Contact November 2012 by Lha Charitable Trust

འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་དུས་དེབ།

www.contactmagazine.net 30 November 2012

Volume: XIV Issue: 11

contact Magazine A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues & Community Information

Tibetan Self-Immolations Rises to 90 With sadness and regret we must report the following self-immolations. 30 Nov: Kunchok Kyab, 29, set himself on fire in Shagdom region in Ngaba. Chinese security personnel put out the fire and took him to regional headquarters in Barkham. It is not yet known whether he is dead or alive. According to Kirti Monastery, a large crowd is gathering to demand his return. Kunchok Kyab has two children, a nine-year-old and a sixyear-old. 29 Nov: Tsering Tashi, 31, a father of two, set himself on fire near the local Chinese government office in Luchu region. He is survived by his wife Choekyong Tso, their two children, Dorjee Kyi, 7, and Kalsang Dolma, 3, and his parents. This is the third self-immolation protest in Luchu region in the last ten days.

Tibet Support Groups gather in Dharamsala for International Summit

By Tenzin Dharpo & Caroline Couffinhal Various Tibet support groups, politicians, and journalists, including 20 Chinese delegates, gathered on the morning of November 16th for the opening of the Special International Meeting of Tibet Support Groups. The meeting, which took place within Dekyi Tsering Hall, Upper TCV, in Dharamsala, was organized by Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India and facilitated by Department of Information & International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration. As announced in the press release distributed by the DIIR last week, this meeting, with more than 200 members of groups from 43 countries around the world, was aimed at identifying and developing a means to efficiently address the worsening situation in Tibet and the rising number of selfimmolations. Indeed, the number of selfimmolations is rapidly increasing, and this urgent meeting explored

ways to strengthen support from the international community and to pressure the Chinese government to stop all repressive policies inside the country that are provoking Tibetans to protest. Specifically, the meeting wishes to urge the United Nations to engage in and confront issues pertaining to the crisis in Tibet. At the opening session, a minute of silence was observed in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives. The director of Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India, Dr. NK Trikha, then opened the work session, calling the situation "urgent and critical" and declaring that there is "the imperative need for support groups to meet to coordinate their efforts in support of Tibet." Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay then thanked all the people who came from around the world to participate in this meeting. "By bringing together all Tibet support groups,” he said, “it is a strong message that we want to address, in Beijing, the message that Continued on page 7

28 Nov: Wangdhen Khar, 21 years of age, set himself on fire in Tsoe region of Kanlho. He is survived by his father Tsering Thar, mother Kunsang Dolma and his elder brother Jampa and younger brother Sangay Dhondup. Monks and local Tibetans have gathered at his home for prayers. 27 Nov: Sangay Tashi, 18, set himself on fire in Sangkog town of Sangchu region in Labrang. He had studied at a primary school for four years but Continued on page 6

Representatives from the Summit - Photo by Romain Buffi

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Lha Charitable Trust

Institute for Social Work & Education Mission Statement:

Lha is a resource of education and knowledge that provides meaningful, multi-leveled social and educational services for the benefit of others.

Background:

awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. Through rehabilitation resources and social and educational services, Lha facilitates an easy transition for the Tibetan refugee community to India. On a daily basis, Lha serves over 250 people, hosts between 15 and 25 volunteers and provides up to 20 different services, including on average 50 nutritious meals per day for financially disadvantaged people. For more information about Lha, please visit: www.lhasocialwork.org

Become a Sponsor for Lha’s Soup Kitchen

On 6 July 2011, Lha opened its community soup kitchen at its new building, Ahimsa House. This is the first soup kitchen in Dharamsala and serves low-cost and nutritious meals to the Tibetan refugee community. 40 to50 needy refugees can take advantage of this service every day for a nominal fee of 15 rupees per person, per meal. Meals are completely free for those who cannot afford to pay. The kitchen’s primary objective is to provide refugees with lowcost and nutritious meals while educating them about healthy eating and living. The kitchen will also serve as a space where refugees can receive formal training for the service and resaurant industry.

Sponsor an Issue of Contact Magazine! If you would like to sponsor an issue of Contact Magazine, please contact us. This space would be used to present your photo, profile, and any message you want to share with the community and visitors. We will thank you for many lifetimes! Contact Magazine

Contact Magazine is a free monthly publication of Lha Charitable Trust. It contains Tibetan issues, international news and local information that aspires to bring the West and East together in a meaningful and beneficial way. 700 copies are printed per issue and distributed in the greater Dharamsala area and (in the future) in Delhi, Rishikesh, Manali, Goa, and various diplomatic missions to India. Contact keeps readers up-to-date on current issues and events, and provides networking, education and volunteer opportunities, as well as social services information. Contact staff and contributors hope you will enjoy and benefit from our modest efforts to build a community through communication. May peace and love prevail! Guidelines for submission: Contact welcomes submissions of articles, news and photography. We also gladly accept information about upcoming events, volunteer work and special projects. All material intended for publication in Contact must be submitted by the 20th of each month. Your letter may not be printed if it is unsigned, illegible, slanderous or malicious. We reserve the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar and length. Send your material via email to editor@contactmagazine.net Remember: The articles, stories and other material in Contact represent the views of the authors and not necessarily the views of the Contact editing staff. Make contact: If you would like to contact Contact, call Lobsang Rabsel at 981-615-5523 or the Lha office at Temple Road (ph. 01892-220992). All comments on this issue should be submitted by email to editor@contactmagazine.net Where to find Contact: Contact is available at many places around McLeod Ganj including the Lha office, libraries, travel agencies, hotels, restuarants and shops. NOVEMBER 2012

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་དུས་དེབ།

New Water Filtration System Installed

Contact Magazine Editor

Stacey Garretson

Sub-Editors

Tenzin Dharpo John Curran O’Day

Assistant Editor Tenzin Younten

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: contact@contactmagazine.net Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamsala Phone: 222390

A brand new filter water system was installed at TCV Day School in McLeod Ganj on 14 November. The filter system is an RO+UV+ UF and TTS, considered one of the best filtered water systems available in the area. This filtration system has the 500-liter capacity steel tank and can provide more than 100 liters of clean and safe drinking water per hour to the students, their teachers and staff. The filtered water is to be used not only for drinking but also for cooking, thereby improving the quality of food served at the school. Additionally, we

installed a water dispenser providing instant filtered hot and cold water. We expect that these improvements will help to alleviate some of the waterborne illnesses children commonly suffer from in this region, especially during the monsoon season. This marks the fourth water filter system that Lha Charitable Trust has installed in the community. We would like to thank the generous contribution by Mr. Luke from the United Kingdom who has made this improvement to the TCV Day School possible.

