TPI Top Ten Highlights of 2009 For Tibet TPI Top Ten Highlights of 2009 Page1 Exiled Tibetan Education Policy Page 2 Spiritually Indian and Physically Tibetan Page 3 Tibet Highlights 2009 Page 4 German FM Raises Tibet Page 5 Tibet World HumanRight Dharaamsala W e e k l y B o d - K y i - Cha- Trin I n t e r n a t i o n a l Rs.5 Vol. 01, Issue 09, 01 January 2010 The Tibet P The Tibet P The Tibet P The Tibet P The Tibet P st st st st st TPI Shorts Takes Back of the Gold Medal H.H The Dalai Lama to USA Thrice in 2010 www.thetibetpost.com Dharamshala: The year 2009 marks the 50th year of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The Tibetan community both inside Tibet and in exile, continues to protest oppressive policies in Tibet. While His Holiness the Dalai Lama has asked for human rights and autonomy for the Tibetan people under the constitution of the People’s Republic of China, discussions with China in 2008 yielded no change in the Tibetan situation in 2009. This year was characterized by numerous arrests of citizens in Tibet as peaceful protests continued, and sustained efforts by Tibetan authorities and international organizations to raise international awareness. On the international stage, the Tibet issue continues to be pushed, but has taken a backseat to the weight of China’s influence in issues such as global climate change and the economy. 2009 Highlights-WORLD 1. The United States waivers between support for Tibet and improving relations with China The United States is seeking improved relations with China, and in 2009, the country’s foreign policy concerning economic and environmental cooperation with China took center stage, casting a shadow on the Tibetan issue. In October 2009, President Obama took the advice of a Chinese spokeswoman, and did not meet with the Dalai Lama on his most recent visit to the U.S. Obama met with Hu Jintao in November, and although he spoke about the need for human rights and individual freedom, he acknowledged Tibet as a part of China. President Obama also encouraged the renewal of talks between Beijing and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s envoys. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly stated in February 2009 that China’s human rights abuses should not be brought into efforts for cooperation on climate change and the global economy. continued on page 4 continued on page 3 New Governor for Tibet Autonomous Region, Same Old Story The Chinese Communist Party appointed a new governor of the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) to replace Jampa Phuntsok (also known as Qiangba Puncog), who resigned suddenly last week, just three years short of his retirement pension, for reasons on which neither he nor the government will elaborate. The newly appointed governor is none other than Pema Thinley (also known as Padma Choling, Pelma Chiley or Baima Chilin), the ex-military leader and party secretary who was accused as being a staunch supporter of the inhumane crackdowns against the March 2008 protestors. continued on page 6 Tibetan Filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison See detal in page No:6 Tibetan Parliament Condemns Ban on Annual Religious Congregation in Tibet World Economics and China’s Political Dramatics Dharamshala: -China’s economic growth is notably high. This is solidifying its political power on a global scale, and rousing foreign politicians, governments and societies to adopt a political stance on the Tibetan issue. In 2008, a significant number of columnists, analysts and activists voiced opinions regarding the amalgamation of sports and politics. Chinese leaders New Tibetan film: “A Precious Human Life” to be released soon Dharamshala: Tibetan filmmaker Tenzin Salshey and his production team held a press conference today about their new film, “A Precious Human Life” (Melue Jhurpoche), which aims to deliver a strong message to those Tibetans who use drugs, encouraging them to avoid such substances. Melue Jhurpoche is scheduled to be released in Tibetan settlements across India, Nepal, and Bhutan during the Tibetan New Year (Losar) with help of Tibetan Women’s Association during the Tibetan New Year (Losar) . One of the main characters, Ven Golok Dhabai, a Tibetan yogi who arrived recently from eastern Tibet, said that he was attracted and encouraged by the movie’s story. “I did not play the role for payment, neither thinking of fame, but because of the story and benefits of the movie.” The Ven. Dhabai also wrote many Tibetan songs when he was in Tibet. Director Tenzin Salshey said that the new film ran a budget of over Rs 5,00000 (five lakh), and around 50 Tibetans performed the different roles. He explained that the theme of his new film was that the inner values of love, care, compassion, affection, tolerance, expressed through calm dialogue can restore youths’ physical and mental health and lead them to a happy life. Jamyang Sakya, the main actor, described to reporters his experience of playing the main character. “I think that to say it is easy, but to put it into practice is difficult. I never use any drugs or alcohol, and I hope