Contact may 2016

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XVIII Issue: 5 31 MAY 2016

Sikyong’s Second Term

by Charlotte Wigram-Evans Dr Lobsang Sangay has been sworn in as Prime Minister, or Sikyong, of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, in the presence of honoured guest His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and in front of 6,000 emotional onlookers.

The function was held at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple of Dharamasala and the home of His Continued on page 3

Tibet’s Missing Child

by Tenzin Samten Tibetans in exile haven’t forgotten about Tibet’s missing lama. Every year, they mark the Panchen Lama’s birthday and call for his release despite the Chinese government turning a deaf ear. This year marks the twenty first anniversary of the enforced disappearance of six-year-old

Historic Moment for Women

by Tenzin Samten Twenty Tibetan nuns have completed their Geshema degree: the first ever women to take the examination.

The nuns sat their fourth and final examination at Gaden Choeling nunnery in Dharamshala. Geshe, or Geshema for women, is equivalent to a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and is the highest level of training in the Continued on page 7

Writer Lomik Sentenced

by Sam Ferguson A prominent Tibetan writer and Kirti monk was sentenced to a seven and a half years prison sentence on May 9 by a court in southwestern China’s Sichuan province; a Tibetanpopulated area.

Lobsang Jamyang, 28, was arrested in Ngaba County,

Continued on page 5

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Continued on page 5

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election news

Sikyong’s Second Term Continued from page 1

Holiness. Crimson-swathed monks, nuns, and lay people in traditional dress arrived hours before it was due to start to secure a place in the audience. Huge Tibetan flags adorned the walls and His Holiness, Sikyong and all members of parliament were welcomed to the stage with the country’s national anthem.

It is Dr Sangay’s second term in office; the second time too that a prime minister has been democratically elected by Tibetan exiles. Despite resistance from the community, the Dalai Lama relinquished all political authority in 2011, citing his belief that in the long run, democracy would be beneficial. Lobsang Sangay beat his main rival, Speaker Penpa Tsering by almost 10,000 votes, with 59,000 ballots cast by Tibetans all over the world.

that fresh attempts would be made to make contact with the superpower.

Official talks ceased in 2010.

Responding to the Dalai Lama’s advice to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, Sikyong has called his approach, “the strategy of five-fifty.”

“In the next five years it is clear that we must put maximum efforts into achieving genuine autonomy for all Tibetans ... however, in case we have to continue our struggle for many

freedom struggle, Sikyong focusing on the “supreme sacrifices” people have made in their fight for independence. He vowed that the 145 self-immolations to date would not be in vain, praising the “patriotic fervour that continues to burn in Tibet and all Tibetan hearts.” “The issue of Tibet is not only an issue for the six million Tibetans, but a cause that stands for justice and peace,” he proclaimed.

His Holiness emphasised that the most important aspect of the movement should be to help those who still live in Tibet under Chinese rule, and that although the fight for autonomy will continue, the principle of non-violence must be adhered to.

Education was deemed to be the answer for both men. “It is the key to our freedom struggle,” declared Dr Sangay, while the Dalai Lama stressed that moral as well as intellectual instruction is essential. “Despite the

His Holiness addressing the gathering Photo:Contact/Lha

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay (left) is being sworn in

by Chief Justice Commissioner Photo:Contact/Lha

The swearing in was administered

by Chief Justice Commissioner Mr Kargyu Dhondup and marks the official commencement of Dr Sangay’s government. He will hold his post for five years and on signing the oath was greeted with tumultuous applause. Outgoing members of parliament ended their time in office by offering His Holiness and Sikyong katakhs, traditional white scarves, symbolising luck and prosperity.

Both Sikyong and His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered speeches. Dr Sangay stressed the importance of the Middle Way Policy, calling for genuine autonomy from China as opposed to independence and assuring Tibetans Contact

years, we need to strategise in order to strengthen and sustain our cause for the next 50,” he announced. “We have to protect and preserve our unique identity and tradition. We need to build self-reliance, both in education and economy.”

His Holiness also called on Tibetans to guard their culture, particularly its scripts and linguistic traditions.

“The Tibetan language is the only language where the pure essence of the Nalanda tradition is preserved.

Therefore, it is extremely important to study and preserve it,” he stated.

“Over the years I have met numerous people including scholars, scientists, politicians, and spiritual leaders and I have come to realise that the ways of Tibetan Buddhism is among the best, primarily because it is based on scientific analysis and logical study.”

Both men talked of the country’s 3

Members of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts performing a traditional dance Photo:Tibet.net

great heights that modern education has reached, it is still inadequate when it comes to inner values,” he said. “It is obvious when you see that most criminals are quite advanced in modern education. Moreover, the prevalence of social ills like corruption and dishonesty are a result from the lack of moral principle.”

The ceremony ended with a traditional Tibetan dance and further congratulations from Sikyong’s supporters. The popular participation in this second election demonstrates how the seeds of democracy, sewn by His Holiness, are flourishing in the Tibetan exile community.

MAY 2016

news & issues

Arrests and Releases Inside Tibet this Month May 23: Monk Detained Lobsang Dargye, 35, a monk from Ngaba prefecture in Sichuan was detained by Chinese authorities on an unknown charge.

Lobsang studies in Kirti monastery and was detained in the night.

May 21: Health Concerns Lobsang Choedar, a Tibetan monk who is serving a 13-year sentence in

Mianyang prison in Sichuan, is said to be in poor health and his family are concerned that he may not survive his prison term. He is a monk from Kirti Monastery in Ngaba and was detained after calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the unrest in 2008.

May 16: Young Monk Arrested Jampa Gelek, a monk aged about 23, was detained in southwestern China’s Tibetan populated Sichuan province.

He had been seen carrying a Tibetan flag and it is understood that he may have been planning to self-immolate, having expressed a wish to do so last year. He was arrested while circumambulating a stupa near his monastery in Tawu county in Kardze. There is no word of his current whereabouts.

May 14:Political Prisoner Rearrested Lodoe Gyatso, aged 55, from Kham Contact

Sogshoed, has been rearrested by Chinese authorities. His family has no knowledge of his whereabouts or the charges levied against him.

He previously served 21 years in Chushul prison near Lhasa, having been arrested in 1991 on alleged murder charges. While serving his sentence, he led a protest against China’s occupation of Tibet was almost given the death sentence because of it.

May 13: A Monk Arrested Jamyang Lodroe, aged 35 and a monk, was arrested by Chinese officials. The reason for his arrest could be the online publication of his politically sensitive writings. He is from Ngaba’s Tsinang monastery.

May 5: Arrested and Tortured Pema Wangchen, a father of three, has been arrested and tortured

by Chinese officials for singing the Tibetan National anthem at a public gathering in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Pema was arrested and detained for 15 days after a recording of him singing the national anthem went viral on the social media messaging service Wechat in April. One of his fingers was paralysed during the interrogation.

May 5: Kirti Monk Released Lobsang Tenpa, 21, a monk from Kirti monastery in Ngaba Prefecture, was released after a two-year prison term. He was imprisoned on November 7, 2014 for staging a solo protest against China’s repressive rule 4

in Tibet in a street of Ngaba county.

He was carrying a large portrait of HH the Dalai Lama and called for his long life and his return to Tibet. He was welcomed home by his family members.

May 2: Solo Protest Lobsang Thubten, believed to be in his 20s and a Tibetan monk from Kirti monastery in Ngaba Prefecture,

has been detained after staging a solo protest in Ngaba town. Radio Free Asia reports a local source as saying “He walked in the road with a photo of the Dalai Lama and called for his long life and for freedom for Tibet”.

There is no word of his current whereabouts.

Aril: Two Monks Detained Lakyab and Tsering Gyurme, both monks at the Palyul monastery, were detained for ten days after trying to

mediate between a Tibetan and a Han Chinese driver who were in a dispute following a traffic collision in Palyul county in Kardze. Radio Free Asia reports a local source as saying that the monks were severely beaten while in custody. News of their detention only emerged this month due to the crackdown in communications in the area.