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Lha offers you the opportunity to share (0) 1892-220992 your knowledge and skills with the local Tibetan, Indian, and Himalayan communities whilst gaining hands-on *All donations and fees from Lha experience working with a social work classes and services directly benefit organization. Lha volunteers will develop Lha community social work projects. friendships, learn about issues facing the www.lhasocialwork.org Tibetan refugee community, and become www.contactmagazine.net immersed in the fascinating cultures of the people they are serving. www.tibetnature.net 3

NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

Low Expectations for China’s Changing Regime

By John Curran O’Day The attention of the world is on China as the country transitions to a new Communist government after its 18th National Congress. While China plays an increasingly dominant role in international affairs, one of the most pressing questions surrounding the transition is domestic: will the new government signal any change in China’s widely criticized position toward Tibet? As Tibetans grow increasingly desperate for relief, with the number of self-immolations protesting Chinese oppression growing at an alarming rate, Tibetans, human rights advocates, and sympathizers of the cause wait with bated breath. Navi Pillay, the United Nation’s high commissioner for human rights, recently made a public statement strongly criticizing the Chinese government’s treatment of Tibetans, citing the rise in self-immolations as a clear sign of desperation borne of China’s brutal tactics, ranging from detentions, beatings, torture, and an excessive military presence in Tibetan areas. She noted that there are 12 outstanding requests for visits to China by UN special investigators, and said that “social stability in Tibet will never be achieved through heavy security measures and suppression of human rights.” Unfortunately, her spokesperson, Rupert Colville, explained the rare public admonishment was due to the fact that “we don’t see any visible signs of progress.” Indeed, China’s level of cruelty has only seemed to increase. Phayul recently reported that authorities have gone so far as to ban monks from attending prayer ceremonies mourning the deceased. After a selfimmolation by three young monks from the Ngoshul Monastery, police barred fellow monks from attending the loved ones of their colleagues. Information regarding the condition of two monks involved in the protest was unattainable, due to the high security Contact Magazine

presence by the People’s Armed Police. Meanwhile, Tsewang Rigzin, president of Tibetan Youth Congress, and 13 fellow protestors were arrested in New Delhi after storming the Chinese embassy there, raising slogans demanding independence for Tibet and relief from Chinese brutality, in an effort to vocalize the issue during the ongoing Congress Convention in China. The rising intensity of the Chinese crackdown and lack of any political response to the protests does not bode well for the Tibetan cause. Chinese transitions of power are notoriously shrouded in secrecy. Those leaders who will assume control are chosen well in advance of

Xi Jinping

the Congress, and the decision-makers consist of current and retired leaders who are often not even delegates to the official ceremony. While the delegates are chosen by members of the Communist Party, they are vetted by the party’s personnel division, rendering the members’ involvement indirect, at best. For example, Hu Jintao, the outgoing President, is the official delegate from Jiangsu province, despite the fact that he hasn’t called the province home in four decades. Furthermore, specially invited delegates, such as retired President Jiang Zemin, still wield considerable power regardless of the fact that they are not elected. The theme of the current Congress has been largely economic, as the new Communist Party chief and incoming president Xi Jinping made clear in his first comments to the party. His speech 4

focused on the problem of corruption, which he said, would “doom the party and the state” if it is not curtailed. Corruption is indeed a hot-button issue with the Chinese people and has been the subject of a majority of international news coverage, in addition to other fiscal issues facing China’s rapidly growing economy, the world’s second-largest. The Tibetan issue, as the New York Times recently noted, has received negligible attention. Comments from delegates have ranged from utterly dismissive to bizarre, with one responding to international journalists’ questions by asking, simply, “can I not answer that?,” and Qiangba Puncog, the deputy party chief of Tibet, offering this baffling take on the problem, according to the South China Morning Post: “I can’t say there are no selfimmolations in Tibet; however, most Tibetan people and monks didn’t burn themselves.” Moreover, the Times noted that there has been a troubling lack of attention given to the issue by Chinese intellectuals, who are normally adept at circumventing attempts by the government to block unflattering commentary in social media and elsewhere. “The apathy is appalling,” Zhang Boshu, a Chinese political philosopher, told the Times. The widening gulf between the issues important to China’s Han majority and the desperate cries among minority Tibetans does not indicate good prospects for change, as internal pressure, though heavily stymied, is one of the only effective measures against the ruling elite. It seems, rather, that it might require a highly public and relentless effort on the part of the international community to pressure China into softening its treatment of Tibetans. Perhaps increasingly condemnatory statements from the UN signal an uptick is such pressure. The 18th National Congress, however, did not show any sign that the government will soon relent. NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Japan

By Carolyn Hannah His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Japan on 4 November for a 12-day trip. Traveling to Yokohama, Tokyo, Kanazawa, Okinawa, and back to Tokyo he met with various groups, from panel discussions to public talks, concluding with a meeting with the Japanese Parliament. A highlight of the trip was a two-day conference with prominent scientists which offered an opportunity for dialogue on aspects of ancient science meeting modern science. His Holiness has always had a very deep interest in scientific issues, inner as well as outer observable science. He considers scientists to be curious, open-minded and skeptical of new things. His Holiness feels skepticism is necessary for thorough investigation, calling this the Nalanda Tradition of learning in Buddhism which investigated even the Buddha’s own words. While technology has advanced greatly in the last 200 years, and has almost the power of a religion for some in modern times, it cannot now answer some of humanity’s deepest problems. We must make significant “advances in human compassion,” he said, while pursuing “secular ethics based on scientific findings”. One of the presentations at the science conference was given by Dr. Fumio Shimura, Professor of Engineering at Shizuoka Institute of Science & Technology, who discussed quantum physics in relation to the Heart Sutra as a different way of considering how form is emptiness, emptiness form –

an important Buddhist concept. Even when your brain is full, he said, it is essentially empty. The atom itself also demonstrates this quality. This began a lively discussion with His Holiness on the meaning of form and its various categories in classical Buddhism: that which can be seen; that which can be seen only by its effects (such as the wind); and that which cannot be seen but is still form. Modern physics has begun emphasizing the interdependence of all things, that nothing is isolated. An example of this, given in the talk by Dr. Haruo Saji, President of Shizuoka Junior College, was the poetic question, “Can you see the clouds in paper?” Paper, he explained, is made of the pulp of trees which need water to grow, most often in the form of rain, which comes from clouds. “I was once told the concept of interdependence did not exist in science,” His Holiness remarked, “but now that word seems to be finding a place.” Combining the concept of interdependence and the idea of the relationship of emptiness and form, he said, that while the present is very, very important, the future is even more so “because the future is still empty, like space. Anything is possible…it is still in our hands.” Dr. Kazuo Murakami from Tsukuba University, a longtime colleague of His Holiness, spoke on “Switching on Genes to Make Us Shine”. Our genes have an on/off switch, he said, and compared this to His Holiness’ teaching about how to change the world by changing the mind, ridding ourselves of “bad stress” and building up our “good stress”. With amusement he noted that people’s blood sugar levels were greatly lowered when listening to comedians as compared to listening to scientific talks. Not that we should throw out science for only laughter, A moment of laughter with Japanese scientists he said, we need both,

