January 2018

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XX Issue:1 JANUARY 31, 2018

Trial a “Sham” and a “Travesty” EU: “Release Political Prisoners”

by Mary Trewartha The trial in Tibet of Tibetan activist Tashi Wangchuk has hit the international media, sparked an outcry from Human Rights groups worldwide and been labelled a “travesty”.

Tashi Wangchuk, 32, went on trial on January 4, two years after he was detained following his appearance in the New York Times documentary A Tibetan’s Journey Continued on page 3

by Lauren Chaplin The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling on China to respect its constitutional provisions to protect the human rights of Tibetans and other Chinese citizens.

The non-legislative resolution was passed during the Human Rights and Democracy debate in the Plenary session in Strasbourg, France on January 18. Days later, in Continued on page 4

China Recalls Tibetan Pilgrims HH the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya

by Tenzin Samten Tibetans who have travelled from Tibet to Nepal and India for pilgrimage purposes and to visit relatives have been ordered to return to Tibet immediately. Voice of Tibet (VOT) has reported that the directive is mainly aimed at the large number of Tibetans who are attending the ongoing teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Continued on page 4

W www.contactmagazine.net

by Tenzin Samten His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the 82-year-old spiritual leader of Tibetans and Buddhists around the world, has cut down his international travel commitments on the advice of his doctors. This month, however, he has given a series of teachings in Bodh Gaya; please turn to pages 8 and 9 to read our articles about the teachings.

Read more on page 8, 9

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NEWS & ISSUES

Trial a “Sham” and a “Travesty”

message meant to silence its critics,” through international recognition. for Justice in which he spoke about In December 2016, the then United and continued, “Because of the his efforts to preserve the Tibetan States ambassador to China, Max prominence of Mr Tashi’s case, any language and said that the Tibetan Baucus, noted that Tashi was “in jail sentencing would lead to further culture is being destroyed by China. for his peaceful advocacy of Tibetan international condemnation of China’s record of rights abuses.”

The trial lasted four hours, with no language education”.

PEN America said “PEN America verdict announced. The judge said he Amnesty International called the would deliver a verdict at a later date. trial a “Sham” and Sophie Richardson, is particularly concerned that Tashi In his interviews with the New York their East Asia Research Director, will not be offered a fair trial, nor Times, Tashi was clear that he did not said: “It is appalling that Tashi afforded the presumption of innocence support Tibetan independence from Wangchuk could face up to 15 years until guilt is proven, especially given China; he was pushing for the Tibetan imprisonment simply for expressing the authorities’ assertion that this is language to be taught in local schools his views in media interviews. These a case of national security […] This and used in government offices. He are blatantly trumped up charges is an attack on Tibetan language and has written a blog calling for greater and he should be immediately and cultural rights, which the authorities have dressed up as an issue of national autonomy for Tibetans within China. unconditionally released.”

He had also attempted to file a lawsuit UNPO, the Unrepresented Nations security.” PEN America works to in Beijing against the local authorities and Peoples Organisation, said, protect open expression in the United in his hometown in Tibet, Yushu, “Tashi Wangchuk faces up to 15 States and worldwide.

Human Rights Watch New York because he felt they were sidelining years in prison for simply calling the Tibetan language in schools in for linguistic rights to be respected. has called on China to drop the “the favour of Mandarin.

Cultural rights, including the right to politically motivated case”. Sophie Tashi Wangchuk is charged with use one’s own language are protected Richardson, their China director, said “inciting separatism”, a charge that under both the Chinese Constitution “Tashi Wangchuk has joined the ranks could result in imprisonment for and international human rights law of those prosecuted in China by simply up to 15 years. Inciting separatism […] Tashi and other jailed activists calling for rights to be respected and the law to be upheld.” is categorised as a crime The British Guardian said, of “endangering national “The Chinese government security” under Chinese has instituted harsh policies Criminal Law. China’s in its far western regions, Communist party-controlled home to millions of ethnic courts have a conviction rate minority citizens, in an effort of more than 99%. He has to quell dissent by force.” been held for two years with The Hong Kong Free no access to his family.

Press reported on the Tashi’s case has drawn international support the Tibetans in exile together with case has attracted, saying, Tibetan advocacy groups and Tibetan nuns demanding that China release Tashi Wangchuk “The European Union and human rights organisations to Photo: VOA Germany voiced concerns campaign for his release and draw attention to the human rights in China have received international over China’s jailing of activists abuses occurring in Tibet. support from the European Union, including Tashi at the United Nations In July last year, Tashi was Germany, the International Tibet Human Rights Council.”

Students for a Free Tibet are awarded the Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Network, Amnesty International and Medal of Courage “in recognition Human Rights Watch. They have all leading a campaign to lobby Beijing of his courage and dedication to called upon China to drop the charges embassies and foreign governments and to organise protests around the promoting Tibetan human rights and against Tashi.” justice for the Tibetan people”. This The BBC said, “Tashi Wangchuk world to raise awareness of Tashi’s annual award is given to Tibetan pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, in case.

The Tibet Group in the French human rights defenders who show a trial rights groups have called senate has called for China to give deep commitment to enhancing the “ludicrously unjust”. freedom and rights of the Tibetan The New York Times commented, Tashi a “fair and transparent” trial, people at great personal risk and “This action by the Chinese with access to a lawyer of his choice aims to give protection to individuals government sends a chilling and to his family.

Continued from page 1

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JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES Continued from page 1

EU: “Release Political Prisoners”

Brussels, Belgium, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, echoed these concerns when he testified before the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament. Giving evidence about the discrimination experienced by Tibetans at the hands of the Chinese, Dr Sangay explained that hard line Chinese policies and laws were undermining human rights provisioned in China’s constitution.

The European Parliament, which represents the EU’s 28 member states, calls in its resolution for a “strong, clear and unified voice” in

Tashi Wangchuk (L) and Choekyi (R)

its approach to China, and requests that China engage in dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It draws attention to the plight of language activist Tashi Wangchuk and Tibetan monk Choekyi, both of whom are currently serving prison sentences in

China. Tashi Wangchuk was arrested and voices regret about the limited in 2016 and charged with “inciting impact of the yearly EU-China separatism”following his appearance dialogues. in a New York Times video where he Dr Sangay echoed these sentiments called for Tibetan language rights. when speaking to the Human The EU resolution expresses concern Rights Subcommittee, highlighting for his “limited right to counsel, the social, cultural and economic abuse lack of evidence against him and suffered by Tibetans living in Tibet the irregularities in the criminal investigation”, and demands his immediate and unconditional release.

Similarly, the resolution calls for Choekyi, who hails from the Phurbu monastery Sikyong speaking at the EU parliament in Sichuan, to be freed from jail. He was sentenced to under Chinese rule. In addition to a four-year prison term in 2015 for namechecking Tashi Wangchuk, he celebrating His Holiness the Dalai explained that Buddhist learning Lama’s birthday. It has been reported institutes, such as Larung Gar and that his imprisonment has caused his Yarchen Gar, had been demolished health to deteriorate. by the Chinese, and their inhabitants In addition, the European forcefully evicted under the guise Parliament condemned the anti- of “development”. Mindful of the Buddhist sentiment of China’s 70th anniversary of the Universal “patriotic education” campaigns, Declaration of Human Rights, acknowledging that the conditions Dr Sangay said that the Tibetan for practicing Tibetan Buddhists situation had worsened, noting that have worsened since the widespread 151 Tibetans have self-immolated Tibetan protests in March 2008. The since 2009 in protest against their resolution recognises that, despite treatment and His Holiness the Dalai China’s commitment to various Lama’s exile. international human rights treaties, China had objected to Sikyong’s much progress is still to be desired, presence at the hearing.

China Recalls Tibetan Pilgrims Continued from page 1

in Bodh Gaya in Bihar this month.

The Chinese authorities have warned these Tibetans – mostly from the traditional Tibetan provinces of Kham and Amdo – that there will be severe consequences if they have not returned within the specific time given.

The local authorities in the Tawu district of Kham made an announcement on January 12 ordering people to report back by Contact

January 16, and many Tibetans who had arrived in Bodh Gaya hurried back to Tibet. Many who have come on a pilgrimage are cancelling their plans and returning straight home.

According to the VOT report, many of these people had incurred large expenses to obtain travel documents, in addition to their travel expenses. They are still facing discrimination by the authorities for travelling, despite having legal 4

Chinese travel documents, and are returning home to possibly face consequences.

Last year, thousands of people came from Tibet to attend the Kalachakra initiation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, again in Bodh Gaya. However, just before the ceremony began, many of them had to return home following orders from the Chinese authorities in their region.

JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES The World’s Worst Abuser of Internet Freedom

by Mary Trewartha China has once again been named by Freedom House* as the worst abuser of internet freedom in the world. It specifically mentions Tibet and the effects there of these tight restrictions.

