June 2019

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Digest of Tibetan Issues, News and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 | Volume: XXI

Issue: 5 | June 30, 2019

Contents News Features 01-11 Tibetan Headlines 11- 12 International Headlines 13 People Story 14 NGO Profile 15 Lha News 16 Volunteer Story 17 Charities & Organisations 18-19 Activities & Information 20-21 Jobs & Advertisements 22-23 Mcleod Ganj Map 24

Upcoming Events in Dharamshala July 5, 2019 : Long Life Offering Ceremony His Holiness will attend a Long Life offering prayer to be given to him by former staff of the Central Tibetan Administration, in the morning, at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala..

༧རྒྱལ་དབང་ཡིད་བཞིན་ནོར་བུའི་འཁྲུངས་སྐར།

July 6, 2019: Birthday Celebration Tibetans in Dharamshala will celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 85th birthday in Tsuglakhang courtyard, in an official function.

༧སྤྱི་ནོར་༧གོང་ས་༧སྐྱབས་མགོན་ཆེན་པོ་མཆོག་ཕྱི་ལུགས་དགུང་གྲངས་༨༤ ཕེབས་པའི་༧སྐུའི་འཁྲུངས་ སྐར་ལ་དགའ་དད་སྤྲོ་གསུམ་གྱི་ངང་ནས་འཚམས་འདྲིའི་བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས་གྲངས་མེད་ཞུ།། Happy Birthday Your Holiness!

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is 84 on July 6. We wish him long life, health and happiness over the coming year and forever.

To read about His Holiness’s teachings over the last month please see our articles on pages 6 and 7.

Expulsions Resumed at Yachen Gar Buddhist Centre

by Hugh M Casey The Chinese authorities in Kham [Chinese: Sichuan] province have resumed expulsions at Yachen Gar, a renowned Buddhist study centre in Kardze prefecture’s Palyul county.This latest wave follows the expulsion of 2,000 monks and nuns from the site in August 2017, where as many homes were also demolished.

Continued on page 3

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Aug 30, 2019: Long Life Offering Ceremony His Holiness will attend a Long Life offering prayer given to him by five groups in the morning at Tsuglakhang Sep 4 - 6, 2019 : His Holiness Teaching His Holiness will give three days of teachings in the mornings at the request of a group from Asia at Tsuglakhang. source: dalailama.com

Contact magazine is sponsored by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). TFD’s kind contribution has made this publication possible.

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Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust

Sacred Space

Lha Charitable Trust

Institute for Social Work & Education Lha is an award-winning, grassroot and non-profit institute for social work and education based in Dharamshala, India. It is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population and people from the Himalayan regions.

Lha offers free language and IT classes, a community soup kitchen and many other programmes and activities. Through rehabilitation resources and social and educational services, Lha facilitates an easy transition for the Tibetan refugee community to India.

For more information about Lha, please visit: www.lhasocialwork.org Facebook: Lhasocialwork Twitter: Lhasocialwork

Contact magazine is published monthly by Lha

Charitable Trust. It has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamshala community, for 21 years and is acknowledged in Lonely Planet and other international travel resources. It is available free of charge and distributed around Dharamshala, Delhi and various diplomatic missions in India. Copies are sent to Tibetan schools, settlements, offices and NGOs in India and abroad. Contact is updated daily on our website www.contactmagazine.net.

Contact is registered under the Registrar Office of the Newspaper, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India; registration number HPENG/2013/51798.

Please Note: The articles, stories and other material in Contact represent the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the Contact editing staff or Lha Charitable Trust.

Please email comments on this issue to: editor@contactmagazine.net

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Lha collects all kinds of donations from clothing, shoes, books and language resources to computer and medical supplies, as well as any other useful items to pass on to needy people in the area.

Monetary donations are extremely helpful and are greatly appreciated, whether large or small. In India a little money goes a very long way!

Lha Contacts: office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992 Please also see Lha’s additional websites: www.tibetnature.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com www.tibetfairtrade.com www.contactmagazine.net

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 2

“Generally speaking, in Buddhist literature, a negative emotion or thought is defined as ‘a state which causes disturbance within one’s mind’. These afflictive emotions and thoughts are factors that create unhappiness and turmoil within us. Emotion in general is not necessarily something negative.

At a scientific conference which I attended along with many psycologists and neuroscientis, it was concluded that even Buddha have emotion, according to definition of emotion found in various scientifc disciplines. So Karuna (infinite compassion or kindness) can be discribed as a kind of emotion.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Acknowledgment Contact magazine is a wonderful example of the collaboration between Lha staff and volunteers from all over the world. The team at Lha provide the continuity for the magazine from the office while the majority of articles are written by volunteers, some of whom drop by and write one or two articles while others go on writing for us for months or even years after they have left Dharamshala. Some give us occasional editing help. Our two proofreaders, Clifford Martin and Ailsa Newcombe, have been making a vital contribution from Britain over the last two years.

We are deeply grateful to every one of our volunteers, without their commitment, enthusiasm and dedication Contact would not exist: Thank you and tashi delek!

News Features Expulsions Resumed at Yachen Gar Buddhist Centre Continued from page 1

Before the 2017 expulsions it is estimated that the number of residents at Yachen Gar had grown to around 10,000 since it was founded in 1980 by Akhyuk Rinpoche.The monastic community is comprised of monks, nuns and lay practitioners devoted to meditation and scriptural study.

A Radio Free Asia (RFA) source claims that 3,500 monks and nuns have been forcibly evicted since the beginning of May, although the total number remains unconfirmed as a separate local Tibetan source described the removals as an “ongoing process”. According to RFA’s source, who wished to remain anonymous, students from outside the Sichuan area have been specifically targeted; only a few “exceptionally accomplished” lamas and khenpos (Buddhist instructors) have been permitted to stay.

Speaking to RFA’s Tibet service, the source went on to say that around 600 Chinese officials are now permanently stationed at the centre in order to keep a “tight watch”:“They closely monitor the monks’ movement and check on all outside visitors,” he added.

At the time of the interview the source said that Chinese officials had not torn down any permanent dwellings, however the makeshift shelters belonging to the targeted residents have already been cleared away.

A mood of despondency is said to have befallen the senior monks and instructors at Yachen Gar because of the removals, which they are unwilling to discuss.

The continued removals from Yachen Gar reflects a now established policy of interference and restriction at Buddhist learning centres, which has also been implemented at the Larung Gar complex in nearby Serthar county. At least 4,820 Tibetan and Han Chinese monks were removed from Larung Gar between 2017 and 2018.

The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), a Washington based advocacy group, highlighted these monastic centres as a “bridge” between Tibetan and Chinese communities. In a 2017 report entitled Shadow of Dust Across the Sun, the ICT described the expulsions as “part of an unfolding political strategy […] in order to curb and manage the growing influence and number of monks and nuns at these important monastic centres of study”.

Tenzin Dorjee, chair of the bipartisan United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, spoke to RFA about the latest evictions from Yachen Gar. Dorjee called the persisting controls at Yachen Gar “an egregious violation of the freedom of religion”. He added that, “this is a case that we will be following closely and will address at all important forums.” Dorjee also remarked, “Religious freedom in Tibet is going from bad to worse.”

Hong Kong-China Tensions Rise Following Extradition Bill Protests

by Nithin Thomas Prasad Millions took to the streets of Hong Kong on June 12 in protest against a bill proposed by the government earlier this month that would allow for people of Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for court trials.

The extradition bill, which has been suspended following the protests, aimed to allow suspects accused of criminal wrongdoing to be extradited to mainland China to stand trial. According to critics, this would severely erode Hong Kong’s own judicial independence.

Another concern raised by critics was that this would bring the former British colony more under China’s control and would leave residents exposed to China’s controversial judicial system, which is characterised by allegations of torture and human rights violations.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam suspended the bill after protests and tensions escalated. However, activists want the bill to be scrapped for good and demand assurance that it would never be considered again even after the protests were over. They initially demanded Mrs Lam’s resignation – which they later revoked.

Tensions rose again after Hong Kong Justice Secretary Teresa Chen, on June 22, ruled out a demand for an investigation into police brutality following

violent clashes between the police and protesters on June 12 which left around 72 civilians and 21 police officers injured. A total of 32 protestors were arrested, five of whom have been charged with rioting offences.

Eight protesters have been released; but people are demanding that the police release the rest of them, according to the BBC. The ongoing protests through the month have seen thousands of people besieging the police headquarters building to continue their call for the bill to be completely scrapped, for the release of all detained activists and the investigation of police violence. The protests continued in the run up to the G20 Summit held on June 28-29 with hundreds marching to foreign consulates to lobby international governments about the city’s political crisis during the G20 summit.

There has been speculation that the passing of this bill could lead to the collapse of the “one country, two systems” model that Hong Kong has been following since 1997 when it was handed back to Chinese rule by the British, after their 99-year lease in the country had expired. At the time, the deal between China and Britain included an agreement that Hong Kong would enjoy a high level of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs, for 50 years.

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News Features His Holiness Calls on TYC to Find Evidence

by Anastasia Proehl His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to members of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) during their 17th General Body Meeting in Lower Dharamshala on June 20, telling them of the importance of accumulating historical evidence that Tibet was an independent country before being invaded by China in the 1950s. His Holiness continued, saying that it is now up to young Tibetans to carry forward the Tibetan movement.

During the General Body Meeting, the largest proTibet independence organisation elected new executives on June 16. The elections took place during the six-day agenda of the General Body Meeting, which happens every three years and addresses political activity.

Participating in the discussion and voting were 150 delegates from 45 regional chapters.

After leading the TYC for two terms, replacing President Tenzing Jigme is Gonpo Dhondup. Lobsang Tsering will also join the seven-person committee known as Centrex in the Vice President role and Sonam Tsering will be the new General Secretary.

Jigme opened the meeting, encouraging a more united TYC after six chapters remain disassociated from the organisation, including Bangalore, Dalhousie, Hunsur, Kollegal, Ladakh and Pandoh. The parting came after these chapters called for a “Middle Way Approach” by seeking autonomy for Tibet rather than complete independence. Previously separated, regional offices in Mundgod and Bylakuppe recently rejoined the union.

Jigme said that, “Independence is our right. We are the rightful owners of Tibet. Irrespective of how strong

China is we must continue to fight for our rights.” He added that banding together would send a powerful message to China and iterated that TYC was not opposed to a Middle Way Approach as “it is also about resolving the Tibetan issue.”

A new Centrex will continue to address the aims of the TYC and further the work done by preceding committees, in addition to expanding unification strategies. As reported by Phayul, Dhondup said “The new leadership should strive to take the standards for its political activities a notch higher in the future and also build alliances with other countries and people who are afflicted by the Chinese regime such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines and Japan in the hope to form a united coalition against Beijing.”