MAY 2016

news & issues

Writer Lomik Sentenced Continued from page 1

North Eastern Tibet, on unspecified charges during April 2015. As well as regular social commentaries and poetry, Jamyang is known for his passionate endorsement of freedom of expression for Tibetan writers.

His work, under the pen name Lomik, includes examinations into the underlying causes of the 2008 Tibetan uprisings and the 2009 selfimmolations, culminating in a 2010 book, A Surge of Yellow Mist.

“Details concerning the charges on which Jamyang was convicted and his present condition are not immediately available”, said a source for Radio Free Asia, Kanyak Tsering, a Tibetan monk based in India. Tsering went on to suggest that he was sentenced for “sharing government secrets and

Continued from page 1

Gendhun Choekyi Nyima.

Tibetan non-government organisations (NGOs) in Dharamshala join forces with the exile Tibetan government in calling for justice and for the attention of the international community to the Panchen Lama’s plight.

The three NGOs: the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC); Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) and the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) jointly organised an event Letters to the Panchen Lama in the main square in Mcleod Ganj. Tibetans and supporters wrote messages to His Holiness the Panchen Lama as well as letters to the Chinese government demanding the Panchen Lama’s release. The NGOs also organised the Run for the 11th Panchen Lama, an open marathon race.

“The disappearance of the Panchen Rinpoche at the age of six is one of the most heartbreaking news that Tibetans have to face. But we have not given up hope and will continue to resist till China gives an answer on his whereabouts,” said Tenzin Tselha, Contact

attempting to divide the nation.”

Fellow writers suspected the original arrest was linked to various blog posts that criticised Beijing’s policies on Tibet, according to the nongovernment organisation Free Tibet.

After the trial, Jamyang’s family was permitted to visit him briefly; the first contact since his original arrest.

According to Tsering, the trial took place in a closed court from which his family and lawyer were barred. Jamyang is the son of Jodor and Jamkar, of the Jotsang household in the Me’uruma township. He joined Kirti monastery at a young age and studied at the school of Buddhism for Youth before the Chinese authorities forcibly closed the school.

Kirti monastery has long been a focal point for Tibetan protests. Twenty four of the 145 self-immolators since 2009

Tibet’s Missing Child SFT India’s National Director.

Forty-seven Tibetans from around India participated in a cycle rally, Cycle Rally for the Panchen Lama, which aims to spread awareness about the Panchen Lama’s abduction by the Chinese government and also to highlight the critical situation of Tibetans in Tibet living under the hardline policies of the Chinese government. The six-day rally started in Dehradun on May 17, the day the Panchen Lama was abducted in 1995, and ended on May 23 in Delhi.

It was organised by the TYC, one the largest Tibetan NGOs in exile.

TYC is demanding the Chinese government give concrete evidence that the Panchen Lama, recognised

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is alive. They are also appealing to the United Nations and international communities to put pressure on the Chinese government to provide proper information on the case.

The Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Tibetan exile government has organised a drawing and essay writing competition at Sherab Gatsel Lobling, 5

have been either current or former Kirti monks. A further 45 of those 145 are from Sichuan province in which Ngaba is located. The region is strictly policed by Chinese authorities.

In a show of support, the Committee to Protect Journalists in America sent an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 10. The letter demands a thorough investigation into reports that authorities tortured Lomik and requests clarification on the reasons for his imprisonment.

Jamyang’s arrest and sentencing is the latest incident in an apparent crackdown on Tibetan writers. In February 2016, Tibetan writer Hogan was sentenced to three years in prison, and fellow writer Sonant Tempe was arrested for the third time since 2009.

His whereabouts remain unknown.

a school for newly arrived Tibetans from Tibet, to mark the anniversary with the theme Remembering 21 years of Enforced Disapperance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. A documentary film on the Panchen Lama’s disappearance Tibet’s Stolen Child was also screened to the students and teachers at the school.

The Indo-Tibet Friendship Association, together with Indian Tibet Support groups based in Dharamshala, hosted a discussion 21 years of Enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. The educationist and author Professor PN Sharma and Ms Kalden Tsomo from the DIIR of the exile government were guest speakers at the event.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is 27 years old this year. He was born in Lhari County in Tibet and was recognised as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995.Three days after his recognition the sixyear-old boy, along with his parents, was abducted by Chinese officials.

Since then China has been ignoring all protests and pleas to provide details about them.

MAY 2016

news & issues

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan

by Aline Arcis depending on others. As for Tibet, we patience is one of our most important His Holiness the Dalai Lama has have a huge land and a rich culture abilities to defeat destructive emotions conducted a short visit to Japan, from but we need China’s help to develop such as hatred and anger.

May 9 - 13. Soon after his arrival economically,” he said.

He finally took the opportunity in Osaka, he gave an interview to His Holiness then led a four-day to emphasise the fact that prayers NHK, one of the biggest national teaching at the Osaka International and devotion to the Dharma are without a deep TV broadcasters. During this two- Convention Centre where thousands meaningless hour exchange, the spiritual leader of attendees converged, mainly from understanding and study of the confirmed his position regarding China as well as from Mongolia, Buddhist texts. “We all need to be his future reincarnation and on the Korea, Russia and Japan. The teaching 21st century Buddhists, which means relationship between we at least understand the nature of the Tibet and China.

He maintained that Buddha, Dharma and the future of the Dalai Sangha, the teacher, Lama’s institution is his teaching, the entirely in the Tibetan path to cessation, and the community people’s hands. “As far back as 1969, I of those who put it have stated that it is up into practice. Today, to the Tibetan people the crucial thing is to to decide whether the study.” he said.

In the afternoon of institution of Dalai Lama should remain his last day in Osaka, or not,” he said.

His Holiness took The Chinese time to answer various government has questions from both His Holiness teaching at Osaka International Convention Centre in Japan the lay and the clergy claimed the authority Photo: Tibet.net to pick the next communities.

He reincarnation, and to this end has focused on the study of Shantideva’s A patiently dealt with matters raised set up a dedicated bureau for “laws Guide to the Bodhisatva’s Way of Life, such as which is the best tradition to of reincarnation”. The Chinese one of the most famous Mahāyāna pick or how to quit a strong alcohol Communist Party has created a Buddhist texts. This ten-chapter addiction. He finally addressed a “database of living Buddhas” which book can be described as a guide group of Tibetans from the audience, contrasts with former leader Mao to develop bodhicitta (the mind of thanking them for their undying Zedong’s assertion to His Holiness enlightenment) through the practice support and faith. “Recently, when I that “religion is poison”. of the six perfections. The Dalai Lama was receiving medical treatment in Regarding the future of Tibet, His opened his talk by going back to the the United States, I heard that many Holiness said that the only realistic very roots of Buddhism: Buddha’s Tibetans gathered to pray for me. I’d resolution to the Sino-Tibetan enlightment and his discovery about like to thank you and reassure you situation will be through the Middle suffering. “After identifying the that I feel well. You don’t need to Way Approach. This approach does causes, we should make effort to worry about me. Truth will prevail. not seek full independence from stop the causes of these sufferings by China is changing. We will be China, but looks towards a genuine following the path of cessation through together again. For now, study what autonomy where Tibetan people can cultivating discipline and practising you can. Improve your education and freely practise their religion, traditions mindfulness,” he explained. otherwise take things easily.” he said and culture while living within the His Holiness then explained to them. framework of the People’s Republic chapters five and six of Shantideva’s The Dalai Lama came back to his of China. As an example, he pointed text. This part of the book is dedicated home in Dharamshala right on time to the European Union as a model to introspection and patience. He to preside over the tenth day prayer of shared sovereignty. “In today’s pointed out the fact that our enemy is ceremony for the sacred month of interdependent world, countries our greatest spiritual teacher, because Saka Dawa, held at Tsuglagkhang, cannot live in isolation without he teaches us patience, and that the main temple in Dharamshala.

Contact

6

MAY 2016

news & issues Continued from page 1

Historic Moment for Women

Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism.

The 12-day examination, which started on May 1, consisted of two parts: debate and written, on the five major texts of Buddhist studies.