It goes on to mention the response of the Chinese authorities to events such as self-immolations in Tibet, which includes shutting down access to communications systems such as WeChat (the internet messaging service in common use in Tibet) in an apparent bid to restrict the dissemination of news of these events outside Tibet.

The newly published Freedom House report Freedom of the Net 2017: Manipulating Social Media to Undermine Democracy states in the introduction to its China section, “China was the world’s worst abuser of internet freedom for the third consecutive year.

New regulations increased pressure on companies to verify users’ identities and restrict banned content and services.

Meanwhile, users themselves were punished for sharing sensitive news and commentary, with prison terms ranging from five days to eleven years.”

The report continues, “The government tightened online controls in advance of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in October 2017 […] ‘Cyberspace sovereignty’ has been a top policy goal and there is a trend of escalating requirements on internet companies to register their users’ real names. The law also obliges foreign companies to store Chinese user data in mainland China.

Citizen journalism is targeted and sites that are not licensed cannot provide any online news and information services.”

“Dissidents and members of ethnic or religious minority groups received the heaviest penalties for online speech, but ordinary internet users also felt the impact of the increasingly repressive regime.

Multiple administrative detentions were used to punish individuals whose posts challenged local or national officials, even in closed messaging groups.”

The report also mentions 11-year prison sentences handed out to activists advocating democracy online.

Regarding access to the internet, the report says, “China boasts the world’s

largest number of internet users, yet obstacles to access remain, including poor infrastructure, particularly in rural areas; a telecommunications industry dominated by state-owned enterprises; centralised control over international gateways; and sporadic, localised shutdowns of internet service to quell social unrest.

“There were 731 million internet users in China as of January 2017, according to the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC). From December 2015 to December 2016, the number of mobile internet users grew from 620 million to 695 million, accounting for 95 percent of all internet users.

Chinese state media Xinhua has stated that China blocked as many as 128,000 “harmful” websites last year and reported the confiscation of 30.9 million “illegal” publications in its effort to maintain “social stability”. *Freedom House is an independent watchdog organisation dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world.

Mining in Tibet: More Suffering for the Nomads

by Charlotte Wigram Evans As the Chinese development machine marches on, more than 10,000 nomads have been forced from their land in Tibet’s Lhathog region.

For generations, a community of Tibetan nomads has lived around the Yulung Zangter mountain in Kham Lhathog County of eastern Tibet. Now, in the name of development, they are being forced from their lands with minimal compensation.

The eviction follows nearly ten years of mining in the area, after gold, copper and lead were found in 2008. “Last year, Chinese officials discovered additional reserves in the area of Lhato behind Yulung mountain,” one source said.

“They confiscated most of that land from the nomads living there, and have put fences around the mining area.”

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The nomads have appealed to the Chinese government for several years to stop the ongoing operations around the holy mountain, wreaking environmental havoc and polluting the country’s once pristine lakes and rivers. However, their appeals have remained unsuccessful.

This deteriorating situation is not uncommon. Massive land-grabs by the Chinese government have been going on for decades all over Tibet, particularly in the east, northeastern and central areas such as Sichuan, Qinghai and the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

It is thought that the newest area of land to be seized has affected more than 500 families, many of whom’s livelihood depended on the collection of caterpillar fungus used in traditional Tibetan medicine. Chinese authorities 5

have banned all access to the mountain, forcibly relocating families with insufficient compensation, sub-par housing and a lack of government aid in finding jobs.

One source added that even if there was help to find work: “Every year, each household earned about 50,000 Yuan, [$7,890/£5,530] which was enough before the mining operations.But nomads are illiterate and have no experience in industrial work. There is a huge lack of jobs in the resettlement towns.”

It is said that the mining project in Lhathog County is the largest in the whole of China - the second largest in the world, a disquieting statistic that suggests many more Tibetan families will soon lose their homes, too.

JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES

New Vacancies in Tibetan Schools

by Tenzin Samten The eight schools remaining under the Central Tibetan Schools Administration (CTSA)* will be transferred to the Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society (STSS)**, an arm of the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) Department of Education, by the end of February. This transfer has created 158 vacancies for teachers. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the CTA, said the transfer is one of the education department’s most important projects.

This year’s transfer is the third phase and completes the transfer of all schools having classes in tenth to twelfth standards. The first phase of transfer took place in 2014 and the second in 2016.

The eight schools to be transferred next month from CTSA administration are Mundgod, Bylakuppe, Dholanji,

Kollegal, CVP Bylakuppe, Chandragiri, Gurupura and Sonada.

When announcing the move, Dr Sangay said that this transfer follows over 30 years of negotiation on the part of the CTA. Dr Sangay said that one of the main arguments for the transfer was the comparatively superior performances of the schools administered entirely

by Tibetans compared with those administered by the CTSA. He said the Kashag is keen to maintain these same high standards under the new administration and urged “qualified and competent teachers” to apply for the new posts.

When schools are fully transferred to the Tibetan administration, “a new beginning will dawn on Tibetan education that will realise the goals of academic excellence and the advancement of

Tibetan education as envisioned by the Kashag,” said Sikyong.

The Department is inviting applications for the 158 vacancies for teachers. Full details and application forms can be found on tibet.net .

Applications must be in by February 2 and interviews will be held on February 26-28. *Central Tibetan Schools Administration (CTSA) – is an autonomous Indian Government organisation under the Ministry of Human Resource Development **Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society (STSS) – Tibetan schools in settlements across India which are fully administered by the Department of Education, CTA

Confrontation in Arunachal?

by Mary Trewartha “There is no troop confrontation […]

It’s not a Doklam-like situation.”

The Times of India has quoted Indian security establishment officials as playing down the latest incident on the Arunachal Pradesh - Tibetan border.

In the last days of December, Chinese road construction workers crossed the border into the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh and commenced building a 12-feet wide, one kilometrelong track inside Indian territory until they were stopped by Indian troops.

The Times of India quote continued, “The issue is being resolved through the established coordination mechanism [flag and border personnel meetings] between the two countries … the Chinese will be asked to take their road-construction equipment back.”

This latest incursion comes only four months after the 73-day stand-off at Doklam near where the Sikkim Bhutan - Tibet borders meet.

The Indian Express reported their sources as “denying a Doklam-like eyeball-to-eyeball face-off between the two sides at the construction site on Contact

the LAC, and said there was no direct contact between Indian and Chinese soldiers during the incident.” The Chinese road construction workers retreated in the face of the Indian troops who are reported as having seized their equipment, including two excavators.

The Indian army has barricaded the area and maintained a presence there.

The border between India and Tibet has been a source of aggression

between China and India since China’s take over of Tibet in the 1950s. The border – or Line of Actual Control (LAC) – was agreed between Britain, India and Tibet in 1914 but has never been recognised by China who regularly cross the border into Indian territory and are building up troops and infrastructure on the Tibet side of 6

the border. China regards Arunachal Pradesh as Chinese territory. India maintains a strong military presence in Arunachal.

The Times of India has quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang in Beijing as saying that his country had “never acknowledged the existence of so-called Arunachal Pradesh”, while maintaining he was “unaware” about any Chinese intrusion in the Tuting area last month.

The Tuting area, where this latest incursion took place, has not seen border tensions in the past, and it is unusual for such activity to take place in the winter.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are increasing their military presence along the border to monitor Chinese incursion in Indian territory as well as Chinese construction activities and troop build-up. An air wing with helicopters will be used for reconnaissance along the 3,488 km (1,170 mile) border and will ferry troops, arms and ammunition. The ITBP was established in the wake of the Sino-Indian war of 1962.

JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES

Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are not “Countries”

by Tenzin Samten A chain reaction by international companies operating in China has been sparked by the Marriott International’s apology to China for listing Tibet as a separate country in their literature.

Now more high end companies have followed the lead of the Marriott – the third biggest hotel chain in the world – and apologised to China and removed mention of Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as separate countries from their own literature.

The companies include Delta Air Lines, high-end accessories brand Bulgari, medical-device maker Medtronic and fashion brand Zara.

Marriott International have retracted a survey questionnaire sent out to members asking for feedback and which included mention of Tibet and Taiwan as countries in their own right.

The chain has 124 hotels in China and is facing a backlash there amid calls to boycott its hotels.

The Chinese authorities had blocked Marriott’s local website and mobile app for a week prompting repeated apologies and assurances that Marriott “respects China’s sovereignty”.

The company was asked to review all their online content and make amendments. “We absolutely will not

support any separatist organisation that will undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the Marriott in a statement. “We apologise for any act that may give rise to misunderstandings.”

Their survey asked customers which country they are from and included Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan listed as separate countries.