that continued on page 2 continued on page 5 German FM raises human rights and Tibet issues during China visit German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrived in Beijing on Friday. In talks with his counterpart Yang Jiechi there, he said he raised human rights, press freedom and freedom of speech in China and as well as the situation in Tibet. Regarding the Himalayan region of Tibet, the two foreign ministers shared their “different views.” Yang reiterated that Beijing regards the continued on page 5 Dharamshala: The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile has strongly condemned Chinese authorities’ decision to impose a ban on an annual religious event at Gyalrong Tsodhun Monastery, in Bharkham County of Amdo, Tibet. The Standing Committee of the exile parliament today issued a press release calling
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TPI Top Ten Highlights
of 2009 For Tibet
TPI Top Ten Highlights of 2009 Page1 Exiled Tibetan Education Policy Page 2 Spiritually Indian and Physically Tibetan Page 3 Tibet Highlights 2009 Page 4 German FM Raises Tibet Page 5
T i b e t
World
HumanRight
D h a r a a m s a l a
W e e k l yB o d - K y i - Cha- Trin
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Rs.5Vol. 01, Issue 09, 01 January 2010
The Tibet PThe Tibet PThe Tibet PThe Tibet PThe Tibet P st st st st st
T P I S h o r t s T a k e s
Back of the Gold Medal
H.H The Dalai Lama to USA Thrice in 2010
www.thetibetpost.com
Dharamshala: The year 2009 marks the 50th year of the Chinese occupation of
Tibet. The Tibetan community both inside Tibet and in exile, continues to
protest oppressive policies in Tibet. While His Holiness the Dalai Lama has
asked for human rights and autonomy for the Tibetan people under the
constitution of the People’s Republic of China, discussions with China in 2008
yielded no change in the Tibetan situation in 2009. This year was characterized
by numerous arrests of citizens in Tibet as peaceful protests continued, and
sustained efforts by Tibetan authorities and international organizations to raise
international awareness. On the international stage, the Tibet issue continues to
be pushed, but has taken a backseat to the weight of China’s influence in issues
such as global climate change and the economy.
2009 Highlights-WORLD
1. The United States waivers between support for Tibet and improving relations
with China
The United States is seeking improved relations with China, and in 2009, the
country’s foreign policy concerning economic and environmental cooperation
with China took center stage, casting a shadow on the Tibetan issue. In October
2009, President Obama took the advice of a Chinese spokeswoman, and did
not meet with the Dalai Lama on his most recent visit to the U.S.
Obama met with Hu Jintao in November, and although he spoke about the
need for human rights and individual freedom, he acknowledged Tibet as a part
of China. President Obama also encouraged the renewal of talks between Beijing
and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s envoys. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
publicly stated in February 2009 that China’s human rights abuses should not
be brought into efforts for cooperation on climate change and the global economy.
continued on page 4
continued on page 3
New Governor for Tibet Autonomous
Region, Same Old Story
The Chinese Communist Party appointed a new
governor of the so-called Tibetan Autonomous
Region (TAR) to replace Jampa Phuntsok (also
known as Qiangba Puncog), who resigned
suddenly last week, just three years short of his
retirement pension, for reasons on which neither
he nor the government will elaborate.
The newly appointed governor is none other than
Pema Thinley (also known as Padma Choling,
Pelma Chiley or Baima Chilin), the ex-military leader
and party secretary who was accused as being a
staunch supporter of the inhumane crackdowns
against the March 2008 protestors.continued on page 6
Tibetan Filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen
Sentenced To 6 Years In PrisonSee detal in page No:6
Tibetan Parliament Condemns Ban on
Annual Religious Congregation in Tibet
World Economics and China’s
Political Dramatics
Dharamshala: -China’s economic growth is notably
high. This is solidifying its political power on a global
scale, and rousing foreign politicians, governments
and societies to adopt a political stance on the Tibetan
issue. In 2008, a significant number of columnists,
analysts and activists voiced opinions regarding the
amalgamation of sports and politics. Chinese leaders
New Tibetan film: “A Precious Human Life”
to be released soon
Dharamshala: Tibetan filmmaker Tenzin Salshey and his production team held a press conference today
about their new film, “A Precious Human Life” (Melue Jhurpoche), which aims to deliver a strong message
to those Tibetans who use drugs, encouraging them to avoid such substances. Melue Jhurpoche is scheduled
to be released in Tibetan settlements across India, Nepal, and Bhutan during the Tibetan New Year (Losar)
with help of Tibetan Women’s Association during the Tibetan New Year (Losar) .