Contact Magazine

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomes His Holiness to the Japanese Parliament

but laughter does have the advantage of no side effects. His Holiness then noted how laughter can not only signify great joy, but also discomfort as when someone is tickled too much. Likewise can tears be a sign of both sorrow and happiness. He would like to see more investigation into “the science of tears”. During His Holiness’ trip to Japan, he also visited Yokohama, where he spoke On Geshe Langri’s “Eight Verses of Training the Mind” to an attendance of more than 6000 people. On a trip to the island of Okinawa he reiterated his two lifelong commitments, the promotion of human values and religious harmony, and again emphasized the enormous importance of dialogue between people and countries with differing opinions, goals, and claims. We must seek the path of peace and this will take action. The younger generations must think deeply on how this can be achieved and it will take great amounts not only of courage, but also deepening compassion for each other. On 13 November, His Holiness visited the Japanese Parliament Building to speak to members on “Human Values and Universal Responsibility”. In a non-partisan show of support for Tibet and its struggle, around 150 members of the Parliament called upon China to finally address the legitimate issues of the Tibetan people as they call for human rights and an end to China’s ruthless oppression. “We strongly urge the Chinese government to immediately stop the unlawful sup-

Continued on page 8 NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

The Number of Tibetan Self-Immolations Rises to 90

Continued from page 1

is being reported that Sangay Dolma left a last will written as a poem in six stanzas before carrying out her fiery protest.

was forced to return home to help with family chores. He is survived by his parents and four siblings. 27 Nov: Kalsang Kyab, 24, set himself ablaze in front of a Chinese government office in Kangtsa town in Ngaba region. Described as gentle natured and a man of few words, he never attended school. He is survived by his parents and six siblings. 26 Nov: Gonpo Tsering, 24, and father of three children below the age of six, set himself on fire in Luchu region of Kanlho. He succumbed to his injuries and local Tibetans carried his charred body inside the Monastery where monks and a large number of Tibetans from the surrounding regions assembled, against official orders, to offer prayers for the deceased and express their solidarity. 26 Nov: Kunchok Tsering, 18, set himself on fire near a mining site in Amchok region of Labrang. Monks of the Amchok Monastery and a large number of local Tibetans gathered at the deceased’s home to offer prayers. Kunchok Tsering is survived by his wife, Sangay Tso, and parents Phagkyab and Gonpo Tso, and an elder brother. 26 Nov: Wangyal, a student of Sertha People’s Middle School, set himself on fire in Sertha region of eastern Tibet. Chinese armed forces arrived at the scene and doused the flames. His condition and whereabouts are unknown. Wangyal is around 20 years of age and an orphan. He has three brothers and one sister. 25 Nov: Sangay Dolma, a nun, passed away from her self-immolation protest in front of the Chinese government office in Dokarmo town of Tsekhog, Malho. Prayers were carried out at her nunnery which is located near Sangag Mindrol Dhargeyling Monastery. It Contact Magazine

23 Nov: Tamding Dorjee, 29, set himself ablaze near the entrance of the local Chinese administrative office of Dokarmo town in Tsekhog region of Malho. Following the self-immolation protest, thousands of local Tibetans gathered to offer prayers and attend the funeral later in the night. 22 Nov: Tamding Kyab, 23 years of age, set himself on fire in the Kluchu region of Kanlho, eastern Tibet. Tibetans recovered his charred body and carried it to his home. Monks from the Shitsang Monastery performed prayers. A nomad, Tamding Kyab was earlier a monk at the Shitsang Monastery, where currently his younger brother is studying. 22 Nov: Lubum Gyal, 18, passed away after setting himself ablaze in Dowa town of Rebgong. Tibetans rescued his body from falling into the hands of Chinese authorities and then monks from the Dowa Monastery carried out the last rites. Lubum Gyal is survived by his father Tsego. 20 Nov: Tsering Dhondup, 34, set himself on fire at Amchok, in Labrang. He is survived by his wife Tamdin Tso and his two young children. Monks performed the last rites. 19 Nov: Wangchen Norbu, 25, set himself ablaze near the Gaden Choepheling Monastery in Domey Tsoshar. He passed away at the site of his protest and his charred body was carried inside the Monastery premises for prayers and last respects. 6

17 Nov: Sangdhak Tsering, 24, a father of three-year-old child, died after setting fire to himself in Rebgong. Local Tibetans say Sangdhak Tsering had repeatedly told his wife that it was not worth living without freedom in Tibet. 17 Nov: Chagmo Kyi, a mother of two children, set herself on fire at Dolma Square in front of Rongwo monastery in Rebgong. Thousands of local Tibetans, including monks of Rongwo monastery, cremated her body behind the monastery. 15 Nov: Tangzin Dolma, 23, set herself ablaze in Tsemo region of Rebkong. She is survived by her parents, Bhulo and Tashi Dolma. 15 Nov: Kharbum Gyal, a teenaged Tibetan set himself on fire in Tsemo region of Rebkong and passed away in his protest. 12 Nov: Nyingchag Bum, 20, set himself on fire on the main street of Dowa town in Rebgong. He died later that day. Local Tibetans prevented the police from taking away his body and took it to Dowa monastery for prayer service. 12 Nov: Nyingkar Tashi, 24, selfimmolated at Ghey-mar Thang in Dro Rongpo region of Rebkong. “Six million Tibetans want freedom for Tibet, independence for Tibet, freedom to learn Tibetan language, freedom to speak our mother tongue,” Tashi wrote in a last note. 10 Nov: Gonpo Tsering, 19, set fire to himself in Lushoe village in Tsoe county (Gansu province). Local Tibetans tried to extinguish the flames, but

Continued on page 20 NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

Tibet Support Groups gather in Dharamsala for International Summit

Continued from page 1

we are more united, stronger and stronger, and that the issue of Tibet remains intact and alive. Together, we can work and make the Tibetan cause a major diplomatic issue of the year 2013." He concluded by saying, "this meeting can and should give hope to the Tibetans in Tibet, showing them that their voices are heard.” On Saturday, representatives of the various support groups were able to meet His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for a private audience. Work sessions during the threeday meeting led to a plan of action with various proposals, including the establishment of an intergovernmental forum to develop an action plan in response to the self-immolation before the end of 2013. The tactic would be to organize days of lobbying and advocacy in international forums, supported by a communication campaign on the self-immolations. Moreover, this forum would work with a wider range of outlets by organizing rallies and other events, and appeal to local media and the general public using a strategy based on social networking. Furthermore, the plan calls for developing Lhakar, a homegrown Tibetan self-reliance movement, in 25 additional countries over the end of the year 2013, and strengthen the movement where it already exists. The plan would encourage support groups, associations, and Tibetan Buddhist centers to join the Lhakar movement by setting up presentations, workshops targeting key organizations, and by seeking support from celebrities, parliamentarians, and others. The recommended actions include sustained use of social networks, online videos, flash mobs, and cultural events. On the international stage, the plan aims to stop the re-election of China to the United Nations Human Rights Council before November 2013. Contact Magazine