Jigme repaired relationships with the Tibetan Government-in-exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community during his tenure from 20132019, after TYC faced criticism for its apparent dissent from these groups.

Founded in 1970, the TYC has more than 40 chapters and 30,000 members worldwide. The TYC is an independent organisation of Tibetans united in working for the restoration of complete independence for Tibet.

It describes itself as the largest and most active exile Tibetan non-government organisation.

Nepal Honouring “One China Policy” Suspended The Samajbadi Party Nepal lawmaker Pradip Yadav and Iqabal Miya of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal both faced a backlash following their attendance in May at an international conference of parliamentarians who

support Tibet in Riga, Latvia. Now Prdip Yadav has been suspended from his party for six months as a result of his visit, accused of infringing Kathmandu’s recognition of China’s “one China policy”.

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Deported Conflicting reports about a Tibetan travelling on an American passport being refused entry to Nepal and

deported back to America have caused confusion as the man’s name is Penpa Tsering - the same as the former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile who is on China’s “wanted” list. He was detained, questioned and deported. Penpa Tsering - the former Speaker - confirmed to Phayul that he is in India and has not tried to enter Nepal.

News Features Google Cancels Plans to Launch Censored Search Engine in China

by Hugh M Casey Google has announced that they have “no plans to offer a search engine in China”. Sinchar Pichai, Google’s CEO, made the announcement at the AGM of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, in San Francisco. The project, codenamed Dragonfly, was designed for China as a censored version of the tech giant’s search engine.

A broad coalition of pro-Tibet campaigners and human rights groups have welcomed the news as a victory for human rights. Groups including Free Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet, International Tibet Network, Tibet Society, World Uyghur Congress, and SumOfUs partnered with digital technology experts to pressure Google to reconsider the project. Over the last ten months campaigners have opposed the plans through a series of global actions including demonstrations outside Google’s offices in a number of countries.

The intention for Dragonfly was to automatically identify and filter websites blocked by China’s “Great Firewall”. Blacklisted searches which would include “Tianamen Square massacre”, “Dalai Lama”, “free Tibet”, “human rights” and “democracy” would produce empty results or potentially misleading information.

Another condition for operating the search engine would be compliance with Chinese demands for users’ search history to be made available to the government: this would jeopardise their safety according to campaigners.

Sonamtso, Campaigns and Communications Director for Students for a Free Tibet, spoke at a meeting of Google shareholders. She said, “I come from a country where people are imprisoned for using search terms that the Chinese government doesn’t like and considers ‘sensitive’.

These human rights violations are real and Google must not be complicit. […] Google’s willingness to collude with the government of China sets an extremely dangerous precedent for Internet freedom around the world.”

Mandie Mckeown from International Tibet Network said, “We have been bolstered to see what we can achieve when we work together, but we will remain vigilant [so] that Google does not renege on this position in the future […] and not bend to China’s influence.”

Peter Irwin, World Uyghur Congress Programme Manager, said, “Widespread rights abuses continue to be facilitated by technology companies with no qualms working directly in support of mass surveillance, artificial intelligence and other programmes designed to monitor and control the Chinese domestic population. It is incumbent upon the international business community to live up to clear human rights standards to actively avoid complicity in abuses.”

Concerned Google employees shared confidential documents with The Intercept, an American news organisation, who initially revealed Dragonfly’s existence in August 2018. Many Google employees have resisted Dragonfly and there were some high-profile resignations in protest at the company’s direction.

In 2010 Google withdrew from China because of censorship regulations. However, amidst the widespread concerns over Dragonfly, the former CEO Eric Schmidt spoke to the BBC in May saying that he had advocated for Google to remain in China because he believed it is “better to stay in China and help change China to be more open”. He also said that there are “many, many benefits to interacting with China”.

Sikyong in UK Parliament

by Mary Trewartha Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Governmentin-exile based in Dharamshala, has been in Britain on a tenday visit to the UK which included a visit to Edinburgh where, on June 25, he visited the Scottish Parliament, meeting individual Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)s and addressing the Cross Party Group for Tibet. He noted that the UK’s support for Tibet was “improving” and asked MSPs to table a bill calling for resolution of the Tibet issue through dialogue based on the Middle Way Approach. He drew attention to China’s much-touted Belt and Road Initiative and suggested that MPs take a lesson from Tibet’s example, where a single road built by the Communist Party of

China in the 1950s led to Tibet’s complete occupation in 1959.

On his return to London, Sikyong visited Parliament where he sat in the Gallery to watch Hon Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow acknowledge his presence during Prime Ministers Question Time saying, “[...]Sikyong of Central Tibetan Administration, Lobsang Sangay, who has been here before and he is here again. He represents, in a very important way, the people of Tibet. We identify with you, Sir. It is a pleasure to see you again and I think colleagues will feel that way.

I am looking forward to seeing you later today. Please continue your good and important work even in the face of very considerable pressures.” Prime Minister Theresa May was in the House at the time.

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 5

News Features His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Teachings for Young Tibetans

by Cyrus Kirkpatrick His Holiness the Dalai Lama concluded a set of teachings amidst a crowd of thousands at the main temple complex in McLeod Ganj on June 5. The assembly of students, monks, foreigners and new disciples gathered for a lecture that concluded a set of two teachings during the first week of June.

The teachings began with His Holiness explaining the text of The Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisatva to the audience. This fundamental text includes principles of compassion, meditation and mindfulness. According to His Holiness’s official website, approximately 8,000 members of the public, 800 Tibetan college students and 400 Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) students were in attendance.

His Holiness began the teachings by addressing the attendees of varied ethnicities and backgrounds with a message of inclusivity: “You may be born in India or other countries, but you’re all Tibetans. We all carry the name Tibetan; so, till death, this will continue – you will carry the name of a Tibetan.” The first day’s teaching by His Holiness was followed by teachings by senior scholars of the temple.

On the final day, His Holiness returned to present the Avalokiteshvara Initiation at the behest of the Dzonga Choede Monastery – 11,000 attendees amassed in the main temple complex according to official estimates. This gathering included 23 teams of young Tibetan athletes from around the world participating in the 25th Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup football tournament. His Holiness took the time to greet and pose for photograph with the teams.

These teachings are attributed to Avalokiteshvara, a great Bodhisatva deity who embodies the essence of compassion. His Holiness, who is the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara and referred to him as “the boss”, described his encounters with the deity through dreambased visions. His Holiness also taught the six-syllable mantra Om Manipadme Hum, among other lessons.

This mantra is designed to help transform a disciple’s body, speech and mind toward that of a Bodhisatva.

His Holiness presented these teachings in Tibetan with an English translation immediately available, and further languages were provided shortly after. The recordings are available at www.dalailama.com/videos.

China Violates Border Agreement With Nepal

by Anastasia Proehl The Nepal government has reported that China has violated their border agreement and is illegally occupying Nepali land. In a report released May 31 by Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture, data reveals China has crossed over into Nepal territory and claimed 36 hectares of land as its own.

The Ministry states that four of its districts adjacent to the Nepal-Tibet boundary are shown to be occupied

by China, namely Humla, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk and Sankhuwasabha. In Sankhuwasabha, a project to improve road connectivity throughout Tibet is the cause for encroachment. A diversion of river direction by China is said to have caused more of its occupation. As first reported by Asian News International, “China changed the direction of the river which now has been diverted to the Nepali side. This resulted in the encroachment of land, the Ministry has concluded.”

With land now falling under Chinese control, Nepal

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could lose more land if expansion continues without regulation. “Nepal would lose a hundred acres of land to the Tibetan side,” stated the Ministry.

The Ministry report comes in response to findings from a month-long survey in 2015 looking at the flow of the river near the two countries’ borders. The Nepal government has since initiated plans for the inspection of more districts bordering Tibet, including Taplejung, Solukhmbu, Dolakha, Gorkha, Manang, Mustang, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla and Darchula, in search of more violations to their boundary delimitation.

These border issues come less than a year after the two countries finalised a protocol of a transit treaty, enabling Nepal to use trading ports in China and is in part why China is expanding roads in Tibet. Nepal and China have disagreed about boundary lines before; the two countries resolved these issues on October 5, 1961 through the Nepal-China Joint Boundary Commission.

News Features British Empire Medal for Tibetan Monk

by Tsering Wangdue Geshe Tashi Tsering, the 91st Abbot of the Sera Mey Monastic University who has lived in the United Kingdom and teaches Buddhism in Europe, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to Buddhism in the UK. The medal is awarded to people of meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the British Crown and is approved by the Queen.

Geshe Tashi Tsering was born in Tibet in 1958 and brought to India by his parents in 1959 when they escaped the Chinese invasion. At the age of 13 he joined Sera Mey Monastery in south India and started his study in Tibetan Buddhism. After 16 years of hard work and rigorous study, he obtained his Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest academic achievement in Tibetan Buddhism, and equivalent to a Doctorate of Philosophy, in 1987. He has also earned an MA degree in social anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University.

Geshela has been teaching Tibetan Buddhism in the Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London for the past 25 years,

since 1994. He has also authored a six-volume series of books, The Foundation of Buddhist Thought, and many other online and on-campus courses on the basics of Tibetan Buddhism. Last year he was appointed the 91st Abbot of Sera Mey Monastery by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In an interview with tibettimes.net, a Dharamshala Tibetan news site, Geshela said that, as a simple monk, he did not pay much attention when he received the email informing him about the award, but later decided to accept it as he was advised that it could be used as a stage to advocate the Tibetan cause and Tibetan Buddhism.

Geshela currently resides in Karnataka and due to time constraints he was unable to attend the award ceremony in person; however it was mutually agreed that he will attend the next award ceremony to personally accept the medal.

Over a thousand people received the British Empire Medal this year, of whom over 10% are people of African and Asian origin – the highest number of Asians and Africans to receive the BEM.

His Holiness Meets Muslim Leaders

by Kate Florence His Holiness the Dalai Lama was a prominent figure at a recent meeting between Indian and other foreign Muslims. The Celebrating Diversity in the Muslim World Conference was held on June 15 in New Dehli and aimed to promote and celebrate differences within the Muslim community.

The Conference was organised by the Muslim community in Ladakh with the encouragement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. There were around 350 people in the audience, including Hamid Ansari, the former Vice President of India, Nobel laureate and children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi, as well as a delegation from Iran.

His Holiness was given a warm welcome to the conference. He addressed the audience on subjects such as meditation and how to teach school children about love and compassion.

He praised the one thousand year history of religious harmony in India, with particular reference to the good relations between Shia and Sunni Muslims.

