Fr
ee
འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།
Contact
A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XVIII Issue: 10 31 OCTOBER 2016
His Holiness: a Five Nation Tour
Chinese Tourists Flood Tibet
by Ori Gutin His Holiness the Dalai Lama departed on a fifteen-day, five nation tour of Europe on October 8. During the trip His Holiness visited Latvia, Switzerland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Italy, spending two to three days in each nation giving teachings on a number of Buddhist texts, as well as public talks on issues such Continued on page 5
by Charlotte Wigram-Evans While for foreign tourists getting into Tibet is almost as hard as it is to visit North Korea, Chinese visitors are flooding into the country in droves. The Chinese government says 23 million people will enter the Tibetan Autonomous Region this year, an area with a permanent population of just 3.2 million. The
“Talk to the Dalai Lama” says US
Larung Gar - Latest Reports
by Lauren Chaplin The United States Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting dialogue between Beijing and the Dalai Lama in its most recent report on the status of the Tibet negotiations. The report raises concerns about “the unreasonable and unattainable conditions” which Continued on page 9
W www.contactmagazine.net
Continued on page 3
See pages 6 and 7 for the latest reports on the demolition and evictions taking place at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Tibet. Our coverage includes the Global Day of Action which took place on October 19 and an article by our reporter Jimmy Lee who went to take a look for himself at what is happening there and to send us first-hand pictures.
Contact News
Contact News
ABOUT LHA & CONTACT Contact, a free monthly magazine published by Lha Charitable Trust, is a recognised and registered publication under the Registrar Office of the Newspaper, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. The registration number is HPENG/2013/51798. Acknowledged by Lonely Planet and other international travel resources, Contact has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamshala community, for over 18 years. 700 - 1,000 copies are printed per issue and distributed in the Dharamshala area, Delhi, and various diplomatic missions of India. Copies are also sent to various Tibetan schools, settlements, offices and NGOs in India and abroad. Please Note: The articles, stories and other material in Contact represent the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the Contact editing staff or Lha Social Work. All comments on this issue should be submitted by email to: editor@contactmagazine.net
Lha Charitable Trust
Institute for Social Work & Education Mission Statement:
Lha is a resource of education and knowledge that provides meaningful, multi-levelled social and educational services for the benefit of others.
Background:
Lha is a Tibetan grassroots nonprofit organisation based in Dharamshala, India. It is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programmes, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programmes and activities. Through rehabilitation resources and social and educational services, Lha facilitates an easy transition for the Tibetan refugee community to India. On a daily basis, Lha serves over 250 people, hosts between 15 and 25 volunteers and provides up to 20 different services, including on average 50 nutritious meals per day for financially disadvantaged people. For more information about Lha, please visit: www.lhasocialwork.org Facebook: Lhasocialwork Twitter: Lhasocialwork
Lha Traveller Services and Volunteer Opportunities
Long or short-term, skilled or unskilled volunteers needed at Lha
• English conversation (Mon-Fri, 4-5pm) • English, French and Chinese teachers • Computer teachers • Web designers and IT professionals • Contributing writers • Environmental professionals • Medical and healthcare professionals • Fundraisers and grant writers • Project professionals • Chefs and cooks • And much more! Share your knowledge and skills with the local Tibetan, Indian, and Himalayan communities whilst gaining hands-on experience working with a social work organisation. TIBETAN HOME-STAY Lha arranges home-stays with refugee families giving visitors the chance to experience the Tibetan life style and a chance to connect and learn about each others’ cultures. Homestays include accommodation, breakfast, and dinner.
*All donations and fees from Lha classes and services directly benefit Lha community social work projects. Contact
RECEPTION & ORIENTATION Our services help smooth your arrival in Delhi and your onward travel to Dharamshala. We also orientate you to the Tibetan community here. Avoid the scams at Delhi Airport! Highly recommended for people who want a stress-free arrival, especially if you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, and can be purchased online in advance of your travel to India. TIBETAN COOKING CLASS Individuals and small groups can learn to prepare a variety of traditional and modern vegetarian Tibetan foods including momos, thukpa and Tibetan bread, with a qualified teacher. For information on cost, times and/or registration, please visit: Lha office, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj-176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P. (Mon-Sat: 9am-1pm & 2-5pm) office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 1892-220992 Websites associated with Lha: www.lhasocialwork.org www.samdhongrinpoche.com www.tibetfairtrade.com www.tibetnature.net 2
Acknowledgement
This issue of Contact is sponsored by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). TFD’s kind contribution has made this publication possible. We thank TFD for supporting the publication of Contact.
Can you Donate to Lha? Lha collects all kinds of donations in the form of clothing, shoes, books, and language resources, computer and medical supplies, as well as any other useful items. Monetary donations are extremely helpful and are greatly appreciated, large or small. Please contact the office: office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992 OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES
Chinese Tourists Flood Tibet Continued from page 1
figures have aroused suspicions in some quarters – it would mean 63,000 people entering the area every day – but there is no dispute that numbers are on the rise. In the decade since the new train route was opened across the high-altitude plateau, Tibet has seen an eleven-fold increase in visitors. The country has also been made ready for them. Tibetan villages such as Zhaxigang in the south east have been bulldozed and replaced with houses built by Chinese real estate developers. They are picture perfect replicas of the homes that used to stand there. Tibetans who lost their homes will be given new accommodation, officials have said, but their opportunities to make money may be limited. Restaurants nearby are overwhelmingly run by Han Chinese. Large areas of Lhasa now look like any modern Chinese city, with hundreds of old buildings knocked down to make way for shopping malls, restaurants and modern blocks of flats. It already boasts an Intercontinental Hotel as well as a Sheraton, a St Regis and a Shangri-La, and officials predict 10 more luxury hotels there by 2020. The Chinese government is investing heavily, enthusiastically promoting tourism as a pillar of
the economy with hopes that it will soon become a world class holiday destination. “It is the new engine for development in Tibet,” Penpa Tashi, vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, told reporters shortly before the opening ceremony of the Third China Tibet Tourism and Culture Expo in Lhasa. Tourism already makes up one fifth of the economy of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, has created 320,000 jobs and is helping to fuel double-digit rates of growth, officials say. However, critics argue that Tibetan culture is being destroyed, its environment ruined and its holy sites overwhelmed by Chinese tourists. Elliot Sperling, an Indiana University professor, says China has a narrow, materialist view of development as the solution to all Tibet’s problems and warned that tourism risks turning parts of the country into a “Lama Disneyland.” “Lhasa has been turned from a holy place of pilgrimage into a tourist site,” said the popular Tibetan writer and blogger Woeser who last visited the city three years ago. “Most tourist shops in the Tibetan old town are owned by Han Chinese and many supposedly Tibetan artefacts are manufactured in other parts of China.”
Professor Christiaan Klieger, author of The State of Tibet - A History of a Central Asian Polity, has likened the changes to the United States’ treatment of its developing west 100 years ago. “They are commodifying the native people,” she stated, “bringing them out as an ethnic display.” If the tourism industry continues to grow at this rate, it is expected that more people from mainland China will move to Tibet, increasingly marginalising the relatively small Tibetan population. Some Tibetans do benefit from tourism: many tour agencies run by locals have opened in recent years and Wang Songping, deputy director of the Tibet Tourism Development Commission maintains that the industry has both positive and negative effects everywhere in the world. The influx of money will encourage people to protect “their intangible cultural heritage,” he argues. But in the vast majority of cases, critics say Tibetans are neither consulted nor empowered as their land is transformed. The top jobs and most of the profits are being monopolised by companies and people from elsewhere in China, fuelling the kind of resentment that contributed to the riots across the country in 2008.
