Tibetan Headlines
Nov 7: Third Pole
The Tibetan Government-in-Exile has launched the new campaign Climate Action for Tibet: The Earth’s Third Pole ahead of the COP25 Climate Summit which will take place in Spain next month. The campaign aims to make the importance of the Tibetan plateau as the world’s Third Pole and the water source for millions of people in south east Asia central to the global climate change debate.
Nov 7: Tibet and Mongolia
The first Mongolia-Tibet Cultural and Religious Symposium has taken place in Dharamshala, convened by the Tibet Policy Institute. Three panel discussions took place at the one-day meeting: Buddhism in Tibet and Mongolia; Mongol-Tibet Relations and Human Rights and Ecology. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile said that the people of Tibet and Southern Mongolia are both subject to severe repression under the Chinese regime.
Nov 4: International Conference
The eighth International Conference of Tibet Support Groups is underway in Dharamshala with 180 delegates representing over 40 countries taking part. The three-day conference will focus on defining action plans for future campaigns and Tibet advocacy around the world, including lobbying governments and looking at specific campaign topics. The Core Group for the Tibetan Cause, India, with the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Information and International Relations are convening the conference.
Nov 3: His Holiness at Gyuto
His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended the inauguration of the conference The Great Commentarial Text on Guhyasamaja Tantra to mark the 600th birth anniversary of Gyudchen Dorjechang Jeytsun Kunga Dhondup, the Founder of Gyuto Tantric Monastery. The day also marks the 600th anniversary of the death of Je Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa tradition. Gyuto monastery offered a long life prayer ceremony for His Holiness.
Nov 1: Rules Tightened
A report by Radio Free Asia exposes a new ruling by China that Tibetans from exile visiting relatives in Tibet must be guaranteed by government workers or members of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, and that any visitors overstaying their agreed time or otherwise misbehaving will be penalised. Until now, visitors could be hosted and guaranteed by family members.
Oct 31: Missing in Tibet
Thubten Pema Lhundrub, a recent graduate, who was detained by Chinese police in May after praying to the Dalai Lama has not been heard of since, and his family are now appealing for help in calling attention to his case. Radio Free Asia quotes a local source as saying that Lhundrub’ parents “are worried that something may have happened to him [...] they are beginning to doubt that he is still alive”.
Oct 28: HR in China
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, speaking to China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi at their bilateral strategic dialogue, expressed Swiss concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet and East Turkistan [Xinjiang] and also mentioned the Hong Kong protests. Their discussions focussed on economic ties - China is one of Switzerland’s major trading partners, but Mr Cassis raised concerns about “conditions for minorities, particularly in Tibet and Xinjiang Province”.
Oct 28: US Ambassador
Ambassador Samuel D Brownback, the US Ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom, is visiting Dharamshala and the Central Tibetan Administration. It is the highest-level official US Government visit to the CTA for some time. “I want to express that clearly,” he said, “the US government supports the Dalai Lama and supports for the succession of the Dalai Lama to be done by the Tibetan Buddhist leadership.”
Oct 26: Geshe Jampel Lobshe
Geshe Jampel Lobshe, 53, a senior religious leader living and teaching in Tibet and described as “a very courageous and bold spiritual leader”, has died. He had been discharged from hospital in Chengdu and sent home to die from an unspecified illness. His body is at Sershul monastery in Kardze; thousands of people have gathered for mass prayer services, so far there are no reports of Chinese interference.
Oct 26: Donation for TIPA
The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) has received a donation of INR 21,76,210 (US$ 31,000 / £24,000) from ex-TIPA members now living in Switzerland. The group had a fundraising drive in honour of the 60th anniversary of the founding of TIPA. TIPA celebrates 60 years with a four-day event: HH the Dalai Lama will grace the opening event on October 29.
Oct 26: Award for Padma
Padma Jewels from Dekyiling Tibetan settlement, Dehradun is the winner of the YETI Grand Challenge 2019 of Rs 1 Crore (US$143,000 / £110,000). The Youth Employment for Tibetans Initiative (YETI) is an initiative aimed at creating employment for young Tibetans living in India. Padma Jewels is a leading supplier of handmade beads and ethically manufactured high-end lampwork glass jewelry and handicraft items, employing 32 people.
Oct 25: Reaching Out to Youth
Sonam Frasi, Representative ofHH the Dalai Lama at the Office of Tibet, London, participated in the One Young World Summit in London. The summit brings together the “brightest young talent from every country and sector”. Mr Frasi called on the young delegates, future leaders of the world, to practise love, tolerance and compassion in their daily pursuit of their goals to bring about positive change in the world.
Oct 24: Proving Ownership of Tibet
China has published a 12-volume compilation of “selected” materials dating from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to prove that Tibet was historically a part of China. Chinese state media Xinhua News reports that the Selected Archives, published in Tibetan, Mongolian and Manchu, is the first systematically recorded compilation of photocopies of thousands of important documents which catalogue the history of Tibet and other ethnic groups.
Oct 24: TCV Founding Anniversary
Tibetan Children’s Village school - the oldest Tibetan school in exile - has celebrated the 59th anniversary of its founding, dedicating the year to the good health and long life of HH the Dalai Lama. The students displayed calisthenics portraying the message, “Long Live His Holiness”. Chief guest was His Eminence the 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche, spiritual leader of the Bon tradition, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay was special guest.
Oct 23: Support for Flood Victims
The Central Tibetan Administration has donated 5 Lakh (US$7,000 / £5,500) to support Tibetans living in Karnataka state who were affected by the severe flooding experienced there and which caused devastation and loss of livelihood, as well as leaving many people dead or displaced. In addition, many people working for the Tibetan exile administration have contributed a day’s salary to the fund.