He also urged Indian Muslims to encourage the rest of the world to be as tolerant of religious differences

saying, “Now, it is not sufficient to have peace within the community but now the time has come to show the outside world where conflict in the name of Shia and Suni in Muslim faith is there, that peace is possible and important.”

His Holiness went on to express his dismay that “[violence] could happen between people of the same faith, who worship the same God, read the same Holy Scripture and follow the same pattern of praying five times a day”.

Earlier in the week His Holiness met a group of Iranian businessmen, self-proclaimed “messengers of peace”, known as The Iranian Impactors Club. In a similar way to the conference in New Dehli, His Holiness was warmly welcomed, gave an address to the audience and answered questions on topics which included the harassment of the Rohinga Muslims in Burma. In his address His Holiness evoked the three commitments of his life: promotion of human values, religious harmony and the Tibetan cause.

In the last census it was calculated that Muslims make up approximately 14.2% of the Indian population, making it the largest religion in India after Hinduism.

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News Features The World Remembers Tiananmen Square

by Tenzin Samten People across the world marked the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests and massacre on June 4 while China kept silent and, while ostensibly treating the day as any other, deploying extra security guards surrounding the Tiananmen Square in Beijing and extra surveillance of activists during the run up to the day.

On June 4, 1989, a student led pro-democracy protest was suppressed with a military crackdown with tanks, killing over 10,000 people and arresting many more; critics and scholars have called the incident “the darkest chapter” in the modern history of China. Beijing has never released an official accounting of the number of people killed.

In Dharamshala – the seat of the exile Tibetan government, or Central Tibetan Administration, and where His Holiness the Dalai Lama is based - a group of Tibetan activists, together with Chinese human rights lawyer and activist Dr Teng Biao, spoke at a forum, China After 30 Years of Tiananmen Massacre, to a packed crowd. “The Chinese government is trying its best to eliminate the memory of the Tiananmen massacre, by brainwashing and keeping the Chinese people in dark, but Chinese people will not stop fighting for democracy,” said Dr Teng Biao as quoted by Phayul. The event was organised by Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) and the International Tibet Network (ITN).

The terms “Tiananmen Square”, “June 4” and “1989” have remained taboo in China. The Guardian reports that “June 4”, as the movement is commonly known in China, remains largely scrubbed from official history and is censored from school text books and online.

Weibo – China’s widely used Twitter-like blogging site – does not show any search result for these keywords in any variation confirms an NBC News report entitled As the world commemorates Tiananmen Square, China is silent.

China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe defended the 1989 crackdown in response to questions on Tiananmen in a forum, reports the BBC, who quote him as saying, “That incident was a political turbulence and the central government took measures to stop the turbulence, which is a correct policy.He added that because of the government’s action at that time, “China has enjoyed stability and development”.

In Hong Kong, which is semi-autonomous under Chinese rule, over 180,000 people attended a candle-lit vigil on June 4 at Victory Park. On this day every year Hong Kongers remind the world about the Tiananmen massacre by holding the largest public vigil.

People who were at the Tiananmen Square protest in 1989, together with other Chinese activists, called for a nationwide 24-hour fast to remember the day.

Ai Weiwei, the Chinese dissident artist, said, writing for the Guardian, “Beijing’s continued whitewashing cannot

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expunge our collective memory of the killings of 4 June 1989”. He continued, “it was part of a political movement in which every major Chinese city participated” and added, “It remains the most taboo and politically sensitive topic in China, much like the questions of Tibet and Xinjiang for the Chinese Communist party (CCP) and its machine of propaganda and censorship.”

“China has to sincerely repent for the June 4 incident and proactively push for democratic reforms,” said Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, quoted in a Reuters report published on June 3. In response to Taiwan’s statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that great achievements since the foundation of the People’s Republic of China was proof that the path they have chosen is “completely correct”. Taiwan is an independent country claimed by China to be part of its territory.

Canada joins Taiwan in calling for China to break the silence on the Tiananmen Square massacre on the 30th anniversary. “Canada asks the Chinese authorities to break the silence on these events by openly accounting for the Chinese citizens who were killed, detained or went missing,” said Foreign Affairs Minister, Chrystia Freeland, in a statement.

In commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is quoted in Business Insider India as saluting the protestors – calling them “heroes” who bravely stood up thirty years ago “in pursuit of a better future for their country”. He called on China to make a full public account of those who were killed or went missing. “China’s one-party state tolerates no dissent and abuses human rights whenever it serves its interests,” said Pompeo.

The Chinese Embassy in the United States slammed Pompeo’s statement, saying that it constitutes intervention in China’s internal affairs. Their statement continued, asserting that China has flourished over the years in every aspect and saying, “China’s human rights are in the best period ever”. They concluded “Whoever attempts to patronise and bully the Chinese people in any name, or preach a ‘clash of civilisations’ to resist the trend of times will never succeed. They will only end up in the ash heap of history”.

In the United States, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China held a hearing on June 4, Tiananmen at 30: Examining the Evolution of Repression in China; several legislators drew attention to China’s ongoing oppression in Tibet: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentioned “the decades-long abuse faced by the Tibetan people; Sen Marco Rubio called for solidarity with those being persecuted by the Chinese government; Rep Eliot Engel said, “The Chinese Communist Party continues to violate international religious freedom.”

News Features Taiwan Religious Freedom Forum

by Kate Florence religious persecution of Tibetans. This session was The Taiwan International Religious Freedom Forum entitled Religious persecution and ethnic oppression (TIRFF) took place between May 30 and June 1. Tibet of the Tibetans and Uighurs and was attended by the was represented by Mr Ngodup Tsering, the current Vice President of Taiwan. Mr Ngodup Tsering gave a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the presentation to this session.

Tibetan Central Administration to North America, and According to a report in the Taiwan Times, President Mr Dawa Tsering, Chairman of the Tibet Religious Tsai made reference to Taiwan’s long struggle for Foundation of His Holiness the religious and political freedom.

Dalai Lama. Both delegates A letter from His Holiness had the opportunity to address the Dalai Lama was read out the Forum and update them on in which he wrote : “Religious the situation in Tibet. freedom is a basic human The Forum was attended by right. I am happy to observe President Tsai of Taiwan and was that in a robust democracy jointly hosted by the Presbyterian like Taiwan the law protects Church of Taiwan, China Aid and supports human rights.”

Association, Heritage Foundation The subject of his attendance, and Taiwan Association for however, is controversial China Human Rights. The – it has been reported by a aim, as reported on the Taiwan number of sources, including International Religious Freedom taiwannews.com.tw. that both Mr Ngodup Tsering participating in Taiwan International ReliForum (TIRFF) official website, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gious Freedom Forum was “to provide an opportunity for and Uyghur activist Rebiya collaboration between religious leaders throughout the world Kadeer were denied visas to attend the event. The report to promote religious freedom and related human rights”. by taiwannews.com.tw states, “A government official Speakers and representatives from across the frankly admitted in private that Taiwan had not planned globe were welcomed. The agenda included a number to invite HH the Dalai Lama or Kadeer.” In contrast to of topics under the broad theme of “Rising to the this, some sources have rebuked this claim and at the Challenge”. Topics included the persecution of the forum, President Tsai is reported to have expressed her Christian community and the role of civil society in regret at His Holiness the Dalai Lama being unable to religious freedom, these were discussed alongside the attend.

Released from Prison

by Mary Trewartha Ngawang Gyaltsen, a Tibetan political prisoner, was released from prison on March 7 after completing his three year sentence. He was a monk at Shag Rongpo Gaden Dargyaling Monastery in Nagchu County, where he had enrolled as a child. He was a well-known thangka artist and proficient at ritual dance. He was arrested in February 2015 and held in secret, no information about his trial or whereabouts was released at the time.

His release was also kept a secret and no information is currently available about how he has fared during his time in prison, or since.

His arrest dates back to his opposition to a re-education campaign at his monastery in 2010, Ngwang Gyaltsen

opposed this campaign which required him to denounce HH the Dalai Lama and other senior monks. He was subsequently repeatedly harassed to the point where he, along with several other monks, left the monastery, then kept under surveillance and prevented from travelling or meeting friends or family without government permission.

United Kingdom based Free Tibet campaigned for Ngawang Gyaltsen’s release from prison, making him part of its Robed Resisters campaign. The campaign ran between 2015 and 2017 and highlighted the role that Tibetan monks and nuns play in resisting Chinese rule and human rights abuses, and the risks that they face by carrying out acts of resistance.

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News Features New York and New Jersey Tibetan Community Centre Opened

by Hugh M Casey The Phuntok Deshe Community Centre for New York and New Jersey Tibetans has been formally opened in Queens, New York City. The Centre is the result of a decades-long endeavour by the growing community. It will serve as a social space and potential learning centre for the estimated 10,000 Tibetans residing in the New York and New Jersey area – the majority are in Queens.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by the President of the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government-in-exile) Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, and His Eminence Sakya Gongma Rinpoche. Approximately 2,000 Tibetans from across North America attended the event, which was organised by The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey.

In his address Dr Sangay expressed the need for diaspora communities to support the work of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by becoming more actively involved in furthering the Tibetan movement. Strength can be found through unity, he remarked and highlighted the construction of the community centre as an example of

what can be achieved.

Rinpoche, the former supreme head of the Sakya Buddhist tradition, evoked His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s persistent teaching on the great potential of the Tibetan language, which is a cornerstone of the broader Tibetan identity and Buddhist heritage. Rinpoche also mirrored Sangay’s call for unity by identifying it as a fundamental principle for the success of the Tibetan political struggle. His Eminence called upon the Tibetan diaspora to reject regionalism and remain committed to the pursuit of the greater interests of Tibet.

Furthermore, he praised those who teach weekend language classes and made an appeal for parents to establish the use of Tibetan in their homes through daily interactions with their children.

32nd Avenue, the street on which the community centre is built, has been renamed Tibet Way by New York and New Jersey 26th District Council. Jimmy van Bramer, a 26th District Council member, cosponsored the renaming and was in attendance at the event.

In his address van Bramer expressed his love for Tibet and his love for “representing the very large, very vibrant, growing Tibetan Community in Queens”.

DYSA Mundgod Defend their Title at the GCM Gold Cup

by Cyrus Kirkpatrick The biggest sporting event of the Tibetan exile community, the Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup football tournament (GCMGC), reached its finale on June 10. The Doeguling Youth and Sports Association (DYSA) Mundgod Football Club from south India secured a victory in the final match against Clement Town’s Dhondupling Football Club in the Upper Tibetan Childrens Village School Ground in Dharamshala, thus maintaining their champion’s title.

A total of 23 teams from India, Nepal, Canada, the United States and several European countries competed for the maximum points to qualify for the finale, resulting in a close contest between the finalists.