A total of 44 nuns from five nunneries in India and Nepal were sitting various examinations, including the 20 taking their final Geshema degree exam. Formerly, only men could achieve the Geshe degree and in 2012, His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the decision that from then on nuns would be eligible to sit the Geshema degree examination too.

His decision was reached following a two-day meeting with high lamas and nuns’ representatives. He had raised the need for Geshema degrees for nuns in 1995 and asked religious leaders to compile a course for them.

The 20 nuns taking their examinations

now will be the first Tibetan women with the highest degree of Buddhist study in the history of Tibet.

“Nuns who complete 17 years of studies, gaining an aggregate of 65 percent, can sit for the Geshema examination,” said Mr Pema Chhinjor, Minister of the Department

Nuns taking part in the oral test or debate Photo: Tibetan Nuns Project website

of Religion and Culture at the Central Tibetan Administration.

“There were many hardships while studying this vast subject. However, I feel fortunate and joyous to appear

for the examination, which makes the hardship negligible,” said Tenzin Kunsel, Geshema candidate from Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute.

The Tibetan Nuns Project, which was founded in 1987, and whose primary goal is to provide education and humanitarian aid to Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India, stated that earning Geshema degrees will make nuns eligible to assume various leadership roles in the monastic and lay community which were previously reserved for men.

This year’s 20 Geshema candidates are from the Dolma Ling, Geden Choeling, Jamyang Choeling, Jangchup Choeling and Kopan nunneries. Those who have successfully passed their final examination will receive their Geshema degrees from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in October.

Repression Spreads to Rural Tibet

by Charlotte Wigram-Evans The Chinese government continues to violently suppress peaceful dissent in Tibetan areas, a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) has testified. Since the outbreak of widespread unrest in 2008, detentions, prosecutions, and convictions remain commonplace, many now taking place in rural areas which have not been targeted during the last three decades.

This could be explained by the intense scrutiny under which city dwellers live. Cities and towns are under constant surveillance, dissuading people from protesting for fear of repercussions. “The authorities are treating all Tibetans as potential dissidents and are trying to extend surveillance to the entire Tibetan community,” said Sophie Richardson, China director of HRW. Policies to prevent dissent began to be implemented at a local level in 2012 and thousands of Chinese officials were posted to villages across Tibet as part of a “stability maintenance” programme.

In targeted communities, many social, Contact

cultural, and environmental activities previously considered harmless have since become the focal point of state attention and punishment.

Most detainees, from teenagers to those in their 70’s, have simply been exercising their right to expression and assembly without advocating separatism. Others have

Crackdown in Ngaba in the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture in March 2008 Photo:ICT

criticised decisions by local officials in their villages, opposed mining development, advocated for greater language rights, or merely expressed sympathy for self-immolators.

Dozens of demonstrations have ended with security forces opening fire on protesters. There are no reports of 7

protesters initiating violence.

People with influence are more likely to be sent to trial and many of those imprisoned and prosecuted have been local community leaders, environmental activists, and villagers involved in social and cultural activities.

Human Rights Watch identified seven protests, five of them with over a hundred participants, in which villagers were demanding the release of a detained community leader. The detention of local leaders and their communities’ subsequent retaliation is a phenomenon as yet unheard of and undocumented.

“Tibetan areas are the forefront of the Chinese government’s countrywide crackdown on peaceful dissent,” Richardson stated, but “if the goal of the ‘stability maintenance’ campaign was to wipe out dissent among Tibetans, it has failed to do so. The basis of real stability is for China’s government to respect rights, understand and respond to local grievances, and roll back abuses by security forces across the plateau.”

MAY 2016

news & issues

Religious Freedom Under Siege

by Sam Ferguson Two reports released in May condemn the persecution of Tibetan religious freedom.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) annual report found “extreme surveillance and strict monitoring” within Tibetan monasteries.

Amongst the abuses listed by USCIRF are violent crackdowns on Tibetan Buddhists and their rights, religious harassment, harsh policies and imprisonment. Also highlighted is government “targeting of human rights lawyers and dissidents who advocate for religious freedom”.

The report was released shortly after the US State Department re-designated China as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) with regards to its tolerance of “particularly severe” religious freedom abuses. China has held this status since the inception of the CPC mechanism in 1999.

International criticism, protests and 143 self-immolations within Tibet since 2009 have been answered

with increased religious persecution.

USCIRF states that “over the past year, the Chinese government has stepped up its persecution of religious groups deemed a threat to the state’s supremacy and maintenance of a ‘socialist society’”.

A separate report by the Londonbased Tibet Watch correlates activities of religious institutes with crackdowns on religious freedom. Religious

Monks protesting near Labrang Tashiikyil monastery on April 9, 2008 Photo:File

freedom has faced attack since the cultural revolution, when private religious practice became illegal.

Tibet Watch lists assorted government responses to religious dissent, including the “imposition of

‘work teams’, surveillance cameras within monasteries, dedicated police stations, frequent inspections, and numerous arbitrary regulations.”

A pattern of uprisings and reprisals can be traced from 1987, when 21 Drepung monks demonstrated on the streets in Lhasa, igniting widespread protests and leading to the introduction of martial law.

Followingthearrestanddisappearance of the Panchen Lama in 1995, a new set of strict regulations was imposed on monasteries, including enrolment limitations.

Further interferences included the introduction of a “patriotic re-education” programme, which forced monks to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and a database of official rinpoches, which lists reincarnated lamas who are approved by the central government.

As well as being a focal point for protests, monasteries are important to Tibet’s digital resistance, given their strong contact network, ensuring news from inside Tibet reaches the outside world.

Restricted Media Access to Tibet

by Aline Arcis The Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) based in Beijing has recently issued a report on media access in Tibet. The organisation concluded that Tibet remains the most cut-off and tightly controlled region in China today, saying that the Chinese government claims that this restriction is necessary to prevent any pessimistic reports about the situation of the autonomous region.

The professional journalists association stated that “These restrictions prevent the world from learning the real story of Tibet, and prevent China from telling its story. They also fuel suspicion about government treatment of Tibetans in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), and prevent journalists from confirming that investment and poverty alleviation efforts have Contact

improved the lives of people there, as China claims”.

The survey was based on 142 responses from foreign journalists based in China, including 35 from non-FCCC members.

It revealed that more than three quarters of applications to visit Tibet were rejected by the Chinese authorities. The remaining quarter of the journalists, who were granted access, were taken on individual trips within the region. Most of the journalists who did not apply to go to the TAR said that it was because they either did not believe they would receive a positive answer or because they thought that the escorted expedition would not be representative of the actual situation there.

Foreign journalists who were granted permission to visit Tibet were 8

taken on a five-day trip last year.

The report quoted a journalist who went on the trip as saying, “In general, I found the trip useful in the sense that it gave me a glimpse of Tibet, the government’s policies and point of view. There was no chance to do independent reporting per se or freedom to travel to regions or areas that were not included in the trip, nor could I extend the trip on my own. But it was better than nothing. I asked all questions that I wanted to officials, who candidly responded with their own discourse to my questions about more sensitive issues that you don’t usually see explained in state media or press conferences in Beijing. Yes, it was heavy on propaganda, but I was able to get a picture of how the government sees Tibet and how it envisions its future.”

MAY 2016

election news

The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Gets Off to a Good Start

by Charlotte Wigram-Evans It has been a busy but profitable few days for the 16th Tibetan Parliamentin-exile with the swearing in of legislators, the election of Speaker and the approval of Kalons (ministers) nominated by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay for his 15th Kashag or cabinet.

Newly elected MPs were firstly sworn in by interim Speaker, Pema Jungney, ahead of their vote for the new one. The 45-member parliament comprises of 10 people from each of the three traditional provinces of Tibet, two from each of the five

The swearing in ceremony of the members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Photo:tibet.net

religious constituencies, and then two from the Tibetan communities in North America and Europe and one from Australasia.