Grant Funding for the Tibetan Exile Community by Tenzin Samten The United States Agency for Information Development (USAID) has awarded a grant of US$23 million (£18million) to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The grant is to strengthen self-reliance and resilience in Tibetan communities in South Asia and will be paid over the next five years (October 2016 – September 2021). The funding originates with the United States government and is being routed through USAID. It will be used mainly to fund improved livelihood for Tibetan refugees, and for leadership development. Dr Lobsang Sangay - the Sikyong, or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Contact
Government-in-Exile - said in a press conference that for improving livelihood the grant will be used for, “integrated development projects, non-banking financial cooperation and maintaining cultural aspects of Tibetan communities which are very important”. For the leadership component, Dr Sangay said, “It’s essentially building human resources and capacities of Tibetan people as a whole. Our focus is on the CTA and staff at the moment”. He explained that the CTA has already started two to three week training courses for senior CTA staff and that this will continue. The Sikyong said the first year will be mainly for assessment and the 3
remaining four years will be about actual implementation of the new initiatives. He requested that all Tibetans take part in the assessment programmes so that their concerns, aspirations and proposed projects can be considered. In addition to support for developments for health and education, and for the sustainability of Tibetan settlements, funds will be allotted to building community libraries with wifi, community workshop centres and playgrounds. USAID is the lead United States Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realise their potential. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES Arrests and Releases Inside Tibet this Month
Oct 27: Released after Five Years Jigme Gyatso has been released after serving five years in a Chinese prison for taking part in protests opposing Chinese rule. He was quietly welcomed
to his family home in Sangchu County’s Labrang town in Gansu province but is forbidden from wearing monk’s robes again and from returning to his monastery. Radio Free Asia reports, “Before his release, authorities told family members that Gyatso would be freed only on assurance they would not hold a welcoming reception for him or take photos or videos after he was freed”. Jigme was arrested in 2006 for attending a Kalachakra teaching by HH the Dalai Lama in India and was rearrested in 2008 for taking part in a peaceful protest. Oct 26: Disappeared! There is no news of Lobsang Sherab, 35, and Gendun Dakpa, 39, two monks from Thangkor Socktsang monastery
who were detained two months ago. Their families have been given no information about their condition or whereabouts and the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has expressed concern. The two were detained in Thangkor town in Dzoege Contact
County in Ngaba on August 24 by armed Chinese security officers.
then accused of illegal activities and detained on December 14, 2014.
Oct 20: Detained and Beaten Lobsang Tsultrim, a monk from Kirti monastery in Ngaba County in Tibet, was detained by Chinese police for staging a solo protest in the streets of Ngaba county’s main town against the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He was
Oct 6: Musicians Freed Pema Trinley, 22, and Chakdor, 32, two Tibetan singers, have been released after serving four years in a Chinese prison and were welcomed
severely beaten and is in hospital in a critical condition. Radio Free Asia reports a local source as saying “He called out for Tibetan freedom and for the long life of the Dalai Lama as he walked, and when he arrived at the street in front of the Tibetan Language Middle School he was stopped by police and taken away”. Oct 18: Released Sengdra, a Tibetan man from Kyangche township in Golog prefecture’s Gade has been released after serving 15 months in a Chinese jail where he was subjected to hard
labour and his health declined. Sengdra was elected as the chief of his town in 2014 and he had questioned local Chinese authorities about how they were using money assigned for local projects. He was 4
home with ceremonial scarves by relatives, former prison mates and other supporters. They were arrested in July 2012 following the release of their album Agony of Unhealed Wounds which honours Tibetan self-immolators as well as praising HH the Dalai Lama. They were sentenced in a secret court in 2013. They come from Meuruma nomadic village in Ngaba. Sep 29: Detained Sangdak Kyab from Sangchu County’s Sangkok township was detained by ten Chinese police officers. Kyab, along with three other
men, was accused of taking the body of a man who had self-immolated to his home in 2013, but while Kyab escaped, Dorjee Namgyal, Jinpa and Dorjee Tashi all served their sentences. On their release Kyab returned home but was arrested. Updates on his present condition are unavailable. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES His Holiness: a Five Nation Tour
His Holiness arrived in Bern, faced by the Muslim community after as secular ethics, nonviolence Switzerland, on October 12. The the incidents of September 11, 2001. and global responsibility. He met Chinese government sent a warning He completed his time in Switzerland politicians, religious leaders and to the Swiss government regarding with a speech to a crowd of 1,400 in other intellectuals, participated in the visit. According to Regula the Kursaal Arenaon, speaking on various dialogues, granted audiences Buchmüller, head of the city of Bern’s addressing the need for dialogue and to Tibetan refugees and supporters foreign relations and statistics office, solidarity in the global crisis. On arriving in Slovakia His and received a number of honorary the Chinese government “registered its dissatisfaction” with the Swiss Holiness met the official Slovakian awards. Parliamentary delegation and The Dalai Lama began his tour of Foreign Ministry. members of the Tibet Group. Latvia with a two-day teaching Lubomir Bajanik of Slovak on Dharmakirti’s Commentary TV interviewed His Holiness and on Dignaga’s Compendium asked him what makes him seem of Valid Cognition. This was so happy all the time. His Holiness organised by the Save Tibet replied, “Peace of mind. I always Foundation (Moscow) and try to look at things from a wider Saglabasim Tibetu (Riga), perspective. Looked at from and was attended by 4,500 different angles, problems don’t people. His Holiness recounted look so severe. I’m committed to his first visit to Europe in 1973, remarking that he was His Holiness the Dalai Lama giving an interview contributing to making a happier, impressed by the collaborative to Amira Hafner-Al Jabaji for Swiss National TV in more peaceful world, so it’s better to be optimistic.” Bern, Switzerland efforts of the European Union Photo:Manuel Bauer His Holiness spoke at and its ability to put the needs His Holiness received a warm Comenius University before having of the collective above the needs of individual nations. He connected welcome at the House of Religions lunch with His Excellency, Andrej this to the Buddhist philosophy of where hundreds of Tibetans and Kiska, President of Slovakia. In the not putting your own individual Mongolians gathered to greet him afternoon he addressed an audience with song. He also participated in an of over 4,000 in the National Tennis happiness above that of others. Throughout the two days of the inter-religious dialogue there with Centre and back at his hotel he met teaching, His Holiness touched Christian, Hindu, Islamic Buddhist members of the Tibetan community. On October 17, His Holiness on the disruptive emotions of and Alevi leaders, saying: “I’m very arrived in Prague where he spoke anger, attachment and emptiness. to Czech TV24, Czech radio and Regarding emptiness, he said: “The the Czech News Agency, reiterating Dalai Lama is not my body; he is that dialogue is the only solution not my mind, but nor is he separate to the crises in the Middle East. from them. When we analyse in More than 2,500 people gathered this way, we find nothing. We to greet him and show their support conclude that we exist by way of in Hradcanske Square, waving designation.” Tibet flags and photographs of His His Holiness met parliamentarians Holiness. and Tibet supporters from the Baltic His Holiness’s the Dalai Lama’s States, stressing to them the vital His Holiness receiving Honorary Citizenship of the City of Milan five nation trip concluded in Milan, importance of Tibetans maintaining Photo:Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL Italy with teachings on The Three their culture and identity in spite of increasing pressures. He said happy to be here. As a Buddhist Principal Aspects of The Path and that even small things such as monk I’m committed to fostering Tsongkhapa’s In Praise to Dependent Tibetans in Lhasa abandoning inter-religious harmony but here Origination, and a public talk The tsampa [roasted barley: a traditional you are making a practical effort to Source of Genuine Happiness on Tibetan dietary staple] in favour of bring that about by allowing a deeper October 22. The Chairman of the Chinese rice should be of concern to understanding and mutual respect to Council of Milan, Lamberto Bertolè, the community. While in Latvia His grow.” They discussed topics such as presented an Honorary Citizenship Holiness had an informal meeting the similarities between the Hindu and of the City of Milan to His Holiness Buddhist religions and the difficulties at the University of Milan-Bicocca. with several Russian intellectuals.