During the final match, DYSA Mundgod took the lead after 16 minutes of the first half, only to have Dhondupling equalise shortly thereafter. During the second half, the stalemate continued as neither team scored. The winning team was decided by a penalty shootout and the victory was attributable to goalkeeper Tenzin Samdup, whose quick thinking on the field saved the second and third penalties resulting in a final score of 4-2 against Dhondupling.

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The 25th GCM Football Finale was held from June 1 to 10 in Dharamshala’s main football ground. Over the course of this year’s tournament several thousand attendees – including Tibetans and non-Tibetan fans – packed the mountain town to watch the 23 teams compete. During the ten days of intense competition, 82 goals were scored.

The finalist teams are the most well-established in Tibetan youth football. Dhondupling FC hold the greatest record in the history of the 25 years of the tournament, while the Mundgod FC victors represented a formidable opponent – having taken the cup three times in the last five years.

The memorial tournament is held every year and named after Gyalyum Chenmo, the mother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The tournament is currently operated by the Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) which took charge in 2003. The different teams from around the world represent the broad span of exiled Tibetan communities coming together for a single purpose.

This year’s tournament was opened with a moment of silence in remembrance of all Tibetan martyrs who have sacrificed their lives.

Tibetan Headlines Jun 28: 21 Sentenced 21 people have been sent to prison for committing “criminal activities” in Shordha town in Kham [Chinese: Qinghai] reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Their prison terms vary from two to six years, together with substantial fines. The TCHRD report suggests that they have been active in environmental and human rights campaigns which contravene the Chinese regime’s policies in their area.

Jun 26: EU Tibet Group A transitional Tibet Interest Group (TIG) meeting, attended by MEPs, the staff of Office of Tibet and the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) was held in the European Parliament in Brussels. The group is in the early stage of re-establishment and attracted strong commitment from four new MEPs who come from new and different party affiliations.

Jun 27: Karmapa’s Birthday The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, head of the 900 year old Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and one of Tibet’s highest-ranking religious figures turned 34 and his birthday was celebrated across the Tibetan exile world - and in Tibet, where a celebratory concert in Chengdu was kept low-key to avoid confrontation with the Chinese regime. In Sikkim the Chief Minister and Ministers attended a celebration in Gantok.

Jun 26: Chinese Buddhist President Gyaltsen Norbu, 29, the man appointed by China as the 11th Panchen Lama to replace Gedun Choeyki Nyima, who they abducted at the age of six on his recognition by HH the Dalal Lama as the Panchen Lama, has been given the title of President of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Branch of the Buddhist Association of China. He is one of 18 vice presidents of the Buddhist Association of China.

Jun 25: Jun 25: Victims of Torture A photo exhibition was held in Dharamshala to support International Day for Victims of Torture, organised jointly by the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Health and Guchu Sum - a non government organisation supporting former political prisoners of Tibet and their families. The exhibition aimed to educate people about the suffering experienced by Tibetans under the Chinese Communist regime throughout the last 60 years.

Jun 24: Permits Denied Mongolia has refused to issue permits for representatives of the Central Tibetan Administration to attend the Asian Buddhist

Conference for Peace. The representatives expected to attend but it is reported that this last minute refusal follows pressure from Beijing. The Conference was founded in 1970 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to disseminate and implement the Buddha’s teachings. Tibetan Buddhist representatives from different schools are attending.

Jun 21: Fire!

A fire broke out in a Tibetan market in the Paonta Sahib district of Himachal Pradesh destroying four shops of bamboo construction.

Prompt action by a group of young Sikhs helped to put the fire out. There was no loss of life and the shops were empty so there was no major loss of stock, however this represents a serious loss of livelihood for the families concerned.

Jun 20: Tibetan Monk Robbed An elderly Tibetan monk has been the victim of a scam, via Facebook, and, according to a report in the Tibetan Journal, has been robbed of INR 1.7crore (US$250,000 / £200,000) by someone posing as one of the monk’s genuine Facebook friends. This imposter said she was providing financial support to help orphans in India. The police are involved but have been unable to trace her.

Jun 20: Gang Crimes?

China is integrating its anti-separatism drive in Tibet with its crime gang crackdown, reports the Chinese state media Global Times, saying that gang crimes are “usually related to separatist forces in the region” and claimed that: “Local gangs collude with and receive support from overseas separatist forces [...] they aim to disturb the region’s social stability and prosperity.”

The campaign against gang crime, said the article, has “made progress”.

Jun 20: Earthquake in Tibet An earthquake has hit Kham, the Tibetan populated historic Tibetan region [Chinese: Sichuan], killing at least 12 people and injuring over 100 more. The earthquake was 6.0 magnitude and hit Yibin in Changning County, south-east of the provincial capital Chengdu, and was followed by powerful aftershocks. More than 4,000 people have been relocated and rescue services are reported to be in operation.

Jun 19: Priest’s Plea An eminent Korean Priest has written to HH the Dalai Lama requesting him to return to Tibet, “whatever may happen”. Ven Dongbong of Daegaksa Temple in Korea expressed gratitude to His Holiness for bringing the “great teachings of Buddhism” to the world but saying that walking over the border into Tibet would bring the “explosive energy” needed to bring about a breakthrough in the Tibetan independence movement.

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Tibetan Headlines Jun 18: Tibetan Youth Icon Award The Global Tibetan Student Union (GTSU) has launched its Tibetan Youth Icon Award, an annual award with a cash prize of INR 100,000 (US$ 1,400 / £1,100 ). The GTSU says the award is to honour the “all round achievement of Tibetan youth”, to “raise the profile of Tibetan youth” and to “highlight their contributions towards society”. GTSU is an apolitical organisation promoting unity, education and motivation.

Jun 7: Sikyong Testifies Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, testified to Canada’s Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the topic Update on the human rights situation in Tibet. He stressed that the Tibetan Government-in-exile continues to support HH the Dalai Lama’s Middle-way Approach and said that it is lack of trust from the Chinese government that is hindering the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.

Jun 16: Support for Tibet The All India Tibet Support Groups Conference was held in Dharamshala with 216 participants representing groups from 21 states across India and including Indian leaders and supporters from political, educational, business and spiritual fields; campaign strategies were discussed and India’s support for Tibet through 60 years of exile was acknowledged. The conference called for India to award the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, to HH the Dalai Lama.

Jun 7: Border Patrol Nepalis living in Humla on the border with Tibet are being prevented from crossing the border into Chinese-occupied Tibet, prompting the Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise the issue with the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, reports the Kathmandu Post. Thousands of residents of this area rely on crossborder trading but their papers are being confiscated at the border by the Chinese authorities.

Jun 14: Russian Saga Dawa More than 6,000 people gathered in the courtyard of the Central Buddhist Monastery of Kalmyk Republic in south western Russia to observe the Buddhist festival of Saga Dawa.

This year’s Offering of Melody was dedicated to the long life and good health of HH the Dalai Lama. Kalmykia is the only region of Europe where Buddhism is the most practised religion; nearly half the population is Buddhist.

The lawsuit filed by Penpa Tsering, former Speaker of the Tibetan Government-in-exile (CTA) and Tibetan Representative of North America, against the Kashag [Cabinet] has come to court for the first hearing. Penpa Tsering has charged CTA President Sikyong Lobsang Sangay with false accusations regarding his (Penpa Tsering’s) termination from the Office of Tibet in Washington, USA. “I am not at fault,” Penpa Tsering told reporters.

Jun 13: State Oracle Invocation Nechung, the official State Oracle of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), was invoked by the Kashag (Cabinet) of the CTA at a ceremony in Nechung Drayangling Monastery in Dharamshala. The ceremony, which is an annual event, was attended by CTA President Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, together with the Speakers, Kashag members and senior CTA staff and other parliamentarians who paid homage to the Oracle.

Jun 13: Reaching a New Audience Sonam Tsering Frasi, Representative of HH the Dalai Lama at the Office of Tibet, London, United Kingdom, spoke at the monthly meeting of the Edmonton Conservative Association – a local organisation of Conservative Party members – to update them on the situation in Tibet and the activities of the Office of Tibet in the UK. His talk provided Mr Frasi with the opportunity to reach out to a new UK audience.

Jun 10: New App Launched The first Tibetan Terminology App, Tibterm, has been launched along with the 12th volume of the Glossary of Standard Tibetan Terms. The app has been produced by the Terminology Desk of the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Education and aims to promote awareness and use of Tibetan terminology. The app was developed by Dachompa Tech LLP, Bangalore and funded by DANIDA, Denmark.

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Jun 6: Lawsuit

Jun 5: Apple Censors Apps Apple, the American multinational technology company, is reported to have censored 29 apps in China – all are related to Tibet and HH the Dalai Lama and the censorship is to comply with China’s requirements. The Tibetan Computer Emergency Readiness Team (TibCERT) says Apple has censored the apps – which range from news, religion and tourism to games – without notifying their owners.

Jun 4: Cash Incentive Cash incentives of 6,000 yuan ($US 870 / £690) are being offered to Tibetan families living in Serchen county in Amdo if they will display pictures of Chinese President Xi Jinping in their homes. Radio Free Asia reports a local source as saying. “The families are choosing to do this because they need the money to survive, but they regret this immensely.”

Jun 3: Great Nation?

HH the Dalai Lama is quoted the Russian news agency Sputnik as saying in an exclusive interview that Russia is a “bridge between the East and the West”. The quote continues, “I think that Russia is a great nation, very powerful [...] Today the world is passing through a critical period [...] President Putin should think very carefully, take into consideration a wider perspective and a long-term interest”.

International Headlines Jun 28: Trade Deal The European Union has agreed a trade deal with the South American economic bloc Mercosur which will create a market for goods and services covering nearly 800 million consumers, making it the largest in the world in terms of population. It is the EU’s biggest deal to date and follows 20 years of negotiations. Mercosur is Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela, although Venezuela’s membership is currently suspended.

Jun 26: Independence Day Tragedy At least 15 people have been crushed to death during the Madagascar independence day celebrations. The tragedy took place in a stadium in Antananarivo, the country’s capital, people were trying to leave the stadium after a military parade and concert but police had closed the venue’s doors.

Jun 25: Operation Burkini Muslim women in France are protesting against the burkini ban. A group of women swum for an hour in the Grenoble pool wearing burkinis, amid cheers and applause, despite lifeguards telling them their swimsuits were not allowed. Burkinis are swimming costumes which cover the entire body except for the hands and feet; many people in France regard them as a symbol of political Islam and incompatible with secularism.

Jun 24: Rescue Eight Australian children have been evacuated in secret from a Syrian refugee camp. The children included six whose Australian parents had joined the Islamic State (IS) group, and three orphaned children of the notorious Australian militant Khaled Sharrouf. The children were evacuated by the Australian government, working with aid groups. Aid organisation Save the Children says there are over 2,500 foreign children in Syrian camps.