The Chinese authorities labelled this a violation of China’s cyber security and advertising laws. China’s Tourism Minister said they “attach great importance to this incident” and has ordered an investigation.

China’s Tourism Minister has issued a warning to other hotel chains saying, “Hotel companies must immediately review all information on their corporate websites and apps and strictly abide by Chinese laws and regulations to firmly stop such incidents from happening again. Officials must [… ] severely punish violators.”

Following the incident, a Marriott employee “liked” a Tweet from Friends of Tibet, “Friends of Tibet congratulate global hotel chain #Marriott International for listing #Tibet as country along with #HongKong and #Taiwan” which further added fuel to the controversy. Craig Smith, President

and Managing Director of Asia-Pacific for Marriott International, is reported as having suspended the employee.

Shanghai-based news portal Thepaper.cn reported that the websites of 24 different airlines list Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as “countries”. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has demanded that all foreign airlines with routes to China update the information on their websites and apps.

According to a report by CNBC, medical-device maker Medtronic and fashion brand Zara, fearing repercussion from the Chinese government, are reported as having apologised over the same issue.

China claims Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as part of their territory. Hong Kong and Macau are former colonies of foreign countries and are currently autonomous regions ruled

by Beijing as Special Administrative Regions (SAR). Taiwan is considered a province by China though it is administered independently.

Tibet was an independent nation until China invaded it in 1959 and is still under Chinese rule. Following the occupation, many Tibetans and their leader, Dalai Lama, fled Tibet seeking exile in India.

New Spiritual Head of the Bon religion of Tibet

by Tenzin Samten Followers of the Bon religious sect enthroned their new spiritual head on January 1. Geshe Dawa Dhargay was appointed 34th Menri Trizin, elected from 60 candidates. Bon or Bonism is the ancient Tibetan religion believed to exist before the advent of Buddhism.

The enthronement ceremony was held at Pal Shenten Menri Ling Monastery at Dolanji in the Solan District of Himachal Pradesh and was attended by all senior spiritual leaders of the Bon tradition including monks, lamas and lay dignitaries. Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) Contact

Department of Religion and Culture was among those who attended the ceremony. “I heartily extend my warm congratulations and Tashi Delek to

Geshe Dawa Dhargay, the new Menri Trizin of the Bon tradition. I wish him all the success as the head of the Bon tradition and pray all your efforts 7

and hard work for the benefit of all sentient beings bear fruition,” he said.

Geshe Dawa Dhargay, the 34th Menri Trizin was born in Sharkhog in northeastern Tibet’s Amdo province.

The previous Menri Trizin was Lungtok Tenpai Nyima. Lungtok Tenpai Nyima passed away on September 14 last year at the age of 90 while meditating in the thukdam state* in his residence at the monastery. *According to Tibetan Buddhist Tantric practice, Thukdam is a state of deep meditation, in which the body retains heat, shows no signs of decay, and emits no odours despite being clinically dead.

JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES 50,000 Gather for the First Teaching in Bodh Gaya

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the 82-year-old spiritual leader of Tibetans and Buddhists around the world, concluded his three-day teaching in Bodh Gaya in Bihar on January 7. According to dalailama. com, the official website of His Holiness, over 50,000 devotees gathered for his teaching.

On the first day, His Holiness taught Dharmachakra Parivaretan – Sutra on the Four Noble Truths and the Sutra on Dependent Origination.

He began by saying that Buddha saw that clinging to the notion of an independent self is the root of all other mental afflictions. After realising selflessness, he saw that it would be incomprehensible to most people if he were to teach about it.

His Holiness explained that following his realisation, Buddha taught it to his pupils first in Sarnath and then in Vulture’s Peak in Rajgriha.

He went on to talk about the three turnings of the wheel of Dharma*;

during the first turning, Buddha explained the truth of suffering and its origins; during the second, he elaborated in detail about emptiness and dependent nature, imputed nature and perfect nature, and during the third, he taught about Buddha nature.

His Holiness said that Buddhism originated in India and not in China or Tibet. For more than 2,000 years, it has spread across Asia.

Speaking about the nature of different religions, His Holiness said that the conduct of non-violence is important for Buddhism. Buddhism teaches that suffering, pain and pleasure are in our own hands.

Actions that help and make others happy are considered to be positive, while actions that harm others are considered negative, he added.

His Holiness reiterated his message that all the seven billion people in this world are social animals and are not self-sufficient, and are all the same in wanting happiness and not suffering.

He urged that as followers of Buddha, we have to seek ways to help those who are suffering.

Reports of the teaching say that there were visitors from 69 different countries attending the Dalai Lama’s teaching in addition to people from different Indian states. The teachings were simultaneously translated and broadcast over FM in English, Hindi, Russian, Mongolian, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and Spanish, as well as central Tibetan, Amdo and Khampa dialects.

On the third day of the teaching, His Holiness, along with the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, launched the English translation of the first volume of a new book Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics.

“This series was conceived by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself

* Wheel of Dharma – represents the teachings of the Buddha

Continued on page 9

Second Teaching Draws a Crowd of 30,000 His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s second three-day teaching this month in Bodh Gaya was Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta and Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. Around 30,000 people attended, including 10,000 monks and nuns and 3,300 foreign visitors from 70 different countries. This teaching was organised at the request of Tibetan and Mongolian devotees.

In his introductory remarks, His Holiness spoke about the importance of the right motivation for the devotees as well as the teacher. “On the part of the Lama, that means not teaching out of any expectation of wealth or fame. Turning the Dharma into a business is very negative.” said His Holiness.

Addressing the people from the Himalayan region he said, “We also have here many people from the Himalayan region and there are many monks and nuns from their Contact

communities in our monasteries and nunneries. They have made up the numbers since the flow of monks and nuns out of Tibet has declined – something we can be mutually grateful for.” He also extended his welcome to the devotees from the west and expressed gratitude to them for their interest in the Tibetan culture and religion and for their support.

On the second day of the teaching, His Holiness offered vows for lay people wishing to take them.

Speaking about the vows he explained, “The main practice in relation to these vows is to restrain yourself from extreme selfcentredness, to avoid indulging in a self-cherishing attitude.”

On the final day of the teaching he spoke about the relevance of spirituality in the 21st century, saying it is swayed by many scientific and technological developments.

“Buddhist philosophical and 8

psychological ideas can be relevant today in helping people transform minds swayed by attachment and anger.” said His Holiness.

His Holiness then conferred the Avalokiteshvara empowerment, and a Long-Life Offering for His Holiness was conducted at the behest of Namgyal Monastery and the Mongolian group who were attending the teaching.

“Today in the contemporary world, there is so much talk about feminism.

This lineage of the practice […] has come down from Bhikshuni Palmo, a female Buddhist practitioner,” said His Holiness while conferring the empowerment.

Gelongma Palmo or Bhikshuni Palmo was the founder of the Nyungne* lineage; she lived during the tenth or eleventh century. *Retreat or fasting, keeping all the vows JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES Dalai Lama Teaches Chinese Devotees

His Holiness the Dalai Lama held the final session of his series of teachings in Bodh Gaya this month on January 22 and 23. He dedicated it to Chinese devotees from mainland China, inviting them to come and sit at the front of the teaching pavilion.

The teaching for the Chinese devotees was the Diamond Cutter Sutra. In inaugurating the teaching His Holiness said, “The Sanskrit tradition in the way it was followed at Nalanda spread to China and from there to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Later it was carried to Tibet and on to Mongolia. China was therefore among the earlier countries to which Buddhism spread.

Nowadays, wherever in the world there are Chinese people, they set up a Buddhist temple, which shows how close Buddhism is to the Chinese heart - it is China’s traditional religion.”

However, His Holiness urged them to study the Buddhist texts, saying that simply paying homage or reciting the prayers alone is not sufficient, and added that there are many temples and monasteries in China which could become centres of learning. He pointed out that Buddha encouraged his followers

to test his teachings through experimenting, investigation and analysis and only then decide whether or not to follow it. His Holiness criticised the way people follow religion as a custom.

During the Cultural Revolution in China, religions were considered to be blind faith and efforts were made to destroy them. However, he said, it has been proven that

external forces cannot subdue the thousand-year-old spiritual heritage of the Chinese people and today in China, not only Buddhism but other traditions are being revived.

People’s faith is only growing.

As well as explaining the Diamond Cutter Sutra text, His Holiness urged his audience to contribute towards the peaceful coexistence of all religious traditions. “Since religious traditions have, by and

large, been of benefit to human beings, they are worthy of our respect,” he explained, “It’s very sad if religion becomes the basis of conflict and violence. Therefore, it’s good to work for harmony among our various traditions. I have many friends belonging to different traditions and I believe, if one follows one’s own tradition sincerely, that is itself a great service.”

