A Tribute to the Life of Jigme Norbu Jigme Norbu, nephew of His Holiness the Dalai Lama , 45 years old, was struck and killed by a car Monday February 14th on an American highway while he was participating in the 500km‘Walk for Peace’ from St Augustine, Florida south to West Palm Beach, Florida . According to Police he died on the scene. Jigme Norbu was a passionate activist for Tibetan Freedom, inspired by the dedication of his father Takster Rinpoche, H.H Dalai Lama’s eldest brother. He was born in 1968 in the United States and was a tireless activist for Tibet’s independence. He lived in Bloomington with his father, his mother and his two brothers, and studied International Law in Japan. His Father, Thubten Jigme Norbu
Jigme and his father Thubten Jigme Norbu
spent life promoting Tibetan Independence and raising awareness of the plight of Tibet. In 1950, he fled Tibet after the Chinese invasion to work for
ROOM FOR HOPE The writer, Tenzin Tsundue, a Tibetan poet and activist requests you to read this piece aloud to your family or to yourself. Indians call me ‘ching chong’, the Chinese arrested me when I walked into Tibet, beat me up in jail and threw me out and said ‘Get out of here, you bloody Indian’. Who am I? I am born and brought up in India and speak four Indian languages, love Bollywood, have more Indian friends than those of my own tribe. Who am I? My identity card is called Registration Certificate. It says you are a foreigner, and your nationality is Tibetan. But for India there is no Tibet, it’s only China, although we have IndoTibetan Border Police. Legally, no one is a refugee in India, there’s no refugee law prevalent here, but India is home to the largest number of refugees, from Parsis to Burmese, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans. My friend, Sopa, from our refugee camp in
Kollegal, Karnataka, fought in the Kargil War. Two soldiers on either side of him were shot in their heads, and when the survivors were being decorated in Delhi, Indian soldiers were photographed with the President, while medals for Tibetans were pinned by an officer in the top floor room. Rooms. We love rooms, bigger the better. That’s what we live in, because HOME is a sacred dream reserved for some distant future, but, inevitably coming, because our Dalai Lama says so. Even our exile government staff live in rooms. When her boyfriend moves in, they set up a kitchen against one of the walls. Other walls are for books, clothes, a TV set and of course a door and a window. When she gets pregnant it becomes home, and then we all join the house-warming party. Our rooms are decorated with protest slogans and photos of bullet-ridden martyrs. We live in India, but our hearts are in Tibet. We are neither here nor there. I grew up imagining homeland, a
copyright photo:AP
Tibet and the Tibetans in exile. He moved to Bloomington, Indiana USA with his family in 1965 and he served as a professor (continued on page 4) glorious return, but realize home is here where the struggle is, The Struggle is the Home. Tibetans make an annual pilgrimage. It’s not to Bodh Gaya or Benares, it’s to the local police station to seek an extension to stay in India for another year, a must for all Tibetans above 18, whether you came from Tibet in 1959, are born in India, or a celebrity escapee from Tibet in recent years. No exception. No one is above the law. Show your face and get the privilege. Lobsang got a job as a waiter in Sweden, excited, he packed for a two-year stint. At the last moment, just before his flight, the Delhi emigration officer said he has no clearance from the local police station. At 2am he had masala chai for 60 rupees at the airport and came back to Dharamsala. Go anywhere, be a tourist in Kerala or Rajasthan, pretend that you are a native in the North East. We were promised a dreamland from childhood, the world’s most beautiful country and its snowy mountains and rivers feed one sixth of the world’s population. We are brave people, we fight violence with nonviolence; our people in Tibet fight (continued on page 7)
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US Ambassador Envoy meets H.H the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj On February 24th, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer came to visits H.H the Dalai Lama and for the first time, the US ambassador came to the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala. The meeting took place at the official residence of the Tibetan leader in the morning. One of the main purposes of his visit was to inaugurate a new reception centre for Tibetan refugees. The closed-door talks between the two men lasted an hour and several important issues were discussed and particularly the issue of dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama’s representatives which came to a standstill since January last year. Timothy J. Roemer said he had “very good discussions” with the Dalai Lama and “will continue to have this very productive, engaging and very fruitful dialogue in the months and in the years to come.” Source: yahoo.news.india
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(continued from page 1) at Indiana University while serving as H.H the Dalai Lama’s US representative. In 1979, he founded the Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, a center devoted to preserving Tibetan culture and religion. He wrote a number of books and lectured about Tibetan situation at seminars around the world. In 1995; he co-founded the International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) and began the ‘freedom walk’. He has led three walks for Tibetan Independence. He died in 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. His work for Tibet inspired his son Jigme Norbu who had joined several walks for freedom all over the world. He carried on the works of his father. Jigme has completed more than 21 walks and bike rides and altogether has compiled over 7800 miles both in the United States and overseas for Tibet. Two weeks ago, Jigme Norbu was in Florida for a 500km ‘walk for Peace’ which was scheduled to start the 14 th of February on Valentine’s Day to end in West Palm Beach, Florida. The fellow walkers ended the walk on Feb. 26th. Since the announcement of his death, several tributes have been organized. In Taiwan, where Jigme conducted Walk for Peace last December, friends remembered him as ‘selfless and strongwilled’ (source: Taipei Times) In Washington, The Capital Area Tibetan Association (CATA) held a prayer service for Jigme Norbu on feb15. (Source: International Campaign for Tibet) In New-York, Tibetans and supporters