Jun 21: Storming Parliament In Georgia, riot police have stopped protestors from storming parliament; the rally was sparked when Sergei Gavrilov, a Russian lawmaker, addressed Georgian parliamentarians from Orthodox Christian counties from the Speaker’s seat. Abkhazia and South Ossetia were occupied by Russia in 2008 and have since been fought over by Russia and Georgia, with Russia keeping troops there to maintain their independence from Georgia.

Jun 20: Polar Bears at Risk A polar bear has arrived in the northern Russian city of Norilsk; the exhausted and

starving female bear was found wandering around a factory hundreds of kilometres from her natural habitat. Experts say she may simply have got lost but polar bears increasingly scavenge for food on land as climate change damages their habitats. In February dozens of polar bears entered several towns and villages in the Russian Arctic.

Jun 19: No BRI for India India has refused China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which China promotes as a trading partnership along a corridor right through to Europe and involving massive investment in the countries through which it passes. India has objected to the plan and reiterated its stance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The BRI passes through the disputed region of Kashmir.

Jun 19: Nepal Schools Shock Schools in Nepal are making it mandatory for students to learn Chinese, reports Nepal’s Himalayan Times, saying that the Chinese government is paying salaries for teachers to teach Mandarin. Nepali law is that schools can teach foreign languages but cannot make them compulsory, however schools are choosing to ignore this and accept the Chinese funding.

Jun 18: Gloria Vanderbilt Gloria Vanderbilt, the artist, author and fashion icon who pioneered designer jeans in the 1970s and 80s, has died at the age of 95 at her home in the United States. She was the beneficiary of a multimillion-dollar trust fund, and became known for the high-profile custody fight for her between her mother and her aunt in New York in 1934. Her father died before she was two years old.

Jun 14: Speaking Out Les Enfants du Silence (The Children of Silence) in France are speaking out for the first time. They are children of Roman Catholic priests and have until now been obliged to keep silent to comply with Church sensitivities - Roman Catholic priests are required to be celibate. They are meeting Bishops in Paris to speak about their stories, it is the first time they have received recognition.

Jun 13: Ebola Outbreak The latest Ebola outbreak in central Africa has been described as “truly frightening”

by Dr Jeremy Farrar, the director of the Wellcome Trust, a major medical research charity. He said the epidemic, in which 1,400 people have died in the Democratic Republic

of Congo, is the worst since that of 2013-16 and has showed “no sign of stopping”. Ebola has claimed its first victim in neighbouring Uganda.

Jun 12: Homosexuality Decriminalised Botswana and Bhutan have both decriminalised homosexuality. In Botswana The High Court rejected the country’s 1965 penal code under which homosexuality is punishable by a seven year jail term. Human Rights Watch reports that 28 out of 49 countries in sub Saharian Africa have laws penalising same-sex relationships. In Bhutan the law being repealed has never actually been used. Last year, India’s Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality.

Jun 7: Suspended from Union Sudan’s membership of the African Union has been suspended following an upsurge of violence in the capital. The African Union has warned they will take further action if the pro-democracy protestors’ demand that power is transferred to a civilian authority is not met. After months of peaceful protests Sudan President Omar al-Bashir was ousted by the military in April and now talks have broken down.

Jun 6: Police Raid Police raids of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) headquarters in Sydney and a journalist’s home have sparked a public outcry. Police said they had received “allegations of publishing classified material” and that the action was related to reporting on alleged misconduct by Australian forces in Afghanistan. Reporters Without Borders said, “the scene might be expected in an authoritarian country but not in a democracy”.

Jun 5: Protest March In London, United Kingdom, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against American President Donald Trump who is in the UK on a state visit. The public were not allowed near his motorcade but were loudly vocal. Among the crowd were some Americans, the BBC reporting them saying that Trump “Promotes division”, “He’s a bully” and, of his presidency, “It’s embarrassing and ultimately frightening.”

Jun 3: Pakistan Atrocities The BBC has uncovered evidence that : “Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Pakistan’s long battle with militants as part of the post-9/11 ‘war on terror’.” Their report goes on to say, “Evidence of murder and torture by soldiers and insurgents is emerging only now.” The atrocities came in the wake of the strikes against the Taliban in 2014.

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People Story Spreading the Word

by Cyrus Kirkpatrick Kailash Chandra Bauddha, age 33, is the Hindi translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and lives in Mcleod Ganj. Not only does he have the privilege of working directly with His Holiness on a regular basis, he has also become an influential figure in his own right as a future scholar and a teacher of Tibetan Buddhism to the Indian population.

Kailash’s story traces from extremely humble beginnings to his now prestigious and important role.

He was born in a very remote Indian town called Nagla Dhaukal in the Mainpuri District, Uttar Pradesh, 100km from Agra. A village of about 150 people and without electricity. He worked with his ten siblings as a farmer, raising cows, buffalo and many other livestock. Kailash recounts the limited resources in his village, making attending school very difficult. By sixth grade, his brother—a tour guide working in Agra and studying in Nalanda University, Bihar—offered Kailash the opportunity to study in Arunachal Pradesh, Shrawasti and he began to learn English, Pali, Singhal languages.

When Kailash finished high school back in Manipur he decided to enroll in university and study to become a dentist. He travelled to Lucknow—the capital of Uttar Pradesh— where he began studying for his BSc in Biology. However, throughout this, Kailash recalls a sense of personal emptiness about his future prospects in medicine.

It was at this time another opportunity was given by his brother. His brother—Suresh Chandra Bauddha—was head of the Youth Buddhist Society of India, which he founded in 1986 and which by that time had thousands of members. Kailash was already a Buddhist, as his family was of the Buddhist Shakya clan, and he felt a spiritual calling to develop upon these studies.

Despite being accepted to dental school, Kailash’s decision to drop out came in 2005. This occurred after he and his brother, along with members of the Youth Buddhist Society of India (YBS), travelled to the city of Dehradun to listen to Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, who at that time was Prime Minister of the Tibetan exile Government. Kailash was extremely impressed by Professor Rinpoche, who could speak fluent Hindi and Tibetan, and held titles of both monk and prime minister. Rinpoche advised him and other students to learn the dying languages of Sanskrit and Pali, as well as Tibetan, as a way to properly study the ancient Buddhist texts that are in danger of being forgotten. Kailash asked Professor Rinpoche for advice and Rinpoche suggested that since Hindi was his mother tongue and Sanskrit and Pali are closely related, that he should become a translator for scholarly works—a process that would take about ten years.

And so, aged 19, Kailash moved to Library for Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamshala (Mcleod Ganj). He was introduced to the Tibetan style of group debate, and this inspired him to learn Tibetan

so he could participate in such activities. He enrolled in the College of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah. What followed was a new, dynamic academic career. He studied Tibetan language for three years, and then Buddhist classical studies, Buddhist psychology, the Sutra of Wisdom and Perfection and the Middle Path Philosophy among other subjects.

The next opportunity came in the midst of his studies. He was assigned to accompany a group of visiting Buddhist PhD scholars into Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Maharastra to assist with their limited Hindi language skills. He found he was able to translate from Tibetan to Hindi and vice versa, that he liked the work, and decided to keep doing it while studying for his 16 year long PhD. In 2012, by which time he had developed a reputation as a translator, Kailash was told that His Holiness was in need of a Hindi translator and was offered the job. Kailash was surprised and hesitated at first as he felt the duty and privilege would be overwhelming and he was concerned that it would be very difficult to translate for His Holiness because his wisdom is vast and deep. However, His Holiness’s secretary provided no other option — telling Kailash he must do it and it was his duty.

And so he spent a day doing a simultaneous translation for a five hour teaching by His Holiness. Despite the great difficulty of the job, the observing Indian officers and the audiences acknowledged that he was doing good work translating the teaching into clear, simple Hindi.

What ensued was Kailash’s new role as His Holiness’s Hindi translator. In addition to a personal friendship with His Holiness, he accompanies him on his teachings to massive audiences across India, including organising trips in 2015 and 2018 for His Holiness to visit his own hometown, Sankisa in Uttar Pradesh, drawing in thousands of people. He also translated His Holiness’s book An Appeal to the World into Hindi.

Throughout this, Kailash’s role of leadership in the Indian Buddhist community expanded further. Kailash himself has taught the Buddhist principles of compassion and kindness to large crowds of people. When asked about his largest audience, Kailash nonchalantly responds, “About a hundred thousand.” When asked if speaking to such huge crowds draws anxiety, he appears unphased and points out that it’s just something that can be done naturally.

Today, Kailash continues studying for his PhD in the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD), Mcleod Ganj, which he will complete in another five to six years. In Kailash’s words, his life is fully dedicated to the revival of Buddhism in India, and on a wider scale a reform of education systems around the world that, in his view, are sorely missing principles like compassion that should be taught to students in addition to material knowledge. This follows the advice of His Holiness.

Kailash says he is very much impressed by the Tibetan language and Tibetan scholars who inspire him to study the Nalanda Tradition of Buddhism. He is grateful that he has found learning Tibetan a very friendly process.

Every month we feature somebody from the Tibetan community on our Dharamshala Voices page as well as the occasional profile of one of the many NGOs in Dharamshala who do so much to help the Tibetan Community You can read more Dharamshala Voices stories on the Contact website: http://www.contactmagazine.net/dharamasla-life/

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NGO Story Rogpa Charitable Trust

by Lodoe Gyatso Wheels” where Rogpa rotates 50 books every month that Namgyal Phuntsok, Education Coordinator of the Rogpa are culturally relevant and interesting for the children.

Charitable Trust, meets me to chat about the Trust and This service is provided to 11 schools. A wish list has mentions that he has only recently started at the organisation been compiled of requests from students, and books on earlier this spring, after an absence from Dharamshala of the wish lists are purchased by Rogpa for the students. several years working in the IT industry in the south of Along with that, Rogpa organises educational and fun India. It seems that the work there was not to his taste. activities at the schools such as “My Fav Book” and “The primary value is money,” he says before diving into “Green Letter Campaign”. a description of the work of Rogpa. At Rogpa, he says, he Rogpa has published four books, namely I am Tashi, a has the opportunity to be an agent of positive change.

Tibetan alphabet primer KaKhaGha Nga, Snow Leopard Rogpa has four projects, namely the Baby Care Centre, and Tibetan Animals. A story writing competition was the Children’s Library, the Women’s Crafts Centre and held, the prize for the best story is that it will be published. the Shop and Café.