Continued from page 1
Contact
5
OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES
Larung Gar: Destruction and Evictions Intensify
by Tenzin Samten Larung Gar, the largest Buddhist centre the world, located in Serta county in Sichuan province, is faced with the eviction of its residents as demolition is ramped up. Over 2,000 nuns studying at the institution were ordered to leave voluntarily by September 28. Another group of 1,000 monks and nuns working at the centre have also been asked to leave, reports Radio Free Asia (RFA). A video posted on Facebook on September 30 by Tsering Kyi, a journalist for Voice of America’s Tibetan service, shows nuns and monks being sent away from their academy in buses, while others are seen crying and praying as they bid farewell to their friends and classmates. Ms Kyi mentioned in her post that these monks and nuns currently being evicted are from Lhasa and nearby regions. On September 23, the Chinese authorities ordered monks and nuns to volunteer for eviction. RFA reports that it was made clear to residents that if they refused to volunteer they would face forced eviction, together with the threat that they would be prevented from registering in other religious
institutions. Volunteers, however, were told they would be transferred to other monastic institutions in Serta, Nyagrong, and Dege counties. Though the deadline to evict the 2,000 residents has passed, there is no confirmation to date on whether the voluntary departures have taken place. Photos and videos shared on social media show a once picturesque monastic settlement surrounded by bulldozers with parts of the monastery reduced to dust and rubble. In another report published by RFA, it was mentioned that monks and nuns in Larung Gar Monastery were offered money for leaving voluntarily. RFA have reported a source as saying, “Chinese workers going from door to door have been seen handing out flyers encouraging monks to leave by offering 20,000 yuan (US$2,975)”. The same source said that an additional 30,000 yuan (US$4,463) is being offered if they give up their homes for destruction. The Chinese authorities are cutting down the number of residents at the centre from 10,000 to 5,000. The next stage of this process will be reached with the forced demolition of 1,500
homes, scheduled to take place by the end of this month. Free Tibet, a non-government campaigning organisation based in the United Kingdom, has started a campaign to stop the demolition at Larung Gar. According to their website 2,000 supporters are writing to the Chinese authorities, their foreign ministers and Chinese embassies. They took part in the Global Day of Action, with a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in London, organised jointly with Students for a Free Tibet UK and the UK Tibetan Community. Students for a Free Tibet, another non-government campaigning organistion, has set up the #StandWithLarungGarcampaign to call on Foreign Offices around the world to publicly condemn the destruction of the monastery and to call for an end to the demolition and evictions there. The news of the demolition of Larung Gar and the distress that it is causing for the residents has caused concern and anguish in Tibetan exile communities across the world as they think of the suffering of their kinsfolk in the monastery. Since the start of the demolition, three nuns from Larung Gar, Rinzin Dolma, Tsering Dolma and Semga have committed suicide.
Global Day of Action for Larung Gar
by Tenzin Samten More than 180 Tibet support groups in 20 cities around the world staged demonstrations on October 19 in a co-ordinated Global Day of Action for Larung Gar, protesting against China’s illegal demolition of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy and the forced eviction of residents there. A joint statement released by the participating groups urges the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights to call on China to immediately stop the demolition. The group also urges the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to push for an official visit to Tibet and Larung Gar. Contact
In Dharamshala, the seat of Tibetan Government-in-exile and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s home in India, crowds gathered to take part in a mass prayer protest led by local monks and nuns.
The event was jointly facilitated by five major non-government organisations – the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), Students for a Free Tibet–India, Gu Chu Sum, the ex-political prisoners support group, Tibetan Women’s Association 6
and the National Democratic Party of Tibet. Speaking to Phayul, Tashi Lamsang, General Secretary of TYC said, “The demolition of Larung Gar is an indication of another cultural revolution carried out by the Chinese Government. Today we are sending a message to Beijing that we exiled Tibetans haven’t lost hope.” “We were warned that even the slightest protest could end up in demolition of the entire institute. It was the reason why most of us stayed quiet, in fear of the severe consequences because of an individual act of dissent,” said Dolma Kyi, a former student at Larung Gar who is currently studying in India, also speaking to Phayul. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES
Larung Gar - a Visitor’s View by Jimmy Lee As our vehicle approached the police checkpoint at the small remote village of Wengda, about 70km south of Larung Gar, Laura stooped down to avoid detection. But it was hardly necessary, for it was already 10 o’clock at night, and the checkpoint was unmanned. We sailed through and congratulated ourselves for having made it through the notorious checkpoint which I heard had turned back some Korean tourists in the past few days. Many Chinese-looking foreigners, like the Japanese and Taiwanese taking the bus, had been turned back at a check point where everyone’s ID was checked. Pale faces were denied tickets to Larang Gar outright at bus stations. My companion Laura, a plucky middle-aged American lady, had given up hope of ever visiting Larung Gar. No one would sell her a bus ticket. I invited Laura along to try our luck using a different route. We took shared taxis. The young Tibetan driver had assured us that all would be fine but he had also put us at
hotel with vacancies which grudgingly accepted us for one night. We went back to Larung Gar the next morning in a shared taxi with a few Chinese tourists. From the bottom of the valley red houses sprawled in
A recently cleared area Photo:Jimmy Lee/Contact
all directions up the hillsides as far as the eyes could see, seemingly stacking one over another almost to the top of the surrounding hills. Near the bottom of the valley some new construction was going on – they were building dormitory complexes, I was told. In the middle of the valley stands the majestic gompa of the Larung Gar Buddhist Institute, established relatively recently in the eighties, but which has grown to make Larung Gar the largest Tibetan Buddhist community in the world. We attended a Buddhist teaching conducted in Chinese by the famous resident kanbu, or teacher, then wandered around and saw the first of a few demolition works happening on the way up to the temple at the
Construction of dormitory blocks in progress Photo:Jimmy Lee/Contact
the back so that we remained obscured, tinted windscreens notwithstanding. We arrived at Larung Gar close to midnight. The real sight of Larang Gar is even more spectacular than the pictures. The lights from the little houses on the hillsides seemed like thousands of glowing eyes in the sky against the dark surrounding hills. We stayed the night in the county town of Sertar, 17km north of Larung Gar, where we found a Contact
Photo:Jimmy Lee/Contact
top, where more demolition was taking place. Laura was stopped from taking photographs by a man from an officious-looking group, which included a couple of policemen. She 7
must have been the only westerner around and we were among the many other tourists from all over China who had come to see this famous place. The monks and nuns went about their daily lives oblivious to the tourists in their midst. They lived separately in the red houses in different sections, demarcated by walls or other physical structures. On the outskirts of the housing clusters above the temple lay a large empty lot, apparently recent clearings. Security in Larung Gar didn’t seem tight - there was the odd policeman walking around but Laura and I were left alone. Apparently if one gets past the checkpoint before the town then one’s free to roam
Bulldozer:a symbol of demolition Photo:Jimmy Lee/Contact
about without fear of being arrested. We wandered around freely and spent some time in the evening at the hilltop temple, mesmerised by the thousands of lights below, and contemplating the future of this place. We left Larung Gar the next morning with mixed feelings. I attempted some small talk – carefully – with a Tibetan man who gave us a lift to the main road. “It’s just the houses that are dangerous,” he said matter-of-factly about the demolition works, “a big fire happened a couple of years ago.” About the eviction of residents he said, “Only people of this county will have resident permits. The outsiders, I don’t know what the government’s plans are. They’re expanding the townships below and planning a new city. Larung Gar is included in the greater scheme of things.” OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES
Mankind Needs to Find a Solution, says His Holiness
by Dorji Kyi His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a four-day teaching from October 3 – 6, Aryadeva’s Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way (umashigyapa) at Thekchen Chöling, the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala. The teaching was held at the request of a group of 1,000 Taiwanese people. In addition to the Taiwanese disciples, around 1,650 people from 64 different countries flocked to hear the teaching along with Tibetan and Indians devotees. The Four Hundred Stanzas is one of the fundamental works of MahayanaBuddhistphilosophy, and explains how the practices of the stages of yogic deeds enable Mahayana practitioners to realise Buddhahood. On the first day of the teaching His Holiness expressed his joy in seeing many Indian devotees taking an interest in Buddhism. “The studies of Buddhist philosophy, particularly the Nalanda tradition are an Indian ancestral tradition. Buddha himself was an Indian. The great Nalanda tradition was first spread in India. Therefore it is in the primary interest of Indians to preserve their heritage, religion and
culture”, said His Holiness. He further explained that Tibetan Buddhism, which has such a huge influence on the various aspects of Tibetan culture and knowledge, originated in India. “Study of Buddhist philosophy through logic and reason
His Holiness teaching at Thekchen Choling Temple in Dharamshala Photo:dalailama.com
was first brought to Tibet by the great Nalanda master Shantarakshita. It then spread widely in Tibet when the ancient texts and epistemology [a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods and limits of human knowledge] were translated into Tibetan in the seventh century.
