Fr
ee
འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།
Contact
A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XIX Issue:5 JUNE 30, 2017
His Holiness Visits America
Happy Birthday Your Holiness!
China’s New Campaign in Tibet
China Deploys New Tank in Tibet
by Zoe Jackson and Tenzin Samten His Holiness the Dalai Lama travelled to the United States on June 13 for his annual medical checkup at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was greeted by a crowd of two hundred Tibetans, North American Tibetan Representative Penpa Tsering and the members of Mayo Clinic reception staff. Following his checkup he was Continued on page 3
by Tenzin Samten China has deployed a new way of concealing their suppression of human rights in Tibet. They also aim to increase loyalty to the Party through their new campaign Four Emphases and Four Loves, according to a report on the Human Rights Watch (HRW) website. Sophie Richardson, the China Director of HRW, says Continued on page 5
W www.contactmagazine.net
Contact team sends birthday greetings to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on his 82nd Birthday. May you conintue to be the beacon of hope and positivity in this world. May your teachings on compassion, love, humanity and warm-heartedness continue to inspire millions and bring changes to all sentient beings. Happy Birthay Your Holiness!
by Ben Byrne China has deployed unspecified numbers of its latest tank, the Xinqingtan, in an area of Tibet near the Indian border. The move continues a large-scale buildup of Chinese military material along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)* with India in recent years. Chinese state media praised the Xinqingtan as being Continued on page 4
Contact News
Contact News
ABOUT LHA & CONTACT Contact, a free monthly magazine published by Lha Charitable Trust, is a recognised and registered publication under the Registrar Office of the Newspaper, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. The registration number is HPENG/2013/51798. Acknowledged by Lonely Planet and other international travel resources, Contact has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamshala community, for over 18 years. 700 - 1,000 copies are printed per issue and distributed in the Dharamshala area, Delhi, and various diplomatic missions of India. Copies are also sent to various Tibetan schools, settlements, offices and NGOs in India and abroad. 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 Social Work. All comments on this issue should be submitted by email to: editor@contactmagazine.net
Lha Charitable Trust
Institute for Social Work & Education Mission Statement:
Lha is a resource of education and knowledge that provides meaningful, multi-levelled social and educational services for the benefit of others.
Background:
Lha is a Tibetan grassroots nonprofit organisation 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 English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programmes, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community 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. On a daily basis, Lha serves over 250 people, hosts between 15 and 25 volunteers and provides up to 20 different services, including on average 50 nutritious meals per day for financially disadvantaged people. For more information about Lha, please visit: www.lhasocialwork.org Facebook: Lhasocialwork Twitter: Lhasocialwork
Lha Traveller Services and Volunteer Opportunities
Long or short-term, skilled or unskilled volunteers needed at Lha
• English conversation (Mon-Fri, 4-5pm) • English, French and Chinese teachers • Computer teachers • Web designers and IT professionals • Contributing writers • Environmental professionals • Medical and healthcare professionals • Fundraisers and grant writers • Project professionals • Chefs and cooks • 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 work organisation. TIBETAN HOME-STAY 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.
*All donations and fees from Lha classes and services directly benefit Lha community social work projects. Contact
RECEPTION & ORIENTATION Our services help smooth your arrival in Delhi and your onward travel to Dharamshala. We also orientate you to the Tibetan community here. Avoid the scams at Delhi Airport! Highly recommended for people who want a stress-free arrival, especially if you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, and can be purchased online in advance of your travel to India. TIBETAN COOKING CLASS Individuals and small groups can learn to prepare a variety of traditional and modern vegetarian Tibetan foods including momos, thukpa and Tibetan bread, with a qualified teacher. For information on cost, times and/or registration, please visit: Lha office, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj-176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P. (Mon-Sat: 9am-1pm & 2-5pm) office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 1892-220992 Websites associated with Lha: www.lhasocialwork.org www.samdhongrinpoche.com www.tibetfairtrade.com www.tibetnature.net 2
Acknowledgement
This issue of Contact is sponsored by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). TFD’s kind contribution has made this publication possible. We thank TFD for supporting the publication of Contact.
Can you Donate to Lha? Lha collects all kinds of donations in the form of clothing, shoes, books, and language resources, computer and medical supplies, as well as any other useful items. Monetary donations are extremely helpful and are greatly appreciated, large or small. Please contact the office: office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992 JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
Continued from page 1
His Holiness Visits America
pronounced fit and well. He then began a tour in America, starting with his address at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) as the commencement speaker for the UCSD class of 2017. His speech Embracing the Beauty of Diversity in our World addressed the globalisation of kindness. The university invited members of the local community to attend and share in His Holiness’s “message of nonviolence, interreligious understanding and inclusiveness” and the keynote address was attended by an estimated 25,000 people. His Holiness was greeted at the airport by the Mayor of San Diego Kevin Faulconer and his wife and welcomed by UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla and journalist Ann Curry, and later given a key to the city of San Diego. His Holiness went on to speak about diversity and compassion stating, “If we understand that we are all the same, there are no barriers between us. So, I deliberately try to promote compassion on the basis of the oneness of humanity...In human history different communities came about in different places, in different environments, at different times. Different languages and modes of writing arose. The result of this natural diversity is that humanity is like a garden filled not with a single bloom, but with an array of different kinds of flowers.” A handful of Chinese students walked out of the event in protest against the presence of His Holiness. In the lead up to the event, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (an association funded and supported by the Chinese Consulate) complained about the invitation to the Dalai Lama to give the keynote speech, holding a demonstration a week before the event to show their opposition to Tibet’s spiritual leader. In his speech, His Holiness addressed the fact that his views are not shared by the entire student body of the Contact
university, and encouraged them to practice compassion as a value of humanity, rather than religion. He acknowledged that students of Chinese descent make up 14% of UCSD’s student population. His Holiness then retired to a luncheon with the leadership of UCSD where he was introduced by his longtime friend Richard Blum and gave a short address. On June 23, His Holiness was welcomed at Starkey Campus in Minneapolis to take part in a discussion on compassion in front of an audience
of about 250 politicians, businessmen and women and employees of Starkey Hearing Technologies. On defining compassion, His Holiness said, “Compassion is concern for others—sincere concern for others’ well-being founded on awareness of our own experience...” His Holiness also added that compassion enhances our selfconfidence, allowing human intelligence to function properly. “My friend, psychiatrist and cognitive therapist, Aaron Beck, who has worked with people troubled by anger, told me that when we’re angry we see the person we’re angry with in a totally negative light. However, 90% of this is just mental projection. On the other hand, compassion, as I’ve said, enables us to see things in an unbiased and realistic way,” added His Holiness. The following day, His Holiness met members of the Tibetan community in Minneapolis, as well as the mayors and other government representatives. Betsy Hodges, the Mayor of Minneapolis, welcomed His Holiness to their state and proclaimed June 24 as the “His Holiness the Dalai Lama day of Peace and Compassion.” 3
To the Tibetan audiences, His Holiness spoke on the history of Tibetan Buddhism and how Tibetans have preserved it through rigorous studies. He stressed the importance of preserving Tibetan Buddhism in the Tibetan exile community. He continued by saying that all the world’s religious traditions teach a common message of love and compassion, through different philosophical positions. His Holiness ended his meeting with his fellow Tibetans by saying, “We are not saying that Tibet was not a free country in the past. What we are saying is that we are not seeking independence at this time. We are taking a middle way approach. Many Chinese who I meet are apprehensive to begin with but relax when they understand that what we seek is genuine autonomy. Our middle way approach is approved and supported by many governments around the world including that of the USA”. On June 25, His Holiness arrived in Boston in Massachusetts where he was welcomed by a crowd of over 2,000 Tibetans. He expressed his view that Tibetans have been in exile for 58 years, and Tibetans all over the world are keeping the spirit of Tibet alive. He said, “Those who live in free countries outside Tibet have a responsibility to keep up our spirits to encourage our brothers and sisters in Tibet who remain impressively determined.” His Holiness concluded by saying, “If something is worth doing, then do it. If, in fact, you fail, there’ll be no cause for regret. You can try again. To die without even having tried will be to die disappointed. We all have opportunities to contribute to making a better world; we must seize them with far-sighted vision. I’m encouraged that so many people are becoming interested in the well-being of humanity. This is surely a sign of hope.” His Holiness has returned to India, arriving in Leh in Ladakh on June 28 for his next set of teachings and will be celebrating his 82nd birthday there. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES China Deploys New Tank in Tibet Continued from page 1