Dolma and her Puppy was the winner and publication of Rogpa Baby Care Centre for children aged six the book is in progress. months to three years was started in 2005. A couple in Volunteers at the RCL are expected to be available for Dharamshala noticed that many couples had only one a minimum of four days. parent working while the other An exciting development stayed at home to look after children. is the introduction of This curtailed their ability to earn a a quarterly Children’s decent income. The couple reasoned Newsletter. The students at that if the children could be looked 11 schools have been invited after, the parents would be freed to send in their contributions to increase their earning potential, including articles, paintings empowering them to do more. The and book reviews. It is centre provides its services free of hoped that children will be charge. The requirement is that both encouraged by seeing their parents must be working, and there work in print. must be no family member who can Volunteers with their charges at the Rogpa Baby Centre The Women’s Craft Centre Photo: Rogpa take responsibility for the children.

(WCC), which started in May In the beginning there were only five children, but this 2008, aims to give a sustainable livelihood to women has increased to the point that there are now 30 children without educational qualifications and experience. being cared for.

During training in tailoring the women receive a stipend Parents do have responsibilities. Every Sunday parents and, on completion, they are appointed permanently and clean the centre, and they take part in ventures to raise receive a salary. The WCC’s designs are different to the money for the organisation. stock creations of other tailors to give them an edge over Volunteers from all over the world fill a vital role in the competition. There are six women, both Tibetan and meeting the needs of the children. There are two shifts Indian, currently staffing this project. for volunteers, namely 8:30am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm, The Shop and Café, which started in November 2008, six days a week. Responsibilities are said to include has been established as an outlet for the work of the “playing, singing, feeding, putting to sleep and, of course, Rogpa Charitable Trust. It is above the Yongling stairs in changing diapers”. A minimum commitment of two Jogiwara Road. One can buy coffee and cake, browse the weeks is required for volunteers at the Baby Care Centre. crafts on sale and find out more about the activities of the There is an opportunity for volunteers who are organisation. available for a shorter term. Every Thursday an expedition Rogpa’s key constraint is financial. At Rogpa, the to the temple is held. The intention is for the children to funds are generated by the organisation itself via the be integrated into the culture and religion of Tibet. One Rogpa Shop and also from donations from individual child is assigned per volunteer, weather permitting and volunteers. Rogpa is a purely Tibetan organisation with a if sufficient volunteers are available to enable the visit to Tibetan Director and Tibetan staff. take place.

Readers who would like to volunteer or contribute The Rogpa Chidren’s Library (RCL) was started in financially can contact them directly via their website at 2012. The projects under the RCL include “Books on http://www.tibetrogpa.org or by phone +91 98579-73026.

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 15

Lha News Cultural Exchange Group Visits Lha hosted groups from three different countries in June as part of the 2019 Cultural Exchange Programme.

The first group was a group of eight students from Tulane University, United States, led by our longtime supporter Michael Smith and his wife, Pema. The group was with Lha for eleven days taking part in our Mutual Learning Programme with Lha students and exploring Tibetan culture, tradition and way of life.

The second group, from Japan, was a group of seven people from different walks of life who were with Lha from June 2–7. The itineraries for the group included visits to Bir, Tso Pema, Norbulingka, Gyutoe monastery, TCV School, the Museum and the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts to enable them to understand the sacred and rich culture of Tibet. The group Students from Tulane University with Lha students visited the Central Tibetan Administration to give them an idea of the Photo: Contact/Lha functioning of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and its work.

The third group hosted in June was a group of nineteen people from Portugal on a pilgrimage to India. The group was with Lha on June 20 and they were taken for a morning circumambulation (ling-kor) around the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tsuglakhang temple, walking with a guide who explained the benefits of walking the Kora to them. They were given a presentation on Lha’s work which included a talk on the life of Tibetan refugees and how the Tibetan organisations function to support the larger cause of the Tibetan struggle.

Lha organised a lecture for them, The View of the Ultimate Nature A group from Portugal with Geshe Lhakdor la of Reality among the Different Photo: Contact/Lha Buddhist Philosophical Schools, The group from Japan in Tsuglakhang courtyard by Geshe Lhakdor la, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

Photo: Contact/Lha To help them understand the life of refugee Tibetans living in exile, the group joined our soup kitchen beneficiaries for lunch at Ahimsa Community kitchen as well as volunteering as conversation partners for the Lha English conversation class in the afternoon.

Tibetan Traditional Massage and Basic Spa Course The Lha Tibetan Traditional Massage and Basic Spa course which began on May 9 was completed successfully on June 18. The ten students from the first batch have been placed in different Massage and Spa centres in Dharamshala for two months of training as interns.

Besides massage and spa, the students also attended classes on financial literacy, basic English and communication to help equip them with necessary job skills.

The second batch of the Massage and Spa course begins on July 8.

The Massage and Spa course is part of Lha’s 2019 Livelihood Programme which is funded by the Tibet Fund, US. The Massage and Spa course is run in collaboration with Tibet Health Spalon.

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 16

Volunteer Story & Lha News Lha could not provide the services we do without the support of our wonderful volunteers who help in so many ways and inspire us with their enthusiasm. Every month we ask a volunteer to share their story.

This month, Firoz Mujawar from India shares his story with us.

Volunteer job at Lha: English Teacher

A Beautiful Journey

For many years now I have been visiting Drepung monastery located in Mungod, in the south Indian state of Karnataka where I started to learn and share thoughts on Tibetan culture, religion and philosophy with Lama Lobsang Tsultrim and Geshe Sherub. Mungod is certainly an oasis when you first visit. The sheer number and size of the temples evoke a feeling of triumph and the endeavour of the Tibetan people.

In Mungod I found out about Lha Charitable Trust and the work that they were doing in Mcleod Ganj in Dharamshala. Finally, after much persuasion from Lama Lobsang, I applied to Lha for volunteer work and within four weeks of being accepted I was on a plane bound for Dharamshala.

Having travelled, lived and worked in Mumbai, London and New York nothing could have prepared me for this amazing journey to Lha. So I arrived at Lha not knowing what my job would be but my expectations of the organisation were high having read their website and publications.

On the first day I was introduced and given my teaching assignment. Honestly, my students were cleverer than I thought – they were extremely keen, enthusiastic and came to class with a positive attitude to learn English. They were always greeting me with a smile and inevitably inviting me for a cup

of tea to learn more, even after the end of class. Needless to say the staff at Lha were extremely supportive and hospitable.

The people there do a phenomenal job everyday of gathering students and teacher volunteers while assisting them with all kinds of problem solving.

It would certainly be apt to say that anybody with a little knowledge and some experience with this ancient and beautiful culture of Tibet will find it exhilarating to be a part of it.

My time at Lha has been an eye opening experience – listening and understanding the silent struggle and plight of the students and Tibetan people has been a heart breaking experience.

Interacting with students I have heard, seen, learned and understood that our very human nature is in the doldrums of catastrophe and that collective consciousness is really the wave of the future. It has certainly been a pleasurable soul–fulfilling time teaching at Lha. I have indeed been lucky to have been chosen to volunteer there – and I found the students extremely motivated as they struggle, smiling peacefully over their suppression for sixty years now.

To be a part of this motivation is to be a part of history.

My journey certainly does not end here as I look forward to coming back again very soon to learn more from the most aspiring and inspiring individuals I have ever met.

World Environment Day:Tibetan Animal Drawing Competition

Lha observed World Environment Day with a Tibetan Animals drawing competition at three different Tibetan schools (Upper TCV, Lower TCV and Petoen School). 112 students took part.

The top 10 students were given awards of INR 3,000 (US$43 / £35) each as token of appreciation and their paintings have been uploaded onto Lha’s official Facebook page.

The competition was sponsored

by Michael Buckley who is an environmentalist and the author of Meltdown in Tibet.

In addition to the drawing competition, Lha organised a special mass cleanup where we were joined by volunteers, students and Lha staff, all working together to collect trash from the TCV road end of Mcleod Ganj.

Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust

Lha Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots, non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has been striving to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for over 20 years.

For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org Contact magazine online www.contactmagazine.net Facebook: Contact News / Twitter: Contact News

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 17

Charities And Organisations Central Tibetan Administration

Tibetan Library (LTWA)

TCHRD

The CTA serves in Dharamshala as the government in exile of Tibet. It is democratic with judiciary, legislative, and executive branches. Within the Executive branch there is the Kashag, consisting of the departments of Religion and Culture, Home, Education, Finance, Security, Information and International Relations and Health, and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.

Location: Near Library Phone: 01892-222218 Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm Email: kashag@tibet.net Web: www.tibet.net

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives has the purpose to restore, protect, preserve, and promote Tibetan culture in all its aspects. They offer courses in Tibetan and Hindi language and Buddhist philosophy and can provide affordable accommodation for those enrolled in two or more courses.

Location: Gangchen Kyishong Phone: 9882255047 Email: ltwa1970@gmail.com Web: www.tibetanlibrary.org

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democrac (TCHRD) advocates for human rights and provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet.

The centre publishes journals and articles, as well as conducting workshops and campaigns.

Location: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 Phone: 01892-223363 Email: office@tchrd.org Web: www.tchrd.org

Delek Hospital

Lha Charitable Trust

Delek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamshala. It has 45 inpatient beds, holds outpatient hours from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday, and can handle most small procedures.

Patients are responsible for a 10 Rupees registration fee. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.

Location: Kharadanda Rd, Dharamshala; Delek Clinic, Bhagsu Rd, Dharamshala Hours: Outpatient, Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm; Emergencies, 24 hours daily Phone: 01892-222053 / 223381 Email: delek@bsnl.in, hospitaldelek@yahoo.com Web: www.delekhospital.org

Lha, a Tibetan grassroots NGO based in Dharamshala, is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. (see back page) Location: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India Phone: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 Email: office@lhasocialwork.org Web:www.lhasocialwork.org

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL) is the personal office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The office organises his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Location: McLeod Ganj, Phone: 01892-221343 / 221210 Email: ohhdl@dalailama.com Web: www.dalailama.com

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) The TYC is an advocacy and political action organisation with chapters around the world. The TYC organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities.

Location: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 Phone: 01892-221554 Email: president@tibetanyouthcongress.org, tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org Web: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org

Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) The TWA conducts workshops on gender sensitisation and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships and connects women with international sponsors.

Location: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj Phone: 01892-221527 Email: tibwomen@gmail.com Web: www. tibetanwomen.org

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education.

There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamshala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India.

Location: Dharamshala Cantt.176216 Phone: 01892-221354 / 221348 Email: headoffice@tcv.org.in Web: www.tcv.org.in

Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute Men-Tsee-Khang, also called Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute, is a facility for research, training and practice of traditional Tibetan medicine. Patients may seek treatment at Men-Tsee-Khang for both acute and chronic conditions. The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.

Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Phone: 01892-223222 / 223113 Email: info@men-tsee-khang.org Web: www.men-tsee-khang.org

Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society The society was established in 1999 to provide educational and administrative guidance to all Tibetan schools in remote areas of India and Bhutan that do not fall under the guidance of Tibetan Childrens Village. Today there are 65 schools under this organisation after the take over of CTSA Schools.

Location: Khanyara Rd, Dharamshala176215 Phone: 01892 - 246422 / 246423 Email: stss1999@gmail.com Web: www.sambhota.org

Tong-Len Charitable Trust Tong-Len’s mission is to help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future.

Tong-Len projects include educational and health programmes, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Volunteer opportunities available.

Location: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala-176215 Phone: 01892-223930 Email: jamyang@tong-len.org Web: www. tong-len.org

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) SFT is an international NGO that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community.

The organisation attempts to build international solidarity by advocating for a free Tibet through chapter organisations at Universities around the world.

Location: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj Phone: 9882786875 Web: www.sftindia.org, Web: www.studentsforafreetibet.org

Tibet Charity Tibet Charity provides programmes including English and computer classes, an animal care programme and a variety of medical and educational financial support programmes.

Location: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj Phone: 01892-221790 / 221877 Email: director@tibetcharity.in Web: www.tibetcharity.in

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 18

The Kangra District Red Cross Society The Kangra District Red Cross Society renders its humanitarian services, projects and activities with the help and the co-operation of people at all levels of society by donation.

Location: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala Phone: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 Email: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com Web: www.redcrosskangra.org

Gu-Chu-Sum Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Association of Tibet is an organisation of former political prisoners of Tibet and former activists currently in exile that engages in their complete assistance including medical, financial, basic education and vocational training. It also organises lobbies and advocacies about human rights abuses in Tibet.

Web: www.guchusum.org Location: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, Phone: 01892-220680 / 220679 Email: guchusum1991@gmail.com

Tibet World Tibet World is a charitable trust (Reg No 136/2015) “Where Tibet meets the world & the world meets Tibet”. Education programmes: international language courses, training, workshops and a winter programme for schoolchildren. Cultural programmes: folk show, talks, sharing stories, monk chat, compassion + wisdom = happiness workshops, cultural tours, engaging volunteering options, cultural exchange and collaboration programmes.

Location: Jogiwara Road near Post Office, McLeod Ganj Phone: 9816999928/8353005268 Email: info@tibetworld.org

Charities And Organisations Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)

Clean Upper Dharamshala Project

National Democratic Party of Tibet

Established in 1959, under the vision of HH the Dalai Lama, TIPA strives to preserve and promote Tibetan theatrical tradition. The Insitute imparts comprehensive training and lessons on Tibetan folk dance, folk song, traditional instruments and tradition of Tibetan opera.TIPA also hosts a beautiful theatrical museum which remains open during working days.

We organise a special group tour of our campus every Wednesday (10 am).

Location: TIPA Road, McLeod Ganj Dharamshala-176219 Phone: 01892-221478 Email: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com Web: www.tibetanarts.org

Founded in 1994 to provide a waste management system in and around McLeod Ganj, the Green Workers, the Handmade Recycled Paper Factory, the Green Shop and the Environmental Education Centre are part of the Clean Upper Dharamshala Project. Weekly guided tours are offered on Wednesdays at 3 pm.

Location: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - 176219 Phone: 01892-221059 Email: cudpswm@gmail.com Web: www.tsodhasa.org

The NDPT is currently the only Tibetan political party. With 5000 members in 36 regional chapters throughout the world, the main aim and objectives of the NDPT are to prepare for the establishment of a political party in a future Tibet, to promote democracy, to educate the Tibetan people about the significance of political parties and to create awareness among the people about Tibetan issues.

Location: Dharamshala–176219 Phone: 9882787633 / 9882673330 Email: tibetparty4@gmail.com Web: www.ndp4tibet.org

Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage)

Norbulingka Institue

Nyingtob Ling supports Tibetan children from disadvantaged families. The children make handicrafts and paintings. They are so friendly and love to have visitors.

Location: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur Phone: 01892 211042 / 9816028149 Email: nyingtob_ling@hotmail.com Web: www.nyingtobling.org

Norbulingka Institue is a centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work. The institution is dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan culture in its literary and artistic forms. Guided tours are available. You can visit temple, workshops, garden and the showroom of Tibetan arts and crafts. You can take a free tour of the studios and observe artists at work. The tour guides will explain each art form in depth. There is a restaurant on site. (See back cover inside) Location: Sidhpur, Dharamshala Phone: 9882144210 Email: info@norbulingka.org Web: www.norbulingka.org

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT) Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT) is a nongovernment, non-profit adult education centre in Dharamshala. LIT provides Free Education, Health Care and Skills Training to Tibetan Refugees to help eradicate poverty and illiteracy amongst the Tibetan population.

Location: Underground Hotel Akash, Jogiwara Road, Mcleodd Ganj, Dharamsala 176219 Phone: (+91) 7590025915 Email: learningandideasfortibet@gmail.com Web: www.lit-dharamsala.org

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a non-profit, educational organisation dedicated to the non-violent management of conflicts in the Tibetan Community and the world as a whole. They work to promote the approaches and tools of non-violent conflict resolution and democratic processes in the Tibetan community in exile and elsewhere.

Location: Session Road, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 Phone: 01892-226627 Email: tccrteam@gmail.com Web: www.tccr.org

Rogpa Baby Care Centre The Rogpa Baby Care Centre helps low-income Tibetan families to become self-sufficient by providing free child care for infants so that their parents can work. The centre needs volunteers to help with art, games, singing and other tasks including diaper changing.

Location: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala- 176219 Phone: 9857973026 Email: rogpa2004@yahoo.com Web: www.tibetrogpa.org

Gamru Village School Gamru Village School is a successful NGO that provides free high-quality education to any children who encounter serious barriers to education and who have a low standard of living.

Location: Village Gamru, P.O Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala, Distt Kangra 176215 Phone: 9816105554 Email: tashu72004@yahoo.com Web: www.gamruschool.com

Women’s Team Volunteers needed to teach English to Indian women and children in the village of Kaniyara near Dharamshala. Contact Jitender.

Email: jitenderje@gmail.com Phone: 7831956680 / 08894435595

The Active Nonviolence Education Centre ANEC facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on nonviolent strategies to help resolve disagreements and differences at all levels of human society. ANEC welcomes volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas of regional and global peace and nonviolent strategies. Free lunch and tea and many more benefits for volunteers.

Location: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamshala Phone: 9882077708 / 9882921477 Email: wangduemiddleway@gmail.com Website: www.anec-india.net

Tibetan Dubbing Society Tibetan Dubbing Society, founded in 2015, is a non-profit organisation working towards preserving the Tibetan language through various forms of entertainment and dubbing animation movies into the Tibetan language for Tibetan children.

Location: Near Norbulinga Institute Phone: +91-8629837735 Email: savetiblang@gmail.com Web: www.tibetdub.org

BUS SCHEDULE * Times and prices may vary. Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

Leaving from the McLeod Ganj bus stand, unless otherwise stated: DELHI: Ordinary Bus: 4:00am (Rs 554), 6pm (Rs 580), 7:30 pm (Rs 570) Semi Deluxe Bus: 5pm (Rs 590) , 6:30pm (Rs 590) Full Deluxe Bus: (Rs683) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8:15 am (Rs 1243), 5:35pm (Rs 1275), 7:00pm (Rs 1275), 8:50pm (Rs1275) AC TATA: 5:50pm (Rs 972) AMRITSAR: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs257) *from Dharamshala DEHRADUN: Ordinary Bus: 2pm (Rs 560) 8pm (Rs 551); VOLVO: 7pm (Rs 1199) MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 7:10am (Rs358 *from Dharamshala / VOLVO: 11:30 pm (Rs 782) PATHANKOT: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 136) * from Dharamshala SHIMLA: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 408), 6am (Rs 360), 7:50am (Rs 375), 8:am (Rs 520) 7:45 pm (Rs 363), 12pm (Rs 367) *from Dharamshala, Semi-Deluxe Bus: 9:30pm (Rs455) *from Dharamshala FOR BOOKINGS: Location: Ticket stand under McLLo’s, McLeod Ganj Main square Hours: 10am-5pm, daily Phone: 220026 (McLeod bus stand), 224903 (Dharamshala) For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TA X I S A private taxi to Lower Dharamshala will cost you Rs 200. Cram into a jeep (from the bus stand), and it’ll only cost you Rs 20.

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 19

Activities And Information Livelihood Programme Lha Charitable Trust in collaboration with Tibetan Health Spalon based in Dharamshala has announced a four month traditional Tibetan massage and spa course for Tibetans as part of their Livelihood programme. The Lha programme is funded by the Tibet Fund, USA. The course covers: • Tibetan Traditional Massage • Introduction to Swedish massage and Aromatherapy massage • Course weightings: Theory 30% and Practical 70% • Two month on-the-job training • Personality development, financial literacy, basic English and other complementary courses

Buddhist Philosophy Library Of Tibetan Works And Archives Web: Www.tibetanlibrary.org Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Between

Mcleod Ganj And Lower Dharamshala Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:30 - 11:45 Am Phone: 9882255047

yoga and reiki Yoga & Reiki Courses Location: Om Yoga Ashram,Near Dal Lake Mob: 9805693514 /981649432 Email: om.yoga@ymail.com Web: http://www.omashram.in Shivam Neelkant Yoga Kendra Location: Upper Bhagsu Phone: 098165-65138 Web: www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu Massage Location: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road, Phone: 07833047078 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com Men-Tsee-Khang Location: Mcleod Ganj Branch Clinic,

1St Floor, Tipa Road (2 Mins From Main Square) Phone: 98828-60505 Email: therapycenter@men-tsee-khang.org Dorjee Spa Location: Pema Thang Guest House,

WHotel Bhagsu Road Phone:9816393673 9857108408 Whatsapp: 9816393673

Meditation

Languages

Tushita Meditation Centre Web: www.tushita.info Location: Dharamkot Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30Am Phone: 0898-816-0988 Email: spc@tushita.info

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translators Programme Location: Rato Chuwar Labrang,

Shivan Neel Kanth Yoga Website: www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com Location: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky Phone: 09816565138 Email: Yogi_shivam@Yahoo.co.in

Tibetan Language Location: The Tibetan Library

Om Meditation Ashram

Location-Om Yoga Ashram,Near Dal Lake Mob: 01892 220333 /9805693514 Web: www.himalayanashram.com

Cooking Lha Tibetan Cooking Classes - For Groups Location: Lha Soup Kitchen, Temple Rd, Just