One of the main characters, Ven Golok Dhabai, a Tibetan yogi who arrived recently from eastern Tibet, said
that he was attracted and encouraged by the movie’s story. “I did not play the role for payment, neither
thinking of fame, but because of the story and benefits of the movie.” The Ven. Dhabai also wrote many
Tibetan songs when he was in Tibet.
Director Tenzin Salshey said that the new film ran a budget of over Rs 5,00000 (five lakh), and around 50
Tibetans performed the different roles. He explained that the theme of his new film was that the inner
values of love, care, compassion, affection, tolerance, expressed through calm dialogue can restore youths’
physical and mental health and lead them to a happy life.
Jamyang Sakya, the main actor, described to reporters his experience of playing the main character. “I think
that to say it is easy, but to put it into practice is difficult. I never use any drugs or alcohol, and I hope that
continued on page 2 continued on page 5
German FM raises human rights
and Tibet issues during China visit
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
arrived in Beijing on Friday. In talks with his
counterpart Yang Jiechi there, he said he raised
human rights, press freedom and freedom of
speech in China and as well as the situation in
Tibet.
Regarding the Himalayan region of Tibet, the
two foreign ministers shared their “different
views.” Yang reiterated that Beijing regards thecontinued on page 5
Dharamshala: The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile
has strongly condemned Chinese authorities’
decision to impose a ban on an annual
religious event at Gyalrong Tsodhun
Monastery, in Bharkham County of Amdo,
Tibet.
The Standing Committee of the exile
parliament today issued a press release calling
THE EDITE PAGE The Tibet Post2
Jailed and Tortured for Supporting a Tibetan
Humanitarian: An Ex-Political Prisoner’s StoryDharamshala: Tsering Dorjee is a
firm discipline of Truku Tenzin
Delek, a prominent Buddhist leader
who founded two Tibetan
schools, developed
educational programs for
impoverished nomads and
advocated environmental
conservation. Tsering
Dorjee’s backing of Tenzin
Delek Rinpoche led to a
successful teaching position
in one of Tenzin Delek’s
schools, as well as arrest, jail
time and repeated torture.
In 1996, Chinese authorities
arrested Dorjee for
supporting Tenzin Delek
Rinpoche, an alleged
terrorist, according to
Chinese officials. Although
there was no - and still isn’t
- any definable proof, the
Chinese had pegged Tenzin
Delek with unsolved
bombings in Eastern Tibet
- a statue of Chairman Mao had
been blown up, and the government
wanted “justice”.
For six months Tsering Dorjee was
detained. The beatings, he said, were
endless. The Chinese authorities
wanted him to “confess” that he
knew Tenzin Delek Rinpoche to be
a criminal. They Chinese were
fishing for an accusation.
“We were tortured to such an
extreme during those six months
that I wanted to kill myself,” Dorjee
War of Words Between Google And
China Following Internet Censorship
said through a translator.
But Dorjee wasn’t the only one.
About 150-160 other Tibetan
supporters also were jailed and
tortured for the same reason. But no
matter the number of prisoners, the
Tibetan community did not give up
Tenzin Delek as a criminal, even
when the Chinese put together a
propaganda film about the supposed
wrongdoings of Tenzin Delek.
“The film had been manipulated with
computer graphics so it looked like
Truku [Tenzin Delek] was admitting
his crimes,” Dorjee said. “But no one
in the Tibetan community believed
this. It was all false.”
After six months of torture,
Dorjee was released, bruised and
nearly broken. About a year
later, in 1998, Dorjee fled for
India.
In 2002, Tenzin Delek and his
alleged alibi were sentenced to
death. The other man who was
assumed to be Tenzin Delek’s
partner in crime, Lobsang
Dhondup, was executed almost
immediately. Thanks to
international pressure from
human rights groups and the
United Nations, Tenzin Delek’s
sentence was commuted to a life
in prison instead. His crimes
have never been proven. He
remains imprisoned.
On December 5, 2009, about
300 Tibetans from the Lithang
Region staged a peaceful protest
for the release of Tenzin Delek.
Chinese authorities responded with
force: approximately 90 protesters
were hit or even beaten, and 60 were
detained.
From his refugee camp in
Dharamsala, India, Dorjee has an
appeal:
“Support the truth,” he said. “I’m
calling on the US, the UN and the
European parliaments for
continuous support for [Tenzin
Delek’s] release, as well as aid for the
Tibetan cause. Thank you.”