photo:thefirst post .co.uk
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in New York City held a prayer session on feb15 to mourn and pay respects to late Jigme Norbu. The prayer was organized by the New York and New Jersey chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress. Meanwhile, Tibetans in the greater Boston area also held a prayer session at the Kurukulla center on feb16. (Source: Phayul.com) The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, Indiana issued a statement on feb16 expressing deep regret about his tragic death. In Dharamsala, Tibetan exile community, several hundred people gathered at the main Buddhist temple in India’s Hiamalayan town of McLeod Ganj last Wednesday (Feb16) to combine their voices in prayer following the tragic death of Tibetan activist and freedom fighter and hero Jigme Norbu. Throughout the ceremony cups of tea and Tibetan bread were distributed by monks and volunteers to the chanting crowd, while the traditional white scarves were laid in the temple over the statue of the Buddha. The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest proindependence organization in the Tibetan community in exile, organized the prayer service (Source: Tibet Post). On the walk, he reportedly carried a sign which read “FOR 4
WORLD PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS, and TIBETAN INDEPENDENCE.” Jigme’s message would be: ‘be kind to each other, bring peace with your presence, claim your freedom and use it for good, and please support Tibetans to return to a peaceful life of dignity and independence.”
photo:get ty images Prayers in McLeod Ganj’s main temple
Dharamsala Community Library free library service book and magazines Daily 9am to 6pm Sunday closed Near Gu Chu Sum, Jogibara Road. McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala March 2011
copyright photo:AP
Losar is Celebrated in McLeod Ganj after Recent Years of Protest On 5 March 2011 the Tibetan year of 2138 will officially begin. Celebrations begin 1 March in Mcleod Ganj and will continue until 15 March. These Celebrations vary from region to region in Tibet. Monasteries celebrate by enacting a protector deities' puja (ritual) to begin preparations for Losar. Many Tibetans celebrate with dancing, making guthuk and other special dishes, and gather to be with their friends and family. The last day of the year is a time to clean and prepare for the approaching New Year. In the monasteries it is a day of preparations. The finest decorations are put up and elaborate offerings are made called "Lama Losar". Celebrations of Losar are designed to bring peace, prosperity and bounty in the coming year. 2138 will bring with it these traditional celebrations neglected in 2009, and muffled in 2010. Tibetans in McLeod Ganj decided to boycott Losar in 2009 due to the violence enacted against Tibetan protesters in March 2008, when Tibet erupted in protest following the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising of 1959. The Chinese crackdowns on protesters resulted in the reported deaths of a hundred people. This was also the year that marked the 60th anniversary of the Chinese invasion of Tibet and 50 years of Chinese occupation of Tibet and the exile of its government. The following year it was important to Tibetans to communicate that they did not intend to give up their traditions and culture to Chinese repression, but that they would not be bribed into celebrating either. They struck a balance between celebration and observance in performing the traditional pujas associated with the Tibetan New Year, but did not participate in its traditional recreational activities. Therefore last year’s celebrations were muted. This year Losar is to be celebrated in full force in McLeod Ganj as His Holiness the Dalai Lama is giving teachings and many businesses and NGO’s are scheduled to shut down for the much anticipated holiday. His Holiness will deliver his annual political statement on the commemoration of the 52nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day in the morning in front of
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the Main Tibetan Temple on 10 March 2011.On March 14 & 15 His Holiness will give two-day teachings on The Four Noble Truths at the Main Tibetan Temple, and on March 19 His Holiness will give a short teaching from the Jataka Tales in the morning also located at the Main Tibetan Temple. Tibetans will celebrate this year of female iron hare both through spiritual observance, hearing teachings, and celebrating the beginning of what is hoped to be a happy new year, with dancing, feasting, and celebrating what it is to be Tibetan.”This year, many Tibetans are planning to observe Losar for one reason only: because we are Tibetan. We will speak Tibetan language, wear Tibetan dress, and observe Tibetan customs, thus strengthening our identity and our spirit. Through this observance we will find new courage and opportunities to advance our struggle. In observing Losar
with family and friends, Tibetans will reach for happiness, which, as much as suffering, is an integral part of a freedom movement.” Writes Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director, SFT and Lhadon Tethong, Director, Tibet Action Institute. Losar traditionally takes place during the flowering of the apricot trees, as a sign of hope, prosperity and a bountiful new year for the farming communities of Tibet. In recent years, Tibetan Refugees have suffered violations of human rights, been victims of natural disasters, and seen the fiftieth year of Chinese Occupation come and go without realizing their dream of Independence. Perhaps this year Losar can bring renewed hope, in the face of strife, just as those first flowers bloom despite the harshness of winter. Enjoy whichever way you choose to celebrate Losar and here’s to an auspicious year of 2138.