The following day and in a repeat of history, two legislators attained the post of Speaker without the majority’s mandate. After three rounds of voting, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Pema Jungney remained tied with 22 votes each. A seven-hour deliberation unanimously concluded that both men should serve for two and a half years.

Khenpo Sonam Tenphel will preside for the first half of the five-year term.

A tie also occurred in 2006 with the 14th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, the result being that Penpa Tsering and the late Karma Choephel also shared the post.

The vote for Speaker was done anonymously and 44 MPs took part in the ballot. Tsering Youdon, the representative for the Amdo region of Tibet was absent and meant that the

tie was possible.

Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok was elected as Deputy Speaker with 38 votes, beating Dolma Tsering who attained only four. Both he and the two Speakers took their oath from Kargyu Dhondup, the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commissioner the following morning.

Khenpo Sonam Tenphel told reporters he would do his best to fulfil his duties and responsibilities.

“The two and a half year term is out of compelling circumstances,” he said, adding that the final decision to split the tenure was not according to regulations but was allowed because it had been done in the past.

Newcomers to the 16th parliament outnumber those who have served before 23:22, women and young people making up a higher proportion of legislators than has been seen before.

One woman MP, Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, whose efforts will primarily focus on youth’s welfare in the education sector and the inclusion of women’s safety in the Tibetan Charter said: “This increase is a sign of progress and a clear indication that given a chance women have the capability to perform on such an important platform.”

Parliament’s first session began with a welcome speech from both Sikyong and Speaker who said: “I extend my warm wishes to all of you today. The composition of this new parliament is a perfect blend of new and familiar faces.” Dr Sangay reiterated his resolve to amplify the Tibetan movement and resolve the Tibet issue.

All members of the new 15th Kashag nominated by Dr Sangay were then approved and sworn in.

For many ministers it is their second term in the post. Ngodup Tsering will serve again as Education Kalon, Topgyal Khorlatsang as Kalon of the Home Department and Ven Karma

Gelek Yuthok as Religion and Culture Minister. Karma Yeshi will head the Finance Department, as was Choekyong Wangchuk, now Health Kalon. Finally Dhardon Sharling, the only woman minister, will be responsible for the Department of Information and International Relations.

Several significant topics were on the agenda for this first three-day session. The 145 self-immolations to date were remembered and honoured, as well as the several legislators who passed away last year. Both the situation inside Tibet and the exiled community’s relationship with China

Sikyong with his new cabinet members Photo: Sikyong’s Facebook

was also talked about at length.

Attempts are to be made during this five-year term to re-initiate talks with President Xi Jinping.

After widespread criticism of the recent election campaign, where regions were pitted against one another and the unity of the Tibetan people lessened, it was also be debated whether new rules should be introduced to stop this from happening again. The sadness and disappointment of the Dalai Lama was such, that ensuring respectful election campaigns is high on parliament’s agenda.

After the first session, the thirteen new MPs will attend a week-long workshop to fully acquaint themselves with the government charter, the departments of the Central Tibetan Administration and the workings of the NGOs. They will also learn about the rules concerning budget, as well as more about the governments’ official stand: The Middle Way Policy.

Keep up to date with election issues at: www.contactmagazine.net/category/election-2016 Contact

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MAY 2016

news & issues

HRW Reports on Violations of Prisoners’ Rights

by Aakash Sharma Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report detailing the conditions of two individuals who are, or have been, held in prison in China: Guo Feixiong, 49, an activist and Gao Yu, 72, a journalist, both of whom are being denied basic human rights such as access to medical treatment.

Guo Feixiong’s sister Yang Maoping visited him while he was in detention and found him in an unstable condition.

Yang, who is a doctor, requested the authorities to send Guo Feixiong to hospital and was told that he would only be admitted to hospital if he faints or gets worse. She fears that her brother is seriously ill and that his life will be at risk if he continues to be denied medical assistance.

Guo Feixiong was found guilty of disturbing the social order in November 2015 and has since been sentenced to six years in Yangchun prison. He was arrested in January

2013 for demonstrating outside the offices of the newspaper Southern Weekly. He was protesting against censorship of an editorial; he was also accused of encouraging others to protest in eight other cities by posting photographs of themselves doing similar protests.

Gao Yu, the journalist, is under tight police surveillance at her home after being released on medical parole due to her declining health. She was sentenced to seven years in prison for leaking Chinese Communist Party documents that were demanding greater censorship of liberal ideas.

Gao has a long list of medical ailments including heart disease, high blood pressure, a chronic skin allergy and Ménière’s disease. She has not received medical assistance since her return home, as promised on her release, and has been denied permission to travel to Germany for medical treatment.

The HRW report states that this is not the first time that critics of the government have been denied access to medical treatment. It gives details of the case of an activist known as

Cao Shunli who died in March 2014, 20 days after being transferred from prison to hospital while in a coma.

Hours before Cao Shunli’s death, she had spoken with her lawyers, telling them that she was denied access to medical treatment by the authorities, despite them knowing that she suffered from tuberculosis and liver disease.

Failure to provide prisoners access to adequate medical care violates their rights under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which China has ratified.

Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit, non government global human rights organisation which was established in 1978. It is known for its accurate fact-finding, impartial reporting, effective use of media and targeted advocacy, often in partnership with local human rights groups. HRW works to press for changes in policy and practice that promote human rights and justice around the world.

China routinely imprisons Tibetan activists and people protesting against Chinese rule in Tibet.

Saka Dawa: the month of merit

by Dorji Kyi The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama graced the prayer ceremonies on tenth and fifteenth days of Saka Dawa, the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar. The ceremony was held at Tsugla-khang, the main temple of Dharamshala’s Tibetan community.

Tibetan Buddhists believe that the merits of any good deeds that one performs during this month are multiplied over a thousand times.

Some of the most common Saka Dawa deeds are circumambulating, reciting mantras, making prostrations, fasting, shunning meat, releasing captive birds and fish, giving alms to the poor and visiting temples. Tibetans aim to eat only vegetarian food during this month.

This year there were many people Contact

distributing bottled water and juice for people who were circumambulating as well as giving money to beggars at the temple and around Lingkor (the path

Shakyamuni Buddha

around the residence of His Holiness).

Onlookers estimated there were more than 1,000 beggars on the 15th day.

According to Radio Free Asia, Tibetans gathered for prayer offerings in Labrang Monastery in Tibet, as well as in Nepal on the 15th day of 10

Saka Dawa. In America, Tibetans in Washington DC also gathered for prayer offerings and celebrated the month of merit.

Saka Dawa is the most sacred of Buddhist holiday and celebrates the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (death) of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

This festival falls in the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Saka is the name of the star that is closest to the earth and Dawa means month in Tibetan.

Traditionally in Tibet, and before Chinese occupation, Tibetans would walk or prostrate around the Potala Palace, the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and also around other holy temples. Some would prostrate all the way from their villages to Lhasa, often taking months over the journey.

MAY 2016

news and issues

Tibetans Protest against Chinese Mining Firms

by Tenzin Samten A group of over 100 Tibetans gathered for a sit-in protest on May 4 against the ongoing mining activities by Chinese mining firms in Yulshok Gargye in Minyak County of Eastern Tibet. They were demanding an end to the mining and calling for urgent action to protect the environment and wildlife. According to a video being circulated online, the peaceful sit-in protest was dispersed by a troop of Chinese police.

The protest was prompted by the discovery of a large number of dead fish in the Luchu River, which is a tributary of the Yangze River. Aka Penpa, a source in exile with contacts in the region said: “The ongoing mining has led to toxic wastes being dumped into the river resulting in the death of a large number of fish.” He added that toxic waste from mining operations is known to poison nomads’ drinking water and kill their livestock.

The protesters raised slogans highlighting the lack of official laws

regarding this type of exploitation.

The sources said that it is unknown whether or not any of the Tibetan protesters were arrested and that the situation there has become very intense following the crackdown on the gathering.

The mining activities in that region have been in operation since 2005.

Following widespread protest from locals, mining was halted for some years, but restarted in April this year and has caused the death of large numbers of fish in Luchu River.

Tibet Times reported another mining incident which took place on May 3.

