dharma Kings.

Photo: www.fest21.com

New York: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's New York visit was enlivened yesterday (September 23)

by Students for a Free Tibet, who projected messages on to the side of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel where he is staying.

Protesters from several countries sent messages to @wjbny, which were then displayed in a live feed on to buildings in the area - an innovative approach to lobbying the premier who is in town for talks with the UN and President Barack Obama.

Toronto-based Tenzin Dhonyoe's message read, "Do the right thing and talk to HH the Dalai Lama. We will never give up to fight for our just cause". Tenzin Choedon, from Dharamsala, north India, tweeted, "Wen, with what China did to my people & my land you deserve all u r getting now. PROTEST!" Meanwhile, Kathy Nguyen, who

Images of Wen Jiabao are projected onto New York buildings.

Photo: studentsforafreetibet.org

signed up for twitter especially to join the campaign, wrote, "No matter what you do, know that Tibetans will always be free in their hearts. Soon you will be gone. They will live on.

Free Tibet!"

Sangay Tathi, of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Minnesota, made a pun on "when", writing "WEN ever I see your face, I am reminded of the Freedom that Tibetans in Tibet are deprived of. Wen will you Free Tibet?"

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

Reykjavik: Documentary film "When the Dragon Swallowed the Sun" is being shown at the 6th Reykjavik International Film Festival in spite of the festival director, Hrönn Marinósdóttir, being summoned to the Chinese embassy and being warned of potential economic and political repercussions in the Chinese-Icelandic relationship if she did not withdraw the film from the festival.

German-American film director Dirk Simon spent 7 years filming 800 hours of footage for the documentary in China, Tibet and India which tells the story of the occupation with the buildup to the 2008 Beijing Olympic games as a backdrop. It is believed the Chinese government disapproves of the film, despite it attempting to give a balanced view, giving chance for

both sides to contribute and not painting a black and white picture.

With exclusive interviews with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Richard Gere, as well as music compositions from Phillip Glass and Thom Yorke the film is considered an important document of the situation.

The festival committee ignored the concerns of the Chinese government, going ahead with screenings on 27th and 28th September with further showings scheduled for the 29th and 1st October.

Emil Breki Hreggvidsson, Director of the Department for International Affairs at the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs said that no formal request had been made by the Chinese embassy and regardless it was not something his ministry would censure.

Taiwan Candlelight Vigil Marks Lhasa Uprising

By Matthew Singh-Toorl, The Tibet Post

Tibetans into terrorism. But their inherently good and peaceful nature won't allow them to become terrorists."

Dawa Tsering, director of the Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Taiwan, outlined the history of the 1987 uprising and described how Tibetan monks protested peacefully but suffered under Chinese oppression. "Tibetan people never give up the fight for freedom," he said, and thanked the Taiwanese people for their support.

Communist China invaded eastern Tibet in 1949, and in 1950 most of Amdo and Kham regions fell into their hands. On 23 May 1951, the Tibetan government was forced to accept the 'Peaceful Liberation of Tibet 17Article Agreement'.

On 27 September 1987, 21 monks from Drepung monastery in Lhasa gathered

in public to display the Tibetan Snow Lion flag and shout pro-Tibetan and pro-Dalai Lama slogans. This led to nearly two years of demonstrations and protests, thousands of arrests and an unknown number of deaths.

Speaking at yesterday's vigil, Lin Chiafang, chairman of the Taiwan Human Rights Council, said that for China to publish human right reports is contradictory and a joke, asking how a nation with no human rights can publish such reports.

Mr Sun Youlian, president of the Taiwan Labour Front told the audience that, of two Asian Nobel Peace Prize winners, one - Burmese opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi - is in jail and the other - His Holiness the Dalai Lama - lives in exile in India. "Many countries are afraid to break their political relationships with China," he said, "and refuse to support Tibetan

Nepalese Govt and Maoists Agree to Extend Stalled Peace Process

By Jimmy Halliday, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: With the Nepalese Government and Maoist politicians agreeing to another four-month extension of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Nepal is set to begin what both sides claim will be the final stage in the long-drawn-out peace process.

If granted, this will be the seventh extension of UNMIN's tenure, and will prolong their involvement until 12 January 2011.

The most recent UN report criticised both parties' failure to meet many of the requirements laid out in the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) which was signed in 2006 at the end of the Nepalese Civil War. With the creation of various commissions, and the integration of Maoist and Nepalese armies still not complete, today's deadline (September 15) has not been met and, without UNMIN's continuation, there is little to prevent the country from reverting back to even greater levels of internal conflict.

While both parties have committed to complete the remaining tasks of the peace process set out in the CPA

human rights. But peaceful activists never stand alone."