The communist regime of China will
be forced to decide whether to
unshackle its binding web restraints
for over 300 million people in a
censorship clash that threatens to
redraw the boundaries of the Internet
and its technology. This “war of
words” intensified a day after the
world’s top search engine, Google,
threatened to shut down its China-
based operations alleging cyber attacks
and unfounded censorship.
“It is still hard to say whether Google
will quit China or not. Nobody
knows,” said an official of the State
Council Information Office who
asked not to be named.
Google’s complaints are overdue. The
famously righteous firm (its bumper-
sticker credo: “Don’t be Evil”) has
strained to find a path between its free-
and-open Internet and the
clampdown version practiced in
China. So far, Google has caved to
Beijing. Try Googling “Tiananmen
massacre” or “Dalai Lama” while in
China, and the search results come up
glaring – glaringly blank, that is.
Google’s demand to be allowed to
operate its Google.cn search engine
free from censorship came after what
it described as a “highly sophisticated
and targeted attack on our corporate
infrastructure originating from
China”.
Further investigation revealed that
attempts had been made to access the
Google mail accounts of Chinese
human rights activists. It said that at
least 20 other companies were also
targeted.
And this isn’t the first time. A major
coordinated assault on computers of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, foreign
embassies and even foreign ministries
was uncovered last year and traced
back to Chinese hackers. The
operation targeted computers in more
than 100 countries and was so
widespread that Western intelligence
experts believe it was organized by
the Chinese government, although
there is no definitive proof.
These alleged cyber attacks have
strained the countries’ trans-Pacific
relations, a rapport that is frayed
already over issues of trade, currency,
climate change and arms sales to
Taiwan.
In response, the US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton demanded an
explanation from China. She said the
“ability to operate with confidence in
cyberspace is critical in a modern
society and economy”.
As of yet, China has no official
response to Clinton’s – or anyone’s –
protests over its comparatively
Draconian media directives. Google
made contact with Chinese officials
yesterday though, and discussions are
understood to be underway still.
In public, Chinese authorities largely
ignored this display of defiance from
Google. Here, foreign companies
have almost invariably accepted
intrusive controls by Chinese powers
as it then allows them to tap into
China’s huge and growing market.
But not Google. It had hopes that
China would relax freedom of speech
restrictions after the 2008 Olympics,
as promised. But Internet controls
have continued to be tightened with
blocks on popular social networking
sites such as Twitter, Facebook,
YouTube and most recently IMDb,
a movie review site.
If Google pulls out, experts estimate
that the multi-billion dollar company
might relinquish about $350 million
worth of business, though Google
hasn’t divulged the exact size of its
dealings in China. Yet this represents
just two percent of its worldwide
revenues.
Google has little to lose, suggest some,
especially since Google isn’t even the
most popular search engine in China.
The market research firm, comScore,
shows that about 70 percent of
searches in China are made through
the local search engine Baidu, with
Google trailing by 15 percent.
The news was carried prominently on
websites but ignored completely by
state-run media. Dismayed web users
made their way to the company’s
Beijing offices to leave bouquets. Some
bowed before the building. One
message read: “Google: a real man”.
Exiled Tibetan Govt.’s Education Policy Aims to
“Create a Tibetan Mind”
Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan
Administration’s education
department is hosting its seventh
orientation course from 8-16 Jan,
in Sarah, near Dharamshala, in
order to reaffirm an education
program that is oriented toward
Tibetan culture.
“The policy broadly and basically
aims to create a ‘Tibetan mind’ in
the individual’s personality amidst the
growing trend toward
Westernization, especially among the
youth,” said Mr. Kalon Thubten
Lungrig, the representative from the
education department, in his
opening address to the 42
teachers attending from
10 different Tibetan
schools.
“The policy aims to
develop and incorporate
the values and culture that
define the Tibetan in an
individual’s overall
character,” he said.
The education policy,
which was approved
unanimously by the 13th
Assembly of Tibetan
People’s Deputies in 2004,
is being revamped to
include more subjects that
emphasize the traditional
Tibetan mentality,
including Tibetan calligraphy,
language and customs, as well as a
class on the concept of non-
violence. The program has been
founded on studies that are
advocated by His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, such as universal human
values and inner-science.