far more advanced than the Russian made T-90S deployed by India. In reality, however, the T-90S is a much bigger main battle tank that boasts a 125mm smoothbore gun that far outranges the 105mm gun on the Xinqingtan. The T-90S also has armour that is thicker and superior. The benefits of the Xinqingtan are in its light weight and its powerful diesel engine, both factors that make it ideally suited for fighting in oxygen-deficit, high altitude environments typical of the areas along the LAC.* China’s increased military presence in Tibet makes sense from different perspectives. Tibet is known as “Xizang” in Mandarin. Xizang means “western storehouse” or “western treasure house.” Tibet’s Yulong copper mine is the biggest copper deposit in China. Virtually all electrical wiring, save for overhead power lines, are formed with copper. Electrical applications, including computer technology, television, mobile telephones and portable electronic devices are major consumers of copper. In addition, Tibet is home to vast quantities of iron, zinc, lead and cadmium and geologists suggest that the area has enormous untapped reserves of crude oil and natural gas. Tibet has also been called “Asia’s Water Tower” because its glaciers feed many of Asia’s great rivers, including the Yangtze, the Brahmaputra and the Mekong. Jean-Louis Chaussade, the chief executive of French utility Suez, told the Financial Times in March that water would soon be a more valuable commodity than oil and that by 2035 some 40% of the worlds population would live in areas facing water scarcity. With water shortage set to become a global problem in the coming decades control of Tibet’s huge natural supply is of great strategic importance. Contact
The water and mineral reserves of the Tibetan plateau make China’s military presence there the equivalent of a dragon lying on top of its treasure hoard. But even without its wealth of resources Tibet would still have great value to China from an economic and military perspective. From a strategic defence planning perspective Tibet provides a massive
buffer for the Chinese against India. Control of Tibet brings Chinese military forces within 500 kilometres of key Indian industrial and population centres. In contrast China’s industrial east coast is 3,000 kilometres from anywhere in India. Chinese offensive weapons and missiles could therefore hit their potential targets in India much faster than India could strike at anything on China’s eastern seaboard. Due to this proximity the Chinese could also hit India with much smaller and cheaper missiles than the Indians would require to hit Beijing or Shanghai. The Tibetan plateau also provides the obvious military benefit of being the high ground, a massive advantage in conventional warfare. Historian Tsering Shakya has written that the acquisition of Tibet was “vital to Chinese strategic calculations for the simple reason that the Himalayas presented by far the best vantage point for China’s offensive or defensive needs.” From an economic perspective, 4
Tibet is due to play a large part in Xi Jinping’s signature One Belt, One Road initiative. Tibet has borders with India, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan and is therefore a potentially vital economic thoroughfare. By integrating Tibet into this project the Chinese government aims to bring some prosperity to the area and more importantly, the corollary of prosperity, stability. The Chinese government will be hoping that an increased military presence in the area will suppress any protests against the development projects associated with the One Belt, One Road. Finally, in reference to the deployment of the Xinqintan, China is the third largest arms exporter in the world, behind the United States and Russia. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar are the main recipients of Chinese military exports. Retired colonel Yue Gang said, “Chinese weapons are wellknown for their excellent quality and low price.” Given this push to sell arms abroad the Chinese will be aware that if they do not deploy their new weaponry on their own borders then potential customers would look askance at their unwillingness to use their own military products. *Line of Actual Control (LAC): The border between India and Tibet has been a source of diplomatic tension between China and India for over a century. In 1914 the British signed the Simla accords with the Tibetans, creating the McMahon Line as the boundary between India and Tibet which has become the de facto border, referred to as the Line of Actual Control. The accords were rejected by the Chinese government at the time but today this line still acts as the border between Tibet and India. The current Chinese administration considers the McMahon Line to be an illegal incursion into Chinese territory. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Continued from page 1
China’s New Campaign in Tibet
in the report, “Tibet, a region known for systemic, state-sponsored human rights violations, is now awash with posters celebrating the Four Emphases and Four Loves. The campaign requires people to “Love the core by emphasising the Party’s kindness/ Love the motherland by emphasising unity/Love your home by emphasising what you can contribute/Love your life by emphasising knowledge.” The HRW report explains the meaning of the new campaign which tells people not to criticise policies or officials but to show loyalty and gratitude to the core – the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its leader Xi Jinping. It says the way to love the motherland is to oppose anything that threatens unity and this includes seeking independence and greater autonomy. HRW suggests that to be a good citizen of the
country, one should focus on what you can contribute – but what can be contributed or what cannot is up to the Party. Photos of children in primary schools in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, show children speaking their “hearts to Grandpa Xi [the Chinese President]” and one photo was captioned: “The words of the heart spelled out in…small notes.” These campaign materials are published on both the Tibetan and English site of Vtibet.com – a Chinese, Tibetan and English news site. In another report published on Vtibet.com on June 9, a photo shows a staff member of the People’s Procuratorate of Gyatsa County teaching the main ideas of Four Emphases and Four loves to locals in Gyurdoy village in Gyatsa town in Lhoka city. Gyatsa County is in the south of Tibet, located around 600
kilometres from Lhasa. The report states that the Peoples’ Procuratorate of Gyatsa County are doing door to door visits in Tibetan villages to push the main ideas of the campaign. Alongside this campaign, the CCP remains suspicious of Tibetans’ loyalties, as evident from ever increasing security surveillance and methodical insertion of state control into all aspects of religious practices in Tibet. “Tibetans – and many others across China – have virtually no ability to help develop, change, or object to the policies that profoundly affect their lives,” said Sophie Richardson, and added, “Propaganda – no matter how treacly, and no matter how many pink hearts deployed – is unlikely to generate the kind of loyalty or respect Chinese authorities seem to want from Tibetans. Respect for Tibetans’ human rights, on the other hand, might go a long way towards that goal.”
World’s Top Religious Leaders Issue Joint Appeal
by Charlotte Wigram-Evans Twenty-two of the world’s most prominent religious leaders came together on June 14 to make a plea to all of humanity. The message was simple — make friends with people of other faiths. From His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Pope Francis, to senior Shia Muslim cleric Ayatollah Sayyid Fadhel Al-Milani, the video recording shows a huge range of faiths from across the globe, refuting the common perception that religion divides rather than unites. In his speech, His Holiness the Dalai Lama emphasised the importance of personal relationships in developing one’s understanding of the world. He said: “Personal contact, personal friendship, then we can exchange a deeper level of experience.” He was joined by another Tibetan Buddhist, Ven Khandro Rinpoche, a female lama, chosen in her home in Contact
Kalimpong, India, at the age of two as the reincarnation of one of the bestknown female masters of the age. She said simply: “It’s time to speak less, listen more.” Elsewhere in India, Mata Amritanandamayi, a Hindu spiritual leader and guru who was born in Kerala and is revered as a saint by her followers, also spoke. In a moving statement she prayed that universal friendship becomes a reality. Pope Francis in turn spoke of his longstanding friendship with prominent Argentinian Rabbi Abraham Skorka who also appeared in the video, stating: “My religious life became richer with his explanations, so much richer, and I guess the same happened for him.” The calls come as part of a global campaign, organised by the Elijah Interfaith Institute based in Israel and the United States. The organisation’s mission is to counter the view that different religions should be distrusted or looked down upon. This notion goes way back, often 5
to religious scripts themselves, and is an issue that was addressed by Rabbi Dr Alon Goshen-Gottstein, the Elijah Interfaith Institute’s director:“We cannot deny that in the books of many religions you can find texts that are not very open, even hostile, to people of other faiths,” he said in a statement.
“Therefore, when the world’s most important leaders call for friendship, they are in fact affirming a particular way of practicing religion and rejecting another”. Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity were represented in the call to action; powerful religions that underpin many societies across the globe. The hope now is that people around the world will listen and act on this message of friendship. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
Three-day Teaching for Young Tibetans
by Tenzin Samten His Holiness the Dalai Lama successfully concluded a three-day introductory teaching on Buddhism for young Tibetans, with the message that the responsibility to preserve Tibetan Buddhism falls on today’s youth. From June 5 to 7, young Tibetans from across the world, together with thousands of devotees, gathered at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharmshala, to receive the special teaching from their 81 year old spiritual leader. Over 700 college students from Dharamshala, Delhi, Bangaluru and Chennai, along with 1,500 school students, members of the Dharamshala Introduction to Buddhism Association and a group of 60 monks from Thailand, attended the teaching. Following the final day’s teaching the monks from Thailand headed off on a peace march to Manali and then on to Leh in Ladakh in north India. On the first day of the teaching, His Holiness spoke on the importance of developing a calm and disciplined mind. “It’s very important to know how the mind works. Peace of mind is not something that can be directed from outside. It needs to be approached from within…” said His Holiness. He continued by saying that religious people pray for peace, but prayer alone is not enough and to bring peace in the world people need to cultivate peace of mind.