Other guests at the event included: Janka, chairman of the Tibetan Welfare Association (TWA) Taiwan; Dolma Tso, chairperson of TWA Taiwan; and Lin Hsinyi, president of the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty .

Tashi Tsering led the vigil in shouting "Free Tibet", and "Long Live the Dalai Lama", before the attendees left peacefully, one by one, each holding a candle. The vigil concluded with group chanting.

Top leaders of Nepali Congress –spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC, vice presidents Prakash Man Singh and Ram Chandra Paudel and acting president Sushil Koirala—during the Central Working Committee meeting held at its central office in Sanepa, Lalitpur on Wednesday, September 15, 2010. 15 Sep, 2010. Photo: The Himalayan Times

by 12 January 2011, there is still concern at the amount of progress needed. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, in a Security Council report last week, put pressure on both parties to work harder to develop a sustained dialogue.

The Security Council will decide whether to grant the extension today, which, if passed, will see UNMIN continue to be involved in areas including arms monitoring, child protection and assisting in the process of integrating the two armed forces.

Tibetan Youth in Europe Discuss 2011 Elections

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

and the launch played an important role in giving attendees a better understanding of the process and a chance to discuss their opinions.

After a brief introduction on the structure and function of the Central Tibetan Administration and each of the candidates, the meeting was opened up to a discussion which, according

to a TYAE press release, quickly turned into a passionate debate. The event was concluded with a mock election.

Over 50 young Tibetans came from around Switzerland to attend the event, which coincided with the launch of the campaign's German language website h t t p : / / w w w. d e i n e - s t i m m e entscheidet.org

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30 September, 2010 Dharamsala

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Two Monks Arrested in Tibetan Man Sentenced to Four Years Lhoka Over Request for Teacher's Visit

By Jimmy Halliday, The Tibet Post

Mindroling monastery in Lhoka, Tibet. Photo:Wikipedia

Dharamshala: A 46-year-old Tibetan man, Dhongo Gyakpa, was sentenced to four years in prison by the Chinese Intermediate Court of Nagwa County on September 25, for giving sanctuary to the monk Choedhar - allegedly a leader of the 2008 protests.

Choedhar was located at Dhongo's house on August 25 last year, leading to the arrest of both men and of Dhongo's wife Solha.

All three were detained for just over a month before being released on 15,000 yuan bail, but were re-arrested soon after. Solha was then re-released, but Dhongo was held in custody until his recent sentencing.

Dhongo was formerly a small-business owner in Triken Village, Nagwa County, in the Amdo region of eastern Tibet.

According to the Tibetan government-in-exile, over 220 Tibetans have died and over 1,294

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Chinese military personnel are seen on a street of Lhasa, Tibet. Photo: TPI

been seriously injured in the Chinese reaction to the March 2008 protests.

Additionally, over 4,657 have been

arrested, 371 received prison sentences, and more than 990 disappeared.

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Two officials from Mindroling monastery in Lhoka, Tibet, were arrested yesterday (September 29), in response to a request to the Chinese authorities that the monastery's teacher, Dralha Rinpoche, be allowed to visit. One of the monks has been named as Gyurmey Tenzin, the other remains unidentified.

Since the arrests the monastery has been closed to visitors, while more than

80 Chinese officials hold 'patriotic reeducation' sessions with the monks.

On September 15, around 50 monks protested against the authorities' ban on such a visit, whereupon armed soldiers cordened off the monastery.

Lama Dralha Rinpoche is an heir to the throne of Mindroling - Mindroling being one of the six lineages within the Nyingmapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan Monk Sentenced to 13 Years

Free Tibet Motorbike Tour Runs Into Trouble

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Lhakpa Tsering, a Tibetan immigrant based in the USA, is facing problems getting from Chennai to Dharamsala, India, as he attempts to complete a world tour to raise awareness about Tibet.

Lhakpa set off from the UN building in New York on March 10 - the 51st Tibetan National Uprising Day - and travelled through 22 countries. He landed in Chennai from Melbourne on September 17, where his motorbike was impounded due to a problem with customs documentation.

Tibetans living in Australia wecoming Lhakpa Tsering to the country.

Photo: TPI

On his website http:// freetibetworldtour.com/ Lhakpa vowed to do everything in his power

to continue his journey, writing, "I will use all my resource, and I will try my best not to leave India until I finish my tour. I spend next two days just to move the motorcycle from customs to storage while waiting for new documents to arrive."

Lhakpa's epic journey has taken in Australia, Japan, England, Canada and large parts of continental Europe, where he has canvassed support and spread the message about a free Tibet.

Once his customs documentation is processed, he will complete the final leg of his tour by riding from Chennai to Dharamsala, via Bangalore, Goa, Mumbai and Delhi.