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Himalyan Par adise Hotel, Jogiwar a Rd - Map #15
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March 2011
Tibetan will elect their new Kalon Tripa The 3 candidates are Lobsang Sangay, Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Tashi Wangdi. The members of the 15th Tibetan Parliament are also elected, the parliament has 47 members and 94 candidates.
phot o:rt ycminnesot a.org
Prior to 1959, when China took control of Tibet, the political system within the central Asian nation was rooted predominantly in their spiritual values. Following the Chinese invasion, H.H the Dalai-Lama fled to India where he set in motion a process to limit his own temporal authority while at the same time politically empowering the Tibetan people. In January 1960, H.H the Dalai Lama announced a program to establish an Assembly of elected officials that would not only represent the Tibetan population in exile but also all Tibetans still living in occupied Tibet. Elections were duly held and the first Assembly of Members took office on September 2, 1960. Since then, 12 similar Assemblies have been formed. The process of democratization accelerated in 1990 when the assembly grew from 12 to 46 members and elected ministers (Kalons) for the first time. Further advances were made in 2001 when the position of Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) was elected by universal suffrage. Professor Samdhong Rinpoche ran unchallenged in both the 2001 and 2006 elections cycles.
Last October, the candidate Lobsang Sangay led the race for Prime Minister to Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Tashi Wangdi. Currently, 79,111 Tibetans have registered to vote in the preliminary round in October and 3300 voters have been registered since last October. More than 82,000 Tibetans are called to vote with the majority residing in India, Nepal and Bhutan. The rest of the community lives in the northern states of America, in countries throughout Western Europe, Australia and various other countries.
T E N Z I N N A M G YA L TETHONG
Brief presentation of the three candidates:
copyright photo:TenzinTethong-rangzen.net
Kalon Tripa 2011 candidates L O B S A N G SANGAY
Today, there is only one political party in Dharamsala, created in 1994. It is the National Democratic Party of Tibet and was founded by the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest Tibetan nongovernmental organization.
copyright: 2011campaign.ndp4t ibet.org
On March 20th 2011, Tibetans will elect
Lobsang Sangay is a Tibetan lawyer and an expert specialist in Tibet, and international law on human rights. He received an education in Tibetan
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Quote: “If given the privilege and honor to serve His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, I will be guided by the three principles of unity, innovation, and self-reliance. Unity as the foundation, innovation as the process, and selfreliance to sustain the movement and to guide us in restoring freedom in Tibet.” Source: wikipedia-kalontripafortibet.org
The election results will be announced on April 27. The mandate of the outgoing first minister Samdhong Rinpoche is scheduled to end next August 14th and the Prime Minister should come into office the next day.
This is the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
their new Kalon Tripa, making him the 3rd Prime Minister in the history of the Tibetan government in exile.
refugee school in Darjeeling and received his Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from Delhi University in India. Lobsang Sangay received his Doctorate in Law and Master of Laws from Harvard University. He is currently a research fellow at the East Asian Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School.
“Unity, Innovation and Self-Reliance key to Tibetan movement’s survival and sustenance”. Dr Lobsang Sangay
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Experience, Integrity, Vision, Innovation
Tenzin Namgyal Tenzin Tethong or ‘Tethong’ is a Tibetan politician. He currently teaches in the Department of History at Stanford University where he is Distinguished Fellow for the pulpit Tibetan Studies Initiative. It started its activities within the Tibetan community in exile as a student and teacher in the first school of Tibetan refugees in Mussoorie. In 1967, he joined the Department of Education as a secretary and translator. It was representative of the Dalai Lama in New York between 1973 and 1986 and his special representative in Washington between 1987 and 1990. In 1990 he was one of three ministers elected by a special congress of Tibetans in exile in Dharamsala, officials from various ministries (economy, internal, international relations and Prime Minister) for 5 years. He was Prime Minister of Tibetan government from 1993 to 1996. March 2011
Quote: The cause of Tibet, truly much greater and more significant than our individual lives, will surely outlive us all and be ultimately redeemed.” Source:wikipedia- kalontripa2011.orgtibetanpoliticalreview.org
the new leader must also promote the vital importance of human rights and the ongoing process of democratization.