Below The Dalai Lama’s Temple Hours: Registration, 9:00-11:00Am Phone: 01892-220992

Indian Cooking And Knitting With Ms Rita Kapoor Location: Old German Bakery, 1St Floor,

Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag Phone: 94592-06586 Indian Cooking Classes Location: jogiwara Rd, Next To Tibetan

Ashoka Guesthouse Hours: 10:00Am-6:00Pm Phone: 07833047078 / 0988230136 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes Location: Bhagsu Rd, Near The Green Shop Hours: 8:00Am-9:00Pm Phone: 981-646-8719 Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional

Tibetan Cooking Classes Location: Lung-Ta Restaurant, Below The Tashi Choeling Monastery On Jogiwara Road Hours:10:00Am - 4:00Pm Phone: 981-616-4540 Email: sangyla_tashi@yahoo.co.in

Computer Classes Tibetan Career Centre, Dharamshala Location: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj Hours: 9:00Am-6Pm

Phone: 9882321424 /9880969175 Email: yesheadconsultant@tibet.net Lha Charitable Trust Location: Near Dolma Chowk, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 9882323455 / +91 (0)1892 -220992 Web: www.lhasocialwork.org

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 20

Phuntsok Gatsel Session Road Hours: 10:45-5Pm Email: lrztp.manager@gmail.com

*See Buddhist Philosophy Listing Hindi Lessons With Kailash Location: Hotel India House, Bhagsu Rd Phone: 01892-20063, 941-816-1947 Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses And Tibetan Immersion Spoken Location:Yongling School Buildding Phone: 8580796453 Email: contact@esukhia.org Sanskrit Language Study Program At Vikramashila Foundation India (Vfi) Location: Vikramashila Center, 1St Flr, Ketan

Lodge,Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, HP Email: vikramashilafoundation@gmail.com

Art And Museums Tibet Museum Location: Near The Main Temple And

Namgyal Monastery Gate, Mcleod Ganj Hours: Tue-Sun: 9:00Am-5:00Pm Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years Of Struggle And Oppression Location: Gu-Chu-Sum Hall, Jogiwara Rd Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00Pm-5:00Pm Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Web: www.tibetanarts.org Location: Tipa Road, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 1892-221478 Email: Tibetanarts2012@Gmail.com Kangra Art Museum Location: Near Bus Stand, Kotwali Bazaar in

Lower Dharamshala Phone: 01892 224214 Hours: Tue-Sun: 10Am-1Pm & 2Pm-5Pm

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum Location: Near CTA, Gangchen Kyishong Phone: 01892-223222 / 223113 Email: Info@Men-Tsee-Khang.org Hours: 9Am-5Pm. Closed On Sun, 2 & 4Th

Sat

Centre For Living Buddhist Art Location: Khanyara Road Website: Www.livingbuddhistart.com Email: sarikalochoe@hotmail.com Phone: 9418655401 Hours: 9 Am- 5 Pm

Activities And Information Health Services Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra Location: Near Hotel Mount View, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 09218742046 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com

Tibetan Physiotherapy Clinic

Specialist in muscle and joint pain Location: Near Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 Hours: 10Am - 5Pm (Appointment Bases) Phone: 9882322783 / 9882321532 Email: jigten17@yahoo.co.in Website: tibetanphysiotherapy.com

Tibetan Delek Hospital

Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Between Mcleod Ganj And Lower Dharamshala Phone: 01892-22053 / 223381 Hours: Outpatient Services, Mon-Sat: 9:00Am-1:00Pm; Specialist Clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00-4:30 Pm; Emergencies: 24 Hrs Daily

Maanav Health Clinic

Location: Main Square Hours: 10:00 -12:30 Pm & 2:00-5:00 Pm Phone: 941-815-5795 Email: maanavcare@yahoo.co.in

Men-Tsee-Khang

Location: Below Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 Phone: 01892-223222 / 223113 Email: info@men-tsee-khang.org

Primary Health Centre

Location: Jogiwara Rd, Main Market Hours: 9:30Am-4Pm, Mon-Sat

Nature Cure Health Club

Location: Jogiwara Rd, Next To Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 Hours: 9:30Am-6:30Pm Phone: 7833047078 / 9882320136 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Smile Dental Clinic & Implant Center

Location: Opposite, Walia Medical Store, Near State Bank of India ATM, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 7018354594 / 82629011445 Website: smiledentalclinicmcleodganj.com

News:

Tibet-Related Websites

tibet.net - official website of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,has opinion, reviews, photos, etc contactmagazine.net - Contact magazine online news rfa.org/english/news/tibet - Radio Free Asia’s mission is to provide accurate and timely news and information to Asian countries whose governments prohibit access to a free press voatibetanenglish.com - Voice of America’s Tibet pages - VOA is an international multimedia broadcasting service funded by the US government thetibetpost.com - Tibet Post International online news tibetexpress.net - Tibet Express online news guardian.co.uk/world/tibet - the UK Guardian newspaper’s Tibet pages scmp.com/news/china - the South China Morning Post – one of the more independent news sources in China

News, information and campaigning:

dalailama.com - for broadcasts of His Holiness’s teachings, his schedule and information about Tibet and the Dalai Lama tchrd.org - Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - a nongovernmental organisation and a research centre to protect the human rights of Tibetan people and promote the principles of democracy tibetanyouthcongress.org - an international non-governmental organisation that advocates full independence for Tibet from China studentsforafreetibet.org - a global grass roots group campaigning for full Tibetan independence tibetanreview.net - news, opinions, reviews and information freetibet.org: - UK-based campaigning organisation, also a good news source savetibet.org - Website of the International Campaign for Tibet and a good resource for news, campaigns, fundraising and projects tibetnetwork.org/home - a coalition of more than 190 Tibet organisations dedicated to campaigning to end human rights violations in Tibet and restoring rights to the Tibetan people tibetanjournal.com - Tibetan Journal - news, reviews and opinions rukor.org - a discussion site on Tibetan nomads and their fate bitterwinter.org - A magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China

Writings:

highpeakspureearth.com/category/woeser - occasional translations of Woeser’s enormously popular blog – Woeser lives in Beijing and is continually harassed by the Chinese government for her courageous writings.

DHARAMSHALA CONTACTS Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189 Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Central Tibetan Administration Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Wed only; Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily.

Phone: 222 053,223 381

Police Contact Information Location: Past St.John’s Church on the road to Dharamshala in Cantt. area.

Phone: 221 483 Kangra Airport: 01892-232374 Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892-221034 Tourism Office: 01892-224430 , 223325 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892-265026 Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

McLeod Ganj Post Office Location: Jogiwara Rd, Before the Peace Cafe Hours: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-noon, Sat. Parcels and money orders can be sent in the mornings only.

Phone: 01892-221 924

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 21

Jobs And Advertisements Job Opportunities Tibetan Youth Congress

Postion: Office Accountant Qualification: B.Com or Equivalent Degree Preferred candidate with good communication skills and good working knowledge in English and Tibetan Position: Researcher for Tibetan Research Desk Qualification: BA or MA degree from any university or someone with prior experience in research works on Tibetan issues Deadlines for both positions: August 1, 2019 Email: tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org Phone: 988-222-1554 For details, check: tibetanyouthcongress.org

Tibetan Children’s Village Schools (TCV)

Any interested candidates/teachers wishing to apply for the Post of Teachers as follows: 1. PGT Tibetan (Acharya) 2. PGT History 3. PGT Economics 4. PGT Physics 5. TGT Maths 6. TGT English 7. Physical Education Trainer (PET) 8. Computer Instructor 9. Performing Arts Teacher 10. Primary Maths Teacher 11. Librarian For details: Contact TCV Education Office Email: ed@tcv.org.in / mitsering@gmail.com Phone: 01892 - 221686 / 8353029808

To advertise here, Contact Lha office on Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj or call us on 9882323455 Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 22

Our specialty: Chocolate Vegan cake, Gluten free cake, Fresh Coffee Beans, cappaccino, Chocolate chilli lollipop 9am to 7pm - Closed on Monday

Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#5

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

Phone: 01892-220567 Cell: 9418236603 Jogiwara Rd (Map #9) Email: tseringd@aushimview.com

Nature Cure Health Club

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #6 Whatsapp: 7833047078 Mobile: 09882320136 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com 20+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, Singing Bowl

Quantum Healing - Breath & Bowls Workshop A 3-part Soul Purification and Healing

NEED A DENTIST?

For all your dental requirements under one roof, in a sterile and state of the art clinic

Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #8 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com /Call: 09218742046 Website: www.perfect32dentalclinic.in

Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and a peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 4)

To advertise here, Contact Lha office on Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj or call us on 9882323455

Contact magazine | June 2019 | Page No 23

Map Of McLeod Ganj

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Lha Headquarters State Bank of India & ATM Smile Dental Clinice & Implant Center 04. Common Ground Cafe 05. Woeser Bakery 06. Nature Cure Health Club 07. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 08. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 09. Ahimsa House & Lha Soup Kitchen 01.

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Chonor House Tibetan Musuem and Temple Delek Hospital Central Tibetan Administration Tibetan Library Mentsekhang (Tibetan Medical Institute) 16. Gangkyi Taxi Stand 17. Rogpa Baby Center 10.

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Lha Traveller Services and VolunteerOpportunities Long or short-term, skilled or unskilled volunteers needed at Lha • Teachers: English conversation, English, French and Chinese language classes • Computer classes: IT and web designers • Environmental professionals • Medical and healthcare professionals • Fundraisers and grant writers • Project professionals; chefs and cooks • Writers....And much more!

Share your knowledge and skills with the local Tibetan, Indian, and Himalayan communities whilst gaining hands-on experience working with a social services charity Tibetan Homestay Lha arranges home-stays with refugee families giving visitors the chance to experience the Tibetan life style and a chance to connect and learn about each others’ cultures. Homestays include accommodation, breakfast, and dinner.

Reception and Orientation Service Our services help smooth your arrival in Delhi - avoid the scams at Delhi Airport! - and your onward travel to Dharamshala. On arrival here we will orientate you into the Tibetan community.

Highly recommended for people who want a stress-free arrival, especially if you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, you can buy online in advance of your travel to India.

To find out more please visit www.lhasocialwork.org Lha office, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P. (Mon-Sat: 9am-1pm and 2-5pm) office@lhasocialwork.org +91 (0) 1892-220992 www.tibetnature.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com www.tibetfairtrade.com www.tibetnature.net

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན། Contact Newsletter

Managing Director Dorji Kyi Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Tenzin Samten Circulation Manager Tsering Wangdue Designed by Karma Ringzin Topgyal Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web:www.lhasocialwork.org

www.contactmagazine.net Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:

editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com