Tibetan Women’s Association Celebrates 50 Years of Democracy

By Matthew Singh-Toor, The Tibet Post

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 3, 2010, military personnel march amongst residents in Lhasa, western China's Tibet region. Two years after Lhasa erupted in a riot that set off anti-government protests across Tibetan areas of China, heavy security is the new normal.

Photo: AP

By Jimmy Halliday and Jato Jamyang, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Wangdu Gyatso, a Tibetan monk, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment by a local intermediate people's court in Chamdho, eastern Tibet, on September 8, according to information received by The Tibet Post International.

On 2 August 2009, Gyatso went to Chamdho City alone and protested against the Chinese government, demanding a free Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He was arrested on the same day by Chinese police, and his family were unable to locate or contact him until his sentencing date.

Gyatso was born in 1984 in Rasa Village,

Lingchung Valley, Gojo County. His father Pema Yeshi and mother Tsega have ten children including Wangdu, their fifth son. At the time of his arrest, he was studying Buddhist Philosophy at Palyul Monastery, Dege County, eastern Tibet.

As a child, Gyatso joined Gara Monastery, where he studied ritual prayer and tantra texts. He later moved to Palyul Monastic College, where he studied Buddhist philosophy to class five.

Gyatso's father was also imprisoned by the Chinese in 1959, and was recently sacked from his government post due to his son's arrest.

Since the sentencing, Gyatso's family have been unable to establish where he is being held.

The event's chief guest, Mr TS Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India speaking at the event on 24th September 2010.

Photo: TWA

Dharamshala: The Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) last Friday (September 24) hosted an event entitled Sealing its Success: 50 glorious years

of Democracy in Exile, in Dharamsala, north India. The event was attended

by Tibetans living in exile, along with Indian and Western supporters.

A TWA press release celebrated the success of Tibetan democracy, saying that, from its origins in 1960, it has burgeoned in a unique manner, without the waves of revolution, war, decolonisation, and religious conflict that have characterized the transitions of many other countries to liberal democracy.

The event saw the screening of a film and launch of a bi-lingual book, both titled Exile Tibetans' Mass Mock Election and its Findings - a record of the TWA's Mass Mock Election of the Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister), which was held on July 6, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th birthday. The mock election aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the 2011 Kalon Tripa elections and encourage Tibetans in the diaspora to exercise their voting rights.

The event's chief guest, Mr TS

Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, told the audience that Tibetan democracy should assimilate the good aspects of Indian democracy, adding, "While in all the other evolving democracies, it takes some time for the government to endow women with voting rights, it is very impressive to see that in the Tibetan democracy the Tibetan women are spearheading a pivotal project in the election process."

Other special guests included Mr Jamphel Choesang, Chief Election Commissioner of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and Mr Wilson Lee, Program Pfficer of the Washingtonbased National Endowment for Democracy.

In October this year, TWA will launch a year-long education campaign targeting Tibetans in the remotest regions of India, Nepal and Bhutan.

For more information on the Tibetan Women's Association, visit www.tibetanwomen.org

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TPI TIBET IN EXILE

30 September, 2010 Dharamsala

The Tibet Post

Training Opportunities for India Urged to Allow Karmapa to Tibetan Youth Visit Sikkim

By Phuntsok Choedon, The Tibet Post

Youth train in computer technology in Dharamsala

Photo:TPI

By Jimmy Halliday, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration's (CTA) Home Department today (September 29) announced a series of courses starting in November for young unemployed Tibetans.

The training options will include beauty therapy, hairdressing, carpentry, tailoring, auto-mechanics, cell-phone servicing, medical transcription and a Microsoft-certified course in systems engineering.

Of the 54 places offered in this intake round, 30 are in hairdressing and beauty therapy, six in cookery and five in tailoring.

The courses will be held in Bangalore, south India, from November 17.

Registration is at local settlement offices or the Home Department, with an October 15 deadline.

The CTA's internet site states that those taking the medical transcription course can expect a salary of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month in their first job, rising quickly with experience.

The CTA are also offering loans to those who complete the courses and want to start their own business.

Full details on the courses and registration details can be found at www.tibet.net.

Bid to Lengthen Tibetan PM's Term Fails

Initially, 19 members supported the introduction of the motion at the current session of the meeting here in Dharamshala, India on 16th September 2010.

Photo: Lobsang Wangyal/Tibet Sun

By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: A motion to withdraw the two-term limit for the post of Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan government-in-exile was rejected by the Tibetan parliament on Thursday.

Bill 3G, Resolution 21, Article 49, of the Charter for Tibetans-in-exile states that a person cannot be elected prime minister for a third term in a row. The motion proposed to withdraw this limit and introduce new legislation.