As the epistemologies were being translated into Tibetan, so the Tibetan language and vocabulary were enhanced.” Speaking to the Taiwanese devotees, His Holiness mentioned that Buddhism reached China long before being introduced to Tibet, hence Chinese Buddhists are the senior students compared to Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhists. “However, I think I can say that the junior students’s level of knowledge is not bad and we are all followers of the same Nalanda tradition.” His Holiness also spoke on the importance of having a peaceful mind and of teaching universal values in schools as this enhances our health and general wellbeing. “If the world situation continues to remain the same it is going to be unfortunate. Around 200 million people have been killed in all kinds of war and many are starving right this moment. These disturbances are caused by man and therefore mankind should find a solution to these problems. Prayers are not the antidote to man-made problems.”
China says Dalai Lama is Public Enemy Number One
by Graham Henderson A recent trip to France has put His Holiness the Dali Lama back on the Chinese government’s radar. While there he addressed the European Union, resulting in renewed condemnation from Chinese authorities who accuse him of being a separatist. According to a number of sources, His Holiness is now viewed as the biggest threat to Chinese unity and countering him has become the country’s “highest priority”. The renewed campaign against the Dali Lama is being led by Tibet party secretary Wu Yingjie who is the highest ranking Chinese official in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Wu and other Communist party officials accuse the Dali Lama of subversion and according to Reuters News Agency, Contact
there are suggestions that “Wu will ratchet up the government’s already hard-line approach in the devoutly Buddhist region which is prone to antiChinese unrest”. That His Holiness seeks to spread disunity in China and Tibet is highly contested. Countering the views of the Chinese government are a variety of human rights groups - exiles from both China and Tibet - and the Dalai Lama himself. They maintain that Tibetan rights – cultural, religious and linguistic – are being abused by the Chinese and that the Dali Lama seeks genuine autonomy to protect those rights, not to separate Tibet from China. There are also Chinese people among those who do not believe the government’s claims. Former 8
member of the Chinese foreign ministry Dr Han Linchcao made the statement that, “Contrary to what the Chinese Communist Party says in their propaganda, the Dalai Lama is no separatist”, maintaining that his proposed solution - The Middle Way Approach - “is opposed to separatism”. The dissident further stated that China’s scornful response to the Dalai Lama’s peaceful resolve will only push to “radicalise moderate Tibetans and force them onto the path of Tibetan independence”. If he is right it will be one more problem to add to China’s already extensive list; one that includes poverty, language barriers and development clashing with the traditional herding lifestyle. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES “Talk to Dalai Lama” says US Continued from page 1
China wants met before it resumes dialogue with Tibet – a dialogue which has been dormant since 2010. The report also states, however, that the US does recognise the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) as part of the People’s Republic of China, and that it “does not conduct official diplomatic relations with the Central Tibetan Administration.” The report advises that failure to address the continued tensions in Tibetan areas could be detrimental to China’s social and economic development, and would stand as obstacles for its fuller political or economic engagement with the US. “Alleviating tensions in Tibetan areas”, it continues, “would contribute to the overall stability of China.” In reference to the Dalai Lama, the report praises his “consistent
advocacy of non-violence”, calling it “key in reaching a lasting solution for Tibetans.” Several steps taken by the US to address the issue of Tibet are listed in the document, including: - President Obama raising the issue of Tibet in a joint press conference with President Xi Jinping in Beijing in September 2015; - Under Secretary Sewell meeting the Dalai Lama twice in 2016 to discuss issues ranging from climate change to non-violent approaches to conflict resolution; - The US delegation at the 19th USChina Human Rights Dialogue in 2015 urging China to renew dialogue with the Dalai Lama and provide greater access to Tibet for journalists and diplomats. The report also reminds the public that “the Department of State
maintains contact with a wide range of religious, cultural, political, and other Tibet-related groups and individuals”. In a specific reference to the future reincarnation of the Dalai Lama it states, “We believe that the basic and universally recognised right of religious freedom demands that any such decision must be reserved to the current Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist leaders, and the Tibetan people.” The US government has been producing annual reports on Tibet since 2002, when its Tibetan Policy Act (TPA) came into force. In addition to the report, the TPA also mandated the creation of the role of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. This position is currently filled by Dr Sarah Sewell who has a long academic and political background in foreign policy and human rights issues.
Chinese President Welcomed to India with Peaceful Protests
by Jamie Adams The arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Goa for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit on Saturday October 15 sparked peaceful protests led by various Tibetan political groups and activists. A day prior to President Xi’s arrival, Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) circulated a video showing activists throughout Goa defacing
Tenzin Tsundue protesting at the Indian Institute of Science Photo:AP/Gautam Singh
posters advertising Xi’s visit. Upon his arrival at the Dabolim airport an SFT protester parasailed hundreds of feet above the ground with a banner Contact
reading “Free Tibet”. Outside the summit venue in Margao the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) organised over one hundred protesters, including some with signs reading “China out of Tibet now” and “Stop the demolition of Larung Gar”. TYC wished to protest against both the Chinese occupation of Tibet, led by Xi Jinping, as well as the recent displacement of thousands of monks and nuns from Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Tibet. Around 60 of these protesters were arrested. These sixty included the President of TYC, Tenzin Jigme, as well as executive member Penpa Tsering. Those detained were released the next day. Among those arrested was Tenzin Tsundue, a well known Tibetan activist and writer who staged his protest after the conclusion of the BRICS summit. His protest and arrest took place outside the Taj Exotica Hotel, where President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for bilateral talks following the summit. Tsundue cited the Chinese exploitation of Tibetan natural 9
resources as his inspiration to protest against President Jinping’s visit. “I protest because this is not right. China has been plundering Tibet in its sixty years of military occupation and now it is selling it everywhere, calling it
Tibetan activists shouting slogans “Free Tibet” and “Stop Demolition of Larung Gar” Photo:TPI
global trade,” he said. Tsundue has been released without charge. BRICS is an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. They are all leading developing or newly-industrialised countries with large, sometimes fastgrowing economies and a significant influence on regional affairs. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES
Imprisoned Uyghur Scholar wins Human Rights Award
by Theadora Walsh The Martin Ennals Foundation annual human rights award has been awarded to the Uyghur scholar and activist Ilham Tohti. Despite international recognition for his work to bring peace to Xinjing, the Uyghur region of north western China, he receives the award behind bars. Arrested in 2014 by the Chinese government, Tohti was sentenced to life in prison. While taking pains not to promote separatism, Ilham has been a vocal advocate for the economic, cultural, and religious rights of Uyghurs in Xinjiang his entire working life. He began writing about political and ethnic tensions in his native Xinjiang in the mid 90s, which is when the Chinese government began following his work, and launched a bilingual blog in 2006 to serve as an open platform for debate and discussion. Upon his nomination as a finalist for the Martin Ennals award, his
daughter reflected: “My father has used only one weapon in his struggle for the basic rights of the Uyghurs of Xinjiang: words. This is all he has
ever had at his disposal, and all that he has ever needed. And this is what China found so threatening.” Beijing declared a “people’s war on terror” in 2014 following a spate of attacks in Xinjiang and began using accounts of ordinary citizens to prosecute and arrest anyone accused of being a terrorist. Tohti was arrested in 2014 when he
was leaving China to begin a post as a visiting scholar at Indiana University in America, and he was sentenced following a two-day trial. Accusing him of inciting ethnic hate and supporting separatism, the Chinese government insists Tohti is a dangerous criminal. After the award was announced Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, told the Guardian, “His case has nothing to do with human rights.” Xinjiang, or East Turkestan, is an autonomous territory in northwest China and home to the Muslim Turkic Uyghur people who, like the Tibetans, protest against the human rights abuses they are subject to under Chinese rule. The Martin Ennals Award is an annual prize for human rights defenders. The Martin Ennals Foundation, which is based in Switzerland, provides protection and support to human rights defenders who are at risk.