by Tenzin Samten The 15th Miss Tibet Pageant for exiled Tibetans wrapped up on June 4 - a three-day annual event in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala. The contest saw a record nine participants this year from India, the United States and Europe – unlike some previous years when there had been a single contestant. Tenzin Paldon, 21, was crowned Miss Tibet 2017 with a prize of Rs 1 Lakh[$ 1,550/ £1,200] at the grand finale which was attended by over 3,000 people. She also bagged the title of Miss Photogenic which is Contact
His Holiness also spoke about the origin of Buddhism in Tibet – referring to how Tibet’s Emperor Trisong Detsen invited the great master Shantarakshita from India to the Land of Snow [Tibet], where he established the Nalanda tradition. Tibetans have worked hard down the centuries, through rigorous study, to keep this tradition alive. He urged young people to continue to keep this tradition alive because understanding of the mind is
Students engaging in Buddhist philosophical debate Photo : OHHDL
an integral part of Tibetan Buddhism and can be of crucial benefit to future generations. The first day’s teaching ended with questions for His Holiness from the assembled people. When asked how His Holiness remains happy every day, he replied that he regards all seven billion human beings as brothers and sisters, a reflection he finds helpful and powerful. He also added that taking a more holistic view and cultivating warm heartedness are a sound source of happiness. On the second day, His Holiness
Miss Tibet 2017
decided by online voting. Paldon has a degree in aviation management and is currently working as cabin crew for
Photo :misstibet.com
Spice Jet Airlines. She is from Kollegal Tibetan settlement in south India. The 6
referred to the recent attacks in Britain and other places and said, “In all of these crises human beings are involved. We need to remind ourselves that basic human nature is compassionate. We are open, friendly and cheerful as children, why do we become aggressive and violent when we grow up?” He emphasised the importance of spreading the idea of warm heartedness and love, and of limiting those actions that lack compassion. During the second day’s question and answer session, someone asked about dreams and His Holiness shared his experiences saying, “When I’m awake I don’t remember anything about past lives, but in my dreams I do. I have one memory of being a prisoner in ancient Egypt and being brought before the king in chains. He sat high on his throne and looked down at me commanding that I be released. I also have dreams of being with Indian and Tibetan masters from the past.” On the third day, His Holiness explained the texts of A Commentary on the Awakening Mind and Praise to the Seventeen Nalanda Masters. Throughout the three-day teaching, students engaged in Buddhist philosophical debate in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness’s teachings to introduce Buddhism to Tibetan young people dates from 2007: this is the 11th year.
runners up were Tenzin Khechoe, 22, a nursing student, and Tenzin Nordon, a second year history student. The contestants are judged in three rounds – swimming costume, talent and talk round, and the final traditional costume and interview round. Lobsang Wangyal, the director and founder of the pageant told Phayul news, “I feel Tibetan women are slowly opening up to the pace of things. They are now understanding that sitting behind is not helping anybody, least of all themselves.” He said this is his final year as Miss Tibet producer. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
UN Human Rights Council in Geneva Looks at the Issue of Tibet by Sarah Weber The United Nations Human Rights Council holds three regular sessions a year: a total of ten weeks. The most recent took place from June 6 – 23. In this assembly, which was held in Geneva, various countries including the United States, United Kingdom and Germany raised their concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in China, especially in Tibet and Xinjiang (the province formerly known as East Turkestan in northwestern China). In a special meeting, Human Rights Situation: Seeking Solution (Case of Palestine and Tibet), delegates from the United States expressed concern over the treatment of lawyers and activists who have been detained, tortured and forced to confess to political charges on state media. The German
delegation urged China to release all detained human rights defenders and to allow the High Commissioner and Rapporteurs to visit Tibet. Various other human rights organisations, among them the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), urged “the Council to call on China to grant independent and impartial monitors unfettered access to Tibet, as agreed to by China following its 2013 Universal Periodic Review”. During the session, Kalsang Gyaltsen, a former representative for the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Europe, spoke of the Middle Way Approach, explaining that it is a viable solution to solve the issue with China. The approach demands autonomy for Tibetan people within the framework of the constitution of the People’s Republic of China
and is not a call for independence. China refuses to accept either the Middle Way Approach or a dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representatives or the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Ultimately Greece, a significant recipient of Chinese investment, blocked an EU statement intended to criticise China’s human rights record. This is the first time in a decade that the European Union is divided on human rights opinions and has failed to raise a collective voice in a UN Human Rights Council meeting. It appears that the EU continues to be divided along economic interests. During the session hundreds of Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered in front of the UN office in Geneva, calling for the end of human rights violations in Tibet.
Tibet Solidarity Rally in Geneva
by Natasha Hanson A rally to show solidarity with people suffering under the human rights situation in Tibet was held in Geneva, Switzerland on June 9. More than 1,000 supporters and speakers were united there, including those from Tibet and six European countries – Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. The Grand Tibet Solidarity rally was held to bring awareness to the international community and to urge the United Nations Human Rights Council – currently in session in Geneva – to act on the issues surrounding Tibet. The event was timed to coincide with the 35th UN Human Rights Council session and, as stated in a report by the Office of Tibet in Geneva, to support the announcement of 2017 as the Year of Campaign by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile based in Dharamshala. This campaign aims to galvanise the global Tibetan movement to resolve the Tibet issue. The rally was organised by the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the Swiss Tibetan Contact
Friendship Association (GSTF) and the International Campaign for Tibet. In a message of solidarity, members of these groups addressed the UN member states regarding the worsening human rights situation in Tibet. They highlighted the recent incidences of self-immolations in Tibet this year. The organisations’ solidarity with Tibet was further demonstrated
Photo : tibet.net
through a joint memorandum to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. In it they called for an end to human rights violations in Tibet, the release of the Panchen Lama in addition to all political prisoners, and for the Human Rights High Commissioner’s access into Tibet. As the universal periodic review 7
of the People’s Republic of China, which comes under the UN Human Rights Council, approaches next year, member states were also directed by participating groups to hold China accountable for human rights violations. Supporters also expressed their unity with Tibet through displays. “On posters and placards, rally participants called for the release of the Panchen Lama and Tibetan language advocate Tashi Wangchuk,” stated a representative from the Office of Tibet in Geneva. The rally began at Palais Wilson and ended in front of the Palais des Nations, the seat of the United Nations. It finished at 3pm and was followed by a prayers to mark Saka dawa*, led by the abbot of Rikon Monastery in Switzerland. *Saka dawa: Saka dawa falls on the fourth month of Tibetan Lunar calendar which is also known as the most sacred month for Tibetan Buddhists as this month celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
Birthday Wishes and a Tour of Canada
by Mary Trewartha His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been on an extended visit to Canada throughout June, where he has been engaged on a series of teachings and visits to monasteries and Tibetan institutions. He celebrated his 31st birthday on June 26, sending this message of thanks: “I would like to thank personally all those who took an interest in and celebrated my birthday both inside
and outside of Tibet in wonderfully different ways. So many have placed their faith in me and I thank you for this. I do whatever I can to fulfil the hopes you have placed in me. “Now 17 years have passed since I separated from my parents and came to India. I have not seen them since I left Tibet.” The Karmapa said how sad he is to be separated from his parents and family and how much he hopes to be able to return to Tibet in the near future. His message continued, “I have been blessed with the name of Karmapa, and so there is a multitude of related activity to be carried out. Yet I am also a human being for whom accomplishing the wishes of his elderly parents is very important. I hope, therefore, that within the next two or three years, I can go to the Land of Snows and meet my parents in our homeland. I will try my best for this to happen. “I always remember the Tibetans in Tibet, both my family and all the Tibetan people. And so I hope and aspire that we can meet soon and Contact
spend time together. On this birthday I make the aspiration that everyone enjoy perfect happiness and that everything be auspicious for them in all ways”. This is the Karmapa’s first visit to Canada and his programme has included visits to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. He is following in the footsteps of his predecessor the 16th Karmapa, who travelled extensively throughout the country and was instrumental in introducing Canadians to Buddhism in the 1970s. His Holiness was welcomed by Canadian parliamentarians David Sweet and James Maloney. During their speeches at the House of
took part in a dialogue with Canadian anthropologist Wade Davis at the University of British Columbia’s Chan Centre where he was greeted with a traditional First Nations welcome with Coast Salish traditional dances and a speech byMusqueam Grand Chief Ed John. “I want to put a blanket around you and stand you up with honour and to respect the dignity that you bring to all of us,” said Chief John, wrapping a Musqueam woven blanket around his Holiness,“You bring universal truths to all of us”. The final stop on the Karmapa’s Canada tour was in VancouverRichmond, at Thrangu Monastery, the country’s first traditional Tibetan monastery, where he was welcomed
Canadian lawmakers welcome Karmapa on his maiden visit to Canada Photo :kagyuoffice.org
Commons they urged the world and the Canadian government to stand up against China, saying that the Karmapa’s visit should “Remind us of the dire human rights situation in the so-called autonomous region of Tibet”. Member of Parliament David Sweet said in his address to the House,“This liberal government needs to stand up to the People’s Republic of China and advocate for a truly autonomous region for Tibetans, so they may enjoy the freedoms you and I do”. While in Vancouver, the Karmapa 8
by Canadian monastics from Kagyu centres across Canada and sponsors of Thrangu Monastery, as well as representatives from Tibetan Associations from British Columbia, Seattle and Portland, local government officials and many devoted students. Ogden TrinleyDorji is the head of the 900 year old Karma Kagyu Lineage and guide to millions of Buddhists around the world.Currently he resides in his temporary home at Gyuto Monastery in Dharamshala, India after escaping from Tibet in the year 2000. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES A Push for Canada to Endorse Tibetan Autonomy
by Sarah Parsons West Canadian Parliamentarian (MP) Garnett Genuis has expressed his personal concern for oppressed Tibetans. Speaking in the House of Commons on June 12, he implored the Canadian government to further their political support. This comes less than two weeks after the U n i t e d States announced they would cut future aid for the Tibetan cause. MP Genuis spoke on the social and religious repression of Tibet, highlighting the violations of human rights in China through the demolition at Larung Gar Monastery, which is being radically reduced despite international opposition. He called for the Canadian government to not
only support continued Sino-Tibetan dialogue, but to firmly endorse the Tibetan Government-in-Exile’s Middle Way Approach which would provide genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the Chinese constitution. Serving as the vice chair of the Canada-Tibet Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, MP Genuis visited the Tibetan exile headquarters in Dharamshala, meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this year. His proposed plan for support of the Tibetan struggle calls for a concrete motion, one similar to that passed by the European parliament - specifically condemning the demolition at Larung Gar. MP Genuis has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make a distinct statement on the violation of human rights, citing the Freedom House 2016 report, which ranked Tibet second only to Syria as the worst place
in the world for civil and political rights. He also mentioned Amnesty International’s report on the increased restrictions imposed on Tibetan monastic institutes by the Chinese government. The appeal for Canadian support echoes that of the President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (Sikyong) Dr Lobsang Sangay, who called for such support during a visit to the country in November last year. At that time, the Sikyong stated, “The US government has come out in support of the Middle Way Approach. It would be nice and very much appreciated if the Canadian government also supported the approach as well.” With the recent disappointment of future American aid being halted, the Tibetan exile community is hopeful that the Canadian government will move beyond words, promoting real action for change.