A Chinese mining firm started mining on private land owned by a Tibetan nomad family in Karchen village in the Kyigudu region of eastern Tibet.

The land belongs to a nomad called Lodoe Gyalsten and it was his herding place for summer. It was reported that the land was forcefully taken from him for extraction of gold and black stones. The preparation and planning of the mining has been underway for

the last two years. During that time Lodoe Gyaltsen has been making appeals and seeking intervention from the authorities but there has been no response and now the miners have arrived with equipment ready to start extraction. The sources said that there has been no intervention from local officials who, they report, are apparently taking the side of the Chinese miners.

Tibet is still rich in natural resources and is much exploited by Chinese mining firms. Mining takes place in other areas in the Yushu region and is seen to result in the destruction of the natural environment as well as causing harm to local residents’ livestock.

The authorities in Kardze County and Dartsedo County have temporarily halted all mining activities until a clear pronouncement is made on the issue.

This follows the protests by local people; the order was issued on May 6 and relates specifically to the Lhagang Kargye Kha mining company which had started excavations in the area.

The Fight for Tibet is “Doomed to Fail”

by Charlotte Wigram-Evans Liu Xiaoming, the Chiese Ambassador the to the United Kingdom, became involved in a heated debate with Tibetan activists and supporters at a talk in the city of Bath in the UK, telling them that their cause is “doomed to failure” and that they will “never succeed, period”.

Direct exchanges between representatives of the Chinese government and exile Tibetans are a rarity, this interaction occurring at a presentation entitled World Affairs through our eyes – China.

After the Ambassador’s speech one young Tibetan, Sherab Gyaltsen, confronted Liu, asking him to explain the self-immolations occurring in Tibet, the disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama and the countrywide lack of freedom.

Liu avoided the question as to the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama who Contact

has not been seen for 21 years, simply saying that he was an “ordinary boy” and was never recognised. He boasted about the happiness of Tibetans under Chinese rule stating, “There are three million people in Tibet, everyone would agree that Tibetan people are much happier, they live much longer and are much freer.”

His statement was immediately rebuffed by Gyaltsen who replied, “Not according to my family in Tibet,” and an angry exchange then followed between the ambassador and a human rights activist who was also in the audience.

The dispute came to a head with Liu accusing the activist of breaching human rights then and there by denying spectators their right to continue with the talk. “That’s nothing compared to torture,” was shouted back at him, to which the diplomat snapped back that it was all “absolute lies.”

11

“Your cause is doomed to failure … you try to separate Tibet from China, you will never succeed, period,” Liu finished.

On the ambassador’s instruction, anything related to Tibet was banned from the event, creating another point of contention between him and the public. Alistair Currie, Campaigns Manager at Free Tibet, a non government organisation based in London, condemned Liu for imposing Chinese influence not just in Tibet, but in the “free and democratic” UK by denying Tibetans their right to display symbols of their identity.

“The Chinese ambassador is a representative of a human rightsabusing regime, responsible for the occupation of Tibet and the brutal repression of the Tibetan people.

While he tours the country spreading China’s lies and showing a friendly face, no one must forget that.”

MAY 2016

news & ISSUES

Tibetan Headlines May 30: Protests will be Punished Authorities in China’s Tibetan populated Sichuan province have warned residents of “serious consequences” if they continue to block government road work in the area. The threat comes two months after police violently cracked down on an earlier protest. Tibetans are objecting because while officials say the road will be used for a dam, workers have suggested that the mining of sacred mountains nearby is the ultimate goal.

May 25: Settlement Officer Tibetans in Dharamshala voted in the preliminary election for the Tibetan settlement officer or dedhoen.

The final election is scheduled for June 6. The standard tenure of the elected settlement officer is three years. The dedhoen’s primary job is to look after the socio-economic welfare of Tibetans in and around Dharamshala.

May 25: 34th Kalachakra The Cabinet of the Central Tibetan Administration announced that the 34th Kalachakra will be held from January 3 – 14, 2017. The Initiation will be performed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. The Kalachakra Initiation or Wheels of Time Empowerment is considered to be the essence of all Buddhist teachings.

Since 1954, His Holiness has given 33 Kalachakra initiations; the last one was held in Ladakh in 2014.

May 24: A Reminder for Tibetans More than a thousand Buddhist devotees gathered to listen to HH the 17th Karmapa’s teaching in Geneva in Switzerland. Around 300 Tibetans received a special audience with him.

The Karmapa advised the Tibetans not to forget that the primary reason for Tibetans coming to a free country is to preserve Tibetan culture and religion.

May 22: Two Earthquakes Contact

Two 5.3 magnitude earthquakes have hit Dingri County and Shigatse city in Tibet, reports China’s Earthquake Networks Centre. According to the Chinese authorities, there was no damage and no casualties. Tibet is considered an earthquake active zone.

May 20: Women’s Football Team The Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) announced that the first-ever Tibetan women’s football tournament will be played in September in Dharamshala, the first fully-fledged tournament. Four teams will compete: Dharamshala, Delhi, Amritsar and Nahan.

May 19: Tibet Museum The Tibet Museum is celebrating International Museum Day, which raises awareness of the importance of museums in society’s development; this year, the 39th, has the theme “Museums and Cultural Landscapes”. The Tibet Museum’s three-day celebration includes displays of Thangka paintings, depictions of the customs of the three Tibetan provinces, talks on the history of Tibet and screening of documentary films.

It was inaugurated by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.

May 19: Tibetan Flags Raised Two Tibetan flags were raised on the streets of Hong Kong by prodemocracy supporters during a visit

by Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee and the chief of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. Despite tight security and a heavy police presence, protestors also displayed banners demanding universal suffrage and an end to communist one-party rule.

May 17: Improving Health Services The Department of Health of the Central Tibetan Administration is holding a special meeting in a bid 12

to improve and strengthen public health services in the Tibetan community. 129 doctors, hospital administrators and health staff from all over India are there to formulate recommendations for the Kashag. The Kashag set up the meeting as a response to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public rebuke in March.

May 13: Denied Visa to China Michal Brand, Chairman of the German Bundestag Committee on Human Rights, has been denied a visa to visit China. Xinhua, the Chinese state news agency, reports that the reason was not because of Brand’s comments on China’s human right issues but because of his position on Tibet. Brand said he has been repeatedly pressurised

by China to delete comments and articles on Tibet from his website.

May 12: 60 Injured in Tibet A 5.5 magnitude earthquake has hit Gyamotang village in Chamdo, injuring 60 people, and causing much damage, reports China’s state news agency Xinhua. Reportedly the epicentre is in Kata town, the site of two major Buddhist temples. Authorities confirmed that rescue is underway. The region is an earthquake active zone and an earthquake in 2010 in nearby Yushu killed almost 3,000 people.

May 2: Campaign for Release The British based Free Tibet organisation is campaigning for the release of language campaigner Tashi Wangchuk who was jailed in March this year. They have submitted a petition to the governor of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture; the United States State Department is supporting their case. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office says it intends to raise Tashi Wangchuk’s case directly with China in the forthcoming UK-China Human Rights Dialogue.

MAY 2016

news & issues

International Headlines

May 31: Gorilla Shot A four-year-old boy who entered a gorilla’s enclosure in a zoo in Ohio, America caused the animal to be shot. He crawled under the barrier and fell into a shallow moat.

Harambe, a 17-year-old, 400lb male gorilla dragged the boy through the water and nudged him to his feet before being shot. A petition to hold the boy’s mother accountable already has 80,000 signatures but the zoo stands by its decision to kill it.

May 28: Historic Visit to Hiroshima Barack Obama has visited Hiroshima in Japan, the first sitting United States president to do so. He embraced a survivor of the 1945 atomic bomb and made a heartfelt plea to the world to begin the process of nuclear disarmament, but avoided apologising for the attack. Neither did he bow before the cenotaph in the Peace Memorial Park. At least 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and another 74,000 in a second bombing in Nagasaki three days later.