Learn about the Tibetan language Origin
TASHI WANGDI Tried, Tasted and trusted, A leader par Excellence copyright: David Shankbone
Tashi Wangdi is the representative of the 14th Dalai Lama in France and Europe since January 2009 after its representative in America between 16 April 2005 and late 2008. Since 1966 he has worked for the Tibetan government in exile. He was minister of the most important ministries, including Ministry of Information and International Relations, Education, religion and culture, safety, and health. Tashi Wangdi has been a representative of the Dalai Lama with the Indian government in New Delhi. Quote: “We seek a solution within the framework of the Chinese Constitution to a meaningful autonomy,” said Tashi Wangdi on the status of his government. “Until we can achieve this goal, we do have a government in exile with a chartera Constitution. Under this charter, His Holiness is actually the head of the state and the Prime Minister is the head the government.” Source: wikipedia - nextkalontripa.com This is the first time that an election campaign is conducted. There have been discussions organized by different groups and organizations, followed closely by the Tibetans. We can see here a new step towards democracy. The peoples’ choice of their next leader will have monumental significance. While ensuring close ties are maintained with local Tibetans and their cultural identity,
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During the 7th Century AD Songstem Gampo (569-649AD), the 33rd king of the Yarlung Dynasty of southern Tibet and the first Emperor of Tibet, sent Thonmi Sambhota, one of his ministers, to India to gather information on Buddhism. The minister then reputedly devised a script for Tibetan based on the Devanagari model and also wrote a grammar of Tibetan based on Sanskrit grammars. The new Tibetan alphabet was used to write Tibetan translations of Buddhists texts. The first Sanskrit-Tibetan dictionary, Mahavyutpatti, appeared in the 9th century. Wood block printing, introduced from China, was used in Tibet from an early date and is still used in a few monasteries.
(continued on page 1) Chinese guns with their prayers and militant hope to change Chinese minds with Buddhism. As an activist I try Gandhi, Dalai Lama is too complicated; I keep my guru in my heart, but function with Gandhi from my head. In 2008, when protests against the Beijing Olympics raged in India, I was arrested in Kullu. The reason? I hadn’t registered my departure from Dharamsala. I was locked up for 11 days, with extended detention for 14 days in Dharamsala, watched over by two old moustachioed policemen. Now even the Commonwealth Games are over, the Cricket World Cup is here, and still I have to appear for court cases the police have no interest in pursuing. After the recent High court ruling, Tibetans born in India are eligible for Indian citizenship following Namgyal Dolkar’s example. When my Indian university friend recently pleaded with me to get rid of all my court cases and legal hassles, I said: “I am Indian, perhaps more Indian than you. Why do I need a certificate for that?” image: songtsen.org
Tibetan literature is mainly concerned with Buddhist themes and includes works translated from Sanskrit and Chinese and original Tibetan works. There are also literary works about the Bon religion, a pre-Buddhist religion indigenous to Tibet. The most unusual genre of Tibetan literature is that of gterma or 'rediscovered' texts - reputedly the work of ancient masters which have been hidden in remote caves for many centuries.
Notable features * The Tibetan alphabet is syllabic, like many of the alphabets of India and South East Asia. Each letter has an inherent vowel /a/. Other vowels can be indicated using a variety of diacritics which appear above or below the main letter.
Losar Greetings:
* Syllables are separated by a dot.
Happy Losar - ‘Losar Tashi Delek’
* Consonant clusters are written with special conjunct letters.
Happy New Year - ‘Losar Sang’
(www.omniglot.com)
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Losar Greetings - ‘Kham Sang’ March 2011
Events C alendar Losar (Tibetan New Year) March 5 Losar is the Tibetan New Year, a time for family and friends to gather together and welcome the New Year. People wish each other good luck and hope for peace and prosperity and making resolutions for the coming year. 10 March 1959 : Tibetans rebel against Chinese forces On this day in 1959, Tibetans band together in revolt, surrounding the summer palace of the Dalai Lama in defiance of Chinese occupation forces. China’s occupation of Tibet began nearly a decade before, in October 1950, when troops from its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) invaded the country, barely one year after the Communists gained full control of mainland China.
March Teachings in Dharamsala, H.P., India on March 14 & 15 His Holiness will give two-day teachings at the request of a group of Thais. Teachings in Dharamsala, H.P., India on March 19 His Holiness will give a short teaching from the Jataka Tales in the morning. Holi (The Festival of Colours) March 19 Holi was originally a spring fertility and harvest festival. Nowadays, it is more a celebration of life, and is a very lively celebration that is fun for all participants. Holi is celebrated on last full moon of the month of
Traditional Tibetan Soft Dolls
Phalguna (in February or March).Bonfires are lit on the night of the full moon to rid the air of evil spirits. On the next morning, the participants smear each other with paint, and throw colored water and dye in the air and at each other.During the festival of Holi there are no distinctions of caste, class, age, or gender. After all, who can tell peole apart when they are daubed with paint?
