Tibetan Headlines
Jul 27: Botswana Defies China
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is to visit Botswana despite Chinese objections. Botswana’s Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said “The visit is purely private”, adding, “The principle of non-interference in the international affairs of other countries is at the core of China’s foreign policy. We therefore expect… China to respect our sovereign decision on this matter”. His Holiness is due to speak at the Mind and Life Dialogue there.
Jul 27: Celebrating Bon
Hundreds of people gathered at Tsedrup Monastery in Tengchen county in Chamdo to celebrate Tibet’s oldest religion, Bon, from July 2 to 23. People from across Tibet took part in teachings, rituals and dances. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Bon Higher Institute for Study and Practice. Senior Bon lamas Yungdrung Nyima Rinpoche, Yungdrung Khen Rinpoche, and the Lobpon Lobsang Nyima presided.
Jul 26: Monk Detained
Tulku Lobsang, a monk from Boroe monastery in Sichuan’s Sershul county has been detained without explanation or charges. Radio Free Asia reports a source as saying that he was called into the police station in Dartsedo and detained on arrival. The monastery manager and others who accompanied Lobsang were sent back. His current whereabouts are not known, despite requests for information.
Jul 25: Dungkar Rinpoche Honoured
A panel discussion took place at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarah College, to mark 20 years since the death of Tibetan scholar Dungkar Lobsang Trinley (also known as Dungkar Rinpoche). He is known as the most important Tibetan historian of the 20th century and a great scholar who led the revival of Tibetan language and culture following the Cultural Revolution in Tibet.
Jul 23: Festival Goes Ahead
The annual Rebgong Lurol festival took place in Qinghai’s Rebgong county last week with local Tibetans turning out in force to take part in the celebrations, many wearing Traditional Tibetan dress. Radio Free Asia reports a source as saying there was less alcohol consumption and gambling than in recent years. The festival has been held since ancient times, with religious rituals, cultural performances and traditional games.
Jul 22: Pawo Tenzin Choeying
Pawo Tenzin Choeying, the Tibetan who self-immolated in Varanasi on July 14, died from his injuries earlier today in Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. Tributes and prayers are pouring in.
Jul 22: Gratitude to India
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has congratulated Shri Ram Nath Kovind on his election as the 14th President of India. His Holiness expressed his gratitude to India in the 58th year of the Tibetans’ exile, saying to the new president, “No doubt you will do whatever you can to consolidate India’s strengths so that she may provide the leadership in the world that her stature entails”.
Jul 21: Critical Condition
Pawo Tenzin Choeying, the Tibetan who self-imolated in Varanasi earlier this week has been moved to hospital in Delhi. His condition has deteriorated and is now deemed “critical”. An emergency prayer session for his recovery is taking place in TCV Day School in McLeod Ganj Dharamsala.
Jul 21: Ban Winnie the Pooh!
China has banned all mention of Winnie the Pooh because some pictures which have appeared in the international press appear to replicate some of the original illustrations in the Winnie the Pooh books, apparently showing a resemblance between Chinese President Xi Jinping and the honey-loving teddy bear. The story was front page news in the British Financial Times and has since gone viral on social media.
Jul 20: Time to Support Tibet
Samajwadi Party leader and former Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav raised the issue of India’s stand on Tibet in Parliament. He said that India’s acceptance of Tibet as part of China is a mistake and it is time for India to support Tibet as an historically independent country. He urged the government to support HH the Dalai Lama and said that India’s “real enemy” is China, not Pakistan.
Jul 20: Counterfeit Pills
A public warning has been issued by Men Tsee Khang, the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute based in Dharamshala, urging people to exercise extreme caution as counterfeit pills claiming to be manufactured by the institute are being sold. Institute Director Tashi Tsering said they are unable to meet the growing demand for medicine and counterfeit pills bearing the name Men Tsee Khang have been discovered on sale.
Jul 19: Raising the Flag
A three day festival which launches the traditional picnic season around Tsoe city in Gansu’s Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has been marred by a Chinese edict that Tibetans opening the festival must carry the Chinese national flag during their horseback parade, with warnings of “severe consequences” for failure to comply. They are requiring neighbouring counties to take part in similar forced displays of loyalty to the Chinese regime.
Jul 18: Flag Raised!
The Tibetan national flag was raised briefly in Martyr’s Street in Ngaba last week, the scene of many protests, including self-immolations. A traditional cultural festival took place in Ngaba on July 10, the first since 2008, although the International Campaign for Tibet reports that at least two renowned Tibetan singers known for singing in support of Tibetan culture and independence were not allowed to perform.
Jul 18: Religious Instructor Dies
Geshe Lobsang Thupten, 52, the religious instructor of Vocational Training Centre at Patlikuhl is reported to have committed suicide by hanging himself in the institute’s hall. The reason for his suicide is now known, no suicide note was found and he is reported as getting along well with students and staff. However, he had recently consulted doctors about insomnia.
Jul 17: Factories Shut Down
Two factories – a brick factory and a sand-shifting plant – which have for years been providing a major source of income for the Ragya Monastery in Machen County in Tibet have been shut down by the authorities who cite planned environmental improvements as the reason. Nearby mining operations, which have caused dispute with Tibetans there, are continuing and locals fear there are plans to expand these operations.