Protests, Sentence and Release in Tibet This Month
Jun 24: Drowned in Protest Youdon, 45, a Tibetan woman living in Sichuan’s Palyul County, threw herself into a river and drowned last week in protest against China’s
demolition of Tibetan houses and a historic cemetery near her home, reports Radio Free Asia. Tibetans there claim that the authorities are demolishing the houses of ordinary people to make space for government projects. The locals also complain of nepotism by their County Chief. Jun 23: Protest in Lhasa A Tibetan man staged a solo protest in front of the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, around 10 am, reports Voice of Tibet. The Contact
unidentified man called out for freedom in Tibet before slitting his own throat. Chinese police arrived immediately and covered the area with blue sheets. A source in the area said later that there was no sign of the incident and everything looked normal.
trial had their phones confiscated to prevent them from sharing pictures. While in detention Drakpa and Sherab have not had access to lawyers or been allowed visits from their family.
Jun 22: Monks Sentenced Gendun Drakpa, 40, and Lobsang Sherab, 36, both monks from Sichuan who have been missing
Jun 16: Boy Released A young Tibetan man who was detained over two weeks ago for being in possession of a photo of HH the Dalai Lama on his phone, has been released. He lives in Golug.
since being detained last year, have been sentenced. News has just emerged that they were put on trial around June 17 and Drakpa was sentenced to five years and Sherab four, for “engaging in separatist activities”. Tibetans attending the
Speaking to Radio Free Asia by phone, he said, “I cannot accept that possession of His Holiness’s picture should be considered illegal.” He said he was interrogated in prison but not physically harmed.
9
JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Begins
by Ben Byrne The first Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims of the year have crossed from India into Tibet through the 16,500-foot high Lipulekh pass in Uttarkhand. Pilgrimages will take place between June and September during which time 1,430 devotees are expected to visit one of the holiest sites in the Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Bon religions. Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims will circumambulate the 22,000-foot high Mount Kailash in a clockwise direction; Bon and Jain pilgrims will proceed anticlockwise. The distance around the mountain is 52 kilometres. The high altitude and distance make the pilgrimage an extreme physical challenge. Some scholars consider Mount Kailash to be the site traditionally identified as Mount Yungdrung Gutzeg where Tonpa Shenrab, the founder of the Bon religion, was born. The Bon tradition speaks of a spiritual realm called Tagzig Olmo Lung Ring, a non-dualist realm that exists outside of time where peace and enjoyment are the materials that people are made of. A pyramidal mountain lies at the centre of Tagzig, ascending to the sky like a staircase from which four rivers flow into waterfalls, each one representing an archetype of the forms of thought: the snow lion, the horse, the rooster and the elephant. Those four rivers are today known as the Indus, the Brahmaputra, the Sutlej and the Karnali (a tributary of the Ganges). According to legends Kailash was the location of an epic showdown between the Buddhist sage Milarepa and the Bon shaman Naro Bon Chung. Bon Chung found Milarepa meditating on the shores of Lake Mansarovar and challenged him, demanding that he follow the Bon teachings if he wished to stay at the site of the Holy Mountain. A contest Contact
to see whose miraculous powers were greater then followed. Bon Chung straddled the entire lake with one leg on each shore in an impressive opening move, but Milarepa trumped him by picking up the entire lake and placing it on the tip of his finger. In the deciding challenge, Milarepa and Bon Chung raced each other to the summit of the mountain. Bon Chung set off quickly on his shamanistic drum - a popular form of transport for demigods in those times. As Bon Chung
flew towards the summit, Milarepa slept before being woken by his alarmed disciples. Milarepa assured his followers that there was no need to worry before casting a spell on Bon Chung, halting his progress. Milarepa then snapped his fingers and reached the summit in an instant. Milarepa’s
victory had the effect of displacing Bon and establishing Buddhism as the primary religion in Tibet. Tibetan Buddhists know Kailash as “Kang Rinpoche” and consider it to be the abode of a tantric deity called Demchog and his companion Dorje Phamo. Demchog is an exotic 10
colourful and energetic character. He is depicted as having four three-eyed faces of different colour, twelve arms and hands carrying significant objects, and he wears a crown of human skulls and a tiger skin cloth around his waist. Dorje Phamo is usually straddling Demchog in the yab-yum position in thangkas – representing the two. Hindus consider Kailash to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Shiva wears the bones of the dead as a decoration and smears himself in ash, signifying the burning of the lower desires. He has cut asunder the bonds of ego and liberated his inner essence from the darkness of ignorance. Atop Kailash, Shiva sits in meditation alongside his consort Parvati. They practise asanas together, make love and smoke a lot of chillum. A character of great contradictions, Shiva is at once the Lord of Yoga and the ultimate ascetic, yet he is also considered the divine master of Tantra, the esoteric science that regards sexual union as the perfect path to enlightenment. Hindus make the pilgrimage to Kailash to have the darshan (divine view) of Shiva’s residence and to be released from the clutches of delusion. In Jainism Kailash is known as Ashtapada. It is thought to be the place where the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishbahdeva, attained Nirvana. Upon his death on Kailash, Rishbahdeva’s karma was destroyed and he was liberated from the cycle of death and rebirth. Jains are renowned for being strict ascetics who strongly renounce the material world. The Jain doctrine of Anekantavada states that truth and reality are complex and always have multiple aspects. In the Jain tradition questions should not be answered with a “yes” or a “no” but simply with the word “possibly” because reality cannot be fully expressed by language. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Tibetan Headlines
Jun 29: Kalachakra Initiatives The accounts have been finalised for the Kalachakra held in Bodh Gaya in January this year, and as promised, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is allocating the money raised to welfare initiatives in the Tibetan exile community. Recipients will include education, health, support for the elderly, the Himalayan Festival, addressing drug addiction and a grant towards Mani chanting practices in small communities in northern India.
Jun 23: Tibetan Activist Migmar, also known as Tsedor Sherab, 30, and a well-known activist in the Tibetan exile community, has died following a cardiac arrest. He was cremated in Dharamshala. Migmar attempted self-immolation outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi six years ago in protest against the illegal occupation of Tibet by China. Members of various Tibet non-government organisations, supporters and friends paid their last respects at his funeral.
Jun 28: Drug Abuse Awareness A marathon was held in Dharamshala to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2017, organised by the Tibetan Governmentin-Exile’s Department of Health. The marathon aimed to raise awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse and was organised in collaboration with the local settlement office in Mcleod Ganj and Kunphen, a non-government organisation focusing on substance abuse and based in Mcleod Ganj.
Jun 23: 7,000 Homes Demolished 7,000 dwellings have been demolished at Larung Gar Buddhist academy since 2001 in the Chinese government’s drive to reduce the number of residents there. A senior abbot has confirmed that over 4,800 nuns and monks have been expelled since 2016. The authorities say the project is targeting 4,320 dwellings for demolition, but give no explanation why more houses are now said to have been destroyed.