- Map #3
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HOME STAY Lha can arrange accommodation with local Tibetan famlies, breakfast and dinner included. The Homestay program is provided by Lha to directly benefit the daily life of Tibetan refugee families. LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple Rd, main market : 220 992 Mob PHONE : 98161-50326 / 8
The Jungle Retreat STUPA GUEST HOUSE Nyima Sangpo Bai Sherabling, Upper Bhattu- 176 125 Teh. Baijnath, Distt. Kangra (H.P) Mob. 9816181358, 9616514151 email: tselhamo30@yahoo.com
www.yogatribe.org March 2011
ART & MUSIC Naam Art Gallery LOCATION: Main Road Sidhbari Dharamsala MOBILE: 9816043708 Tibet Museum LOCATION : Near the Main Temple and the Namgyal Monastery gate, McLeod Ganj HOURS: 9am-5pm, Tue-Sun Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression LOCATION : Gu-Chu-Sum hall on Jogiwara Rd, next to the Lung-ta Japanese Restaurant HOURS: 2am-5pm on Mon, Wed and Fri Wood Carving Classes LOCATION : Zoha Art, Bhagsu Nag Rd CONTACT: Meena EMAIL: kriast@rediffmail.com Music Classes Kailash Tribal Music School All kinds of Indian Traditional instruments WEB : www.musictribe.org LOCATION : Bhagsu Rd, near Green Shop HOURS : visiting 1-2pm, no class on Tues PHONE: 981 615 0326 EMAIL: yogisivadas@gmail.com
ASTROLOGY Tibetan Astrology LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near KCC Bank PHONE: 941 810 1965 EMAIL : soyeshi@yahoo.co.in
BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY Library of Tibetan Works & Archives LOCATION : Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamsala HOURS : 9-10am, 11-noon and 3-4pm PHONE: 222 467 Public Audience with HH Karmapa CONTACT: Cheme Choegyal LOCATION: Sidhpur HOURS: 2.30pm, Wed and Sat PHONE: 9816315336 DETAILS : www.kagyuoffice.org Tushita Meditation Center WEB : www.tushita.info LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: 9:30-11:30am & 12:30-4pm, Mon-Sat PHONE: 221 1866 EMAIL: tushita_info@sacharnet.in
COOKING Ayuskam Health Care LOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place, near Bhagsu taxi stand and near Tibetan Hotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod Ganj MOBILE: 9805928923/9736211210 WEBSITE: www.ayuskama.comLha Tibetan Cooking School LOCATION : Lha Office, Temple Rd PHONE : 220 HOURS :
992 Registration from 9am-11am, See pg 3.
Indian Cooking Classes LOCATION : Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10am-6pm PHONE : 941 813 0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com Lhamo’s Kitchen, Tibetan Cooking Classes LOCATION : Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop PHONE : 981 646 8719 HOURS: 8am-9pm N is ha ’ s Ind ia n C o o k ing C la s s LOCATION: Hotel Lotus Leaf, Jogiwara Rd HOURS: Classes from 4-6pm EMAIL : nisha@indiancookingcourse.com S angy e’s K it chen Tr ad it io na l T ib e t a n C o o k ing C la s s e s Recommended by Lonely planet LOCATION :Lung-ta Restaurant, below the Tashi Choeling Monastery on Jogiwara Rd HOURS:10am-12pm and 4-6pm PHONE: 981 616 4540 EMAIL : sangyla_tashi@yahoo.co.in
HEALTH SERVICES Ayuskam Health Care LOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place, near Bhagsu taxi stand and near Tibetan Hotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod Ganj MOBILE: 9805928923/9736211210 WEBSITE: www.ayuskama.com Dr. Sant Marwah Clinic LOCATION: in front of Main Temple HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm PHONE : 221 106, 98160 21106
(continued on page 10)
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March 2011
HEALTH SERVICES (continued from page 9) Kumar Ayurvedic and Panchkarma LOCATION : Hotel Surya Rd, opposite the Tourism Informations Centre PHONE : 941 824 9399 OURS: 10am-2pm and 2:30-7pm Maanav Health Clinic LOCATION : Main Square HOURS: 10am-12:30pm and 2-5pm PHONE: 941 815 5795 EMAIL : maanavcare@yahoo.co.in Men-Tsee-Khang LOCATION: between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala PHONE : 222 618, 223 113 EMAIL: tmai@vsnl.com Nature Cure Health Club LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm PHONE :: 941 813 0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com Primary Health Centre LOCATION : Jogiwara Rd, main market HOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat
Tibetan Delek Hospital LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamsala PHONE : 222 053, 223 381 HOURS : Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, MonSat; Emergencies: 24 hrs, daily
Tibetan Language Class LOCATION : Lha Office, Temple Rd HOURS : Registration from 9-11am, Mon-Fri PHONE : 220 992 See ad on pg 3.