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and Dr. NK Trikha - Photo by Norbu Wangyal at Phayul

Targeting UN member states, this movement will create support from civil society and attempt to utilize delegates’ 'no vote'. Despite the likely reelection of China, the effort would be considered a success if it manages, through days of lobbying, letter writing, and online actions, to create awareness among the general public and generate media coverage of the appalling record of human rights abuses in China. Furthermore, the plan suggests creating a network of the eight governments whose countries are dependent on water from Tibet. This campaign will target the environmental ministeries of India, Pakistan, Burma, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The concluding statement of the meeting read, “We express deep anguish that Tibetans feel compelled to self-immolate as an act of political resistance. We resolutely stand in solidarity with their aspirations for freedom and for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland. Responsibility for this crisis lies with China’s leaders and their failed Tibet policies over the last sixty years. We call on China’s new leaders to urgently address the root 7

causes of these self-immolations. ” “We, the conference participants,” it continued, “renew our commitment to work together and in cooperation with Tibetan organizations, Chinese human rights defenders, and other concerned organizations around the world, in pursuit of a political solution to the Tibet issue consistent with international human rights standards.” Tsering Dhondup, Secretary of the Office of Tibet in France, noted that, "it is always a great experience to work with people from all over the world with different cultures and paths, and see what they do in their country for Tibet. And as Sikyong Lobsang Sangay said, the year 2013 will put the Tibet issue on the table of every government." A Brazilian participant stated, “we came all the way from Brazil to support Tibetans; it is about humanity. So we are here to discuss human rights and non-violent actions.” Hope is on everyone's lips. Whether in the short or long term, the conference participants anticipate their work will benefit the fight for an improvement of the situation in Tibet.

NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

UN High Commissioner Urges China to Address Pressing Human Rights Issues in Tibet

By Haley Lewis The UN high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, in a rare public criticism over China’s conduct regarding human rights issues, urged China to promptly address the escalating situation in Tibet. Referring to the suppression of human rights she said, “The people of Tibet have been driven to desperate forms of protest”, such as self-immolations in protest of China’s excessive use of force in their rule. A spokesman for Ms. Pillay, Rupert Colville, when addressing the assembly recently in Geneva said, “Self-immolations are evidence of how serious the situation in Tibet has become and we felt the time had come to talk publicly about that, as we don’t see any visible signs of progress.” One of the cases being reported out of Tibet is of a 17-year old girl who was severely beaten and sentenced to three years in prison for distributing flyers calling for Tibet’s freedom and for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. Others have been sentenced to between four and seven years in prison for making films, writing essays, or distributing photos of selfimmolations and other events outside of China. Among the many concerns human rights officials have are the unfair trial standards faced by prisoners as well as the many reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees. In a statement made to the general assembly in New York on 2 November, Ms. Pillay said, “More needs to

be done to protect human rights and prevent violations.” She urged China to release Tibetans who had been detained merely for exercising fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression, association, and religion, and also referred to, “reports of detentions and disappearances and of excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators and curbs on the cultural UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay rights of Tibetans”. She stressed that, “Social stability According to Pillay, China had in Tibet will never be achieved pledged to step up cooperation with through heavy security measures and the UN on human rights but she added suppression of human rights. Deep there were already 12 outstanding underlying issues need to be addressed requests for United Nations special and I call on the government to seriously investigators to visit China to explore consider the recommendations made human rights issues. to it by various international human With regard to self-immolations, rights bodies, as well as to avail itself the High Commissioner also called of the expert advice being offered on Tibetans to refrain from resorting by the UN’s independent experts on to such violent forms of protest and urged community and religious human rights.” In November 2008 the UN Commit- leaders to use their influence to help tee Against Torture recommended that stop this tragic loss of life. China conduct a thorough and inde- “I recognize Tibetan’s intense pendent inquiry into events surround- sense of frustration and despair ing March 2008 protests, including which has led them to resort to such the reportedly excessive use of force extreme means”, she said, “but there against peaceful demonstrators, most are other ways to make those feelings notably of monks in Kardze county, clear. The government also needs to Ngaba county, and Lhasa as well as recognize this, and permit Tibetans to allegations of torture and ill-treatment express their feelings without fear of retribution.” against those arrested and detained.

His Holiness Visits Japan

Japanese monks chanting the Heart Sutra Continued from page 5

pression of the Tibetan people’s human rights and improve the situation. Contact Magazine

We are ready to send such a message to the international community without any hesitation,” declared the Parliamentarians. Further, on the connected issue of the self-immolations, His Holiness said when asked in Okinawa, that the Chinese government is “not investigating the real causes of the self-immolations”, but is taking the easy way of “blaming us for all the problems in Tibet”. I have repeatedly “asked 8

them [the Chinese Government] to come to India and check all my files and speeches,” he said. They have not come. If only the people of China knew about the true situation, they could decide what is right and what is wrong, but the heavy blanket of censorship and false information prevents this. “Censorship is totally immoral,” said His Holiness. His Holiness returned to Dharamshala on 15 November. NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

Students Raise their Voices in Protest

By Stacey Garretson Recently, Chinese authorities in the Tsolho region distributed a ten-point political questionnaire to students, followed by a speech that included: allegations and abusive remarks against His Holiness the Dalai Lama, accusing him of provoking unrest in the region; disrespectful remarks about people who have died of self-immolation; and derogatory comments about the Tibetan language. The document contained such questions as: Who is agitating for separatism and causing unrest? What is the reason behind self-immolation protest? What harm is caused by illegal public protests? Does bilingual education mean the deterioration of minority language? In response, thousands of students from Chabcha Sorig Lobling Medical School gathered early in the morning of 26 November to peacefully march into the town of Chabcha, shouting slogans for equality of nationalities, freedom of language, respect for truth, and reestablishment of government. Within two hours, Chinese security forces arrived, disrupting the demonstration and asserting control over the area. According to Mogru Tenpa, a Tibetan parliamentarian, “Chinese forces started to severely beat the students without provocation, injuring many.” Images that have surfaced in the media confirm the students’ injuries. The school was then put under complete lock down and Chinese security forces sealed the area. Students have been barricaded inside the school for two days now while parents and local Tibetans have been

barred from making any contact with those confined there. Mobile phone and internet connections are currently restricted in Chabcha village. It appears that three students were arrested, while five students, who were severely injured by police beatings, have been taken to a hospital in Tsongon. A further 20 or so students remain in hospitals in Chabcha. They have not been permitted to see their families. The students in Chabcha have demonstrated before; in 2010 they protested the Chinese government’s plan to remove all Tibetan textbooks from schools. Earlier this month, on 9 November, students numbering in the thousands took to the streets of Rebgong (Chinese: Tongren) protesting for equality, freedom, and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. The students came from the four districts of the region – Thunring, Chentsa, Tsekhog, and Yulgan – and joined with students in Rebgong. They gathered in the early hours of the morning and began the peaceful procession. “The students have been protesting in front of the major Chinese government offices and have jampacked entire streets in the region,” Dorjee Wangchuk, an exiled Tibetan with contacts in the region said. “The students have been reciting the ancient Tibetan prayer hymn for His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Ghang-ri Ra-wei Kor-wei) and raised slogans calling for freedom in Tibet, the rights of the Tibetan people, and the return of the