Speaking about a holy place in China, Wu Tai Shan – the Five Peaked Mountain – His Holiness expressed his desire to visit China one day, “I pray that one day I may visit Wu Tai Shan to receive Manjushri’s blessings - and you can pray for that too. To make your having come to Bodh Gaya worthwhile, try to develop an understanding of emptiness and cultivate a good heart.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been at Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha was enlightened, since the beginning of this month and has conducted a series teaching to thousands of devotees from all over the world. The last event for His Holiness in Bodh Gaya was on January 25 where he gave a public talk Education for Universal Ethics in Schools and Colleges to Indian students from both private and government schools.

50,000 Gather for the First Teaching in Bodh Gaya

Continued from page 8

and compiled under his careful supervision by a team of scholars over many years. It brings together classical Buddhist scientific and philosophical explorations of the nature of reality, within a framework that is accessible to the modern reader. Of the four volumes in the series, the first, which focuses on the science of the physical world, is being officially released today,” said Dr Thupten Jinpa, General Editor of the series.

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Speaking about the relevance of the book his Holiness said, “What we are doing is not propagating Buddhism but exploring how we Buddhists can contribute to the wellbeing of humanity.”

Two bombs were found near the gate into the grounds of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya where His Holiness the Dalai Lama was teaching. A small explosion was heard – which turned out to be an exploded thermos in the kitchen – this prompted a search which located the 9

bombs, each around 10kg. A bomb disposal unit was called to deal with them and security has been increased.

Thirteen policemen in Bodh Gaya were suspended following allegations of negligence while on security duty for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The police – two sub-inspectors, one assistant sub-inspector and ten constables – were reported as missing from their posts while on duty. His Holiness is accorded the Z-plus security rating – one of the highest – wherever he travels in India.

JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES Jan 31: Disappeared Lodroe Gyatso, also known as Sogkar Lodroe, has not been seen in since January 28 when he staged a political protest in Lhasa, and it is feared that he has once again been detained. He has spent 21 years in prison for homicide and political activism and since his release in 2016 is known to have been planning political protests.

Jan 29: Report Refuted A report in the Daily Mail – a British tabloid newspaper – claiming that HH the Dalai Lama was “paid $1 million to travel to America to endorse a controversial 'sex cult' that brainwashes and brands women” has been widely refuted and has not appeared in mainstream news channels.

His Holiness is known as having long held a policy of never accepting payment for his appearances.

Jan 28: Language Conference A conference on the Tibetan language and modern terminology – termed “unofficial” – has taken place in Tashi Choeling Monastery in Chigdril county, Golog, attended by hundreds of Tibetan language advocates from across Tibet. Language activists in China are often jailed and the organisers had not sought permission for the conference.

Jan 26: Nyingma Head The Fourth Kathok Getse Rinpoche Gyurme Tenpa Gyaltsen has been appointed for a three-year term as seventh head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche was born in 1954 and recognised as the reincarnation of the Third Kathok Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Namgyal (1886-1952). He came into exile in 1997.

Jan 24: Key Appointment A mixed race Tibetan woman has been appointed as Provincial Secretary - a key position in the Chinese Communist Party and a first for any Tibetan. Cui Yuying, 59, has been appointed Secretary for the province of Fujian. She was born in Changle County, Shandong province to a Chinese army officer father and a Tibetan mother.

Jan 19: Promise of Better Life Thousands of people gathered at Ganden Contact

Tibetan Headlines

Choeling monastery in Tsoe county in Gansu province to commit themselves to leading more virtuous lives and abandon social ills. They promised to give up smoking, gambling and the consumption of alcohol on the advice of a Tibetan lama, Alak Setsang Rinpoche.

Jan 19: “Thank You India” The “Thank You India 2018” campaign has been launched, marking the 60th year since HH the Dalai Lama arrived in India from Tibet following the Chinese invasion there.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government in Exile,thanked India and the international community for their support.

compassionate minds through education”.

His Holiness said India has a unique potential to combine modern technology and science with its ancient knowledge on the workings of the mind and emotions.

Jan 10: Oldest Artefact The Purang stele, discovered in the Ngari prefecture in the north of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is believed to date from the ninth century and to be the oldest in the region. It is 1.85 meters tall and is inscribed with the image of a standing buddha with 24 lines of old Tibetan language on its left side and 19 lines of Buddhist prayers on its right.

Jan 18: Working Together The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives(LTWA) and the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) have initiated a new academic exchange programme. CUHP plans to offer an MPhil course in Tibetan studies with students coming to the LTWA to do their research.

Jan 8: Publication Shelved The leading Sri Lanka newspaper, the IridaLankadeepa, has dropped the publication of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s autobiography My Land and My People to appease China. The editor has said that he was instructed by “his management to hold the article due to pressure from the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.”

Jan 17: DhondupWangchenHonoured Dhondup Wangchen, the filmmaker who was released from prison in Tibet last year and has now arrived in America has been publicly welcomed to San Francisco

by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

She said, “I want to acknowledge […]

DhondupWangchen. He was in prison for a while […] and now he is with us in San Francisco.”

Jan 6: Spies?

The Indian online news agency theprint. in has reported allegations that China is paying young Tibetan refugees in north eastern India to spy for them, saying, “The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has issued a string of alerts warning that Tibetan refugees settled in north east India are being approached by China to provide strategic information about the area”.

Jan 15: New Tibet Museum A new Tibet Museum is currently under construction on the site of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala. The Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) said the Museum’s role is raising awareness about Tibet and presenting Tibet’s history – both of which are “pivotal to strengthening international support for the Tibet issue”.

Jan 2: Middle Way Conference The first international conference on the Middle Way Policy is to be held in May in Dharamshala, organised jointly by the Tibetan People’s Movement for the Middle Way and Youth for Umaylam.

The conference is aimed at increasing understanding of the policy, especially amongst young Tibetans.

Jan 12: Educating for Peace HH the Dalai Lama addressed an audience of 6,000 Indian teachers at the second National Teachers’ Congress in Pune saying, “In order to create a peaceful century, first we need to promote 10

Jan 1: Education Portfolio Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, the Minister for Religion and Culture, will take responsibility for the Department of Education portfolio in addition to Religion.

He will take over Education from Ngodup Tsering who is going to North America as the envoy of the Office of Tibet.

JANUARY 2018

NEWS & ISSUES International Headlines

Jan 29: Bomb in Kabul A suicide bomb in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul has left more than 100 people dead. The bomb was on an ambulance which was driven past a police checkpoint to a crowded street in a district full of government buildings and embassies. The hardline Islamist Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

off Lennox Head in New South Wales, Australia, were rescued by a brand new drone when they got into difficulties around 700 metres offshore. A member of the public spotted them and alerted the lifeguards, who were training in the use of the new drone at the time. They sent the drone out to drop the boys an inflatable rescue pod.

Jan 24: Hugh Masekela South African Jazz legend Hugh Masekela, 78, has died following a long illness. The trumpeter was known for writing music that championed the experiences of ordinary South Africans and the apartheid movement. His 1986 song Bring Him Back Home, written for Nelson Mandela, became an anthem of the 1980s anti-apartheid movement.

Jan 18: Single Flag for Korea North and South Korea will march together under a single “unified Korea” flag at the Winter Olympics next month in South Korea. They will field a joint women’s ice hockey team – the first time that athletes from North and South Korea have competed together in the same team at an Olympic Games.

Jan 23: Catalonia is Unrepentant CarlesPuigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia who was sacked by Spain when he called for a unilateral declaration of independence for Catalonia from Spain, has been nominated by the Catalonia parliament as a candidate to rule the region again. Puigdemont has been living in exile in Belgium since October to escape arrest in Spain.

Jan 20: “Not Guilty” Plea David and Louise Turpin, the couple accused of torturing their 13 children, have pleaded “not guilty” in court. Their children, aged two to 29, were found imprisoned and severely malnourished in their house after one of them, a girl aged 17, managed to escape and raise the alarm. Some of the children were chained to their beds.

Jan 20: HR Lawyer Detained Yu Wensheng, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer and a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party, has been detained after writing an open letter calling for open presidential elections and constitutional reform: “Designating the nation’s president, as head of state, through a single party election has no meaning as an election”.

Jan 19: Boys Rescued Two teenage boys swimming in the sea Contact

Jan 17: US-Taiwan Ties The United States House of Representatives has passed two pieces of pro-Taiwan legislation, indicating a move to strengthen ties with Taipei which has angered China who regard Taiwan as Chinese territory. The legislation is to support countries “that have achieved democracy and to serve as inspiration for these values across the Asia Pacific”.

Jan 16: Football Crazy Unaccompanied women are allowed to attend football matches in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Sarah Alkashgari, 18, made history when she watched Al-Ahli play Al-Batin in Jeddah. She said she has received much “love and support”, and “ We’re finally showing the world what true Islam means”.