Jun 27: Victims Day International Day for the Victims of Torture was observed by the GuChu-Sum Movement of Tibet, a nongovernment organisation representing former Tibetan political prisoners, with an art competition, Remembering Tibetan Heroes, for students at Tibetan Children’s Village day school at Mcleod Ganj. The students met a former political prisoner to discuss the issues and saw a film as part of the day’s activities.
Jun 22: Appeal from Congressmen Thirty-seven members of the United States Congress have issued a written appeal to President Trump urging him to appoint a Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the US Department of State, stressing the need to preserve Tibet’s religious, cultural and linguistic traditions in the face of the suppression of basic human rights in Tibet. The signed letter was posted on the Office of Tibet, Washington’s Facebook page.
Jun 27: Visit to Tibet A group of European Union Ambassadors are on an official visit to Tibet at the invitation of the Tibet Autonomous Region authorities. They are visiting Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and the city of Nyingchi in the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The group will discuss education, health and agriculture as well as meeting the Development and Reform Commission and the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission. Contact
Jun 22: Flood in Tibet Flooding has caused serious damage in Village No 5 in the Gyalchen township in Sog in the Nagchu prefecture, leaving four families homeless and many others with major damage to their property. Local monks provided help on the scene. It is believed locally that the flood was caused by accelerated glacier melt – the result of global warming; other areas in Tibet are experiencing similar problems. 11
Jun 16: Nomads to Return Some Tibetan nomads are being told to go home to their traditional grazing lands. They were forced to leave in a state-directed resettlement scheme, but the alternative housing provided for them is now wanted for development as tourist centres and housing for government employees. The nomads’ livelihood depends on their herds of yaks, sheep and goats – which they had to reduce or sell when they left the land and no funding is available to replace them. Jun 12: Funding Secured HH the Dalai Lama, together with the state government of Karnataka in south India and the Indian government’s Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), have announced they are jointly funding Men Tseekhang’s new college and medicinal compound being built near the Dalai Lama Institute of Higher Studies in Bangalurru, Karnataka. Men Tseekhang is the Tibetan Medical and Astrology Institute based in Dharamshala. Jun 7: Film Premiered The Diary of a Tibetan Woman, a new documentary film about Lhamo Tso, wife of imprisoned Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, has been premiered in Tokyo, Japan. The film traces Lhamo Tso’s life as a refugee in Dharmshala and San Francisco. Students for a Free TibetJapan are campaigning for Dhondup Wangchen’s safe return to his family. He has been living in Tibet since his release from prison. Jun 3: Water Source Clash More than 40 Tibetans have been arrested in Qinghai province following a clash between villagers and police over water rights. Radio Free Asia reports that 20 Tibetans and ten police officers were injured. Tibetans from Shitsa village in the Bayen Hui Autonomous County confronted authorities over plans to divert a waterway supplying their village. The protest escalated and armed police with tear gas were deployed. JUNE 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
International Headlines
Jun 30: Hong Kong Protests Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Hong Kong to celebrate 20 years since Britain handed it over to China. Pro-democracy activists were arrested after staging a protest. Former Umbrella Movement leaders, Joshua Wong and Nathan Law were among the 26 people arrested. The activists called for the release of Nobel Peace Laureate Lui Xiaobo and for a “real fully fledged democracy” for Hong Kong. Jun 27: IS Frees Hostage Johan Gustafsson, 42, the Swede who has been held by al-Qaeda in Mali since 2011, has been freed. He is being flown back to Sweden from Africa. He was seized by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). One of the two other men captured with him was freed in 2017 in a dawn raid. Mr Gustafsson is said to be “in good spirits”. Jun 26: Nobel Laureate Released Liu Xiaobo, 61, the Chinese Nobel Laureate and human rights campaigner who has been in prison since 2009, has been released following a late-stage cancer diagnosis. Liu was jailed on a charge of subversion for calling for greater democracy in China. He was a key leader in the Tiananmen Square protest in 1989. He is being treated in hospital in Liaoning Province. Jun 22: Deadly Fire Deadly wildfires which have been raging through central Portugal since the weekend may have been started deliberately says a leading firefighter there, and not caused by a thunderstorm as originally thought. Sixty four people were killed and more than 200 injured. Many people died trying to escape on route N-236 which could have been sealed off. Jun 21: Camels Deported Saudi Arabia has said that all camels and sheep owned by Qataris must quit Saudi – many are kept over the border as there is insufficient pastureland in Qatar but Saudi is expelling them Contact
during the escalating row between Qatar and the other Gulf states over Qatar’s alleged support for Islamic extremism. Emergency makeshift shelter, water tanks and fodder has been set up for the animals in Qatar.
Jun 20: Measuring Everest Nepal has announced it will survey Mount Everest to ascertain whether its height was changed in the earthquake two years ago. Everest’s “official” measured height has varied between 8,840 and 8,848 metres (29,029 feet) since 1856 and Nepal’s Department of Survey says the mountain may also have shifted its geographic position. The survey will take two years and will also show the impact of climate change on the mountain. Jun 19: Around the World The Hokule’a, a traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe, has arrived back in Honolulu in Hawaii after sailing round the world – the first ever round the world trip by such a vessel. The trip took three years; the crew navigated using the same techniques that brought the first Polynesian settlers to Hawaii hundreds of years ago: the stars, wind and ocean swells. Jun 15: Wetland Threatened An extensive dam building programme in the Amazon basin could cause significant and irreversible damage according to a new report published in the journal Nature. The Amazon basin is the world’s largest and most complex river system, as well as being the most diverse wetland, covering over 6.1 million sq km; 428 hydroelectric dams are planned, with 140 already built or under construction. Jun 14: The Door is Open As the Brexit negotiations between Britain and the European Union commence, French President Emmanuel Macron has said the possibility of the UK remaining in the EU is an option until the negotiations have concluded. German Finance Minister Wolfgang 12
Schaeuble told Bloomberg Television, “If they [Britain] want to change their decision, of course they would find open doors”. Jun 7: Detained for Driving Loujain al-Hathloul, the Saudi human rights activist, has been arrested for the second time. She was detained for 73 days in 2014 for flouting the country’s ban on female drivers, but no reason for this second detention has been given and she has been denied access to a lawyer or her family. Amnesty International has called for her immediate release. Jun 5: Ramadam Banned The predominantly Muslim Uygur population of East Turkestan – Xinjiang – in northwestern China is being subjected to Chinese attempts to prevent fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadam. The World Uygur Congress notes that these restrictions do not seem to apply to the rest of China. There is speculation that the Chinese Communist Party fears infiltration by religious extremists and that Isis may be trying to recruit there. Jun 3: Army Recruits The Indian Army is recruiting for personnel to be specifically trained and equipped to fight the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force operating along the Line of Actual Control – the de facto border between Tibet and India, agreed in 1913 but never signed by China. The new 90,000-strong Infantry Division will be the first strike corps organised specifically to combat the Chinese. Jun 2: US Pulls Out United States president Donald Trump has announced that the US is withdrawing from the 2015 Paris climate agreement and that he will negotiate a new deal that would not disadvantage the US. His opponents say that withdrawing from the accord is an abdication of US leadership on a key global challenge. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed to Mr Trump without success. JUNE 2017
DHARAMSHALA VOICES
100,000 Prostrations That Change a Life
by Sarah Al-Bashtali Four years ago, Dolma became a nun. She did 100,000 prostrations in the temple, 100,000 mandala offerings and 100,000 prayers. Then she went to Tso Pema (Rewalsar) to ask her spiritual leader for permission to change her life. He agreed and gave her the red chupa, which she has
worn since that day. Her hair was cut and she offered all her jewelry to the temple of Guru Rinpoche. Like her father, she joined the Nyingma sect at the end of her life, trying to purify any negativities and practising dharma. Dolma reached McLeod Ganj at the age of eleven. Back in Tibet, her family were living as nomads in the Khampa region when one day the Chinese disturbed the silence. “I don`t know why, but suddenly these Chinese people came. They had guns, many Tibetans were killed and even more were separated from their families,” Dolma remembers. She fled with her parents and her younger brother over the Himalayas. Her mother died on the way at the Nepalese border. Dolma`s two elder brothers, already married at that time, were left behind – one got killed by
the Chinese, the other one still lives in Tibet. While her younger brother attended Tibetan Children’s Village School, Dolma started to knot carpets to feed herself and her father, who became a monk but continued to live with his daughter. At the age of eighteen, Dolma married a Tibetan man who, like her, had been born in the Khampa region. She gave birth to two children, a son and a daughter. “In those times, McLeod Ganj was such a lovely place,” Dolma says with regret in her voice. “Not so many taxis and tourists. Today it`s so busy!” When Dolma was 23, her father died, and two years later her husband also passed away, from cancer. Dolma herself worked hard making carpets until her health became poor. “In the place where all the women were making carpets, there was so much bad energy: gossip, jealousy and even fights. I felt as though I had collected too much non-virtue, so I finally decided to become a nun and practice dharma as well as I can.” With her bad knees, Dolma cannot live in a nunnery and fulfill all the duties a nun has there. So she rents a house near to the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives where she attends two Buddhist philosophy classes each day. Sometimes, her elder brother calls her from Tibet. He is now working for the Chinese government. “I am not happy about him working for the Chinese, but of course he has to survive. He has eight children to feed,” Dolma explains. Two years ago, he was able to send her 40,000 [£ 475 / $ 620] Rupees for her knee operation.