Tibetan students rally in Rebgong Contact Magazine

Injured student in Chabcha

Dalai Lama to Tibet.” Later in the day, students joined with a large number of local Tibetans at Dolma Square in front of Rongwo monastery. Armed forces were deployed to the area but there were no reports of any confrontation between security forces and students. Authorities stopped vehicular traffic due to the massive numbers of demonstrators in the streets. The previous day saw hundreds of schoolchildren protesting against the Chinese government in Dowa township in Rebgong. The students shouted slogans while marching towards the local government office, where they pulled down a Chinese flag. In order to avoid trouble with authorities, teachers immediately sent a notice to the parents to take their children home and the school remained closed for the rest of the day. The Chinese government has tried for decades to control and suppress Tibetans through cash bribes, disappearances, detainments and imprisonments, torture, constant surveillance, restriction of movement, and military crackdowns. But the growing Tibetan resistance suggests that such tactics will not crush their resolve. Speaking about protesters in Tibet, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay said, “Almost all of them were born after the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the Cultural Revolution. They have grown up in the Chinese system, received Chinese education. They are the primary beneficiaries of whatever the Chinese government gave them. They are saying, ‘This is not what we want.’ ” NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

Tibetan Headlines 24 Nov: TID Protest On Friday the Tibet Initiative Deutschland (TID) held a march in Berlin, Germany handing over 8,000 signatures to the German Government’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Markus Löning in protest of the forced resettlement of Tibetan nomads. 23 Nov: Tibet Education Project The CTA has officially launched the Tibet Education Project, a twoyear program aimed at improving the quality of educational opportunities for Tibetan refugee students in India and Nepal. Funding comes from the US Agency for International Development, which awarded US $2 million to Tibet Fund in September. 22 Nov: Arrests in South India More than 110 Tibetan students studying in Chennai staged a mass protest yesterday, demanding international intervention in the alarming escalation in self-immolation protests inside Tibet. They occupied a busy road opposite the United States Consulate, were then arrested, detained for five hours, and then released.

Tibetan students,Chennai -Photo from Phayul

22 Nov: Notice of Punishment A five-point notice by Chinese authorities in Malho region gives local officials orders “to punish selfimmolators and their families; even those who had offered condolences and prayers to the bereaved family members and relatives.” Further, it announces the cancellation of government aid to families of selfimmolators as well as development Contact Magazine

projects in villages where similar protests have taken place. 16 Nov: Protest Around the World In Dharamshala, a large number of Tibetans marched from Norbulingka to Tsug-la Khang. In Bern, Switzerland, Tibet activists occupied the entrance of the Chinese embassy in a major protest yesterday, calling for an immediate and drastic change in China’s Tibet policy. In Geneva, Tibetans carried out a three-day ‘kneel down’ campaign in front of the United Nations office.

TCV Candle Light Vigil - Photo from Phayul

15 Nov: Candle Light Vigil Instead of a celebration, students from the Tibetan Children’s Village School in Gopalpur chose to mark Children’s Day in India with a candle light vigil in solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet. Students, on their own initiative, offered prayers, and lit over 10,000 candles and butter lamps. 14 Nov: Global Solidarity Day Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay today called for a Global Solidarity Day to be observed. “On December 10, Noble Peace Prize Day, which also coincides with the World Human Rights Day, we appeal to all Tibetans to observe a ‘Global Solidarity Day for Tibet’ and urge all Tibetan organisations to carry out campaigns,” he said. 14 Nov: Pelosi on Tibet Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi welcomed the Flame of Truth in San Francisco, the final stop of the relay across America. “The people of Tibet have legitimate grievances after decades of harsh rule. They have been 10

economically marginalised in their own land, imprisoned for peacefully expressing their political views, and forced to endure ‘political education’ campaigns to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The United States, a country rooted in the values of liberty, equality, and human rights, has a special responsibility to protect and promote those values, both at home and abroad,” she said. 13 Nov: Chinese Notice The Chinese government has reinforced the existing ban on Tibetans from keeping pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The posted notice pledges to strengthen state management of monasteries, prohibit under-aged Tibetans from joining monasteries and nunneries, and “maintain unity of the motherland and fight against the Dalai group’s separatist activities.” All religious activities must strictly conform to government regulations. 13 Nov: TYC Members Arrested Yesterday members of the Tibetan Youth Congress protested outside the Chinese Embassy in Delhi. Police arrested 13 of the Tibetan activists, who were led by the current TYC President Tsewang Rigzin who had demanded to speak to members of the Chinese government about the deteriorating situation within Tibet. 2 Nov: Torch Relay in Zurich The Flame of Truth Torch Relay has arrived in Zurich. Ven. Thubten Wangchen, a Tibetan Parliamentarian from Europe, was welcomed by about 700 Tibetans. Switzerland is the last leg of the European Relay which has passed through 23 countries on its journey which began in Spain.

Relay concludes in Geneva, Switzerland NOVEMBER 2012

news & issues

International Headlines

Bangladeshi garment workers

26 Nov: Protest in Bangladesh Thousands of angry textile workers demonstrated in Dhaka today after a fire over the weekend killed 111 workers in Bangladesh’s worst-ever factory blaze. Working conditions in Bangladeshi factories (where labor costs are as low as $37/month) are notoriously poor and overcrowded, and locked fire doors are common. 23 Nov: Passport Map Dispute China issued passports in May that include a map that claims the area of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin (in India), the entire South China Sea, and even Taiwan, as Chinese. India has retaliated by stamping these passports with its own version of the map, marking out its own territorial boundaries. 21 Nov: Cease Fire An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire hopefully puts an end to Israeli air raids and Hamas bombs. In all, the recent offensive killed 162 Palestinians, including 37 children, and 11 women, along with three Israeli civilians and a soldier. 14 Nov: Spain & Portugal Strikes Demonstrations turned violent in Spain and Portugal after millions took part in a mostly peaceful general strike on Wednesday against austerity policies. In Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona, police and demonstrators clashed with rubber bullets fired and nearly 140 arrests made. The strike cancelled hundreds of flights, schools were shut, factories were at a standstill and trains barely ran. 11 Nov: Drugs Seized in Paraguay Agents in Paraguay have seized Contact Magazine

nearly 1,700kg (3,700 pounds) of cocaine. Ezequiel de Souza, Paraguay’s most wanted man, and alleged Bolivian drug lord Marco Antonio Rocca Ali, known as “El Presi,” were among the 20 people arrested. Paraguayan police say this is the biggest seizure of drugs in the South American country this year. Landlocked Paraguay borders Bolivia, one of South America’s main cocaine producers, and Brazil, which has become one of the world’s top consumers of illegal drugs. 8 Nov: Red Dramas Red dramas - shows which glorify the army, the party and ordinary villagers living hardscrabble lives during the early days of the communism - are flooding the airwaves in China as the 18th Party Congress gets under way in Beijing. But a growing number of young people are unimpressed by these patriotic period pieces. “As a post-80s child I guess I want to see different cultures, thoughts, ideas and interesting things in this world,” stated one Chinese youth.