China and India Vie for Trade with Nepal
by Ori Gutin China and India are increasingly in competition over trade with Nepal. Both countries share borders with Nepal, with Chinese-occupied Tibet to the north and India to the south. The Global Times, a state-run newspaper in China, has published an article claiming that China’s existing infrastructure in Tibet gives it an advantage over India in the battle to expand trade relations with Nepal in the coming years. Tibet’s location makes it a critical component of China’s efforts to increase trade with southeast Asian nations, but it also makes it most likely to bear the brunt of the economic trade battle with India. Currently, the Chinese controlled town of Zhangmu in Tibet is responsible for 82% of the trade activity between China and Nepal. Around 200 cargo trucks cross into Nepal from Zhangmu each day. $243.1 million (£200 million)worth of trade passed through Zhangmu in the first quarter of this year. In contrast, $10 billion (£8) Contact
billion passed across the China-Vietnam border last year. Historically, India has controlled 60% to 70% of Nepal’s trade activity due to its better existing road infrastructure, while China has secured only 10%. Both nations are now attempting to expand the railway infrastructure in Nepal in order to increase trade activity, and create a rail network that would connect
Tibet, Nepal and India with Bangladesh and Myanmar. China is currently expanding the LhasaShigatse railway to reach Gyirong county, a project which will be completed in 2020. This timeline would allow Kathmandu and Gyirong to be connected by 2025. Nepali 10
Prime Minister Prachanda recently stated that India and Nepal are discussing the possibility of building a railway between Mechi and Mahakali. The Global Times article says that competition from India, and the subcontinent’s high growth and development trajectory over the next decade, imposes economic pressures on China, most of which will fall on the Tibet Autonomous Region. However, the article states that China’s “considerable support” for Tibet has given Tibet “the upper hand over India in terms of infrastructure development and has established sound economic cooperation relations with neighboring provinces and cities”. It suggests that China will focus on exploiting Tibet’s advantages over India and maintaining political stability in the region in the years to come. The Global Times article, which was published on October 20, has been reported (but not commented on) in Indian newspapers including the Times of India and the Hindustan Times. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES
TCV Celebrates 56 Years
by Dorji Kyi Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) celebrated the 56th anniversary of its founding on October 23. More than a thousand local Tibetans gathered at the school to witness the opening ceremony. The three-day celebration included an athletics meet, art exhibitions, debates and cultural shows with students from five TCV branches participating in the events this year. The chief guest at the opening ceremony was His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche. Speaking about the importance of Tibetan identity and culture in the Tibetan struggle, Rinpoche said, “Inevitably the most important duty of each Tibetan, in the face of the ever changing time and events, is to be mindful that one’s actions contribute to ensuring the survival of Tibetan identity and dignity, and not otherwise. Secondly, the school administrators, teachers and parents, as
the guardians of Tibetan culture, must assert the traditional Tibetan knowledge and values to the young and new generations of Tibet.” His Eminence also advised young students to value the Tibetan tradition and culture, and remember the sacrifices made by the older generation to preserve the true essence of the Tibetan movement. Other guests included the Minister of the Department of Religion and Culture, Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok; Speaker of the 16th Tibetan Parliament, Khenpo Sonam T e n p h e l ; members of the Kashag (Cabinet ministers); officials of the Central Tibetan Administration; representatives of various NGOs (non-government organisations); TCV 20 Years Service Award Recipients; TCV Alumni class of 1991 Batch and long time TCV
supporters and donors. TCV is the largest residential school of the exiled Tibetan community in India. It was founded in 1960 as a nursery to care for children who had been orphaned or separated from their families. There were 51 children at the time and Mrs Tsering Dolma Takla, the elder sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, volunteered to look after them. Later, in 1964, His Holiness’s younger sister, Mrs Jetsun Pema, took responsibility for the school. Over the years TCV has become an integrated educational community for Tibetan children in exile, as well as for hundreds of those escaping from Tibet each year. With seven branches established in India, extending from Ladakh in the North to Bylakuppe in the South, TCV has over 15,000 children in its care. It is a registered, non-profit charitable organisation with its headquarters in Dharamshala.
East Meets West: Mindful Medicine
by Tenzin Samten Doctors from the United States met Tibetan medical practitioners at the conference East meets West: Mindful Medicine, which was held to a platform for a mutual learning. The conference included visits to Delek Hospital and Men-tse-khang, the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute which gave the doctors from the US the opportunity to interact with the medical practitioners there and explore the work they do. Delegates also visited the Jampaling Home for elderly people where they were able to observe first hand the care provided to residents. Over 20 doctors and nurses took part in the three-day conference which took place in Ahimsa Hall in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala. The conference was opened with an address by Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, Mindfulness in Integrative Medical Practice - The Mind and Body Connection. Speakers for the conference included Dr Tsetan Dorjee, the Chief Contact
Medical Officer of Delek Hospital and Personal Physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who spoke on Holistic Integrative Medicine - The mind Body Connection. Dr Parveen Sharma, Prof of Pharmacology Coordinator of palliative care at the government medical college and hospital in Kangra gave a talk on the Emerging Palliative Care Situation in India and Geshe
Lhakdor, Director of The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives spoke on Buddhist perspectives on death and dying - The Mind Body Connection, Disconnection and Reconnection. Dr Tenzin Desel of Delek Hospital spoke on Aging and End of life care in the Tibetan Community and Dr Tenzin 11
Yeshi from Men-tse-khang spoke on Traditional Tibetan Medicine and the Science of healing. The doctors from west included Dr Sara Arguello, a graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Dr Kevin Dischert, a senior fellow in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the LSU Health Sciences Centre in New Orleans and Dr Jonathan Nussdorf, Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Ochsner Medical Centre in New Orleans, who gave a talk on tuberculosis as well as doctors from the Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organisation. Dr Christopher Blais of Ochsner Medical Centre in New Orleans gave a talk Overview of Hepatitis B Viral Infection. The conference was jointly organised by Lha Charitable Trust, Tibetan Delek Hospital, Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organisation and the Louisiana Himalaya Association. The organisers look forward to organising more of such events in the future. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES Oct 30: Visit Angers China HH the Dalai Lama is to visit Arunachal Pradesh next March. Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian state bordering Tibet which China claims as its own and China says the visit will damage relations between India and China. An Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “The Dalai Lama is a revered spiritual figure and an honoured guest of India and is…absolutely free to travel to any part of the country”. Oct 28: New Gaden Tripa His Eminence Sharpa Chojey Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin, 79, has been appointed as the 103rd Gaden Tripa (Holder of the Gaden Throne), the spiritual head of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The former Gaden Tripa, His Eminence Thubten Nyima Lungtok Tenzin Norbu, had completed his seven-year tenure. The official enthronement of the new Gaden Tripa will be held on November 5 in Mungod Tibetan settlement. Oct 24: Welcome Back! His Holiness the Dalai Lama has returned to his home in Dharamshala after concluding his 15-day fivenation tour of Europe. Tibetans and well-wishers gathered to welcome him back. On November 17, His Holiness will teach Compassion The Key to Happiness in Yokohama, Japan and from January 3 - 14, the Kalachakra in Bodhgaya in Bihar, India. Oct 21: Young Tibetan Scholars A conference Tibet and Tibetans: Prospects and Challenges is underway with over 60 young Tibetan research scholars and 29 researchers from across India participating. Dr Lobsang Sangay, head of the Central Tibetan Administration and Mr Jayadeva Ranade, President of the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, spoke at the opening of the three-day conference which was organised by the Tibet Policy Institute in Dharamshala. Contact
Tibetan Headlines