Jan 15: False Alarm A false alarm of imminent nuclear attack rocked the United States island of Hawaii over the weekend. The alarm was sent to residents and visitors mobile phones as well as broadcast on TV and radio when a “member of staff pressed the wrong button”. The alert system is in place because of Hawaii’s proximity to North Korea.

Jan 12: Loot Recovered Jewellery stolen by armed robbers from a shop at the five star Ritz Hotel in Paris on Wednesday has been recovered – 11

when the thieves dropped the bag while escaping on a scooter. Three have been arrested, two others are still on the run; the jewellery stolen was worth around €4.5m (£4m; $5.4m).

Jan 11: Adoptions Banned Ethiopia has banned foreigners from adopting Ethiopian children because of concerns that they face abuse and neglect abroad. Around 20% of all international adoptions by United States citizens come from Ethiopia. In 2013 a US couple were convicted of killing an adopted Ethiopian girl; there are also concerns about trafficking.

Jan 9: Shipping Tragedy An Iranian tanker, the Sanchi, which collided with a cargo ship in the East China Sea three days ago is in imminent danger of exploding. The ship is on fire and all 32 crew are feared dead. The oil it is carrying is particularly toxic and an explosion could have far reaching environmental and health consequences.

The cargo ship crew have been picked up.

Jan 8: Equal Pay Storm Carrie Gracie, the China editor for the BBC, has sparked a media storm following her resignation in protest against the pay disparity between men and women. She said she does not want more money but she does want equality.

The BBC has said there is “no systemic discrimination against women”.

Jan 3: Israel Evicts Migrants Thousands of African migrants have been ordered to leave Israel or face imprisonment. They will each be given up to $3,500 (£2,600) if they leave within the next 90 days. The migrants say they are seeking asylum from persecution, while Israel sees them as economic migrants.

Jan 1: Ivory Ban China, the world’s biggest market for ivory, has enforced a ban on all trade in ivory and ivory products from today.

The ban is being hailed as a major step forward in protecting the world’s elephant population.

JANUARY 2018

DHARAMSHALA VOICES

by Jin Hui Quek There are five Rigpa in the Tibetan culture, and Sowa-Rigpa is one of them. It is the traditional Tibetan medicine, a complex ancient medical system which incorporates a host of other ancient systems that include traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic medicine and the Unamic-a Perso-Arabic-medical system which has its roots in Ancient Greece. So I’ve learned.

“In Tibetan medicine, we don’t always treat the signs and symptoms of a disease. We may target different parts of the body which are causing imbalance to the whole system resulting in the illness.

“Both the Chinese and the Indians have been trying to claim it as their own, but it’s simply Tibetan. It has its own unique theories and practices,” says the newly qualified Tibetan doctor matter-of-factly. This personable young man with a trademark head of naturally curly locks, is looking forward to starting an internship with a respected and much-admired Tibetan doctor in the far-flung Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Sitting opposite me and enjoying a slice of pizza, Sonam Tsering recounts the hardships he went through as a young boy, leaving his mother and hometown, Lhasa, to get to Nepal. That perilous journey across the Tibetan Himalayan range in the depths of winter in 1997 with a small group of Tibetans ended in death for two people and a couple of others fell too ill to continue after a mishap while crossing a rapid. Sonam, with a small group of older refugees, made it to Nepal only to be imprisoned and held for ransom by the police at the Nepali border for a month until the exile Tibetan authorities bought them their freedom. By then, the prisoners were severely malnourished as they were given only small amounts of plain

A True Calling

rice daily. Sonam, barely six years old then, had already known hunger, and it was to be a feeling he had to endure frequently well into his teens.

Sonam remembers his school years - class 1 to 10 in Gopalpur Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) school and high school in Upper TCV in Dharamshala - as times of frequent insatiable hunger. In those early years, the TCV schools had limited resources

and food was strictly rationed. School terms were not always easy for Sonam and the few other children born in Tibet as they had to share their meagre food rations – not always voluntarily. During school holidays, when children with family members in India went to live with relatives, they would remain in school. Food was barely enough, and the children would often go scrounging in the dumps, sometimes lucky enough to find some “goodies” to celebrate the Tibetan new year with. However, he remembers a couple of good teachers who inculcated in him the right values and to whom he remains grateful to this day.

Sonam, like many young Tibetans, had no idea what he wanted to be, or what his future would be like. He only knew that he wanted to help others when he grew up. He did well enough to get into Delhi University to read computer science, supported by the TCV Foundation, a major which he thought would help secure jobs easily

after graduation. He found computer studies unfulfilling but he stuck with it for a year before taking the plunge to try for the Tibetan medicine course offered at Mentseekang in Dharamshala. He was among 28 candidates selected out of 300 applicants, after taking an entrance examination and undergoing rigorous selection procedures.

Sonam “breezed” through the sevenyear medical course, no mean feat by all accounts, and one which could not have been possible with mere intellect. A lot of passion was needed, and that passion is palpable as we chat about Tibetan medicine and related disciplines such as traditional Chinese medicine, western medicine and human physiology – which I know a little about.

His slight frame belies a confidence about the future, and a conviction to make helping others a life-long goal.

This conviction is born of a life of hardship and the help he has received in many ways when he needed it most. He wants to pay tribute to the kindness and love he has received, particularly from TCV school and the students there, and especially to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for without them he would not have had the educational opportunities to come thus far. And of course, he is always grateful to his parents in Tibet for their love and the sacrifices they made to send him here to seek a better future. The support and love he has received has inspired him with the wish to sponsor or adopt a child in the near future, or helping anyone in need, when he becomes financially self-reliant.

“I have no interest in politics,” Sonam says. It may as well be, as he has already found his true calling. “And then, what after the internship?” I ask.

“There are many Tibetan hospitals that I can work in. There are still many things about Tibetan medicine that I have to learn. As long as I can help people, it does not matter where I go.”

Every month we feature somebody from the Tibetan community on our Dharamshala Voices page.

You can read more Dharamshala Voices stories on the Contact website: http://www.contactmagazine.net/dharamasla-life/ The People stories on the Dharamshala Voices page online tell the stories of the people who make up the Tibetan exile community in Dharamshala and elsewhere, as well as the stories of Lha students and volunteers, told in their own words.

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JANUARY 2018

Open Competition The Tibetan People’s Memorial is to be an installation located in a central position in the new Tibet Museum which is due to open later this year on the site of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala.

The Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration has announced an open competition for the memorial design, the winner to work with the museum to create the project.

The memorial will be a tribute to the 1.2 million Tibetans who have died as a direct result of the Chinese occupation of Tibet, to preserve their memories and honour their sacrifice.

Concept briefs and designs are invited from both Tibetans and non-Tibetans, the closing date for submissions is March 10 and the winner will be awarded INR 1 Lac (US$ 1,500 / £1,100) and receive a credit in the museum.

Details of the competition can be downloaded from tibet.net

Dr Yeshi Honoured

by Jin Hui Quek Dr Yeshi Dhonden, former personal physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, has been named as one of 73 civilians to receive the Padma Shree Award.

The award is the fourth highest civilian award in India and is being given to Dr Yeshi in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Tibetan medicine.

The awards were announced on January 26 – Indian Republic Day; awardees will each receive a medallion and a certificate from the President of India in a ceremony to be held in March or April this year.

Dr Yeshi expressed his gratitude to the Government of India saying, “The plan had always been to help others and follow the directions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Born in Tibet in 1927, Dr Yeshi came to India in 1959 and served as His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s personal physician until 1980. He is one of the founding members of the Mentsee-khang, the institute for Tibetan medicine, in Dharamshala. He still treats up to 100 patients each week.

Contact

DHARAMSHALA NEWS 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

Please see over for information about Lha’s activities over the last year.

Our wonderful volunteers help in so many ways and inspire us with their enthusiasm. Every month we ask a volunteer to share their story, this month our volunteer proofreader, Ailsa Newcombe from Wales, tells us her story.

Volunteering from Wales Unlike most of Lha’s volunteers I have never been to McLeod Ganj, nor India, nor Tibet, but I have been volunteering for Lha for eight months now. I live in Wales, part of the United Kingdom, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park.

Like McLeod Ganj, it’s hilly here (although our hills are quite a bit smaller) yet it’s also near the sea.

And it rains – a lot. However, it is very beautiful and I feel privileged to live here.

I used to work with Contact’s Editor-in-Chief. We kept in touch after our jobs ended and when she heard that I was doing a proofreading course she asked if I would proofread the next edition of Contact. That was early last summer and I have proofread every edition since. Once a month I receive an email with a draft of Contact attached, about midday UK time, and I send it back that night. It takes me about four hours to read and correct the text depending on how many articles there are.