The intent behind the motion was to enable incumbent Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche to take up another five years in office. According to the Speaker, Penpa Tsering, this has been called for by many Tibetans living in exile. Around 960 Tibetans from Mundgod Tibetan settlement, along with others from Hunsur Rabgyal-Ling settlement, signed a petition pleading for another term for Rinpoche. Of the

150,000 Tibetans in exile, it is unclear what percentage would support such a change.

However, Prime Minister Rinpoche did not think it would be healthy for him to remain in office, saying it was unfortunate the issue had come up at all as it would be a regressive step for the fledgling Tibetan democracy.

He added that the timing of the motion was wrong, since the exile community has been actively engaged in campaigning for his successor. “The timing of the proposal creates doubts in the minds of people," he said. "It may also create conflict between individuals.”

Rinpoche (71) has been prime minister since 2001 and will finish his second term in August next year. Indicating his unwillingness to continue in the post, he said, “Nobody can take away my personal freedom.”

The motion was introduced by Tsering Yudon and supported by Dawa Tsering.

A two-thirds majority is required to amend the charter, but only eleven out of 43 members of parliament (MPs) voted for the motion. 27 MPs attended the session, with 16 on leave.

Those in support of the amendment were: Ven Serta Tsultrim Woeser (Amdo), Ngawang Lhamo (Utsang), Gyari Bhutuk (Nyingma), Dolkar Lhamo (Amdo), Dolma Tsering (Utsang), Lhamo Kyab (Amdo), Yeshi Dolma (Amdo), Tsering Dolma (Utsang), Tsering Youdon (Amdo), Tsultrim

Gangtok: Thousands of supporters of the 17th Karmapa, Orygen Trinley Dorjee, congregated in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, India, on September 26, demanding the Indian government allow him to take up his throne at Rumtek monastery.

A pamphlet urging local people to join the rally stated, "The government of India must repose trust and confidence in the people of Sikkim.

It has been ten years since the Karmapa fled Tibet and took refuge in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

We have waited long enough."

The rally started at 1030 from the Guards Ground and proceeded to Mintokgang where a memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at his residence.

"The Sikkim government has been very supportive to our cause," said

Thousands of people cutting across all sections in Sikkim on Sunday morning gathered at Guards ground near Gangtok for a massive rally demanding that the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorjee be allowed by the Central government to take his seat of power at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre in the Eastern district. Photo: TPI

Buddhist follower Topden, adding "The Chief Minister has also written

to the [central government] on this issue."

Free Tibet World Motorbike Tour Needs Help

By Ian Marshall, The Tibet Post

Chennai: As previously reported, Lhakpa Tsering hit trouble upon his arrival in Chennai, on the final leg of his motorbike world tour to promote the Tibetan cause. His bike was held

by Indian customs officials on the September 17 and it emerged yesterday that he will need a significant deposit for his bike to be released.

After travelling through 22 countries, it appears that Indian regulations require more permits to be obtained and, in this instance, Lhakpa requires a 'carnet' from the Canadian Automobile Association together with an $18,000 deposit bond.

Lhakpa needs assistance to raise these funds and allow his trip to continue.

Time is running out for him because storage costs for his bike will become prohibitively expensive after around ten days, and he will have to have it shipped back to the US. Lhakpa, who is due to arrive in Dharamsala on October 23, said he was hopeful of raising the bond, but if this

Tenzin (Kham) and Gyarong Dawa Tsering (Amdo).

Initially, 19 members supported the motion, but eight withdrew their support following Rinpoche’s speech.

In his rejection of the proposal, Amdo MP Tenzin Gonpo said that countries where presidential and prime ministerial terms are limited have less corruption and are more successful.

Some commentators have concluded that those who supported the motion in the name of the public mandate were actually seeking to impress the voters as the general elections approach.

On October 3, Tibetans will go to the polls for the preliminary round of elections for prime minister and MPs. This will be the third time the posts have been directly elected by the public. The final round will be held on March 20 next year.

Tibetans living in Australia wecoming Lhakpa Tsering ato the country. Photo: TPI

e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , on Facebook, or phone +91-988-413-8505 / +91-886-0175509

is not possible he will consider hiring a bike in Delhi to complete his journey.

To help Lhakpa in his quest, you can contact him at freetibetworldtour@yahoo.com This

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Mr. Thomas Keimel Dr. Vincent Brucel Mr. YC. Dhardhowa Mrs. Yangyal Sham Mr. Sangay Ms. Keary Huang Ven Phuntsok Dhondup Mr. Tenzin Kunga This Edition’s Contributors

Jimmy Halliday Ian Marshall Phuntsok Choedon Jatuk Jamyang Matthew Singh-Toor The Tibet Post International Press of Tibet (Head Office) 1st Floor, Dolkhang House, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt.

Kangra H.P 176219 India

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