Earthquake damaage in Guatemala

7 Nov: Pacific Earthquake A 7.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Guatemala shook buildings in the capital and killed at least 39 people on Wednesday. Landslides blocked roads, many houses were severely damaged and numerous people were trapped under rubble. As many as 100 people were unaccounted for. President Otto Perez said there had been five aftershocks, with authorities distributing 16,000 emergency rations and mobilizing more than 2,000 soldiers to help with the rescue effort. 11

5 Nov: Syrian Kurds Flee Syria Roughly 30,000 Syrian Kurds have fled over the border to Camp Domiz in Iraqi Kurdistan where they are finding some freedom to flaunt their ethnic identity through speaking their own language and flying the Kurdish flag without fear of reprisals. The Kurdish people, who number more than 20 million, are divided between Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Iran, and are often described as the world’s largest ethnic group without a state. They make up about 10% of the population in Syria.

Children at Camp Domiz

4 Nov: New Coptic Pope In Egypt the Coptic Orthodox church has chosen a new pope, Bishop Tawadros, to lead the Middle East’s biggest Christian community. In a sumptuous ritual filled with prayer, chants and incense at Abbasiya cathedral in Cairo, the 60-yearold bishop’s name was picked by a blindfolded child from a glass bowl in which the names of two other candidates had also been placed. Tawadros replaces Pope Shenouda III who led the church for four decades until his death last March. 1 Nov: Murder in Pakistan In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a couple killed their teenage daughter by pouring acid on her face and body after they caught her talking to a boy. “There were third-degree burns on her scalp, face, eyes, nostrils, both arms, chest foot and lower part of legs. Even her scalp bone was exposed,” the doctor said. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, almost 1,000 women lost their lives last year in so-called honor killings. NOVEMBER 2012

around town

Charities and Organizations

Central Tibetan Administration

The CTA serves in Dharamsala 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: Dharamsala – 176215 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 organizes his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration. When His Holiness is in Dharamsala, his schedule includes daily religious practice and studies, meeting with private audiences, and congregating with the Tibetan Kashag and senior Tibetan governmental officials. WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: Thekchen Choeling, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala – 176219 PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221879 EMAIL: ohhdl@dalailama.com

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)

The Tibetan Youth Congress is an advocacy and political action organization with chapters around the world. The Tibetan Youth Congress organizes cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities. The organization publishes a series of periodicals and magazines on the Tibetan cause. WEB: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala -176219 PHONE: 01892-221554 / 221010 EMAIL:info@tibetanyouthcongress.org, gensec@tibetanyouthcongress.org

Tibetan Women’s Association

The Tibetan Women’s Association (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, Dharamsala – 176219 PHONE: 01892-221527 / 221198 EMAIL: twa@tibetanwomen.org

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education. There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamsala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India. WEB: www.tcv.org.in LOCATION: Dharamsala Cantt.176216 PHONE: 01892-220356 / 221348 EMAIL: headoffice@tcv.org.in

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Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute (Men-Tsee-Khang) 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. WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala – 176215 PHONE: 01892-223222 EMAIL: tmai@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 Dharamsala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-222467 / 226181 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm, 2:005:00pm. Closed 2nd and 4th Sat. every month EMAIL: office@ltwa.net

Delek Hospital

Delek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamsala. 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, although this is waived for those who fall under the poverty line. The hospital has a pharmacy on site. WEB:www.delekhospital.org (Friends of Tibetan Delek Hospital) LOCATION: Kharadanda Road, Dharamsala -176215; Delek Clinic, Bhagsu Road, Dharamsala -176219 PHONE: 01892-222053 / 223381 HOURS: Outpatient, Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm; Emergencies, 24 hours daily EMAIL: delek@sancharnet.in

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 organization. WEB: www.sambhota.org LOCATION: Session Road, Dharamsala 176215 PHONE: 01892 - 228877 | 226877 EMAIL: stsa1999@yahoo.co.in

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)

Students for a Free Tibet is an international nongovernmental organization that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community. The organization attempts to build international solidarity by advocating for a free Tibet through chapter organizations at Universities around the world. WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org

LOCATION: Jogiwara RoadMcLeod Ganj, Dharamsala - 176219 PHONE: 01892-220589

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 conducts workshops and campaigns. WEB: www.tchrd.org LOCATION: Top Floor, Narthang Building Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-223363 EMAIL: office@tchrd.org

Lha Charitable Trust (Lha)

Lha is a Tibetan grassroots nonprofit based in Dharamsala, India. It is one of the largest social work organizations 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 PHONE: 01892-220992 EMAIL: office@lhasocialwork.org

Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet

(Ex Political Prisoners Association) Gu-Chu-Sum is a social service organization that provides financial and medical support for ex political prisoners and political activists from Tibet. In order to join Gu-Chu-Sum, one must register as a political prisoner or political activist through the Department of Security. WEB: www.guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala -176219 PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679 EMAIL: guchusum1991@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. Some volunteer opportunities available. WEB: www. tong-len.org LOCATION: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamsala-176215 PHONE: 01892-223113 / 223930 EMAIL: jamyang@tong-len.org

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, Dharamsala – 176219 PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877 HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EMAIL:mail@tibetcharity.in, tibccharity@gmail. com

NOVEMBER 2012

around town CHOICE HIV/AIDS Initiative

Charities and Organizations

CHOICE HIV/AIDS Initiative provides HIV/ AIDS education, prevention and care services in Tibetan settlements throughout India. The services provided by CHOICE range from individual counseling to organizational training. CHOICE has a sponsorship program and occasionally utilizes volunteers. WEB: www.choicehivaids.org LOCATION: Arora House, 2nd Floor, Temple Road, Dharamsala PHONE: 01892-220239, 941-831-6896 EMAIL: choicehivaids@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, Dharamsala 176215 PHONE: 0189 222 6627 EMAIL: tccroffice@yahoo.com

Rogpa Baby Care Center

The Rogpa Baby Care Center helps low-income Tibetan families to become self-sufficient by providing free child care for infants so their parents can work. The center needs volunteers to help with art, games, singing and other tasks including diaper changing. WEB: www.tibetrogpa.org LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka Guest House, Jogiwara Rd., McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala - 176219 (near no.13 on map) PHONE: 981-665-9549 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 8:00 am-12:00 pm or 1:00 pm- 5 :00 pm EMAIL: rogpa2004@yahoo.com