Proofreading is more than just spotting mistakes. It’s my job to make the text consistent and error free without losing the ‘voice’ of the writer: important in a publication like a newspaper that has many different writers and writing styles.

I’m aware that most of the people reading Contact are not first language English speakers so I try to avoid using very formal English. Most of the changes I make are to do with the spacing and layout issues that crop up as the articles are put into their final format. These volunteer stories in particular have very few changes 13

made to them. They are told in the writer’s own words; I just try to make sure that the meaning is clear.

Although I was aware of the situation in Tibet before my work for Lha, through reading Contact I now know so many more details and I learn more about Tibetan culture

and current affairs every month. At Christmas I received a card with a picture of a yak on the front from Lha. It was unexpected and much appreciated. My eight-year-old daughter was intrigued – she had never seen a yak before, not even in a book. We have plenty of sheep, cows and goats in the hills around here, and even a herd of bison and two alpacas, but sadly no yaks.

Maybe one day I will travel to McLeod Ganj and meet some of you face to face and walk in your hills.

And I hope that one day I will see a real yak. Until then I will read about your lives and imagine …

JANUARY 2018

LHA NEWS AND PROJECTS

Lha Charitable Trust: Annual Report 2017

The year 2017 has for Lha Charitable Trust been a very special year as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. It has been a year of experimentation, learning and evolving as we faced many challenges which prompted us to push ourselves to new limits, become innovative and emerge with new insights, sometimes changing, modifying or recreating the way we work with our beneficiaries. However, what did not change for us is our zeal to create opportunities for better health and education in our community and on the way we have faltered, learned and evolved into being more rooted and more compassionate.

Regular monitoring, evaluation and timely strategic decision-making has enabled us to strengthen and streamline our services.

What helps us stay the course is the faith of our beneficiaries, partners, funders and well-wishers and, with their wonderful help, we have been able to improve our ongoing projects and implement new ones.

Each day, Lha serves over 150 people, hosts 15-25 volunteers, and provides approximately 20 different services to help the Tibetan refugee community, the local Indian population and people from nearby Himalayan regions.

International Language Classes Language classes continue to be the most popular service offered to the Dharamshala community and remain central to Lha’s mission and our weekday schedule provides five levels of English, three of Chinese, three of French and one each of German and Tibetan. Last year we offered 13 language classes each weekday, open to students of all ages and backgrounds and which are attended by Tibetan refugees, local Indians and those from other Himalayan communities. The majority of Lha’s language students were younger and older adults from Tibet, including monks and nuns. 650 new students registered in 2107 we provided 154 individual tutoring sessions; 150+ students attended each month, making a total of 1,748 student attendances in classes.

Computer Classes Lha has a well-established computer training programme that provides students with viable job skills to increase their employment options. We provide introductory computer training as well as more complex software skills including Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. 51 students enrolled in computer and IT workshops during the year.

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Clothing Distribution The clothing distribution programme once again partnered with the Dharamshala Rotary Club to distribute over 3,000 articles of clothing to 30 families in the slum areas of lower Dharamshala. This is the 15th year for this project and the Rotary Club distributions take place monthly.

Clear Vision and Smile Dental Projects This year, these projects took place in June in Bir Nyingma Monastery and Shuksib Nunnery in Dharamshala, benefitting 350 monks and nuns. Free medical and dental services were provided once again by medical students from Tulane University who come to Dharamshala every summer.

Follow ups and dental treatments were proved to 205 people, including fillings, scaling, extractions, crowns, and medicines. 142 eye examinations took place, with 95 pairs of glasses provided.

71 people received medical check-ups and medicine. The eye care project has been running since 2009, the dental care project since 2011.

Contact Magazine Contact Magazine is available free of charge and addresses Tibetan current events and community information. It is published monthly and distributed around Dharamshala and internationally both in print and online. This year, we printed 10,230 copies of 11 issues featuring more than 60 news articles written by Lha staff and 30+ volunteers from around the world.

300 copies are posted to the embassies in Delhi, schools, institutions in India, and abroad. Contact also features “People Stories” which profile the people who make up the Tibetan exile community.

2017 marked Contact Magazine’s 20th anniversary.

Clean Water Project: Installation of the 25th filter system On June 12 the Clean Water Project installed its 25th water filtration system in Kamrao Gapa Tibetan Settlement near Dehradun, providing safe drinking water to 229 residents there. This system was generously funded by the Tibet Relief Fund UK. We also carried out maintenance services for all 25 systems that have been installed to date. We install the systems in monasteries, nunneries, schools, hospitals, and institutions in areas most prone to waterborne diseases. To date, over 16,200 people now have access to clean water through this project.

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Community Soup Kitchen Lha’s Community Soup Kitchen, which registered 43 new beneficiaries this year, provides nutritious meals to Tibetans in need, free of charge. The Soup Kitchen is the only Lha project available solely to Tibetan refugees. Our Soup Kitchen has helped a total of 451 people since 2011; we use filtered water and provide fruit with the meals.

Lha Staff Networking in Taiwan This year, to facilitate Lha employees’ growth and development, and to increase our international networking, two of our staff participated in Sharing Civic Experience: NGO and Global Citizenship Education in Taiwan, with representatives of 35 NGOs from 10 countries. Lha’s General Secretary Dorji Kyi and Contact Magazine editor Tenzin Samten attended the four-day workshop in August and Dorji Kyi spoke briefly on the history of Tibet, Tibetans in Tibet and in exile, and about Lha’s work.

Volunteer Opportunities Lha has the biggest volunteer operation in Dharmshala and offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for both skilled and unskilled individuals. Most volunteers work directly with Lha, others are placed throughout the community with other NGOs. This year, 431 people volunteered with us and were placed according to their skills and the needs of the community and participated in nearly all Lha’s activities.

Most taught languages and participated in our daily English Conversation class.

Our volunteers share their knowledge and skills with Tibetan refugees and local Indian and Himalayan communities, while gaining hands-on experience working with a non-profit, community social work organisation, and learning about Tibetan issues.

Environmental Protection and Awareness Programmes Lha’s environmental protection work began in 2008 with our cleanups around McLeod Ganj and our bilingual website tibetnature. net. This year, our cleanups have taken place on the third Saturday of every month with our staff, volunteers and students as well as visitors and locals collecting trash around McLeod Ganj and filled an entire dump truck or more each time.

Tibet Nature publishes up-to-date current environmental research articles in both English and Tibetan, publishing 38 JANUARY 2018

LHA NEWS AND PROJECTS

Lha Charitable Trust: Annual Report 2017

articles in Tibetan and 10 in English this year.

On World Environment Day, 37 Lha students took part in our essay contest with the theme “Connecting People to Nature”, offering prizes of Rs1,000, Rs700 and Rs500 for Tibetan and English essays.

Preservation of Tibetan language and culture Our bilingual website www. samdhongrinpoche.com provides an extensive collection of the teachings, writings and speeches of the Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche in written and audio forms in both English and Tibetan. We published 63 videos on the Rinpoche’s YouTube channel and 53 audio files on Soundcloud.com. 37 articles – 25 Tibetan and 12 English – were published on the website. To date, we have uploaded 928 audio files and 160 videos of Rinpoche’s teachings and speeches. YouTube uploads have received approximately 252,500 views. Rinpoche’s Soundcloud audio content currently has over 2,300 regular listeners with 119,020 in total.

We provide a daily Tibetan class attended by adult Tibetans who want to learn to read or write Tibetan, with an average of ten students throughout the year. In June our three-month intensive Advanced Tibetan Language class designed for Tibetan people working in Tibetan NGOs and institutes was attended by 38 people; the classes were held after work hours.

We also manage a number of Tibetan medium websites.

World AIDS Day 2017 Lha organised an awareness campaign on World AIDS Day – December 1 – with a street procession in McLeod Ganj where we distributed more than 1,000 condoms and pamphlets; our volunteers and students, as well as locals and tourists participated. Lha is a part of a collective effort to create an AIDS-free generation. This year’s World AIDS Day theme was “Right to Health.”

Cultural Exchange Programmes Around 170 foreign students and professionals participated in the Lha Cultural Exchange Programme; we hosted 14 International Exchange Groups from Rustic Pathways, GoBeyond, Tulane University, Loyola University and professional medical practitioners and hospice caregivers from the United States.

We also hosted groups from the Australian Tibet Council, Operation Groundswell Contact

from Canada and university students from Singapore.

Second Medical Conference This year we hosted the second Mindful Medicine Conference in October, in collaboration with the Tibetan Delek Hospital, the Ochsner Medical Centre of New Orleans, Men-Tsee-Khang, the Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organisation, and the Louisiana Himalayan Association. The theme was “Mind Body Connection” and philosophies such as compassion, meditation, and mindfulness were discussed as well as a visit to Men-TseKhang. The 15 participants were doctors and nurses from the United States, MenTsee-Khang, and Delek Hospital. We hope to schedule this event in October every year.