May 27: Prostitutes Abused Sex workers globally lack protection from “horrific” abuse and violence, an Amnesty International report has revealed. From Papua New Guinea to Argentina, Hong Kong and even Norway, perceived to have excellent human rights records, cases of sex workers being physically and sexually abused are common. Male or transgender sex workers face even more stigma, and in many cases police are the perpetrators of the abuse, making people reluctant to report crimes.

May 26: The Grolar Bear Is Born A Canadian recently shot what he thought was a young polar bear. While Contact

it had white fur, it also had the brown paws, big claws and large head of a grizzly. “They’re saying it’s a grizzlypolar bear hybrid,” the 25-year-old told Toronto Sun. As the Arctic warms twice as fast as the rest of the Earth, the two species are driven together in their hunt for food so this phenomenon could become commonplace.

May 25: Farming kills?

Thousands of children are working in hazardous conditions on Indonesia’s tobacco farms. Thirteen-year-old Siti Maryam suffers from headaches and nausea. Bare-handed, she has picked tobacco leaves for four years and her symptoms signify acute nicotine poisoning. Indonesia is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for tobacco products with $16bn, or almost £11bn, worth of cigarettes sold last year; and many of the crops are harvested by children.

May 21: Cutting the Ties Taiwan’s new President Tsai Ingwen has said that her government will be reducing ties with China and promoting “democracy and freedom”.

Speaking at her swearing in ceremony in Taipei, she dismissed the idea of Taiwan as part of “one China”, which China says has already been agreed.

“The people of Taiwan have shown the world…that we…are committed to the defense of our freedom and democracy,” she said.

May 18: Bans for Athletes?

This summer’s Olympic Games in Rio look likely to be hit by doping investigations, with the possibility of up to 31 athletes from six sports being banned from competing. The International Olympic Committee is retesting hundreds of doping samples from both the 2008 and 2012 games, focussing on athletes expected take part in Rio, and says it is determined to stamp out cheating by doping.

May 17: Temperatures Rising April this year broke all global 13

temperature records and by the largest margin ever, it was the seventh month in a row to break records, according to space agency, Nasa’s figure. “The very unfortunate circumstance we have now is the overlap of a very intense El Nino that has been magnified by climate change,” said Christiana Figueres of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

May 10: Solar Kids Two Pakistani brothers aged nine and 13 have become the subject of an international medical investigation.

From the first rays of dawn to early evening, Muhammad Shoaib and Abdul Rasheed behave like normal children. As the sun sets, however, their muscles freeze and they become paralysed, recovering again as morning comes. Known as the “solar kids” in their village, their condition continues to baffle medical science.

May 7: Europe No Longer United The presidents of Europe’s main institutions have presented a bleak picture of the European Union, describing the 28-nation bloc as lacking in leadership and descending into petty, nationalistic politics. “The idea of one EU state... was an illusion,” said Tusk, a former Polish prime minister. Years of economic underperformance have chipped away at European solidarity and Britain, the Union’s second biggest economy, will hold a referendum in June on whether to remain a member.

May 1: Lions Rescued More than 30 lions are arriving at a sanctuary in South Africa having been rescued from circuses in Colombia and Peru. Animal Defenders International, the United States-based organisation behind the move, says the lions have had teeth or claws removed and would not survive in the wild.

One circus surrendered the lions, others were rescued in raids. An ADI spokesperson said “These lions have suffered tremendously.”

MAY 2016

news & ISSUES

Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche

by Vanshika Tripathi His Eminence Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche, 88, died in Seattle, Washington in the United States on April 29.

The Tibetan Parliament acknowledged his “extraordinary contributions” towards the Tibetan cause in a condolence letter to Rinpoche’s family and followers, “We are saddened to learn of the passing away of His Eminence Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche Ngawang Kunga Sonam of Phuntsok Phodrang. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and disciples. Rinpoche has spent his entire lifetime engaged in dharmic activities for the sake of humanity as well as for the collective merit of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet. Therefore, his demise is a huge loss to Tibetan Buddhism as well as to his numerous disciples and devotees,” the letter stated.

His Eminence was born in Sakya County, Tibet on November 2, 1929

to Sakya Trichen Ngawang Thutop Wangchuk and Dechen Dolma. By birth, he was a part of the Phuntsok branch of the Khon lineage of the Sakya School. Rinpoche joined the

principal Sakya monastery at the age of six and studied under Yongzin Sangay Rinchen. Rinpoche went on to study esoteric Buddhism, including the teachings of the sutras and tantras and the religious rites and main teachings of the Sakya tradition.

In 1949, Rinpoche married JamyangPalmo, who comes from a family of lamas and doctors. Rinpoche and Jamyang Palmo had five sons together.

His Eminence delivered his first public sermon in 1951, during which he discussed the Lamdre Tsokshe teachings with the main Sakya monastery. He additionally travelled to eastern Tibet for the completion of his further studies under the direction of Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche and Jamyang Khentse Chokyi Lodoe.

Rinpoche delivered teachings on the Lamdre Lopshey (The Path and its Fruits in its more esoteric form) five times, which brought him a legion of disciples from all over the world.

For the cultivation of spirituality of his disciples, Rinpoche founded dharma centres and Sakya institutes in numerous places, including Vietnam, New Delhi, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Throughout his life, His Eminence Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche stressed the importance of education and interreligious and interdisciplinary meetings for the progress of Tibet.

His wife and sons survive him.

Appeal for Return of Alumni

by Rajeshwari Tikhile The Tibetan Scholarship Programme Alumni Association (TSPAA) has launched a new website aimed at enabling all scholarship programme alumni to connect with each other and provide updates about their work. This website is also expected to call upon all the alumni who have studied abroad and not returned to come back to India to serve their community in exile.

Under the TSP, students can apply for a scholarship to complete a twoyear Master’s Degree programme in the United States.The alumni are then expected to return and work for the betterment of the Tibetan community.

However, according to TSPAA figures only 150 of the 410 alumniare currently serving the Tibetan community.

One of the recipients of TSP, the Sikyong or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile Dr Lobsang Sangay,said, “My selection for the Tibetan Scholarship Programme Contact

gave me a rare opportunity. My legal education at Harvard Law School made a profound impact on my life,”.

He added, “As a democratically elected political leader, much of my keen desire in bringing change to the Tibetan society and transforming ideas into action comes from my education.

Therefore, I fully encourage Tibetans to participate in TSP and become strong advocates of Tibet and Tibetan people”. Dr Sangay studied at Harvard Law School, considered to be the premier law school.

At the press conference, a message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama was read, saying: “It is very good both for the community and yourselves that you will be learning new ways and methods to address problems. A new way of thinking and doing things is important as we could learn from it; but at the same time remember your cause, why you are being sent there; not to settle and work there 14

but to return on completion of your education and serve the community and our cause. So, I congratulate you on your achievement and knowledge and pray that you return to serve our cause and people in whatever way you choose.”

The website will showcase how TSP alumni from different academic and occupational backgrounds are contributing to the Tibetan community and to the world. It will also feature their testimonials, upcoming events, opportunities and success stories.

The TSP is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and it is administered through a Cooperative Agreement with The Tibet Fund, in collaboration with the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Education. It is available for applicants who are eligible Tibetan refugees residing in India and Nepal.

MAY 2016

lha news and projects

Learn Tibetan at Lha

by Charlotte Wigram-Evans

Lobsang Damchoe has been teaching Tibetan at Lha for just under a year and his class has been a huge success.

About ten Tibetans attend religiously every day, others appearing when they have the time; the average pupil-age is 40 and people fit the lesson in around family and work. Though most speak Tibetan, a lack of formal education has left them with poor reading and writing skills.

Dhondup Namgyal is 64, he grew up a nomad on the grasslands of Tibet where schooling was never an option.

For him, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is his inspiration and motivation to learn Tibetan. “He has made Buddhism a world famous religion,” he says, and Namgyal wants to be able to read the scripts.

The women talk about passing the language and culture on to their children. “How can Tibetan carry on,

and how can we pass on our history if we ourselves cannot read and write our own language?” they ask.