“I hope His Holiness the Dalai Lama is right when he says that Tibet will be free soon,” Dolma says, “although I am not sure what soon means in this context. But I feel old now, who knows if I will still be alive tomorrow? I try to make the best of it here.” The four steps of Tibetan Buddhist Prostration Photos from tibetdiscovery.com
Every month we feature somebody from the Tibetan community on our Dharamshala Voices page. You can read more Dharamshala Voices stories on the Contact website: http://www.contactmagazine.net/dharamasla-life/ The People stories on the Dharamshala Voices page online tell the stories of the people who make up the Tibetan exile community in Dharamshala and elsewhere, as well as the stories of Lha students and volunteers, told in their own words. Contact
13
JUNE 2017
LHA NEWS AND PROJECTS
Three Student Groups get Involved in the Tibetan Community
by Dorji Kyi Lha hosted three student groups this month as part of our Cultural Exchange Programme. Nine students from Tulane University in America stayed at Lha’s Ahimsa House for ten days, visiting different Tibetan institutes in Dharamshala to learn about Tibetan culture and our political situation. They were also paired with Lha students for a mutual learning experience and to share each other’s culture and language. The second group was from Tulane Medical School, also in America. We welcomed nine medical students and one of their faculty doctors. This group was also with us for
more than ten days, visiting Tibetan institutes including Men Tseekhang (the school of Tibetan medicine), the Library of Tibetan Work and Archive and Norbulingka (the cultural institute). This group of medical students supported the Lha Eye and
Dental Care Programme, helping us by checking the overall health of members of the Tibetan community here in Dharamshala, including eye and dental checks for 101 nuns and
monks from Shugsep nunnery and Bir Nyingma monastery respectively. Those who required glasses or dental treatment were taken to a clinic so that their conditions could be addressed. Many of them also went to a nearby hospital for treatment for other medical conditions. The third group was from Rustic Pathways. Fifteen students from there volunteered with us, helping Lha students improve their English through multiple group activities and one on one tutoring. This group was with us for three days. We thank all 33 students who visited us this month for being a part of our CEP and wish them every success with their studies and careers.
World Environment Day by Lobsang Tsering World Environment Day – which is observed on June 5 every year across the globe – is the largest annual event for positive environmental action. On that day, Lha Charitable Trust held a Mass Cleanup, which includes an awareness programme with talks and distribution of pamphlets in three different languages – Tibetan, English and Hindi, as well as a cleanup by volunteers of the areas surrounding the
start of the Kora in McLeod Ganj. This year’s world environment day coincided with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Annual Teachings for young Tibetans at Tsuglakhang, the main Temple. Lha held an essay contest on the day, in both English and Tibetan,with the theme Connecting People to Nature. The prizes were Rs1000, Rs.700 and Rs 500 for first, second; and third prize respectively. There were six winners,
three in Tibetan and three in English. English prize winners were Lobsang Chosdon, first; Dorjee Zangpo, second and Karma Yeshi, third. Tibetan prizewinners were Ngawang Dhondup, first; Sa-Lam, second and Sherab Phuntsok, third. A mass cleanup takes place every third Saturday under Lha’s Environment Protection and Awareness Project – all volunteers are welcome to take part.
Lha’s Monthly Cleanup by Kaur Praneet Lha’s monthly mass cleanup was held this month on June 17. Lha staff, students and volunteers from different countries gathered in the main square in McLeod Ganj to start the day. The event began with a public announcement by Lha’s Lobsang Tsering who encouraged everyone to participate and spoke of the importance of the environment, saying that it is everyone’s responsibility to look after it and not that of the government alone. Gloves and garbage bags were distributed amongst the volunteers who set off along Temple Road and carried on down the road to the start of the Kora circumambulation path Contact
around His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s residence and temple. Along the way, Losang Tsering spoke to shopkeepers, encouraging them to not dispose of garbage on the roadside. Brochures in English, Tibetan and Hindi were distributed to shopkeepers and the public explaining the little steps everyone can take to conserve the environment. The garbage collected from along the road and the nearby hillside was collected and brought to Ahimsa house, Lha’s hostel and community soup kitchen, where it was removed by truck. The whole event was exclusively covered by the Tibet Times, one 14
of the most read Tibetan medium newspapers. Two of their staff members joined the volunteers throughout the cleanup, filming and interviewing participants and broadcasting the event on social media. Lha is delighted to work with the Tibet Times and to foster good relations in our community in this way. One of the Tibet Times representatives is an old Lha staff member. The volunteers met at the soup kitchen where everyone enjoyed a healthy and nutritious lunch! Lha conducts a mass cleanup on the third Saturday of each month and everyone is welcome to participate and support this community effort. JUNE 2017
Water filter System
LHA NEWS AND PROJECTS 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 Agnes Kugler from Austria tells us her story.
by Dorji Kyi Lha has installed a new water filtration system at Kamrao Gapa Tibetan Hallo und Settlement. It is the 25th system that Lha has installed under the Lha Clean Volunteer Job at Lha: German teacher Water Project and is expected to benefit and Contact news writer the health of the 229 residents of the Hello, my name is Agnes. I am a student settlement. Our grateful thanks go to the from Austria and I volunteered with Tibet Relief Fund UK who funded the Lha for a little over two months. My main purpose for coming to McLeod system, which was opened on June 12. Since 2010 Lha has installed water Ganj was actually to do research for my filtration systems at 25 different sites Masters thesis on Tibetans living in exile. throughout Northern India. This has Whilst at home in Austria, I decided to contributed positively to the health contribute to the Tibetan community by and wellbeing of Tibetan, Indian and volunteering my services. As soon as I became familiar with Lha things changed! During the first few weeks, I spent much more time at Lha than on studying which turned out very well and to be a good idea! The lovely staff were very supportive and Himalayan communities, mainly in answered all the questions I Himachal Pradesh. The total number of asked as well as putting me in touch with beneficiaries of the Clean Water Project other Tibetans who I could interview for my thesis.There would not have to date is around 13,950 people. The 25 sites include schools, a hospital, been this positive and broad outcome an elderly people’s home, a library, a of my investigation into the Tibetan nunnery and other high traffic areas. The community without the supportive and reverse osmosis and ultraviolet water helpful people at Lha. When I arrived in McLeod Ganj, I filtration systems have been installed along with five hundred litre storage tanks thought I would partake in conversation that provide an emergency and reserve classes and tutor English classes. water supply during such events as a However, when I came to the office and met Rabsel ji, the volunteer coordinator, power outage or water shortage. The 2016 survey report for this he told me for the first time that I would project states that 60% of teachers be teaching German. To be honest I was reported an increase in their students’ a bit shocked as I have never taught a class attendance after the installation proper class and I was not really sure of the water filtration systems in their about my own German skills! But I schools. 79% of students reported an loved it from my first lesson onwards. improvement in their overall health The students were amazing! They were very committed and willing to learn this when using filtered water.
Tschüss*
difficult language. Soon they started to interact in German with me and their colleagues. Whenever we finished the class they waved goodbye by saying “Tschüss, bis morgen! Habeinenschönen Tag!” “Bye, see you tomorrow. Have a nice day!”. In the beginning, I had to tell them more than once that I don’t want to be addressed as “Mam” but by my name Agnes. Some of them have become really good friends and when I finished volunteering they gave me lovely and beautiful presents. All of them wanted to take pictures with me. I felt like I was on the Red Carpet! Although my teaching was a little unskilful sometimes, for example I was not able to write in a proper line on the white board, they still treated me like a star. Occasionally, I would also write for the Contact magazine which gave me a good insight in to the ongoing political agendas in the Tibetan exile community and which also contributed to my thesis. I want to express my deep gratitude to the staff of Lha, to my students and to the other volunteers. Especially those who encouraged me and told me that I am doing a great job as a German teacher as well as researcher. You gave me an unforgettable and productive time in McLeod Ganj. I hope to see you all again soon. Thukjeychey and tschüss. *Hello and good bye
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 18 years. Lha was registered as a charitable trust by the Indian Government in 2005. For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org To keep up to date with news of what’s happening in Tibet and in the Tibetan exile community, follow Contact magazine online at www.contactmagazine.net Facebook: Contact News / Twitter: Contact News Contact
15
JUNE 2017
around town
Charities and Organisations
Central Tibetan Administration
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. WEB: www.tibet.net LOCATION: Near Library PHONE: 01892-222218 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm EMAIL: kashag@tibet.net
The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL)
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. WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221210 EMAIL: ohhdl@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. WEB: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 PHONE: 01892-221554 EMAIL:president@tibetanyouthcongress.org, tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org
Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA)
The TWA conducts workshops on gender sensitization and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships, and connects women with international sponsors. WEB: www. tibetanwomen.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221527 EMAIL: tibwomen@gmail.com
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. WEB: www.tcv.org.in LOCATION: Dharamshala Cantt.176216 PHONE: 01892-221354 / 221348 EMAIL: headoffice@tcv.org.in
Men-Tsee-Khang: Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute
Men-Tsee-Khang is a facility for research, training and practice of traditional Tibetan medicine. Patients may seek treatment at Men-TseeKhang for both acute and chronic conditions. The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.