Educational Talks Our programme of talks for our students, volunteers and foreign exchange groups included His Eminence Professor Samdhong Rinpoche; Geshe Lhakdor (Director of the Tibetan Library) and parliamentarian Lobsang Yeshi. Topics included Tibet’s history, culture and the current situation, Buddhist philosophy and mindfulness.

Mr Tenzin Kunchok from GEO Hazard of India, spoke to our students on the Disaster Preparedness Programme – Dharamshala is located in a very high risk zone for earthquakes.

Celebration of Lha’s 20 Year Anniversary We celebrated Lha’s 20th anniversary in November with a ceremony which opened with our Chief Guest, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliamentin-exile, lighting the butter lamp. Our bilingual report 20 years: An Incredible Journey and Achievement Report, which had been presented by the Lha team to HH the Dalai Lama, was launched and a short documentary showing Lha’s projects was screened.

The event was attended by Special Guest, CTO Justice Commissioner Dr Ngawang Rabgyal, along with representatives from numerous Tibetan and Indian government departments, local and international NGOs, as well as Lha’s students, volunteers, and former staff members, who filled the hall at Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) to capacity.

Financials The Lha Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year 2016-2017, as per the Audit 15

Report under section 12A (b) of the Income Tax Act 1961, Govt of India shows a total income of INR 6,716,762 (US $103,350) and total expenditures of INR 72,100,035 (US $1,109,200), which includes the administrative cost of INR 2,780,640 (US $42,800) and the project cost of INR 3,129,996 (US $48,000).

Donations Revenue raised from our visiting student exchange group activities, and from providing accommodation for students and volunteers in Ahimsa House has enabled us to be more self-sufficient. However, to keep up with the growing needs of the community and to maintain the operation of our other social services and special projects we continue to rely on generous donations.

Thank you On behalf of Lha Charitable Trust and all our beneficiaries, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all our generous donors – without you we could not achieve what we do. Our special thanks go to the Louisiana Himalaya Association, Tulane University, The Tibet Fund, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, Tibet Relief Fund UK, Tibet Freunde Swiss, GoBeyond, Rustic Pathways, Loyola University, Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organisation, and numerous other individuals and organisations.

Lha has been going strong for many years and we continue to be inspired by our generous supporters and dedicated volunteers from all around the world: they work with us and enable us to tend to the needs of the impoverished and underprivileged communities in India.

The Year Ahead Each year, our programmes and projects are adjusted to meet the conditions and needs of the region. With your generous support, we hope to continue providing these invaluable services to the community and engage in new initiatives in the coming year. All monetary contributions from philanthropic corporations and generous individuals are greatly appreciated and helpful, large or small. In India, even a little goes a long way, and a lot goes very far!

Please follow the links for more details, updated reports and news. If you would like to read our latest updates, please visit Lha’s website www.lhasocialwork.org Thank you once again for your unwavering support; we could not have achieved these things without you, the volunteers, and of course the dedication of the students and the community.

JANUARY 2018

around town

Charities and Organisations

Central Tibetan Administration

The CTA serves in Dharamshala as the government in exile of Tibet. It is democratic with judiciary, legislative, and executive branches.

Within the Executive branch there is the Kashag, consisting of the departments of Religion and Culture, Home, Education, Finance, Security, Information and International Relations and Health, and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.

WEB: www.tibet.net LOCATION: Near Library PHONE: 01892-222218 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm EMAIL: kashag@tibet.net

The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL)

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

WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221210 EMAIL: ohhdl@dalailama.com

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)

The TYC is an advocacy and political action organisation with chapters around the world.

The TYC organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities.

WEB: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 PHONE: 01892-221554 EMAIL:president@tibetanyouthcongress.org, tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org

Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA)

The TWA conducts workshops on gender sensitization and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships, and connects women with international sponsors.

WEB: www. tibetanwomen.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221527 EMAIL: tibwomen@gmail.com

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education. There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamshala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India.

WEB: www.tcv.org.in LOCATION: Dharamshala Cantt.176216 PHONE: 01892-221354 / 221348 EMAIL: headoffice@tcv.org.in

Men-Tsee-Khang: Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute

Men-Tsee-Khang is a facility for research, training and practice of traditional Tibetan medicine.

Patients may seek treatment at Men-TseeKhang for both acute and chronic conditions.

The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.

Contact

WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org

Tibetan Library (LTWA) (Centre for Tibetan Studies)

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

WEB: ltwa.net, tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 98822-55047 EMAIL: ltwa1970@gmail.com

Delek Hospital

Delek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamshala. It has 45 inpatient beds, holds outpatient hours from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday, and can handle most small procedures. Patients are responsible for a 10 Rupees registration fee. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.

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

Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society The society was established in 1999 to provide educational and administrative guidance to all Tibetan schools in remote areas of India and Bhutan that do not fall under the guidance of Tibetan Childrens Village. Today there are 12 schools under this organisation.

WEB: www.sambhota.org LOCATION: Session Rd, Dharamshala176215 PHONE: 01892 - 228877 | 226877 EMAIL: stss1999@gmail.com

Tong-Len Charitable Trust

Tong-Len’s mission is to help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future. Tong-Len projects include educational and health programs, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Volunteer opportunities available.

WEB: www. tong-len.org LOCATION: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala-176215 PHONE: 01892-223930 EMAIL: jamyang@tong-len.org

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)

SFT is an international NGO that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community.

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

WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 9882786875

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Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)

TCHRD advocates for human rights and provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet. The centre publishes journals and articles, as well as conducting workshops and campaigns.

WEB: www.tchrd.org LOCATION: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-223363 EMAIL: office@tchrd.org

Lha Charitable Trust (Lha)

Lha, a Tibetan grassroots NGO based in Dharamshala, is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. (see page 2) WEB:www.lhasocialwork.org LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India PHONE: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 EMAIL: office@lhasocialwork.org

The Kangra Distt. Red Cross Society

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

WEB: www.redcrosskangra.org LOCATION: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 EMAIL: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com

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

WEB: www.guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679 EMAIL: guchusum1991@gmail.com

Tibet Charity

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

WEB: www.tibetcharity.in LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877 EMAIL: director@tibetcharity.in

Norbulingka Institue

Centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work.

Temple, tour guides of the workshops, and gardens.

L O C AT I O N : S i d h p u r, Dharamshala PHONE:9882144210 EMAIL: info@norbulingka.org WEB:www.norbulingka.org

JANUARY 2018

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

Tibetan Dubbing Society

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

LOCATION: Near Norbulinga Institute WEBSITE: www.tibetdub.org EMAIL: savetiblang@gmail.com CONTACT: +91-8629837735

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

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

TA X I S A private taxi to Lower Dharamshala will cost you Rs 200. Cram into a jeep (from the bus stand), and it’ll only cost you Rs15.

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JANUARY 2018

activities and information UPCOMING EVENTS February 16 to 18, 2018: Losar (Tibetan New Year) March 2, 2018: His Holiness the Dalai :ama teaching in Dharamshala March 2, 2018: Chotrul Duchen (festival of miracles) March 10, 2018: Uprising Day

Tibetan

National

BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY Library of Tibetan Works and Archives WEB: www.ltwa.net/library LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9-10 am, 11-12noon PHONE: 921-842-2467/9882255047

Public Audience with HH Karmapa WEB: www.kagyuoffice.org LOCATION: Sidhpur HOURS: Wed & Sat: 2:30pm PHONE: 01892-235307

YOGA AND REIKI Om Yoga, Meditation and Reiki Centre LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel, on Jogiwara Rd HOURS: 8:00am-5:30pm PHONE: 980-569-3514

Siddhartha Retreat and Yoga Centre LOCATION: Upper Bhagsu PHONE: 098165-65138 WEB: www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu massage LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road PHONE: 07833047078 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Men-Tsee-Khang

LOCATION: Mcleod Ganj Branch Clinic, 1st floor, TIPA Road (2 mins from Main Square) PHONE: 98828-60505 EMAIL: therapycenter@men-tsee-khang.org

Om Massage Centre

LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, Opposite the Green Hotel, Mcleod Ganj PHONE:7018483961/9857999373 EMAIL: kunsangdolma75@gmail.com

Dorjee Spa LOCATION: Pema Thang Guest house, Hotel Bhagsu Road PHONE:9816393673 / 9857108408 WhatsApp: 9816393673

Contact

MEDITATION Ocean of Harmony

Taught by an experienced and qualified coach WEB: www.oceanofharmony.org PHONE: (+91) 99798-94585 EMAIL: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com

Tushita Meditation Center WEB: www.tushita.info LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30am PHONE: 0898-816-0988 EMAIL: spc@tushita.info

