Tibetan Headlines
Dec 31: Evictions Continue
The evictions of monks and nuns from Larung Gar Buddhist Academy continue with hundreds of Tibetans being sent back home. The latest twist is that several hundred Han Chinese and Western students have been quietly ordered to leave. Some are lay practitioners, others have been ordained. Radio Free Asia reports that these evictions have not been publicised.
Dec 30: Charged
Tsegon Gyal, who was detained earlier this month, has been charged with “inciting to split the country”. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has reported that Tsegon Gyal has launched a “silent protest”, refusing to respond to the security officers who are holding and interrogating him, and that following his arrest he was not allowed his right to hire a lawyer or see his family.
Dec 30: Trial Delayed
The case of Tashi Wangchuk, the Tibetan education activist accused of advocating Tibetan independence, has been delayed as Chinese prosecutors have asked the court for more time for investigation. He has been in detention since January following publication of his interview with the New York Times. Tashi denies the charge, saying he was promoting Tibetan language education – a right guaranteed in China’s constitution.
Dec 29: His Holiness Arrives in Bodh Gaya
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has arrived in Bodh Gaya in readiness for conducting the 34th Kalachakra Initiation, scheduled to begin on January 2. He was welcomed by hundreds of devotees, and later took part in a tree-planting ceremony at Buddha Smriti Park in Patna. His Holiness said that everyone could learn a lot from the teachings of ancient Indian masters.
Dec 28: Former Prisoner Hospitalised
Jigme Gyatso, also known as Jigme Guri, a former political prisoner, has been admitted to hospital in Sangchu County in Amdo in eastern Tibet. Jigme Guri is a former monk who has been detained and released four times and subject to torture while in prison, his health has been a cause for concern and exacerbated by being subject to surveillance and restricted movement since his latest release.
Dec 27: Teaching for Tibetans
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a special address to around 300 Tibetans from Tibet who gathered at a teaching for Russian Buddhists in New Delhi. Many of the Tibetans have been ordered by the Chinese authorities to return to Tibet without receiving the Kalachakra initiations next month. His Holiness said, “I will visualise you all in the initiation mandala and you will definitely receive the empowerment".
Dec 26: Man Arrested
Jamyang Choephel, aged around 25, was reportedly detained on December 11 in Tsoe County, Gansu Province, it is assumed his detention is because of a connection with the latest self-immolation by Tashi Rabten on December 8. Jamyang is currently being held incommunicado at Machu County Detention Centre.
Dec 26: Heightened Security
Heightened security was in place around the temples of Lhasa for the celebration of the parinirvana or demise of Je Tsongkhapa, popularly known as Jen Rinpoche, who founded the Geluk (yellow hat sect) in the 14th century, on December 23 and 24. Radio Free Asia reported severe restrictions imposed on the movement of Tibetans with plain clothed Chinese officials monitoring activities.
Dec 25: Kalachakra Schedule
An extra day has been added to the programme for the preliminary teachings during the Kalachakra which will now start on January 2, with the Ground Ritual Preparation taking place from January 2 – 4 and the Prelimary Teaching on January 5 – 8, the remaining schedule will remain the same and finish on January 14. The announcement was made by the office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Dec 24: Arbitrary Detention
Tsegon Gyal, 53, also known as Gangshon Atse, was detained earlier this month on unknown charges and is being held at Kangtsa county detention centre in Tsojang. He is not allowed visits from family or lawyers. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has expressed deep concern as Tsegon Gyal is known to be in poor health following his treatment during a previous spell in prison.
Dec 23: The Bharat Ratna
Senior Indian politicians have called on the Indian government to bestow the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the Republic of India, to HH the Dalai Lama for promoting peace and for being a messenger of Indian values to the world since his arrival in India in 1959. This move is supported by the All Party Parliamentary members' forum on Tibet and the general council of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
Dec 21: Released From Jail
Sonam Yarphel, a monk in his mid twenties from Mangge Monastery in Kardze, has been released after serving more than two years in Sershul county jail for staging a solitary protest carrying a picture of HH the Dalai Lama. He was taken into custody in November 2014. There are reports that he is in good health, with no evidence of torture.
Dec 21: Detained and Beaten
Tenpa, 18, a former monk from Kirti monastery, was detained after launching a solo protest in Ngaba in Sichuan on December 16, carrying a photo of HH the Dalai Lama and calling for freedom for Tibet. His protest was in the street known as Heroes’ Road because of the many protests carried out there. Radio Free Asia reported that he was beaten following his detention.
Dec 21: TWA Donation
The Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) has donated Rs 6,43,950 (US$9,500, £7,700) to the traders who lost their shops and stock in a fire at Lal Qila Tibetan Sweater Seller Market in old Delhi last month. Mr Sonam Topgyal, one of the traders, said "So far, we have received donations amounting to more than Rs 30 million (US$445,000, £360,000), enough to re-establish 40 of the 138 shops destroyed”.
Dec 17: Permits Refused
People from Taiwan hoping to visit Tibet are being refused entry as China retaliates against the recent phone call between the Taiwanese President and the United States President-elect Donald Trump. Permits are being denied to visitors which is damaging to the Taiwanese tourist industry. China-Taiwan relations were already strained following the election of the new pro-independence Taiwan President in the summer.