Tibetan Headlines
Aug 16: Teaching in Zanskar
During HH the Dalai Lama’s three-day visit to Zanskar, he gave teachings to hundreds of devotees who gathered from Zanskar and Kargil villages. His Holiness gave Bodhisattva vows and reminded people to put the teachings into practice; he stressed the importance of cultivating a warm heart to achieve peace of mind, and advised everyone to practice communal harmony. He later spoke to students and people from Zanskar’s Muslim community.
Aug 11: Monk Detained
Tseta, 25, a Tibetan monk, was detained for about seven months and subject to beatings and torture, reports the Dharamshala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Tseta was detained for taking and sharing photographs of the self-immolation protest of the nomad Tenzin Sherab, 33 in May 2013 in Chumarleb County, in Kham. News surrounding these events has emerged recently, TCHRD reports that this nomad community was under great strain due to China’s resettlement policy.
Aug 11: Cultural Conference
A two-day conference to discuss the current status of Tibetan culture in exile and its future prospects has taken place in Dharamshala. Delegates consisted of 23 experts on Tibetan culture and included leaders of prominent institutions, together with scholars, writers and artists. The conference was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US based National Democratic Institution.
Aug 10: Czech Support
Thinlay Choekyi, Representative of HH the Dalai Lama at the Tibet Bureau, Geneva has met Martin Dvorak, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Czech Republic, to thank him for his country’s support for Tibet. Martin Dvorak tweeted about the meeting, reiterating the Czech Republic’s support on the human rights situation inside Tibet. The Czech Chinese embassy reacted by saying that the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is separatist organisation, not recognised by China.
Aug 10: Covid Lockdown
Areas in and around Tibet’s capital city Lhasa are in lockdown following an outbreak of Covid-19 reports the Tibetan Review, citing Chinese state media reports and saying there are now 22 cases. This follows 920 Covid-free days since the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020. “Static management” has been imposed in Lhasa and Shigatse and the Potala Palace in Lhasa is closed.
Aug 10: HR Workshop
A workshop for young Tibetan refugees in higher education in India was held by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). The three day workshop came under TCHRD’s annual human rights education programme for young Tibetan adults; the focus was on civil and political rights and sustainable development, as well as understanding and advocating for human rights in their daily lives and in their own community.
Aug 9: Congratulations!
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has congratulated Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today on his election as Vice President of India saying, “India is the land of ‘ahimsa’ and ‘karuna’, ideas that can contribute much to the flourishing of humanity”. His Holiness continued, “With your long and rich experience of public service, I am sure you will be able to serve this great nation and its people with success.”
Aug 8: Sakya Monlam
The European Sakya Monlam for Universal Peace and Happiness has been held in Paris, in the Kagyu Dzong Buddhist centre. Sakya Ghongma Trichen Rinpoche presided, together with the 42nd Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, 43rd Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, Dhungsey Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche and Dhungsey Asanga Vajra Rinpoche, with over 5,000 devotees attending from across Europe. Everyone present received a blessing from the 42nd Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche.
Aug 8: Threat of Arrest
Tibetans living in the Ngaba and Dzoege region of Amdo province have been threatened with arrest and severe punishment if they are caught posting photos and birthday wishes online for Kirti Rinpoche’s 80th birthday, which is today. The 11th Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche is the Chief Abbot of Kirti Monastery in Tibet; he is currently living in its branch monastery in Dharamshala. There were similar restrictions last year.
Aug 5: $3.5 Million Donation
The University of Sydney, Australia has been awarded a donation of $ 3.5 million [£2,005,240] by the Khyentse Foundation, a non-profit organisation to ensure the future of Tibetan Buddhist studies at the University including teaching, research and community outreach for the next 20 years, reports a post by the university. Khyentse Foundation was founded by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, a Tibetan/Bhutanese lama, filmmaker and writer.
Aug 4: Festival Resumes
An annual festival formerly held in Nyagchuka in Kardze but banned for the last 20 years, has been given permission to go ahead once again, reports Radio Free Asia. The festival, which features horse races and picnics, was banned in 2002, the year when the revered Tulku Tenzin Delek was arrested. Tulku Tenzin Delek attended the festivals and the event included teachings and religious plays.
Aug 3: Nancy Pelosi Visits Taiwan
United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is visiting Taiwan - the first official visit to Taiwan by a Speaker of the US House of Representatives in 25 years. She has met President Tsai Ing-wen, reiterating “America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant Democracy”. China has retaliated, warning of “disastrous consequences”. Ms Pelosi said, “America’s solidarity with [...] Taiwan is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy”.
Jul 29: Security Dialogue
Tibet was represented at the Ketagalan Forum—2022 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue in Taipei. Representative Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen from the Office of Tibet was among the delegates from 11 countries at the forum which aims to enhance cooperation and dialogue among those will an interest in maintaining and advancing peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific area.
Jul 28: Arrested in Sershul County
Lotse, 57, a Tibetan man from Shershul county in Kham Kardze was arrested earlier this month for failing to register a WeChat group he had created - WeChat groups are required by law to be registered; the group was named “Happy 80th Birthday” and had around 100 members. Other people were arrested along with him, reports United Kingdom-based Tibetan research and advocacy group Tibet Watch.
Jul 28: Critical Health Condition
Norzin Wangmo, a Tibetan political prisoner from Kham Kyegudo in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture who was arrested in May 2020, was sent home from prison in poor health in March. Her health is now critical, reports the Tibet Times, who say that she is not improving despite consultations at different hospitals, and that she suffered serious injuries all over her body while in prison.