Shivan Neel Kanth Yoga

WEBSITE:www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com LOCATION: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky PHONE: 09816565138 EMAIL: yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in

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

Indian Cooking and Knitting with Ms Rita Kapoor LOCATION: Old German Bakery, 1st Floor, Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag PHONE: 94592-06586

Indian Cooking Classes

LOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 07833047078 / 0988230136 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes

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

Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional Tibetan Cooking Classes

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

COMPUTER CLASSES Tibetan Career Centre, Dharamshala LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj HOURS: 9:00am-6pm PHONE: 9882321424 /9880969175 Email at : yesheadconsultant@tibet.net

Lha Charitable Truse

LOCATION: Near Dolma Chowk, Mcleod Ganj PHONE: 9882323455 / +91 (0)1892 -220992 WEB: www.lhasocialwork.org

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LANGUAGES Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translators Program LOCATION: Rato Chuwar Labrang, Phuntsok Gatsel Session Road Hours: 10:45-5pm Email: lrztp.manager@gmail.com

Rita Thakur Hindi Classes

LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd, beside the Korean Restaurant PHONE: 981-649-4732

Tibetan Language

LOCATION: The Tibetan Library *see Buddhist Philosophy Listing

Hindi Lessons with Kailash

LOCATION: Hotel India House, Bhagsu Rd PHONE: 01892-20063, 941-816-1947

Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses and Tibetan Immersion Spoken LOCATION:Tilak Ray Building, Bhagsu Rd PHONE: 8679502538 / 98820-04965 EMAIL: contact@esukhia.org

Sanskrit Language Study Program at Vikramashila Foundation India (VFI) Location: Vikramashila center, 1st flr, Ketan Lodge,Jogiwara road, McleodGanj, Dharamshala, H.P Email: vikramashilafoundation@gmail.com

ART AND MUSEUMS Tibet Museum

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

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

LOCATION: Gu-Chu-Sum hall, Jogiwara Rd HOURS: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00pm-5:00pm

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)

WEB: www.tibetanarts.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 1892-221478 EMAIL: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com

Kangra Art Museum

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

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum

LOCATION: Near CTA, Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org HOURS: 9am-5pm. Closed on Sun, 2 and 4th Sat

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum

LOCATION: Near CTA, Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org HOURS: 9am-5pm. Closed on Sun, 2 and 4th Sat

JANUARY 2018

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:

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

News, information and campaigning:

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

Writings:

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

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

Phone: 222 053,223 381 Kangra Airport: 01892-232374

Contact

Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892221034 Tourism Office: 01892-224430 , 223325 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892265026 Police Superintendent: 01892222244 Police Contact Information Location: Past St.John’s Church on the road to Dharamshala in

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Cantt. area.

Phone: 221 483 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

JANUARY 2018

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Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#4

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

HIMALAYAN YOGA RETREAT Yoga Time: 8:30 am to 9:30 am

To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj Or Call on our number 9882323455 Price of advertisements depends on the size of your Ad

Drop-in Classes/ Weekly Courses/ Reiki Course & Treatment Teacher Training Course (200 hours) Map#26

Mobile no: 988222502 - Surinder

Address: Jogiwara Road, Green View House after Youngling Schoo Mcleod Ganj, Opposite Pink House www.himalayanyogacentre.com / Email:surinderlala@yahoo.in

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

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

Nature Cure Health Club

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #23 Mobile: 07833047078 /09882320136 / Email: mahinder_m@ hotmail.com 20+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!

TIBETAN OM MASSAGE THERAPY Bhagsu Road, Opp.Green Hotel Mcleod Ganj - Map #27 Email: kunsangdolma75@gmail / Mobile : 7018483961 / 9857999373

I) COURSES

• Thai Massage ( 90 minutes for 3 days - Rs 4500 ) • Traditional /Ayurvedic Acupressure (90 minutes for 3 days - Rs 4500 ) • Litho Us Therapy (60 minutes for 3 days - Rs 4000) • Deep Tissue (90 minutes for 2 days - Rs 3000) • Swedish Massage (90 minutes for 2 days - Rs 2000) • Foot Reflexology (90 minutes for 1 day - Rs 2000) • Back Massage (120 minutes for 1 day - Rs 2000) • Head Massage (90 minutes for 1 day - Rs 1500) • Chair Massage (90 minutes for 1 day - Rs 1500) • Yoga Classes (5 days course - Rs 1000)

II) MASSAGES

• Lithos Therapy ( 70 minutes - Rs 1600) • Thai Massage ( 60 minutes - Rs 1500) • Deep Tissue Massage ( 60 minutes - Rs 1300) • Compresss Therapy ( 60 minutes - Rs 1300 ) • Kerala Traditonal Massage ( 60 minutes - Rs 1000) • Swedish Massage (60 minutes - Rs 1000 / 90 minutes - Rs 1500) • Reflexology ( 30 minutes - Rs 600) • Chair Massage ( 30 minutes - Rs 600) • Baliness Back Massage ( 30 minutes - Rs 500) •Ayurvedic Head Massage ( 30 minutes - Rs 500)

Contact

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JANUARY 2018

advertisements

Contact

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JANUARY 2018

advertisements Map not to scale

Map of McLeod Ganj showing locations of places of interest

BHAGSU NAG

See advertisement pages for details of advertisers TIPA

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DHARAMKOT

27

26

Vipassana Centre

Naddi Village Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

15

Tushita Centre

22

MAIN SQUARE

3

McLEOD GANJ 25 Main Bazaar

27

Cantt Police Post

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28

24

6

23

4

1

Lha

12

11

10

5

16

29 14

2

13

Road to Dharamshala

1. Lha Headquarters and Tibet Fair Trade 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 and Lha Soup Kitchen 14. Chonor House 15. Lhamo’s Croissant, Dolma Therapy 16. Rinku Taxi Service

17. Central Tibetan Administration,Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Tibetan Library 18. LRZTP Tibetan Language Programme 19. Tibetan Museum and Temple 20. Tibetan Handicraft Centre 21. Taste of India 22. SnowLion Custom Tattoo 23. Nature Cure Health Club 24. Dr Tandon’s Advanced Dental 25. Smile Dental Clinice & Implant Center 26. Himalayan Yoga Retreat 27. Om Massage Centre 28. Chapri Handicrafts 29. Dorjee Spa

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

19

17 18

Road to Dharamshala

Shifted to new location!

First floor opposite Municipal Parking near HH Dalai Lama temple #Temple Road

NEED A DENTIST?

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

Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #10 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com /Call: 09218742046 Website: www.perfect32dentalclinic.in

BOOKWORM - THE COMPLETE BOOKSHOP is the oldest bookshop in Mcleod Ganj, where the Lonely Planet Guide (India) calls it the Best bookshop in town.

Location: Pemathang road, few steps from Dolma Chowk • •

To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj Contact

Online shopping gives us only the books we already want.

Bookshops draw us into the ones we didn’t know we wanted

Lhamo’s Croissant Vegetarian and Vegan Food

Bakery, Coffee shop, Gluten Free and Fresh seasonal juices and salads

Roof top terrace with stunning views

Bhagsu Road, just after Tibetan Settlement Office Map#15 22

JANUARY 2018

advertisements Smile Dental Clinic & Implant Center

Oppo. Walia Medical Store Near State Bank of India ATM, Mcleod Ganj. MOBILE NO: 7018354594 / 8629011445 Map#25 website: smiledentalclinicmcleodganj.com

Ocean of Harmony Programmes for Wellbeing For upcoming events, visit www.oceanofharmony.org Meditation Intensives For intensive trainings Meditation Therapies around the world (any country) Intensive Yoga Courses/Retreats contact: Shalu Patel Stress Management (experienced & qualified life Integrated Healing Therapies and wellness coach for Wellness Retreats international trainings)

To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj

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

LOSAR BREAK ANNOUNCEMENT! Dear volunteers, students and beneficiaries, The 2145 Tibetan New Year will be from February 16, 2017. Lha office, classes and other activities will also remain closed from February 12 to 23, 2018.

We wish you all a very happy Losar and hope this New Year will be full of fun, joy, health, peace, success and prosperity. Tashi Delek!

For any urgent inquiry, please call us on this mobile no: 9882323455 Contact

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JANUARY 2018

Lha Charitable Trust and Contact Magazine are 20 years old!

Lha has been working to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities and people from the Himalayan regions for 20 years. This is a summary of what Lha has achieved:

Follow Contact website using the QR code!

To advertise call Lha office: 01892-220992 or visit Lha office at Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj Map #1 Web: www.lhasocialwork.org www.contactmagazine.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: @ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com

འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact Newsletter Managing Director Ngawang Rabgyal Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Tenzin Samten Assistant Editor Dorji Kyi Circulation Manager Lobsang Rabsel Published by Lha Charitable Trust