Contact
WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org
Tibetan Library (LTWA) (Centre for Tibetan Studies)
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. WEB: ltwa.net, tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 98822-55047 EMAIL: ltwa1970@gmail.com
Delek Hospital
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. WEB:www.delekhospital.org 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
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 12 schools under this organisation. WEB: www.sambhota.org LOCATION: Session Rd, Dharamshala176215 PHONE: 01892 - 228877 | 226877 EMAIL: stss1999@gmail.com
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 programs, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Volunteer opportunities available. WEB: www. tong-len.org LOCATION: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala-176215 PHONE: 01892-223930 EMAIL: jamyang@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. WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 9882786875
16
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)
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. WEB: www.tchrd.org LOCATION: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-223363 EMAIL: office@tchrd.org
Lha Charitable Trust (Lha)
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 page 2) WEB:www.lhasocialwork.org LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India PHONE: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 EMAIL: office@lhasocialwork.org
The Kangra Distt. 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. WEB: www.redcrosskangra.org LOCATION: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 EMAIL: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com
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 from medical, financial, basic education and vocational training. It also organises lobby 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 Charity
Tibet Charity provides programs including English and computer classes, an animal care program, and a variety of medical and educational financial support programs. WEB: www.tibetcharity.in LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877 EMAIL: director@tibetcharity.in
Norbulingka Institue
Centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work. Temple, tour guides of the workshops, and gardens. L O C AT I O N : S i d h p u r, Dharamshala PHONE:9882144210 EMAIL: info@norbulingka.org WEB:www.norbulingka.org
JUNE 2017
around town
Charities and Organisations
Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)
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). WEB: www.tibetanarts.org LOCATION: TIPA Road, McLeod Ganj Dharamshala-176219 PHONE: 01892-221478 EMAIL: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com
Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT)
Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT) is a nongovernment, non-profit adult education centre in Dharamshala, North India. LIT provides Free Education, Health Care and Skills Training to Tibetan Refugees to help eradicate poverty and illiteracy amongst the Tibetan population. WEB: www.learningandideasfortibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala 176219 PHONE: 01892-220690 EMAIL: learningandideasfortibet@gmail.com
Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR)
Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a nonprofit, 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. WEB: http://tccr.org LOCATION: Session Road, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-226627 EMAIL: tccrteam@gmail.com
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. WEB: www.tibetrogpa.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala- 176219 PHONE: 9857973026 EMAIL: rogpa2004@yahoo.com
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. WEB: www.gamruschool.com LOCATION: Village Gamru, P.O Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala, Distt Kangra 176215 PHONE: 9816105554 EMAIL: tashu72004@yahoo.com
Contact
Clean Upper Dharamshala Project
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. WEB: www.tsodhasa.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - 176219 PHONE: 01892-221059 EMAIL: cudpswm@gmail.com
Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage)
Nyingtob Ling supports Tibetan children from disadvantaged families. The children make handicrafts and paintings. They are so friendly and love to have visitors. WEB: www.nyingtobling.org LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur PHONE:01892 211042 / 9816028149 EMAIL: nyingtob_ling@hotmail.com
Women’s Team
The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC)
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 Facebook: www/facebook.com/anecpeace
National Democratic Party of Tibet
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. WEB: www.ndp4tibet.org LOCATION: Dharamshala–176219 EMAIL: tibetparty4@gmail.com PHONE: 9882787633 / 9882673330
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 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 Rs15.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189
Police Superintendent: 01892-222244
Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, CTA Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, MonSat; 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
17
McLeod Ganj Post Office Location: Jogiwara Rd, past 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
JUNE 2017
activities and information UPCOMING EVENTS July 6, 2017 : Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama July 9, 2017 : Universal Prayer Day (Zamling-Che-sang) July 27, 2017: Buddha’s first teaching (Choe-Khor-Duechen) August 15, 2017: Independence day of India
BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY Library of Tibetan Works and Archives WEB: www.ltwa.net/library LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9-10 am, 11-12noon PHONE: 921-842-2467/9882255047
Public Audience with HH Karmapa WEB: www.kagyuoffice.org LOCATION: Sidhpur HOURS: Wed & Sat: 2:30pm PHONE: 01892-235307
YOGA AND REIKI Om Yoga, Meditation and Reiki Centre LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel, on Jogiwara Rd HOURS: 8:00am-5:30pm PHONE: 980-569-3514
Siddhartha Retreat and Yoga Centre 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
Om Massage Centre
LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, Opposite the Green Hotel, Mcleod Ganj PHONE:7018483961/9857999373 EMAIL: kunsangdolma75@gmail.com
Dorjee Spa LOCATION: Pema Thang Guest house, Hotel Bhagsu Road PHONE:9816393673 / 9857108408 WhatsApp: 9816393673
Contact
MEDITATION Ocean of Harmony
Taught by an experienced and qualified coach WEB: www.oceanofharmony.org PHONE: (+91) 99798-94585 EMAIL: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com
Tushita Meditation Center WEB: www.tushita.info LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30am PHONE: 0898-816-0988 EMAIL: spc@tushita.info
Siddhartha Retreat Centre
WEBSITE:www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com LOCATION: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky PHONE: 09816565138 EMAIL: yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in
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 at : yesheadconsultant@tibet.net
Lha Charitable Truse
LOCATION: Near Dolma Chowk, Mcleod Ganj PHONE: 9882323455 / +91 (0)1892 -220992 WEB: www.lhasocialwork.org
18
LANGUAGES Tibetan Language Class
Contact: Lha office at Mcleod Ganj Phone : 9882323455 / 9805881883 Teacher : Lobsang Damchoe
Rita Thakur Hindi Classes
LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd, beside the Korean Restaurant PHONE: 981-649-4732
Hindi Lessons with Sunil
LOCATION: Kunga Guesthouse, Bhagsu Rd and in Dharamkot PHONE: 01892-21942, 98055-96741 EMAIL: sunilsharma81in@yahoo.co.in
Tibetan Language
LOCATION: The Tibetan Library *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:Tilak Ray Building, Bhagsu Rd PHONE: 8679502538 / 98820-04965 EMAIL: contact@esukhia.org
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
The Tibetan Institute for the 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 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 and 4th Sat
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 and 4th Sat
JUNE 2017
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 Specialised 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: 2:00-4:30pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily Maanav Health Clinic LOCATION: Main Square HOURS: 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-5:00pm 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 Dr Tandon Advanced Dental Orthodontic & Implant Centre Location: Opp. AP Travels, Mcleod Ganj Phone:9418462936 Email: dr.rahultandon@gmail.com
Tibet-Related Websites
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 contactmagazine.net - Contact magazine online news phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,has opinion, reviews, photos, etc 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 thetibetpost.com and tibetexpress.net are both sources of news and information
News, information and campaigning:
tibet.net - official website of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile 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
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.
Interested in a Tibetan Homestay?
Is Arriving in India a Nightmare?
Thinking about Volunteering?
Lha Charitable Trust can arrange homestays of one month with a Tibetan refugee family. By sharing day-to-day life with a Tibetan family you will have an opportunity to experience Tibetan culture at first hand as well as making friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Accommodation, breakfast and dinner included.
Next time you come, use the Lha Reception service at Delhi airport. We will meet you at the airport, look after you in Delhi and give you a safe place to stay while you wait for your overnight bus to McLeod. We’ll put you on the bus and make sure you are on the right seat! Use our service especially when you are arriving late at night or early morning.
Lha offers you the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills while gaining practical experience with a social work organisation – good for your CV as well as being fun and interesting! Lha volunteers develop friendships as well as learning at first handabout the issues facing the Tibetan refugee community.
Find out more! Call into the Lha office, see Map # 1 Contact
19
JUNE 2017
advertisements
HOTEL LADIES’ VENTURE DR TANDON’S ADVANCED DENTAL “The most suitable place for foreigners, holidaymakers, honeymooners, trekkers, and those who wish to commune with nature!”