Oct 20: Tibetan Stalls Attacked Tibetan sweater sellers stalls in Bahadurgar in Haryana were taken down by local Indian shopkeepers. The Tibetans claimed that they have the necessary permissions from the District Marketing Committee. Police intervened and arrested six local shopkeepers. Oct 15: Yangthang Rinpoche Yangthang Rinpoche, 88, one of the masters of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and a former political prisoner in Tibet, has died in Hydrabad, India. Following the Chinese invasion on Tibet in 1959 he was imprisoned with other monks from Kham province for over two decades. He was released in 1981, going to Sikkim to continue his teachings. Oct 18: Celebrations Monitored Kirti Monastery in Ngaba prefecture in Tibet has celebrated the completion of a new residence for their abbot, Kirti Rinpoche, who currently lives in Dharamshala. Radio Free Asia reported that Chinese police watched over the celebration and that the monastery was told to hold the gathering in the name of inaugurating a new library and not mention the Rinpoche’s residence. Oct 16: Tibetan Scholars Meet Over a hundred senior Tibetan Buddhist scholars gathered at Kardze monastery in Sichuan province to discuss the core subjects of Buddhist philosophy, the Middle Way, and to give basic Buddhist teachings to lay people. The participants – mostly senior teachers and Geshes who returned to Tibet from India – came from 50 monasteries in Kardze and nearby regions. Oct 14: Chinese Embassy Protest Over 100 Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) members, including four executive members, and many Tibetan college students have been arrested for demonstrating outside the 12
Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. They were protesting against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet and the forced demolition of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy. Oct 13: Cycling for Tibet Twelve Tibetans have arrived in Dharamshala after cycling over 3,000 kilometres from Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement. The ride was organised by the Tibetan People’s Movement for Middle Way with three messages: to urge China to start dialogue with envoys of HH the Dalai Lama, to stop the destruction of Tibetan culture, religion and environment and to release all political prisoners including the Panchen Lama. Oct 12: Thank you India The Central Tibetan Administrationin-exile has organised a “Thank You India” programme in several cities around India to show their gratitude and appreciation for what India has done for the Tibetan freedom struggle. Events have been held in Calicut, Kerala and Nagpur so far and will be held in other cities including Chennai and Pondicherry. Oct 11: Taiwan Parliamentary Group A group of 30 Taiwanese legislators have formed a Taiwan Parliamentary Group for Tibet. They plan to abolish the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission – a legacy of the Republic of China’s claim to sovereignty over Tibet and Mongolia – and to push for a refugee act supporting Tibetans living in Taiwan. Oct 7: New Chinese Law China has officially implemented a new law which allows electronic data, including social media posts and private chats, to be used in court as evidence. Activists and experts are saying it will help the government in clamping down dissent. This has already been happening in Tibet, the new law ratifies China’s actions in using this data. OCTOBER 2016
NEWS & ISSUES International Headlines
Oct 27: Jungle Cleared France claims to have completed an operation to move thousands of migrants out of its “Jungle” camp in Calais. The authorities have bussed 4,404 people to shelters and centres where they will be able to seek asylum. A large number of residents have disappeared and are expected to return once the operation is over.
Oct 26: Renewable Power The world’s capacity to generate electricity from renewable sources has overtaken that of coal, reports the International Energy Agency, saying in a new report that last year renewables accounted for more than half of the increase in power capacity. Half a million solar panels were installed every day last year around the world. Oct 25: Fatalities at CAR Protest The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic has been disrupted by protests in which four people were killed and 14 injured when peacekeepers opened fire. Demonstrators tried to force their way into the UN headquarters, however the UN denies using live bullets, saying its soldiers only used tear gas. Oct 21: Brexit British Prime Minister Theresa May has attended the European Union Brussels summit where she faced discussions about the British decision to leave the EU. Mrs May pledged to continue to “work closely” with the EU after Brexit, saying it is important to have a “united European stance” against “Russian aggression” that included “sickening” violence in Syria. Oct 19: Hate Spreads Hate crime is on the rise in Canada. Klu Klux Klan flyers as well as anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh posters have begun appearing up and down the country, contrasting with Canada’s image of being an open, multicultural society. “Right-wing extremists are emboldened by the anti-immigrant rhetoric coming Contact
from the US and Europe,” stated James Ellis, terrorism researcher. At least 100 extremist groups are known to exist in Canada.
Oct 17: ISIS Defeat Syrian rebels have captured the village of Dabiq from the Islamic State, forcing the jihadist group from the stronghold where it had promised to fight a final, apocalyptic battle with the West. Isis has lost a string of key battles this year and many leaders have been assassinated. Dabiq is where American aid worker Peter Kassig was beheaded by infamous terrorist Jihadi John. Oct 14: End of an Era Thailand’s widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died after 70 years as head of state. He has long been seen as a stabilising figure in Thailand which has gone through many periods of political turmoil. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be the new monarch, the prime minister has confirmed. Oct 13: China Challenged Hong Kong’s new generation of young, pro-democracy politicians have defied Beijing at a swearing-in ceremony for the city’s parliament. One person declared their oath in a flag bearing the slogan, “Hong Kong is not China” and another recited a Mahatma Ghandi quote: “You can chain me. You can torture me. You can even destroy this body but you will never imprison my mind.” Oct 12: Superfood for Cows Scientists in Denmark are developing a new type of grass to stop cows burping. Methane emitted from cattle is having a significant impact on climate change so researchers at Aarhus University have used DNA technology to make grass easier to digest. The “super grass” should be available in seven to eight years. Oct 11: Child Brides Every seven seconds a girl under the age of 15 is forced to marry. In countries 13
like Afghanistan, Yemen, India and Somalia they are often as young as ten, poverty and conflict leaving children vulnerable to this kind of abuse. “Girls who marry too early are more likely to face domestic violence, abuse and rape,” stated a spokesperson from the charity Save the Children. Oct 7: Loophole Closed New legislation in Pakistan means that people behind “honour killings” will no longer go free; they will get a mandatory life sentence. In the past, killers could avoid going to jail if they were pardoned by their victim’s family but now this forgiveness will only spare them the death penalty. Nearly 1,100 women were killed by relatives in Pakistan last year. Oct 6: Aid for Afghanistan $15.2bn (£11.9bn) has been pledged in aid for Afghanistan over the next four years. The pledge came at the international Afghanistan conference hosted by the European Union in Brussels and attended by over 70 countries. Afghanistan will be asked to do more to tackle corruption and to take back tens of thousands of failed asylum seekers. Oct 4: Russia/US Standoff Russia and the United States have disagreed over the disposal of surplus weapons-grade plutonium in the latest move in their worsening bilateral relations. Both countries had agreed to dispose of 34 tonnes of plutonium as part of cuts to nuclear forces. The US has accused Russian of not adhering to the terms of last month’s Syrian ceasefire. Oct 3: The Humble King Eric Manu is King of the Akan tribe in Ghana. Although he left his job as a gardener in Canada to go back home and take up his birth right last year, he has now returned to Canada and his job there in order to raise money to provide healthcare for his people. His Canadian boss has started a foundation to support his project. OCTOBER 2016
DHARAMSHALA VOICES
Bringing Film to the Himalayas
With the Dharamshala International Film Festival happening this month, Contact spoke to its organisers, Ritu Sarin and Tenzin Sonam
by Theadora Walsh Though neither Ritu Sarin nor Tenzing Sonam was born in Himachal Pradesh, the film-making couple were drawn to Dharamshala. Ritu’s family is from the area and Tenzing saw many Tibetans, including his parents, take refuge there when the Indian government chose it as the Tibetan exile capital. Their most recent documentary, When Hari Got Married, demonstrates the extent to which the two have become a part of the community. Following their local taxi driver through the excitement and trepidations of an arranged marriage, the camera becomes a sort of confidant. Ritu and Tenzing’s devotion to great cinema comes from collaboration and a mutual respect and admiration for each other. I think this partnership shows in their films. Their documentaries, which mostly focus on Tibetan themes, are both personal and in constant dialogue with their subjects. Without cynicism or indifference, the film-making couple are totally dedicated to their craft and to the ever changing situation of Tibet. How did you start making films? What are your backgrounds? Ritu Sarin: My family was from Dharamshala but I never really lived here, even when I was growing up. My father had a job which caused us to move around. I saw my first alternative film when I was quite young and, even though I didn’t understand what I was seeing, I found it so intriguing. When we were growing up, our lives were predetermined. You didn’t have many options – you were probably going to do your BA and get married, etc. So watching these alternative films sort of opened up a whole new world for me. I thought of studying film and went to art school in California to do a Masters in Fine Arts, specialising in film and video.