~ walking distance to The Tibetan Library (LTWA) & Central McLeod Ganj Contact: ++ 91 98163 05576; horizonvilla2008@yahoo.co.in En route The Buddha House McLeod Ganj-Map #20
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Temple Rd
Registration from 9am-11am, See pg 3.
Jannat Ayurveda LOCATION : Akash Hotel, down Jogiwara Rd, next to the Lung-ta Japanese Restaurant PHONE: 981 654 6243
Hindi Classes LOCATION : Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd, beside the Korean Restaurant PHONE : 981 649 4732 Hindi Lessons with Kailash LOCATION: At Bhimsen’s Indian Cooking Class PHONE : 220 063, 941 816 1947 HOURS : 4-6pm, daily
Nature Cure Health Club LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka,Jogiwara Rd PHONE: 941 813 0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com
Hindi Lessons with Sunil LOCATION : Kunga Guesthouse, Bhagsu Rd and in Dharamkot PHONE : 221 942, 941 818 7281 EMAIL : sunilsharma81in@yahoo.co.in
Shiatsu & Swedish Massage LOCATION : Lha Office, Temple Rd PHONE : 220 992 See ad pg 3. Synergy Ayuredic Massage Centre LOCATION : Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Rd PHONE: 941 80 8488 EMAIL: mcleodganj@gmail.com Traditional Thai Massage LOCATION : Opposite the Govt. Tourist Information Centre, Hotel Surya Rd PHONE: 981 633 9199 EMAIL: jite02@yahoo.com
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LOCATION : Lha Office, PHONE : 220 992
Kailash Tribal School with Yogi Sivadas WEB : www.yogatribe.org LOCATI ON : Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop - Map #6 HOURS : visiting 1-2pm, no class on Tues PHONE: 981 615 0326 EMAIL: yogisivadas@gmail.com
Tibetan with Teacher Pema Youdon: LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite the post office HOURS: 1-4pm, or leave a message.
OUR USP
Lha Healing Oil Massage Courses & Treatment
HOURS :
LANGUAGES
Tibetan Language LOCATION : The Library HOURS: 10-11am and noon-1pm See Buddhist philosophy listing.
A perfect haven for meditation, spirituality, holiday, leisure or simply an extended vacation....!
MASSAGE
- Ayurveda clinic & Panchakarama Center - Specialized Ayurveda doctors - Panchakarma teatments detoxification & rejuvenation -Learn how to make Ayurveda oils & medecines - Ayurvedic massage and panchakarma courses - Body constitution and diet according to Ayurveda - Ayurvedic Wellness Spa - Ayurvedic medecines and oils - Yoga for wellbeing Location: Ayushkama Health Care, First floor hotel Anand Palace, near Bhagsunag taxi stand or Ayushkama Ayurveda Clinic & Training Center, near Tibetan Ashoka Guest-House MacLeod Ganj-Map # 7 Contact: mob : +91 98 05928923/ 9736211210 VISIT US AT : www.ayuskama.com 10
March 2011
TRAVEL
MEDITATION Esoteric Meditation Center Kailash Tribal School with Yogi Sivadas WEB : www.yogatribe.org LOCATION : Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop - Map #6 HOURS : visiting 1-2pm, no class on Tues PHONE: 981 615 0326 EMAIL: yogisivadas@gmail.com Himalayan Retreat Center Offers meditation, as well as guided camping tours & health services. PHONE: 981 612 2372 LOCATION: Off Jogiwara Rd, near the Lung-ta Japanese Restaurant Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki Centre See the Yoga & Reiki section. Tushita Meditation Center WEB: www.tushita.info LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: 9:30-11:30am, Mon-Sat PHONE : 221 866 EMAIL : spc@tushita.info
ASSISTANCE
Lha Travel Assistance LOCATION : Lha Office, Temple Rd PHONE : 220 992 HOURS : Registration from 9am-11am, See pg 3.