ORTHODONTIC & IMPLANT CENTRE
We offer: Affordable dormitories, well-appointed rooms, boarding, and McLeod Ganj’s FINEST hospitality! Jogiwara Road - Map #11 Mobile - 981 623 5648 / Hotel - 01892 22 1559
Mcleod Add: Downstairs Opp. AB Travels Temple Road Mcleod Ganj Dharamshala Add: Opp. Canara Bank Kotwali Bazaar Dharamshala
DrYourMobile Shop Communication Partner
A centre with multispeiciality dental treatment facility since 2000. Map#24
Mobile Sales, Mobile Repair, Sim Cards, Purchase and Recharge Phone Service
website: www.himachaldentist.com Email: dr.rahultandon@gmail.com Appointment/Emergency call: 9418462936
Black Magic Building (underground), Jogiwara Road, Map #4 McLeod Ganj Phone: 9857011101
HIMALAYAN YOGA RETREAT
Nature Cure Health Club
Yoga Time: 8:30 am to 9:30 am 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #23 Mobile: 07833047078 /09882320136 / Email: mahinder_m@ hotmail.com 20+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!
Drop-in Classes/ Weekly Courses/ Reiki Course & Treatment Teacher Training Course (200 hours) Map#26
Mobile no: 988222502 - Surinder
Address: Jogiwara Road, Green View House after Youngling Schoo Mcleod Ganj, Opposite Pink House www.himalayanyogacentre.com / Email:surinderlala@yahoo.in
BLACK TENT CAFE
Chapri Handicrafts
Free high-speed Wi-fi
Visit Sunanda to see her beautiful shawls, fabrics, gifts, papier-mache, handicrafts, thankas and so much more!
Delicious coffee, authentic homemade Tibetan and western cuisine All food washed in clean filtered water
Free movies on Saturdays at 7.30pm Live Tibetan music every Wednesday at 6.30pm
Shop no 9, Next Alley to State Bank of India ATM, Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj Map#28 Tel: 98826-04215
Jogiwara Road (near post office), McLeod Ganj – Map #5
8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL
CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA
8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.
Enjoy the sunrise from your bed! MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, Phone: 01892-220567 Cell: 9418236603 Jogiwara Rd (Map #12) CONTINENTAL, & THAI FOOD, No MSG Email: tseringd@aushimview.com • Everything washed with sterilized water • Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven TIBETAN OM MASSAGE THERAPY Bhagsu Road, Opp.Green Hotel Mcleod Ganj - Map #27 • Relaxed atmosphere & Japanese-style seating Email: kunsangdolma75@gmail / Mobile : 7018483961 / 9857999373 • Live music every Sunday - Map#6 I) COURSES • Thai Massage ( 90 minutes for 3 days - Rs 4500 ) Located on Jogiwara Road, • Traditional /Ayurvedic Acupressure (90 minutes for 3 days - Rs 4500 ) across from the Tibetan Reception Center • Litho Us Therapy (60 minutes for 3 days - Rs 4000) • Deep Tissue (90 minutes for 2 days - Rs 3000) (down from Post Office) - Map # 9 • Swedish Massage (90 minutes for 2 days - Rs 2000) • Foot Reflexology (90 minutes for 1 day - Rs 2000) • Back Massage (120 minutes for 1 day - Rs 2000) • Head Massage (90 minutes for 1 day - Rs 1500) • Chair Massage (90 minutes for 1 day - Rs 1500) • Yoga Classes (5 days course - Rs 1000)
TO POST YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE
II) MASSAGES
Call on our number - 9882323455
• Lithos Therapy ( 70 minutes - Rs 1600) • Thai Massage ( 60 minutes - Rs 1500) • Deep Tissue Massage ( 60 minutes - Rs 1300) • Compresss Therapy ( 60 minutes - Rs 1300 ) • Kerala Traditonal Massage ( 60 minutes - Rs 1000) • Swedish Massage (60 minutes - Rs 1000 / 90 minutes - Rs 1500) • Reflexology ( 30 minutes - Rs 600) • Chair Massage ( 30 minutes - Rs 600) • Baliness Back Massage ( 30 minutes - Rs 500) •Ayurvedic Head Massage ( 30 minutes - Rs 500)
TO POST YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE Call on our number - 9882323455
Contact
20
JUNE 2017
advertisements
Contact
21
JUNE 2017
advertisements Map not to scale
Map of McLeod Ganj showing locations of places of interest
BHAGSU NAG
See advertisement pages for details of advertisers TIPA
21
DHARAMKOT
27
26
Vipassana Centre
Naddi Village Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)
15
Tushita Centre
McLEOD GANJ
22
MAIN SQUARE
3
Cantt Police Post
6
23
4
20
1 Lha Main Bazaar
2
27
24
25
12
11
10
5
16
29
28
14
13
Road to Dharamshala
1. Lha Headquarters and Tibet Fair Trade 2. Namgyal Cafe (at Om Hotel) 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dr Mobile, Woeser Bakery 5. Black Tent Cafe 6. Carpe Diem Restaurant 10. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture 12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 13. Ahimsa House and Lha Soup Kitchen 14. Chonor House 15. Lhamo’s Croissant, Dolma Therapy 16. Rinku Taxi Service
17. Central Tibetan Administration,Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Tibetan Library 18. LRZTP Tibetan Language Programme 19. Tibetan Museum and Temple 20. Tibetan Handicraft Centre 21. Taste of India 22. SnowLion Custom Tattoo 23. Nature Cure Health Club 24. Dr Tandon’s Advanced Dental 25. Smile Dental Clinice & Implant Center 26. Himalayan Yoga Retreat 27. Om Massage Centre 28. Chapri Handicrafts 29. Dorjee Spa
19
17 18
Road to Dharamshala
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#4
Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 3)
NEED A DENTIST?
To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj
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 #10 Call: 09218742046 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com
Lhamo’s Croissant
To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj
Vegetarian and Vegan Food
Bakery, Coffee shop, Gluten Free and Fresh seasonal juices and salads
Roof top terrace with stunning views
Bhagsu Road, just after Tibetan Settlement Office Map#15 Contact
22
JUNE 2017
advertisements
HOTEL D’S CASA
Club House Road, Near Liaison Office, Mcleodgan, Himachal Pradesh 176219
D’s CASA
McLeodganj
Jai Guru Ji
Tel: +91-9857118523 / 9857118380 Email:dscaste;1234@gmail.com :dscasa6@gmail.com Web: www.dscastle.com
Tour & Travel (A Complete Travel House)
Smile Dental Clinic & Implant Center
Mobile: 98058-75922 93186-75922 98163-68680
Oppo. Walia Medical Store Near State Bank of India ATM, Mcleod Ganj. MOBILE NO: 7018354594 / 8091162609 Map#25 website: smiledentalclinicmcleodganj.com
Contact for: All types of Transportation Trekking, Paragliding, Hotels etc ... Address: Club House Road, Mcleodganj, H.P -176219
Ocean of Harmony Programmes for Wellbeing For upcoming events, visit www.oceanofharmony.org Meditation Intensives For intensive trainings Meditation Therapies around the world (any country) Intensive Yoga Courses/Retreats contact: Shalu Patel Stress Management (experienced & qualified life Integrated Healing Therapies and wellness coach for Wellness Retreats international trainings)
Phone: (+91) 9979894585 Email: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com
To advertise here, Contact Lha office near Dolma Chowk, opposite State Bank of India, McLeod Ganj Contact numbers: 9882323455 01892-22092
Contact
23
JUNE 2017
ལྷ་བོད་ཀྱི་ལུགས་མཐུན་བཟོ་ཚོང་ལས་ཁང་།
Lha Tibet Fair Trade Regd No.U74140HP2013PTC000540 IEC No. 2213006741 TIN: 02060101641 CST: 02060101641 PAN: AACCL5897M
What’s LTFT?
Lha Tibet Fair Trade (LTFT) is a certified Fair Trade company which supports Lha’s charitable work through the sale of traditional Tibetan goods made by local craftspeople.
What we have?
Hand-made woollen carpets, singing bowls, jewellery, goods made from recycled paper, Tibetan home decor pieces and many more!
Why LTFT?
Your shopping and support will contribute to Lha’s numerous social projects and help Lha become more sustainable and self-sufficient.
What we do?
Retail outlet, manufacture, wholesale, import & export, support local artisans, tours and travel.The LTFT is pleased to welcome any businesses wishing to form partnerships and set up exhibition tours.
Drop-in at our store at LHA office, Mon-Sat Phone: +91 (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992
W www.tibetfairtrade.com
Lha Tibet Fair Trade To advertise call Lha office: 01892-220992 or visit Lha office at Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj Map #1
Follow Contact website using the QR code!
Tibet Fair Trade འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།
Contact Newsletter Managing Director Ngawang Rabgyal Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Tenzin Samten Assistant Editor Dorji Kyi Circulation Manager Lobsang Rabsel Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web: www.lhasocialwork.org www.contactmagazine.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: @ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com