Tenzing Sonam: I was born and brought up in Darjeeling. My parents were Tibetan refugees who moved from Tibet after the Chinese occupation. After school, I came to Delhi and studied Economics at St. Stephen’s and, like Ritu, I didn’t know what I was doing at the time. After my BA, I came to Dharamshala and worked for the Tibetan Government-in-exile for over a year. Then I moved to America and lived in many different places before ending up in Berkeley where I did a Masters in Journalism. RS: Tenzing and I re-met there and we started working on our first documentary together. That was a long time ago in the
80’s and the documentary was about the Sikh communities in northern California. It was called The New Puritans – The Sikhs of Yuba City, and was one of the earliest films about the Indian immigrant community and their experiences, generational conflicts and what it all meant.
Tell me about your first feature film, Dreaming Lhasa. What inspired you to write a fictional script? TS: We made a Tibetan feature film called Dreaming Lhasa. It was set in Dharamshala and was about the Tibetan exile experience. It was about a Tibetan-origin filmmaker from the United States who comes here to shoot a film. She meets a guy who comes
from Tibet, learns about his story and helps him in his search for a missing person. It showed at the Toronto International Film Festival, San Sebastian Film Festival and had a theatrical release in the US as well. Most of your films cast light on Tibet’s occupation. How did you decide to focus on this issue? RS+TS: Tibet is always on our minds. It’s something we kind of live with. We constantly engage in the subject and there are so many films we want to make about it. When we started out making films we realised that most films about Tibet were being made by non-Tibetans and although well-meaning for the most part, lacked an insight that could only come from within the community. We made a decision to fill this gap by focusing on Tibet-themed subjects as we were both closely connected to the exile Tibetan community and passionately engaged in its struggle. Our films always come from a more personal perspective and the issues they address are issues that concern us personally. Many of the people you’ve made films about live in or pass through Dharamshala. What is it like to see them grow older and change?
RS+TS: It’s very important for us to try and stay in touch with the people we have made films about. These relationships transcend the film making process and are meaningful to us on a personal level. It’s been fascinating to see some of our characters – especially the younger ones – change over time, grow up, become adults, and in some cases, assume very heavy responsibilities. Our films are small snapshots of particular moments in the lives of these people – important moments, certainly – but life moves on and we are happy to be a part of their journey. Where did the idea to organise the Dharamshala International Film Festival come from? RS+TS: DIFF grew out of long conversations around our kitchen table in Dharamshala. Initially, our idea was to introduce the local community to good, alternative cinema. Starting a film festival seemed like the most natural thing for us to do. The second thing was that we thought Dharamshala was such an amazing place with such an unusual mix of people but it was lacking some kind of an event –an international event that could capitalise on its assets. So a film festival seemed like a good choice for us. As film-makers yourselves, how do you approach curating a film festival? RS+TS:The fact that we are filmmakers is crucial to DIFF’s particular character. We bring to the festival our own experience of attending film festivals around the world, both large and small. We can call on a wide network of film-makers, producers, sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers to advise us, recommend films, and often to help us get in touch with film-makers. And most importantly, as film-makers, we understand the importance of creating a platform to showcase independent films. DIFF neither has corporate sponsorships nor big celebrities taking over. It is a platform where audiences and film-makers interact and intermingle quite informally. The philosophy of DIFF is purely to celebrate good cinema.
What are your plans for the future? RS+TS:We are embarking on our second feature film, The Sweet Requiem, a suspense drama about an exile Tibetan woman living in Delhi. Unexpectedly, she sees a man she holds responsible for her father’s murder on a Himalayan pass which reawakens longsuppressed memories of her traumatic escape from Tibet. We are hoping to start shooting sometime between this year and next.
Every month we feature somebody from the Tibetan community on our Dharamshala Voices page. You can read more Dharamshala Voices stories on the Contact website: http://www.contactmagazine.net/dharamasla-life/ Contact
14
OCTOBER 2016
Care Group Visits Dharamshala
Lha welcomed a group of twelve professionals from Hospice Care in the United States in October as a part of our cultural exchange programme. They stayed in Mcleod Ganj for more than a week to learn about Tibetan culture and Buddhism, and also to have a closer look at the Tibetan community in Dharamshala. They visited several Tibetan organisations including the Tibet Museum and the Tibet Library. Geshe Lhakdor la gave a talk to the group Buddhist perspectives on Joy of Living and Dying which gave the participants the opportunity to ask questions and clear many of their doubts on Buddhism. Lha’s cultural exchange programme was initially started in 2002 with a group of graduate social work students on an international social work exchange to Dharamshala. Since then Lha has
facilitated students and professional groups from other countries to give them the opportunity to engage in social work and other projects within the Tibetan refugee and the local Indian communities in Dharamsala. Today the cultural exchange programme has grown and Lha hosts around 15 to 20 groups every year. In addition to the cultural exchange experience, this programme gives much needed support to Tibetan refugees who are learning English inLha language classes.
LHA NEWS AND PROJECTS Lha could not provide the services we do without the support of our wonderful volunteers who help in so many ways and inspire us with their enthusiasm. Every month we ask a volunteer to share their story. This month Neil Roberts from England tells us his story.
Managing Perfectly Well
Name: Neil Roberts Volunteer Job at Lha:English Teacher When I made the decision earlier this year to see more of the world, I knew exactly where I wanted to go first. I contacted Lha, offering my services as a volunteer English teacher, and arrived in McLeod Ganj on August 20. McLeod Ganj is the strangest of places. A refugee community, backpacker haven and spiritual home of Tibetan Buddhism. Tourism amongst Indians seeking cooler mountain air is increasing and weekends can be frenetic. There’s lots of construction underway to meet increasing demand and it can be difficult for someone unused to what feels like living and working in a burgeoning resort. My classroom is very different to a western set up. Students sit on the floor with no desks or chairs (managing perfectly well, incidentally).Unlike an air conditioned language school, we have two rickety wall fans. Traffic outside means it’s often impractical to open windows and it does get warm when we’ve 40+ people in conversation classes. Teaching resources are limited donations of work, teacher and activity books are welcomed! Fortunately, I’d brought my own trusty teacher books (which proved invaluable) and - when I sorted reliable internet access - my cloud-based teaching resources. My students are an interesting group. Attendance - not mandatory - is normally good. I’ve a handful
of monks plus a dozen or so other Tibetans and a couple of Indian people. Unexpectedly, I’ve taught Korean and Russian students (here for extended Dharma training and taking the opportunity to improve their English). Ages range from late teens to early sixties and the gender mix is better than anticipated. It’s a broad spectrum of people who’ve gelled well into a mutually supportive peer group. Some of the stories my students tell are hard to hear. Families left behind, others fleeing after family members were executed or disappeared. Many simply walked out of Tibet; a perilous exodus over the Himalayas often taking months to complete. The Tibetans I’ve come to know demonstrate a determination to live life. Sustained by faith, their capacity to endure seems limitless, as they even today in this seemingly crazy world - continue promoting nonviolence in the face of adversity. While “progress” marches forward, as progress invariably does, McLeod Ganj continues its evolution from sleepy hillside forest. What this will mean for the Tibetans living here - on the other side of the Himalayas from the place they still call home only time will tell. I, for one, wish them well.
Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust
Lha Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots, non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has been striving to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for over 18 years. Lha was registered as a charitable trust by the Indian Government in 2005. For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org To keep up to date with news of what’s happening in Tibet and in the Tibetan exile community, follow Contact magazine online at www.contactmagazine.net Facebook: Contact News / Twitter: Contact News Contact
15
OCTOBER 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
16
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)
TCHRD advocates for human rights and provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet. The centre publishes journals and articles, as well as conducting workshops and campaigns. WEB: www.tchrd.org LOCATION: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-223363 EMAIL: office@tchrd.org
Lha Charitable Trust (Lha)
Lha, a Tibetan grassroots NGO based in Dharamshala, is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. (see page 2) WEB:www.lhasocialwork.org LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India PHONE: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 EMAIL: office@lhasocialwork.org
The Kangra Distt. Red Cross Society
The Kangra District Red Cross Society renders its humanitarian services, projects and activities with the help and the co-operation of people at all levels of society by donation. WEB: www.redcrosskangra.org LOCATION: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 EMAIL: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com
Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Association of Tibet is an organisation of former political
prisoners of Tibet and former activists currently in exile that engages in their complete assistance from medical, financial, basic education and vocational training. It also organises lobby and advocacies about human rights abuses in Tibet. WEB: www.guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679 EMAIL: guchusum1991@gmail.com
Tibet Charity
Tibet Charity provides programs including English and computer classes, an animal care program, and a variety of medical and educational financial support programs. WEB: www.tibetcharity.in LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877 EMAIL: director@tibetcharity.in
Norbulingka Institue
Centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work. Temple, tour guides of the workshops, and gardens. L O C AT I O N : S i d h p u r, Dharamshala PHONE:9882144210 EMAIL: info@norbulingka.org WEB:www.norbulingka.org
OCTOBER 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
OCTOBER 2016
activities and information Upcoming Events Nov 1-2: Long life Prayer Services at Tsuglakhang Temple, McLeod Ganj Nov 3-6: DIFF, Film Festival in Dharamshala Nov 20: Lha Bab Due Chen (Buddha’s descent from heaven) Dec 10: Nobel Peace Prize Day (conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama Jan 1: New Year Jan 3-14: Kalachakra in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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
Om Massage Centre
LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, Opposite the Green Hotel, Mcleod Ganj PHONE:9857999373/9805895574 EMAIL: kunsangdolma75@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
18
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
OCTOBER 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 news phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,has opinion, reviews, photos, etc guardian.co.uk/world/tibet - the UK Guardian newspaper’s Tibet pages scmp.com/news/china - the South China Morning Post – one of the more independent news sources in China thetibetpost.com and tibetexpress.net are both sources of news and information
News, information and campaigning:
tibet.net - official website of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile dalailama.com - for broadcasts of His Holiness’s teachings, his schedule and information about Tibet and the Dalai Lama tchrd.org - Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - a nongovernmental organisation and a research centre to protect the human rights of Tibetan people and promote the principles of democracy tibetanyouthcongress.org - an international non-governmental organisation that advocates full independence for Tibet from China studentsforafreetibet.org - a global grass roots group campaigning for full Tibetan independence tibetanreview.net - news, opinions, reviews and information freetibet.org: - UK-based campaigning organisation, also a good news source savetibet.org - 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
Kalachakra 2017:
kalachakra2017.net or www.kalachakra2017.org - Official website. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will confer Kalachakra Initiation at Bodh Gaya from January 3 - 14. The website provides information on facilities for the event including tents, medical and sanitation and registration.
Interested in a Tibetan Homestay?
Is Arriving in India a Nightmare?
Thinking about Volunteering?
Lha Charitable Trust can arrange homestays of one month with a Tibetan refugee family. By sharing day-to-day life with a Tibetan family you will have an opportunity to experience Tibetan culture at first hand as well as making friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Accommodation, breakfast and dinner included.
Next time you come, use the Lha Reception service at Delhi airport. We will meet you at the airport, look after you in Delhi and give you a safe place to stay while you wait for your overnight bus to McLeod. We’ll put you on the bus and make sure you are on the right seat! Use our service especially when you are arriving late at night or early morning.
Lha offers you the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills while gaining practical experience with a social work organisation – good for your CV as well as being fun and interesting! Lha volunteers develop friendships as well as learning at first handabout the issues facing the Tibetan refugee community.
Find out more! Call into the Lha office, see Map # 1 Contact
19
OCTOBER 2016
advertisements
DR TANDON’S ADVANCED
Ocean of Harmony
Programmes for Wellbeing
Meditation Intensives Meditation Therapies Intensive Yoga Courses/Retreats Stress Management Integrated Healing Therapies Wellness Retreats
DENTAL
ORTHODONTIC & IMPLANT CENTRE 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
www.oceanofharmony.org
For intensive trainings around the world (any country) contact: Shalu Patel (experienced & qualified life and wellness coach for international trainings)
HIMALAYAN YOGA RETREAT 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#25
Mobile no: 988222502 - Surinder
Phone: (+91) 9979894585 Email: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com
Address: Jogiwara Road, Green View House after Youngling Schoo Mcleod Ganj, Opposite Pink House www.himalayanyogacentre.com / Email:surinderlala@yahoo.in
BLACK TENT CAFE
RINKU TAXI SERVICE
Best taxi & car rental services in Himachal, Tour Packages Free high-speed Wi-fi Pick-up & Drop-in to Airports, Rail station, Bus stop Delicious coffee, authentic homemade Tibetan and western cuisine All food washed in clean filtered water
Free movies on Saturdays at 7.30pm Live Tibetan music every Wednesday at 6.30pm
Jogiwara Road (near post office), McLeod Ganj – Map # 8
CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA
Opp. Club House, near Tourist Information Office Hotel Surya Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - Map#16 PHONE: (+91) 94186-87343, 98570-30707
www.rinkutaxihimachal.com
Chapri Handicrafts
Visit Sunanda to see her beautiful shawls, fabrics, gifts, papier-mache, handicrafts, thankas and so much more! MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, Shop no 9, Next Alley to State Bank of India ATM, CONTINENTAL, & THAI FOOD, No MSG Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj Map#27 Tel: 98826-04215 • Everything washed with sterilized water • Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere & Japanese-style seating • Live music every Sunday - Map#9 Bhagsu Road, Opp. Green Hotel Mcleod Ganj - Map#26 Located on Jogiwara Road, Email: kunsangdolma75@gmail.com across from the Tibetan Reception Center Contact: 9857999373 /9805895574 (down from Post Office) - Map # 9
Om massage centre
HOTEL LADIES’ VENTURE
“The most suitable place for foreigners, holidaymakers, honeymooners, trekkers, and those who wish to commune with nature!”
8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL
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
18+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses &
treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!
Black Magic Building (underground), Jogiwara Road, Map # 7 McLeod Ganj Phone: 9857011101 Contact
Nature Cure Health Club
20
OCTOBER 2016
advertisements
Contact
21
OCTOBER 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 Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)
15
Tushita Centre
McLEOD GANJ
22
3 MAIN SQUARE
4
Cantt Police Post
23
20
1 Lha Main Bazaar
24
28
5
16
27
12
11
6 10
29 14
2
13
Road to Dharamshala
1. Lha Headquarters 2. Namgyal Cafe 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dr Mobile, Woeser Bakery 5. Black Tent Cafe 6. Carpe Diem Restaurant 10. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture 12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 13. Ahimsa House & 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. Marleen’s Thankas & Gifts 29. Dorjee Spa
19
17 18
Road to Dharamshala
Our specialty: Chocolate Vegan cake, Gluten free cake, Fresh Coffee Beans, cappaccino, Chocolate chilli lollipop 9am to 7pm - Closed on Monday
Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#7
Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 3)
NEED A DENTIST?
To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj
For all your dental requirements under one roof, in a sterile and state of the art clinic
Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #10 Call: 09218742046 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com
Tibetan Buddhist Walking Guide
New to the town? Local guide at Mcleod Ganj /Dharamshala. I can tour you around Mcleod Ganj, Gangkyi, Library, Norbulingka, sight-seeing etc Can speak Tibetan, English, Hindi and Nepali
Name : Dawa Tsering /Mobile no: 8352868671
Contact
Lhamo’s Croissant
Vegetarian and Vegan Food Bakery, Coffee shop, French Restaurant Gluten Free and Fresh seasonal juices and salads
Roof top terrace with stunning views Bhagsu Road, just before Kunga Hotel Map#15
22
OCTOBER 2016
advertisements
Marleen’s Thankas & Gifts We are happy to provide high quality Tibetan thangkas and gifts for all budgets; working with 18 artists we are able to take orders.
Snowlion Custom Tattoo
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.
Contact
snowlion custom tattoo : facebook
23
Artist Passang Location: near Hotel Tibet Professional Tattto Artist / Traditionally Trained Tibetan Thangka Painter 100% Safe & Hygienic Contact: 9459160626 / 9805286528
OCTOBER 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
Follow Contact website using the QR code!
Tibet Fair Trade འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།
Contact Newsletter
Managing Director Ngawang Rabgyal Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Tenzin Samten Assistant Editor Dorji Kyi 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