Tibetan Headlines
Jul 14: Award for Tashi Wangchuk
Tashi Wangchuk, who is awaiting trial in Tibet in on charges of “inciting separatism” after appearing in an American video advocating language rights for Tibetans, has been awarded the Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage in recognition of his dedication to promoting human rights and justice for Tibetan people. The award is given annually in memory of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who died in Chinese custody.
Jul 13: Sex Trafficking Charges
Sonam Tsering, 36, and Zhaxi Taxing, 41, believed to be of Tibetan origin, have been charged with sex trafficking in Minnesota in the United States. Hennepin County Attorney's Office reported that they brought women from China for commercial sex. Taxing is currently in Hennepin county jail, Sonam is not yet in custody. The nationality of the two men was not confirmed in the reports.
Jul 12: Teaching in Ladakh
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has begun his series of public teachings in Ladakh with Kamalashila's The Middle States of Meditation and Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattvaat. The teaching is taking place in the teaching ground at Disket Monastery in the Nubra valley, about 150 km north of Leh. His Holiness has a series of teachings scheduled around Ladakh this month.
Jul 11: Tibetan Singer Released
Kalsang Yarphel, a popular Tibetan singer from Machu County in his early 40s, has been released from prison after a four year sentence. Photos circulated on social media showed fellow Tibetans welcoming him home with traditional scarves. There are no details about his health. Yarphel was arrested in 2013 for organising a music concert promoting unity, as well as urging Tibetans to speak and write in their own language.
Jul 10: Mongolia’s New President
The Central Tibetan Administration’s president Dr Lobsang Sangay has congratulated Mongolia's new president, Democratic Party candidate Mr Khaltmaa Battulga, on his win. Dr Sangay said that Tibet and Mongolia share a close relationship based on religious, cultural and historical ties and applauded Mongolia for inviting HH the Dalai Lama to the country, saying this reinforces the deep religious bond. He wished Mr Battulga every success in his career.
Jul 8: Ladakh Public School
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Ladakh Public School in Leh where 1,600 students and staff welcomed him. His Holiness spoke on the importance of education in the 21st century saying, “You have the chance to bring about change, change in building a more peaceful world, a world consisting of happier humanity. Widen your thinking...Think about bringing that change in India and the world.”
Jul 7: Villagers Evicted
Tibetans have been ordered out of their villages in Nara and Dziwa In Pashoe County to make way for a the construction of schools and hospitals. However Radio Free Asia’s source claims the authorities planning to profit by selling the land to Chinese businessmen for commercial development. The villagers are reported as planning to object; in the past standoffs over seizure of land have resulted in violent suppression.
Jul 7: Birthday Celebrations
Thousands gathered in the main temple, Tsugla Khang in Dharamshala, to celebrate HH the Dalai Lama’s birthday, while many events took place worldwide. His Holiness, in Ladakh in northern India, was offered a long life ceremony and birthday celebration by the Tibetan community there and people around the world joined in prayers for his long life.
Jul 6: Birthday Tashi Delek!
Contact magazine would like to wish His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama a very happy birthday and a long and happy life.
Jul 6: Sentenced
Jamyang Lodroe, 36, a Tibetan monk who has been missing since being taken into custody last year in Sichuan’s Ngaba prefecture has been given a three year prison term. He was allowed a one hour visit from his family but not told where he will be sent. His detention may have been due to his writing of articles on sensitive political subjects and sharing them outside his area.
Jul 5: Photography Magazine
The first ever Tibetan photography magazine, In frame, has been launched. It is the initiative of Tibetan Photographer Kalsang Jigme, and was launched in McLeod Ganj by Education Minister (Kalon) Ngodup Tsering with the aim of encouraging photography in the Tibetan community. Kalsang said it is a “Platform to showcase their photography.” 15 % of income generated will go towards setting up a grant for Tibetan photographers.
Jul 5: Border Tensions
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, was photographed beside the Tibetan national flag which had been raised at Pangong Lake in Ladakh near the border with Tibet, eliciting criticism in the Chinese state-run Global Times which speculated that the flag ceremony could have been a political statement instigated by the Indian authorities.
Jul 4: Border Closed
A group of Indian journalists due to travel to Tibet this month have been refused entry because of the border disputes between China and India in Sikkim. The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi has cancelled the invitation originally issued to the jouralists by China. Also cancelled is entry for pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar yatra via the Nathu La pass in Sikkim, which has prompted protests in Delhi.
Jul 3: Saviour of Sinhalese
The greatest Tibetan of Sinhalese history – a book has telling the life story of the Tibetan monk S Mahinda Thero was been launched at Kirti Monastery in McLeod Ganj. S Mahinda was known as the “saviour of the Sinhalese language, restorer of Buddhism in Sri Lanka” and revered as national hero. The author, Alak Jaytul Lodoe Choesang, said he wanted to “bring his works to our community”.
Jul 1: Political Prisoners
Four Tibetans feature among the portraits of 176 political prisoners from around the world who are depicted in the latest exhibition by Ai WeiWei, the Chinese dissident artist. His installation Trace is currently on show at Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington in America and is made from thousands of Lego bricks. The four Tibetans featured are the Panchen Lama, Tashi Rabten (Theurang), Lo Lo, and Jigme Gyatso.