Dharamsala Dog Rescue

Dharamsala Dog Rescue is in urgent need of vet volunteers, animal experts and sponsors. We are in immediate need of sponsors for two paralysed dogs that need a home, wheelchair, monthly food and medicine. Please contact us if you see an injured/sick dog. WEB: www.hnsindia.org LOCATION: Behind the District Court Complex on Chilgari St, Lower Dharamsala PHONE: 981-622-0841 EMAIL: friendsforanimals@gmail.com

Clean Upper Dharamsala 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 Center are part of the Clean Upper Daramsala Project. Weekly guided tours are offered on Wednesdays at 3 pm. WEB: www.tsodhasa.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd., McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala - 176219 PHONE: 01892-221059 EMAIL: office@tsodhasa.org

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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 levls 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 for volunteers. WEB: www.anec.org.in LOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamsala PHONE: 981-632-7158 / 867-990-4767 EMAIL: tcsamkhar@gmail.com, executive_ directoranec@yahoo.com

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: Dharamsala–176219 EMAIL: tibetparty4@gmail.com

Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage)

Nyingtob Ling supports Tibetan children from disadvantaged families. The children work hard at making delightful handicrafts and paintings. They are so friendly and love to have visitors. WEB: www.nyingtobling.org LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur PHONE: 01892-246366, 981-685-1841 EMAIL: nyingtobling@hotmail.com

Cherish Moment… Seen through the eyes of a Every foreigner interested in Tibetan Buddhism and culture, Dharamsala—the home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama— Name: Paul Davies (Australia)

Lost, depressed and alone three

Job at Lha: English Teacher

journey back to Australia in two

always evoked some special, unique and spiritual feeling in me. Having short years ago, my day to day days. I do not feel sad as I did last spent the past eight with variousyear studies andI know readings Tibet, experience of life wasyears an excruciating because that about I will return I was very eager to suffering. meet Tibetan to become useful to their and endless cycle of I waspeople here and as soon as possible. community. So, how could a single man with a boy trapped inside a man’s body.

What else could I be? I’d never met a 22 year old Autistic son want a a man,my letexperience alone spentwith enough time future like this in India? Some Given development issues and living my current studin the presence one to2012 knowthat the I would see mycome actions as compassionate, ies, I decided in of January to McLeod Ganj and minutiae detail needed to abecome which isalltrue, but I am also make my of long-term dream reality. Among organizations thata Ilittle conone. And then a man entered my selfish. The reward I feel in my tacted, Lha provided me with the handiest and most practical informaworld who showed me what it means heart is beyond any material reward tion. Soon after our first emails, I felt attached and could not wait to to be a compassionate and good the western world has to offer. arrive here. Watching videos, reading articles, and imagining myself man. Much as any CEO of a corporation walking the streets of McLeod Ganj made me feel already involved He is a Tibetan. He talked with seeks a monetary reward, I too seek with the Tibetan community. me about the plight of his people, a reward, only mine is not in the which was initially too hard to form of empty monetary riches but After some as days in Delhi, finallyI’ve arrived to McLeod after of hear. spending But as I grew a person, I I what received as a result an exciting journey on the twisting up towith the Tibetans Himalayas. became hungry to understand more. roads working - an The opening Last year my songuidance travelledandofthe myintroduction heart, friendship with the welcoming of Autistic Lha, their to the Tibetan with mewas to McLeod Ganj to see forforplanet’s most on evolved andday beautiful society a stunning experience me. I knew my first that I ourselves about the Tibetan conflict, people, comradeship with likewas going to have a wonderful time. The four weeks I spent here were and perhaps to find a vehicle through minded individuals, and much less filled with an interesting mixture of official research, unofficial talks, which I might help. suffering. impressions and feelings, all of which helped me to get to know Tibet I worked for 3 months teaching My experience at Lha has ans better by finding out more about the realities they face. English at an Elementary level to been rewarding and rich beyond Tibetan refugees at Lha. Upon my imagination. Let me encourage I return spent my visiting offices ofyou Tibetan NGOs engaged in po- in to days Australia I the completed to consider being involved litical, social and human rights issues. I received the most welcoming a CELTA Certification, whereby this growing group of professional approach I amavery grateful to allindividuals people who and were always for I might and become stronger more truly here witness my never-ending questions. Thanks to you, I got on a new path to know knowledgeable teacher when I compassion in action, and taste a life returned India in the autumn ofandyou deserve but and by willgetting never some regret. you better,tonot merely from books teachings, 2012. I write this short note describing Do it for yourself. real-life experience. Through my engagement, I aim to offer a longmy experience I prepare term assistance as to Lha and tofordomy my best in the West to raise further 13

NOVEMBER 2012

activities & tourist info Upcoming Events

MEDITATION

Nov 30 - Dec 13: Dalai Lama teachings in Mundgod, Karnataka Dec 24-26: Dalai Lama teachings in Dharamsala on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) and confer a Medicine Buddha Empowerment (menlha wang) at the request of a group of Russians at the Main Tibetan Temple. Jan 7-10: Dalai Lama teachings in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life.

ART & MUSeums

Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki Centre WEB: www.omyogaindia.com LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Road PHONE: 980-569-3514 EMAIL: om.yoga@ymail.com

Library of Tibetan Works & Archives WEB: www.ltwa.net/library LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamsala HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00-1:00pm, 2:00-5:00pm PHONE: 921-842-2467

Public Audience with HH Karmapa

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

Tushita Meditation Center WEB: www.tushita.info LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30am PHONE: 01982-21866 EMAIL: spc@tushita.info

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

LOCATION: Gu-Chu-Sum hall on Jogiwara Rd, next to the Lung-ta Japanese Restaurant HOURS: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00pm-5:00pm

Vipassana Meditation

Kangra Art Museum

LOCATION: Near Bus Stand, Kotwali Bazaar PHONE: 01892 224214 HOURS: Tue-Sun: 10:00am-1:00pm & 2:00pm-5:00pm

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)

Rishi Yoga & Meditation Center

WEB: http://.rishiyogaindia.com/reach.php LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite Gaden Choeling Nunnery PHONE: 9736184741, 9882228502 EMAIL: Yogarishi2001@yahoo.co.in

WEB: www.tibetanarts.org LOCATION: Kotwali Bazaar PHONE: 1892-221478 EMAIL: tipadhasa@hotmail.com

Form Gallery

WEB: www.kagyuoffice.org LOCATION: Sidhpur HOURS: Wed & Sat: 2:30pm PHONE: 981-631-5336

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

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

BUS SCHEDULE

Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189

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

Kangra Airport: 01892-232374, 232324 Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892-221034

Leaving from the McLeod Ganj bus stand, unless otherwise stated: Delhi: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs330) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs355) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1035) AC TATA: 8:30pm (Rs840)

Tourism Office: 01892-23107 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892-265026 Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

Amritsar: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am (Rs165) *from Dharamsala