01 January, 2010 Dharamsala
01 january, 2010 DharamsalaTPI DALAI LAMAThe Tibet Post 3
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Vo
Visit US At Least Thrice In 2010
Tibet’s globetrotting spiritual leader
is scheduled to visit the United
States in May and October of this
year after visiting Los Angeles next
month to raise awareness of the
plight of institutionalized children,
according to his official website and
US media sources.
In addition, an empty schedule
through 28 February leaves ample
time for His Holiness the Dalai
Lama’s long anticipated meeting
with US President Barack Obama.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
official website, dalailama.com,
shows that he will be visiting the
US Midwest and New York from
12-23 May. The tour includes a
two-day teaching on the Heart
Sutra in Bloomington, Indiana; a
public talk on “Facing Challenges
with Compassion” in Indianapolis;
a lecture on “The Power of Public
Education”, organized by the
University of Northern Iowa; and
three days of teachings and a final
public talk in New York City, the
hub for many of America’s Tibetan
Buddhist refugees.
His Holiness will return to the US
for a different kind of educational
event in October, the Oakland
Tribune reported on Monday.
According to the Tribune,
Ravenswood City School District
officials are already forming a
planning committee to prepare for
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit
to Costaño Elementary School in
East Palo Alto in October.
Ravenswood Superintendent Maria
De La Vega told the Tribune, “He
[the Dalai Lama] wants to meet with
children”.
She described, “There will be a
receiving line and there will be a small
group reception.”
At a school board meeting last
Thursday, board members Larry
Moody and Saree Mading were
appointed to help organize His
Holiness’s reception. De Vegas stated
that educators will begin preparing
the elementary students for the visit
in May.
Further details of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama’s October trip are not
yet posted on his official website.
The Tibetan leader visited the Bay
Area on his tour last March, giving a
public talk at the University of
California at Berkeley, among other
events. In October, his audience will
be much younger, but hopefully no
less captivated.
Spiritually I Am Indian And Physically
I Am Tibetan: His HolinessGiving a discourse on the importance
of promoting Ahimsa (non-
violence), compassion and religious
harmony, Tibetan spiritual leader His
Holiness the Dalai Lama on Friday
also urged Indians to
play an active role in
the heritage of
India’s ancient
tradition.
“Buddhism comes
from India. So, it is
also their religion. I
usually describe
Indian as our Guru
(Teacher). We are its
Chelas (students)”
His Holiness said,
“So, I am a student
of the India’s Guru. And all my
thoughts, my ideas, actually come
from India’s tradition. Therefore, I
consider, and I also introduce myself,
when I visit other countries, as a
messenger of India. At the level of
messenger, I am quite active
promoting Ahimsa, compassion and
religious harmony. So, now the time
comes that my boss, my Indian Guru
now must meet an active role
regarding the promotion”.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was
speaking at the international seminar
on ‘Buddhist Heritage in Gujarat’
being held at the Maharaja Sayajirao
University, in Vadodara. The seminar
was also attended by Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi who, in his
inaugural speech earlier, had said that
he wanted to build in Gujarat the
country’s biggest Buddhist temple
with a centre for studies in Buddhism.
And Tibetan spiritual leader
supported the idea strongly, sating
“That’s very very essential. In
America and also in Europe there
are some Universities where
Buddhist studies can be learned. So
why not India? It is home of
Buddhism”.
Further, the 74 year-old Nobel peace
laureate emphasized on the necessity
of having realistic methods and
holistic perspectives to challenge the
troubles in today’s’ world.
Addressing the scholars and
Buddhist leaders from Bhutan, Japan,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and
as well as India, His Holiness said
“we must make a distinction between
faith and respect. Faith goes to one’s
own religion, respect, to all
religions. That is very, very
essential. We must appreciate the
value or the immense sort of
benefit to millions of people of
other religion like Christianity,
Hinduism, Judaism or all
religions, like that”.
“Buddhist science has nothing to
do with Buddhist religion. Mainly
Buddhist science is more about
emotion, more about mind, more
about the relation between the
brain, neurons and mind”, in
terms of Buddhist science and its
potential contribution to world,
Tibetan leader said, “More
interaction with modern scientists
should bring both immense benefits.
We Buddhists get a much deeper
knowledge about the particles, quads
(subatomic sort of particles) really
useful to us. And then modern
scientists get plenty of information
about emotion, about the mind. So,
closer interaction brings mutual
benefit.”
His Holiness concludes his speech by
saying, “Spiritually I am Indian and
physically I am Tibetan”.
Tibetan Parliament Condemns Ban on
Annual Religious Congregation in Tibetupon human rights activists and