Mr Damchoe agrees. He had previously attended English classes at Lha and was surprised by how many people volunteered to teach foreign languages, but no one to teach Tibetan.

“I met so many local Tibetans who could write their names in English but not in their own language. It is the most important thing to a country’s culture, to identifying a country. If you want Tibet back you should learn the Tibetan language,” he says passionately.

Both Mr Damchoe and all of his pupils know that their situation as exiles bestows on them a great responsibility to ensure that the Tibetan culture continues, so just as he will carry on teaching, they will carry on queuing up for his class at midday every day.

Contact

“This Will Not Be My Last Visit”

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 Jin Hui Quek from Singapore tells us his story.

Volunteer job at Lha: Chinese Teacher February, at the request of Lha, I also I dropped in at Lha one cold winter tutored two TCV students in high morning in 2015 to enquire about school physics and chemistry; an exvolunteer opportunities. I’d come science teacher plying his old trade. to the right place at the right time as “Why do they want to learn a Chinese teacher from Taiwan was Chinese?” I’ve been asked, sometimes leaving the very next day. Although I with a, “shouldn’t they hate everything could hardly be considered a “native” Chinese?” undertone. Legitimate or Chinese speaker, I accepted the offer to teach introductory Chinese, albeit with some reservations. After all, I’m of Chinese descent and started learning Chinese at a young age.

My classes started on the right note and I soon took over the intermediate class. Teaching two classes at different levels to a motley crew of Tibetan monks, nuns, young school students, adult Tibetans, Nepalese, Ladakhis, Bhutanese and the odd western traveller, proved to be a challenging yet not, it’s one way for them to maintain engaging undertaking. Challenging, emotional links to their homeland. because catering for, and teaching a Some want to improve their Chinese to diverse, constantly changing student enjoy Chinese programs on TV or the body requires careful handling and Internet. Those proficient in Chinese lesson planning. I had to adapt by simply want to immerse themselves planning and conducting lessons in in a Chinese-speaking environment. ways that suited the most number of Some hope to eventually return to students most of the time. I learned to Tibet. Whatever the reason, my grasp every opportunity as a teaching students (and other Tibetans I know) and learning moment for the students have never expressed or harboured and myself also. animosity toward the Chinese people.

Because I have visited Tibet Volunteering and other pursuits such and other Tibetan regions quite as learning meditation and Buddhism, extensively, my classroom experience personal studies and attending was all the more endearing. I learned Buddhist study retreats enrich my life about the students and their families tremendously. The community as a in Tibet and understood better the whole has given me more happiness Tibetan community in Dharamshala than I have given time as a volunteer at large. Their hopes and fears, dreams teacher. I examine my priorities in and endeavours inspired me. I taught life and my own future in light of the for two months in 2015. students and the Tibetan community, Fast forward to 2016. I have been and often glean fresh perspectives on here since New Year, still teaching my own insecurities. Thanks to Lha intermediate Chinese. During the for the opportunities and having faith school holidays in January and in me. This will not be my last visit.

Contact Magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust, a registered charity in Dharamshala. To find out more about Lha’s work and projects please visit www.lhasocialwork.org 15

MAY 2016

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

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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

MAY 2016

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

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

EMAIL: jitenderje@gmail.com PHONE: 7831956680 / 08894435595

The Active Nonviolence Education 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

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: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs524) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs544) , Full Deluxe Bus: (Rs683) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1121) AC TATA: 4pm (Rs830) Amritsar: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs245) *from Dharamshala Dehradun: Ordinary Bus: 8pm (Rs524); AC Deluxe: 2pm (Rs664) Manali: Ordinary Bus: 7:10am (Rs676) *from Dharamshala Pathankot: Ordinary Bus: 10am, 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm(Rs150) Shimla: Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs360) *from Dharamshala, Semi-Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs450) *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.

TAXIS

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

MAY 2016

activities and information Upcoming Events June 1-3 : His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give teaching to Tibetan youth at Tsugla-khang, the main Tibetan temple June 5: World Environment Day June 7-9 : His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching at Tsugla-khang at the request of Nalanda Shiksha

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

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

Sunita Singh Yoga Class

LOCATION: Singh Corner, nr Magic Tree Upper Bhagsu PHONE: 98058-89060 WEB: www.maashakktiyoga.com

Siddhartha Retreat and Yoga Centre LOCATION: Upper Bhagsu PHONE: 098165-65138 WEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.org

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu massage LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road PHONE: 941-813-0119 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

Traditional Thai Massage

LOCATION: Opposite the Himachal Govt.

Tourist Information Centre, Hotel Surya Rd PHONE: 981-633-9199 EMAIL: jite02@yahoo.com jitthimalaya@gmail.com

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

WEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky PHONE: 09816565138 EMAIL: yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in

Taxi services Rinku Taxi Services

LOCATION: Opposite Club House, near Tourist Information Office, Hotel Surya Road PHONE: (+91) 9418687343, 9857030707 WEB: www.rinkutaxihimachal.com

COOKING Lha Tibetan Cooking Classes - for groups LOCATION: Lha Soup Kitchen, Temple Rd, Just below the Dalai Lama’s temple HOURS: Registration, 9:00-11:00am PHONE: 01892-220992

LANGUAGES Tibetan Language Courses

WEB: www.thosamling.com LOCATION: Thosamling Institute, Sidhpur (near Norbulingka) PHONE: 9882455065 EMAIL: thosamling@gmail.com *see ad on opp. page for more information

LRZTP Tibetan Language Program LOCATION: near Mentsekhang, VOT building EMAIL: Lrztp108@gmail.com WEB: www.LRZTP.org *see ad on pg 23

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: At Bhimsen’s Indian Cooking Class 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

Indian Cooking and Knitting with Ms Rita Kapoor

Tibet Museum

Indian Cooking Classes

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

LOCATION: Old German Bakery, 1st Floor, Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag PHONE: 94592-06586 LOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 941-813-0119 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

Nisha’s Indian Cooking Class

LOCATION: The flourishing flora, Opp. TIPA, Dharamkot road, Mcleodganj HOURS: 4:00-6:00pm PHONE: 9882599093 EMAIL: nishaanilsarin@hotmail.com

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

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LOCATION:Near the Main Temple and Namgyal Monastery gate, McLeod Ganj HOURS: Tue-Sun: 9:00am-5:00pm

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

Form Gallery

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd. near Oasis Cafe PHONE: 8894-060602 HOURS: Daily, 12:00pm-6:00pm

MAY 2016

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 phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,also 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 - 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.

T H O S A M L I N G ’s Tibetan Language Program 2016 Beginner’s Course

• 15 Feb – 13 May • 29 Aug – 18 Nov 5 days/week, total 4.5 hrs/day

Start with the alphabet and learn to read and write basic Tibetan in two weeks! Our new textbook as well as audio and video materials ensure quick progress.

Private time with teachers is available.

Intermediate Course

30 May – 26 August 5 days/week, total 4.5 hrs/day

Dharma Language Course combined with Introduction to Debate (Dudra-Lorig-Tarig) 16 May – 11 November

Re fo r a g ist rati o n ll c n o w oo u rs e s is pen

Main focus is on colloquial Tibetan 5 days/week, total 2.5 hrs/day & afternoon debate sessions and first stages of literary Tibetan. Main focus is on literary and colloquial Tibetan. We work with audio materials, transcripts and translations of oral teachings and their root texts. Debate opens many doors to the Dharma and sharpens the A ll c mind. f re e fo r o u rs e s For a minimum of fi ve people o rd Sa n g h a a i ned coming from McLeod Ganj: ! inexpensi ve daily transport can be arranged.