Yogi Cottage Teacher Trainings courses available here. LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd., behind Rose Cafe HOURS : daily morning & afternoon sessions
YOGA & REIKI Drop-in Yoga Class at Lha LOCATION: Temple Road PHONE: 220992 Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre LOCATION: Dharamkot, on the footpath to Bhagsu - Map #5 EMAIL: info@hiyogacentre.com WEB: www.hiyogacentre.com
Nature Cure Health Club
Yoga Meditation at Yak Trak EMAIL: www.yaktrak.com TIME: Star and end Manali 20 April EMAIL: yak@yaktrak.com PHONE: 9816177125
with Mahinder Kapoor
Kailash Tribal School with Yogi Sivadas LOCATION : Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop - Map #6 WEB : www.yogatribe.org HOURS : visiting 1-2pm, no class on Tues PHONE: 981 615 0326 EMAIL: yogisivadas@gmail.com Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki Centre LOCATION : Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel, on Jogiwara Rd - Map #17 HOURS : 8am-6pm PHONE : 980 569 3514
Vipassana Meditation WEB : www.sikhara.dhamma.org LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: 4-5pm, Mon-Sat PHONE : 221 309 EMAIL: info@sikhara.dhamma.org
Universal Yoga with Vijay Recognized by Yoga Alliance WEB : www.vijaypoweryoga.com LOCATION: Room #5, Yongling School Building, Jogiwara Rd - Map #13 HOURS : Reopen in April 2011 EMAIL : vijayamar@yahoo.com
Rishi Yoga Centre with Yogi Shivam WEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.org LOCATION: Himalyan Paradise Hotel Jogiwara Rd - Map #15 HOURS: 7-8am & 6:15-7:15pm PHONE: 981 656 5138 EMAIL : yogi_shivam@yahoo.com
Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map # 13, Mobile: 94181 30119 or 09736333888 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com,
12 years’ experience and recommended by the Lonely Planet Visit us for: Swedish massage courses and treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses and treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA and Singing Bowl Treatment, steambaths, sauna and mudbaths. Our teacher has had experience teaching in Israel.
Tourist Information Bus Schedule * Times and prices may vary. Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.
Police Contact Information LOCATION : Past St.John’s Church, on road to Dharamshala in Cantt area. PHONE: 221 483
LEAVING FROM THE MCLEOD GANJ BUS STAND, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED: DELHI:
Ordinary Bus: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs330) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs355) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1035) AC TATA: 8:30pm (Rs840)
TAXIS
A private taxi to Lower AMRITSAR:
Tibetan Delek Hospital LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala HOURS: Outpatient services: 9am1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Mon-Sat; Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily. PHONE: 222 053,223 381
Ordinary Bus: 4:45am (Rs165) Dharamsala will cost you *from Dharamsala Rs150. Cram into a jeep DEHRADUN : Ordinary Bus: 9pm; AC Deluxe: 5:30pm (from the bus stand), and MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 5:40pm, 8:40pm *from Dharamsala it’ll only cost you Rs10. PATHANKOT : Ordinary Bus: 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm (Rs75) SHIMLA : Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs235) *from Dharamsala Post Office Semi Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs???) *from Dharamsala
The McLeod Ganj Post Office is located on LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace Cafe HOURS: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-noon, Sat. PHONE: 221 924 Parcels and money orders can be sent in the mornings only.
FOR BOOKINGS: LOCATION : ticket stand under McLLo’s, main square HOURS: 10am-6pm, daily PHONE: 221750 For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.
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March 2011
Around Town: Helping Out ANIMAL
RESCUE
Dharamsala Dog Rescue We are in urgent need of vet volunteers, animal experts and sponsors. W e are in immediate need of sponsors for two paralysed dogs that need a home, wheelchair, monthly food and medicine. Please contact us if you see an injured/sick dog. Anything you can do is appreciated. WEB : www.hnsindia.org LOCATION : Behind the District Court Complex on Chilgari St, Lower Dharamsala PHONE : 981 622 0841 EMAIL: friendsforanimals@gmail.com
CO MMU NIT Y
OUT REA CH
The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC) facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on A N E C nonviolent strategies to help resolve disagreements and differences at all levls of human society. As part of our General Outreach Program, ANEC welcomes volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas and views of regional and global peace and nonviolent strategies. Free lunch and tea for volunteers. WEB : www.anec.org.in LOCATION : No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamsala PHONE : 941 809 4476, 941 898 7745 EMAIL : executive_directoranec@yahoo.com Learning and Ideas for Tibet (L.I.T.) is a non-profit organization that needs a range of volunteers interested in the Tibetan movement and community education. CONTACT: Lauren PHONE : 941 879 4218 L O C AT I O N : Jogiwara Rd, near the Korean Restaurant Lha Community Social Work fosters projects for the benefit and enrichment of the local community. We provide a library, English and French classes, computer training, medical assistance programmes, environmental programmes and clothing distribution to needy Tibetans and Indians, in addition to supporting construction and renovation projects. See ad pg 3. WEB : www.lhaindia.org LOCATION : Temple Rd, across from State Bank of India HOURS: 9am-noon and1-5pm, Mon-Fri PHONE : 220 992 Nyingtob Ling (‘Realm of Courage’) helps support Tibetan children from disadvantaged families. The children work hard at making delightful handicrafts and paintings. They are so friendly and LOVE visitors! LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur PHONE : 0189 224 6366, 981 685 1841 EMAIL: nyingtobling@hotmail.com