Police Contact Information Location: Past St.John’s Church on the road to Dharamshala in Cantt. area. Phone: 221 483

Dehradun: Ordinary Bus: 9pm; AC Deluxe: 5:30pm Manali: Ordinary Bus: 5:40pm, 8:40pm *from Dharamsala Pathankot: Ordinary Bus: 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm(Rs75)

Shimla: Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs235) *from Dharamsala Semi-Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs???) *from Dharamsala FOR BOOKINGS: Location: Ticket stand under McLLo’s, main square Hours: 10am-6pm, daily Phone: 221750 For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TAXIS A private taxi to Lower Dharamsala will cost you Rs 180. Cram into a jeep (from the bus stand), and it’ll only cost you Rs10. Contact Magazine

LOCATION: Main Road Sidhbari Dharamsala PHONE: 9816043708

Tibet Museum

WEB: www.sikhara.dhamma.org LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: Mon-Sat: 4:00-5:00pm PHONE: 01982-21309 EMAIL: info@sikhara.dhamma.org

BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY

Naam Art Gallery

Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Mon-Sat; Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily. phone: 222 053,223 381 Post Office The McLeod Ganj Post Office is located on location: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace Cafe Hours: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-noon, Sat. Phone: 221 924 Parcels and money orders can be sent in the mornings only. NOVEMBER 2012

activities & services LANGUAGES Tibetan Language Class

LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple Rd HOURS: Registration from 9-11am, Mon-Fri PHONE: 220 992 See ad on pg 3.

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, 941-818-7281 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 HOURS: Daily, 4:00-6:00pm

Tibetan with Pema Youdon

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite the post office HOURS: 1:00-4:00pm, or leave a message.

Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses and Tibetan Immersion Spoken

Location: Esukhia Office,Tilak Ray Building, Bhagsu Road, Dharamsala Web: www.esukhia.org Phone: 8679502538 E- mail- esukhiacontact@gmail.com

HEALTH SERVICES

Men-Tsee-Khang

LOCATION: Between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-22618 / 223113 EMAIL: tmai@vsnl.com

Primary Health Centre

LOCATION: In front of Main Temple, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm, Closed Monday PHONE: 01892-21106, 981-602-1106 EMAIL: smarwahin@yahoo.com

Dr. Kumar Ayurvedic and Panchkarma WEB: www.kumarayurveda.com LOCATION: Hotel Surya Rd., opposite the the Club House HOURS: 9:00am-2:00pm & 2:30-7:00pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily PHONE: 8894492837 EMAIL: SATINDER3737@gmail.com

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

Contact Magazine

LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop HOURS: 8:00am-9:00pm PHONE: 981-646-8719

Nisha’s Indian Cooking Class

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main market HOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat

LOCATION: Hotel Lotus Leaf, Jogiwara Rd HOURS: 4:00-6:00pm EMAIL: nisha@indiancookingcourse.com

Nature Cure Health Club

Sangye’s Kitchen Traditional Tibetan Cooking Classes

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm PHONE: : 941-813-0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Tibetan Delek Hospital

LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamsala 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

Ayuskam Health Care

WEB: www.ayuskama.com LOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place, near Bhagsu taxi stand and near Tibetan Hotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod Ganj PHONE: 980-592-8923, 973-621-1210

YOGA & REIKI Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki Centre LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel, on Jogiwara Rd - Map #11 HOURS: 8:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 980-569-3514

Rishi Yoga & Meditation Center Dr. Sant Marwah Clinic

Lhamo’s Kitchen, Tibetan Cooking Classes

WEB: http://.rishiyogaindia.com/reach.php LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite Gaden Choeling Nunnery PHONE: 9736184741, 9882228502 EMAIL: Yogarishi2001@yahoo.co.in

LOCATION: Lung-ta Restaurant, below the Tashi Choeling Monastery on Jogiwara Rd HOURS:10:00am-12:00pm & 4:00-6:00pm PHONE: 981-616-4540 EMAIL: sangyla_tashi@yahoo.co.in

Mr. Rita Kapoor’s Indian Cooking, Knitting & Momos LOCATION: Old German Bakery, 1st Floor, Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag PHONE: 94592 06586

MASSAGE Lha Healing Oil Massage Courses & Treatment LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple Rd PHONE: 01892-20992 HOURS: Registration, 9:00am-11:00am

Om Yoga Center

WEB: www.omyogaindia.com LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd. HOURS: Daily, 8:00-9:30pm & 4:00-5:30PM PHONE: 980-569-3514 EMAIL: om.yoga@ymail.com

Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu massage LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka,Jogiwara Rd PHONE: 941-813-0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Shiatsu & Swedish Massage LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple Rd PHONE: 01892-20992

COOKING Synergy Ayuredic Massage Center Lha Tibetan Cooking School

LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Rd PHONE: 941 80 8488 EMAIL: mcleodganj@gmail.com

Indian Cooking Classes

Traditional Thai Massage

LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple Rd HOURS: Registration, 9:00-11:00am PHONE: 01892-20992

LOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 941-813-0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

LOCATION: Opposite the Govt. Tourist Information Centre, Hotel Surya Rd PHONE: 981-633-9199 EMAIL: jite02@yahoo.com

NOVEMBER 2012

news

& advertisements Visitor Services Offered at Lha TIBETAN LANGUAGE CLASS

Learn more about the Tibetan people and explore the unique Tibetan culture including Buddhism by learning the Tibetan language! Learn reading, writing, speaking, and grammar. Beginner and intermediateclass levels with qualified teachers for interested individuals and small groups.

TIBETAN COOKING CLASS

Learn a variety of traditional and modern vegetarian Tibetan foods including momo, thukpa and Tibetan bread from qualified teachers. Learn to prepare and then taste the delicious and yummy Tibetan foods for individual or small groups.

TIBETAN ARTS CLASS

Learn the basic traditional Tibetan form of painting including drawing and how to use color for interested individuals and small groups with a professional and qualified artist.

TIBETAN HOME-STAY

Lha arranges short or long term home-stays with refugee families giving visitors the chance to experience the Tibetan life style. Home-stays provide a valuable opportunity for visitors and locals to connect and learn about each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultures.

YOGA

For sound physical, mental and emotional development we offer Sivananda and Hatha yoga for beginners with a qualified teacher for small groups.

MASSAGE

Complete physical and mental relaxation and stress reduction with re-vitalizing techniques of deep tissue and acupressure with a professional therapists. Contact: Lha Office on Temple Road, opposite State Bank of India. Phone: 01892-220992 Email: office@lhasocialwork.org Map #14 Main Sq.

Bhagsu R

ARTSPACE

Jogiwara Road McLeod Ganj Dharmasala www.facebook.com/qinnuu.garbu

Contact Magazine

Jogiwara Road

9882298262 8894060602 9857173893

Temple Road

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Japanese Restaurant ARTSPACE

Seed Cafe NOVEMBER 2012