His Holiness the Dalai Lama does an Uncle Sam impression at Kalachakra

via Glenn Mullin

Demonstrations and Arrests in Tibet

More Tibetans arrested as demonstrations and tensions rise

Repeated protests by Tibetans in Kardze in eastern Tibet reinforce the Tibetans’ indomitable courage and deep yearning for freedom and return of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

March 10, 2011

Leaving CNN Center

Walking Down Peachtree Street

Tsepak-la reads HHDL's statement

Geshe Yeshe-la reads from HHDL's statement

Today the Atlanta Tibetan Community held a march through Atlanta to show our support for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people throughout the world.  It was a great day and walking with the Drepung Loseling Monks was a great experience.  The reading of His Holiness's March 10 statement was particularly moving.  Thanks to the organizers for the opportunity to show our support for the Tibetan people.  FREE TIBET!!!!

Book Review: Escape from the Land of Snows

Stephan Talty has created a mesmerizing account of the events around the escape of His Holiness from the Chinese Occupation of Tibet.  It expertly traces the background and decision making process of the Tibetan hierarchy that lead led to the eventual evacuation of the Norbulingka Palace and Lhasa.  He wraps us in the stories of several individual's narratives from Athar Norbu, a Khampa guerilla turned CIA operative responsible for keeping the US informed of events in Tibet to Ngawang Thondup Markyid, a monk that served as a high official on the Council of Lhasa.  The insights into the various aspects was wonderful,  you feel there devotion, fear, and uncertainty as the events unfold around them.  Talty describes the role of the international press in creating then destructing the myths about Tibet.  He narrates  the trek through the mountains and its effects on the life of His Holiness resulting in his policy of interviewing every refuge that arrives in Dharamsala.   The book is a vivid account of this brief but turbulent and time in Tibetan history.  The events it describes have been retold in various form but I found this to be one of the most insightful and open interpretations of the Chinese Occupation.  A must read for anyone interested in the Tibetan culture and people.

The escape also force the Dalai Lama to think beyond Buddhism.  "His exile was huge in his life," says Paul Jeffrey Hopkins, a Tibet scholar and former interpreter for His Holiness.  "Without it, it would be very difficult for him to develop a message that is applicable to the entire world.  Instead of becoming someone who's trying to drive Buddhism forward,  he's attempting to call to everybody in society and thus address their need for kindness and compassion.  There would be no way for that to develop had he remained in Tibet."

Would you visit Tibet now?

China wants increase tourism to Tibet to 15 millions tourist by 2015 bringing them one step closer to the their goal of turning Lhasa into Disneyland China. All the traditional Buddhist sites have been systematically been turned into caricatures of there real selves, with monks being relegated to a position like the actors in Colonial Williamsburg.








 The goal of the Chinese is to build a tourist Shangri-la that will result in the world ignoring the plight of the Tibetans. Their goal is illustrated in Ben Blanchard's article:
“Tibet will focus on building (itself as) an important world tourism destination,” the official Xinhua news agency said, citing Tibet’s government.
So as they try to build a vacation hub out of one of the world most unique and un-commercial cities,  I am forced to ask myself "Would I go to Tibet if given the opportunity?".  More and more it seems that the question become harder and harder to answer.  Free Tibet lists the following reason for and against travel to Lhasa:

Arguments for travelling to Tibet: 

• The Dalai Lama  encourages foreigners to witness the oppression in Tibet and to inform others of their experiences on their return.
• Tourism provides a window to the outside world for Tibetans. 
• Tibetans find the presence of tourists in Tibet encouraging.
• Consider going to Tibetan populated areas outside the TAR in Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces, where you can travel without a special permit and the need to hire an official guide.
  

Arguments against travelling to Tibet:

• Tourism provides legitimacy to China's occupation.
• Most of the money you spend will go into the pockets of Chinese enterprises. The tourist infrastructure in Tibet is largely controlled by Chinese businesses with headquarters outside Tibet.
• It is hard to travel in Tibet without tacitly complying with the Chinese regime.
• Tourists are only allowed to travel to the TAR in an officially organised group, on an officially approved itinerary and guided by an officially approved guide. 

So where do I stand?  I don't really know.  If I had the opportunity to visit the Jokhang Temple and prostrate with rest of the pilgrims at that great holy place, would I give it up in order keep from filling the Chinese coffers with American money at the expense of the Tibetans?  On the other hand,  surely I could do some good by targeting Tibetan only shops and restaurants and silently reassure them that they haven't been forgotten by the outside world.

Unfortunately I don't really have to reach a decision any time soon unless the money fairy drops a load of cash on my head,  but what would you do?

Tibetan Monks on the Run

Running for over a year in the Mountains and Hills of Tibet and Nepal.  These monks finally escape the Chinese.  It is becoming more dangerous for Tibetans to escape as the Chinese have brutally cracked down on refugees crossing the borders and put incredible pressure on Nepal to do the same.  I know this isn't a new issue but reminding everyone that it is still occuring EVERY DAY never hurts the cause.