Contact Magazine
Rogpa Community Free Tibetan Baby Care Centre was created in order to help low-income, Tibetan families become selfsufficient and independent by providing free child care so that the parents can go out and work. The Centre provides care, art time, games and fun for Tibetan refugee children from infancy to three years. Volunteer requirements: a love of infants, a minimum commitment of 15 days, a willingness to do hard work (there are lots of diapers to be changed!) and a desire to create and maintain a fun atmosphere. LOCATION : Rogpa office (near Tibetan Ashoka Hotel, Jogiwara Rd) HOURS: 9am-1:30-5:00pm. PHONE : 981 665 9549 EMAIL : rogpa2004@yahoo.com Volunteer Tibet You’re motivated to share your time and assist organisations in the Tibetan community. Even if you’re j us t passingthrough Dharamsala, there are still many ways to donate your time & make a difference. For a full list of volunteer opportunities,both long- and short-term, please contact us: WEB : www.volunteertibet.org.in LOCATION : Jogiwara Rd, opposite Akash Guesthouse. HOURS: 9am- and 5pm, Mon-Fri PHONE : 98820 17083, 220 894 EMAIL:volunteertibetdharamsala@gmail.com Women’s Team Volunteers required to teach Indian women computer/English skills. For more information visit Jitender@WomensTeam.com or mobile 09817515123
DONATIONS Lha Donation Center Accepting donations of all kinds: clothing, sleeping bags, books, school supplies, office supplies, medical supplies, used laptops, financial assistance... Donations are clearly recorded and distributed to those in need, both Tibetan and Indian. Lha is a registered non-profit, social service organisation. See advert on pg 3. Tong-Len Donations welcomed: medical supplies, stationary, books, toys and children’s clothing. LOCATION : Top floor, Bank of Baroda opposite the art gallery Kotwali Bazar, Dharamsala PHONE : 981 608 1562, 223 930
ENVIRONMENT The Mountain Cleaners is a voluntary organization founded in April 2009 by Jodie Underhill who have successfully set up a waste management system at the popular trekking destination Triund. You can help Jodie and the Mountain
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Cleaners every Monday at 9.30 am & join them up to The Clean Upper Dharamshala Project was founded in 1994 to provide a waste management system in and around McLod Ganj. The Green Workers, the Handmade Recycled Paper Factory, the Green Shop and the Environmental Education Centre are part of the Clean Upper Daramshala Project. Join us for the weekly guided tour on Wednesdays at 3 pm at the office of CUDP!
PUBLICATION Contact Magazine Submit a single piece or become a steady correspondent of this local, grassroots publication. Contact needs volunteers to write, proofread and edit copy and work on graphic design.Volunteers needed, especially those with a knowledge of Photoshop. CONTACT: Lobsang Rabsel at the Lha office, Temple Road. PHONE : 981 615 5523 EMAIL : info@contactmag.org
TUTORS & CLASS ASSISTANTS Volunteer language teachers, for both longand short-term placements, are needed for quality education in Mcleod Ganj: Gu-Chu-Sum provides support for ex-political prisoners and their families. It also organises campaigns for the release of current political prisoners. Gu-Chu-Sum School needs volunteers for its English conversation classes and tutoring sessions from 6pm onwards, Mon- Fri. LOCATION : Jogiwara Rd, downstairs Lung-ta Japanese Restaurant HOURS: 4:30-6:30pm PHONE : 220 680 EMAIL: humanrights.desk@guchusum.org Tibet Hope Center is a registered NGO started by two Tibetans to support the newcomers from Tibet. We run a conversation class where our students can practice their English, and we are in constant need of conversation partners. They love to ask questions about your life and exchange ideas on many topics. Think Globally, Act Locally WEB: www.tibethopecenter.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, behind Gu-Chu-Sum HOURS : 4:30-5:45pm, daily, and we even have a campfire every evening! PHONE : 981 637 3889 EMAIL : info@tibethopecenter.org works with Indian communities liv ing in poverty toward a healthy and sustainable future. Needed urgently: volunteer primary teachers and assistants for maths, English and art, as well as nurses and health workers. CONTACT: Tashi Lhamo LOCATION : Top floor, Bank of Baroda opposite art gallery, Kotwali Bazar, Dharamsala PHONE : 981 608 1562, 223 930 EMAIL : volunteer@tong-len.org
March 2011
Contact Magazine
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March 2011