T H O S A M L I N G I N S T I T U T E for International Buddhist Women

TO REGISTER: thosamling@gmail.com • Info: www.thosamling.com • Sidhpur • 176057 Dharamsala • mobile 9882455065 Contact

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MAY 2016

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DR TANDON’S ADVANCED

Ocean of Harmony

DENTAL

Programmes for Wellbeing

ORTHODONTIC & IMPLANT CENTRE

Meditation Intensives Meditation Therapies Intensive Yoga Courses/Retreats Stress Management Integrated Healing Therapies Wellness Retreats

Mcleod Add: Downstairs Opp. AB Travels Temple Road Mcleod Ganj Dharamshala Add: Opp. Canara Bank Kotwali Bazaar Dharamshala

A centre with multispeiciality dental treatment facility since 2000. Map#24 website: www.himachaldentist.com Email: dr.rahultandon@gmail.com Appointment/Emergency call: 9418462936

For upcoming events, visit

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HIMALAYAN YOGA RETREAT

For intensive trainings around the world (any country) contact: Shalu Patel (experienced & qualified life and wellness coach for international trainings)

Yoga Time: 8:30 am to 9:30 am 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Drop-in Classes/ Weekly Courses/ Reiki Course & Treatment Teacher Training Course (200 hours) Map#

Mobile no: 988222502 - Surinder Address: Jogiwara Road, Green View House after Youngling Schoo Mcleod Ganj, Opposite Pink House

Phone: (+91) 9979894585 Email: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com

BLACK TENT CAFE

RINKU TAXI SERVICE

Best taxi & car rental services in Himachal, Tour Packages Pick-up & Drop-in to Airports, Rail station, Bus stop

Free high-speed Wi-fi

Delicious coffee, authentic homemade Tibetan and western cuisine All food washed in clean filtered water

Opp. Club House, near Tourist Information Office Hotel Surya Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - Map#16 PHONE: (+91) 94186-87343, 98570-30707

Free movies on Saturdays at 7.30pm Live Tibetan music every Wednesday at 6.30pm

www.rinkutaxihimachal.com

Jogiwara Road (near post office), McLeod Ganj – Map # 8

CARPE DIEM

Chapri Handicrafts

Visit Sunanda to see her beautiful shawls, fabrics, gifts, papier-mache, handicrafts, thankas and so much more!

RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA

MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, CONTINENTAL, & THAI FOOD, No MSG • Everything washed with sterilized water • Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere & Japanese-style seating • Live music every Sunday - Map#9 Located on Jogiwara Road, across from the Tibetan Reception Center (down from Post Office) - Map # 9

Shop no 9, Next Alley to State Bank of India ATM, Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj Map#27

Tel: 98826-04215 tibetan healing massage centre

Om massage centre

Tibetan Healing Massage/ Acupressure Points/ Acupressure / Reflexology / Deep Issue Massage / Heat Compress Therapy / Massage Course Available Bhagsu Road, Opp. Green Hotel Mcleod Ganj - Map#26 Email: kunsangdolma75@gmail.com Contact: 9857999373 /9805895574

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

HOTEL LADIES’ VENTURE

“The most suitable place for foreigners, holidaymakers, honeymooners, trekkers, and those who wish to commune with nature!”

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

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

Phone: 01892-220567 Cell: 9418236603 Jogiwara Rd (Map #12) Email: tseringd@aushimview.com

Your Communication Partner

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #23 Mobile: 07833047078 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com,

Dr Mobile Shop

Mobile Sales, Mobile Repair, Sim Cards, Purchase and Recharge Phone Service

Black Magic Building (underground), Jogiwara Road, Map # 7 McLeod Ganj Phone: 9857011101 Contact

Nature Cure Health Club

18+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses &

treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!

20

MAY 2016

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Contact

21

MAY 2016

advertisements Map of McLeod Ganj showing locations of places of interest

BHAGSU NAG

Map not to scale

See Advertisement Pages for details of advertisers TIPA

21

DHARAMKOT

26

25 Vipassana Centre

Naddi Village

15

Tushita Centre

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

McLEOD GANJ

22

4

5 MAIN SQUARE

3

Cantt Police Post

6

7

20

23

1 Lha Main Bazaar

24

29

8

9

11

10

12

28

16

27

14

2

13

Road to Dharamshala

1. Lha Headquarters 2. Namgyal Cafe 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dream Holidays Travel 5. Shangrila Hotel 6. Shambala Coffee Meal 7. Dr Mobile, Woeser Bakery 8. Black Tent Cafe 9. Carpe Diem Restaurant 10. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture 12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 13. Ahimsa House & 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. Himalayan Yoga Retreat 26. Om Massage Centre 27. Chapri Handicrafts 28. Tibetan Online School 29. Marleen’s Thankas & Gifts

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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

Namgyal Cafe

Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#7 The famous and popular Namgyal Cafe has merged

Dream Holidays

with Om Hotel right off the main square - Map # 2 • • • •

Since 1998

Ground Floor of Asian Plaza Hotel, Main Square, McLeod Ganj (3rd office inside Mall) - Map #4 +Worldwide Air Travel Arrangements +AC/Non-AC cars jeeps for tours +Flight/Rail tickets, hotel reservations contact: 98160-87878 / 94180-97149, vineet_dream@yahoo.com

Open every day from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm Mobile: 9882649768

Shambala Coffee Meal Jogiwara Roadd, next to Tibet Kitchen Map#6

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

A vegetarian restaurant specialising in variety of Japanese meals: Sushi Rolls, Special noodle Udon, Omthai Rice Coffee / Free Wifi Open every day from 7am to 8pm Mobile: +91 (0) 9882611796

Dr Natasha Mehra @

Lhamo’s Croissant

Perfect 32 Dental Clinic

Vegetarian and Vegan Food Bakery, Coffee shop, French Restaurant Gluten Free and Fresh seasonal juices and salads

CONTACT

Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map# 10

Call: 09218742046

Rooftop terrace with stunning views

perfect32dentalclinic@gmail. com

Contact

Extensive vegetarian menu Terrace dining with beautiful view Best pizza in McLeod Ganj Good music and friendly staffs

Bhagsu Road, just before Kunga Hotel Map#15

22

MAY 2016

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Marleen’s Thankas & Gifts

Advertise in Contact

We are happy to provide high quality Tibetan thangkas and gifts for all budgets; working with 18 artists we are able to take orders.

To advertise on this page Call Lha office: 01892-220992 or visit the office at Temple Rd, Opp State Bank of India Mcleod Ganj - Map#1

Jogiwara Road, 50m down from post office, opposite Tibetan gas office Mc Leod Ganj Map #29 Email: thankas_inn@yahoo.com

May all beings be happy.

Tibetan Online School

Jogiwara Road, Opp, Lungta Restaurant Mcleod Ganj Map#28 Tibetan & English Language Courses Available Online or Private Classroom Lessons Contact: 9816272816 / tibetschool@gmail.com

Dolma Therapy

Traditional Tibetan Massage & Courses

snowlion

tattoo

custom

Massages offered: full body/ head./ back/ foot Massage courses: 3 - 7 Days

Artist PASSANG

Bhagsu Road, Mcloed Ganj Behind Lhamo’s Croissant Map#15 Contact: tsedol1107@gmail.com / 9882456837

Location: near Hotel Tibet

Professional Tattoo Artist Traditionally Trained Tibetan Thangka Painter

100% Safe & Hygienic Contact: 9459160626-9805286528 snowlion custom tattoo : facebook

Contact

Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 3)

23

MAY 2016

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

Yoga Teacher Training

200 Hr Teacher Trainings: 13th June & 11th July, 2016 300 Hr Teacher Traings: 19th September, 2016 Daily Drop-Ins : 8:00 Am & 5 PM Deepen your practice of Yoga, Meditation & Pranayama Expand your consciousness even further Learn how to give the gift of Yoga to others

Registration open - Apply online now Login to : www.sarvagunayoga.org Email us at: info@sarvagunayoga.org Contact or Whats App : +91 9882369775, +91 9816693444 Facebook: SarvagunaYogaDhaama

Venue : SARVAGUNA YOGA

Oasis House, Upper Bhagsu, Dharamshala Himalayas Registered Yoga School Yoga Alliance, USA

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 Editors Charlotte Wigram Evans Tsering Wangdue Reporter Dorji Kyi Layout Design Tamdin Yangzom Circulation Manager Lobsang Rabsel Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web: www.lhasocialwork.org www.contactmagazine.net Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: @ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com