Asfalto e case tutte uguali cosi’ il Tibet diventa cinese; di Ilaria Maria Sala, La Stampa – 27 giugno 2013

Più di due milioni di tibetani spostati contro la loro volontà verso nuove case di cemento. Centinaia di migliaia di nomadi tolti dalle praterie, e persuasi a vivere in casette a schiera lungo nuove strade asfaltate, dove abitano anche quadri di Partito, preposti a controllare che non nascano nuove insurrezioni anti-cinesi.

Questa la situazione, dettagliata con dovizia di particolari da Human Rights Watch in un rapporto pubblicato oggi dal titolo «They say we should be grateful» («Dicono che dovremmo essere grati»), in cui è illustrato il modo capillare in cui l’intervento statale sull’altipiano tibetano sta modificando per sempre uno stile di vita secolare, senza che i diretti interessati abbiano modo di mettere parola sulla direzione che prende il loro presente e il loro futuro. Read the rest of this entry »

Moved by Tragedy in Uttarakhand, His Holiness the Dalai Lama Expresses Sympathy and Contributes to Relief Funds

Dharamsala, HP, India, June 24, 2013 – In letters to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness at the loss of life and property as a result of unprecedented flooding and landslides during heavy monsoon rains in Uttarakhand.
His Holiness, having just returned to India from an extended visit to New Zealand and Australia, expressed his deep condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this calamity. As a token of sympathy, The Dalai Lama Trust is making contributions to the relief efforts of both the state and central governments. http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/970-moved-by-tragedy-in-uttarakhand-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-expresses-sympathy-and-contributes-to-relief-funds

A Teaching of the Four Noble Truths and a Public Talk on Ethics in a Shared World in Darwin Conclude His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Visit to Australia

A Teaching of the Four Noble Truths and a Public Talk on Ethics in a Shared World in Darwin Conclude His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Visit to Australia

Darwin, Australia, 23 June 2013 – Before leaving his hotel for the Darwin Convention Centre, where 3000 people waited expectantly to hear him teach, His Holiness gave an interview to Karla Grant of ITV Television.
She began by asking his impression of the Aboriginal people and he replied that the Aboriginal people should work hard with self-confidence, education and training to build their own modernised society, while keeping their language and culture alive. He said it was also important that they have their own name. She wanted to know his response to Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Aboriginal people when he was Prime Minister. He told her that he had written him a letter expressing his approval and admiration, About Uluru, which he had seen from the plane the day before, he said he knew it was regarded by many as the spiritual heart of the country, that it was beautiful and he hoped to visit it another time.
Asking if he ever questioned his being Dalai Lama, His Holiness response was firm.
“I am the Dalai Lama, so there doesn’t seem to be much point in doubting or questioning it. Better to use it as beneficially as possible.” Invited to say whether he’d been sad to leave his country, Read the rest of this entry »

Meeting the Media and Public Talk in Palmerston, Darwin

It was still raining and the sky was overcast as His Holiness the Dalai Lama left his Adelaide hotel this morning. However, at the airport there were long lines of beaming-faced friends and well-wishers who had come to see him off. During the flight to Darwin, the pilot announced that he had obtained permission to take the plane over Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. The sandstone outcrop sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area, is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Directly after landing at Darwin, His Holiness drove to the nearby satellite town of Palmerston where he was to meet the press and give a public talk. He began the press meeting by introducing himself: “I am very happy to be here for the first time. Wherever I go I talk to people about the need to be aware of the oneness of humanity. In this context, my first commitment is promoting those human values that really contribute to human happiness. Read the rest of this entry »

Wangchen Dolma

Deceduta la monaca tibetana immolatasi a Tawu l’11 giugno

La monaca tibetana che il giorno 11 giugno si era autoimmolata a Tawu, nella regione del Kham, è deceduta il 14 giugno all’ospedale di Darstedo dove era stata ricoverata. Si chiamava Wangchen Dolma e aveva 31 anni. Questa nuova autoimmolazione che porta a 119 il numero delle proteste estreme della popolazione tibetana contro l’occupazione cinese Si era data fuoco all’esterno del monastero di Nyatso dove erano convenuti oltre 5mila monaci provenienti da oltre 50 monasteri della regione e appartenenti alle diverse scuole del Buddismo, per un’importante sessione generale di dibattito il Jan Gunchoe vietata lo scorso anno dalle autorità cinesi. A causa della totale interruzione di ogni forma di comunicazione seguita alla protesta, per tre lunghi giorni non sono pervenute notizie circa le generalità della monaca e le sue condizioni di salute. Il corpo di Wangchen Dolma è stato cremato dalle autorità che si sono rifiutate di consegnare alla famiglia le ceneri, hanno impedito che fossero compiute le rituali cerimonie funebri e hanno vietato ogni visita di amici e parenti. Ai familiari è stato ingiunto di non avere contatti con persone che potessero fornire qualche notizia e di non recarsi al monastero di Nyatso. Il 13 giugno, l’organizzazione Free Tibet ha dato conferma della condanna a due anni di carcere inflitta a due cantanti tibetani, Pema Trinlay, 22 anni, e Chakdor, 32 anni, di Ngaba, rei di aver pubblicato un album di canzoni intitolato “Il dolore di una ferita aperta”. Read the rest of this entry »

La scrittrice e blogger tibetana Tsering Woeser

Tsering Woeser e il marito agli arresti domiciliari. HRW definisce “invasiva” la campagna di rieducazione in atto in Tibet

La scrittrice e blogger tibetana Tsering Woeser e il marito, l’intellettuale dissidente Wang Lixiong, sono stati posti agli arresti domiciliari nella loro abitazione di Pechino per impedire che possano commentare o mettere in dubbio le dichiarazioni che saranno rilasciate da un gruppo di giornalisti stranieri che si apprestano a visitare Lhasa su invito del governo cinese.

Woeser ha già incontrato alcuni dei giornalisti e le autorità temono che i suoi commenti possano smentire il quadro idilliaco raffigurante tibetani felici in un Tibet armonioso che Pechino si aspetta venga dipinto dai rappresentanti della stampa al termine di un viaggio con destinazioni e incontri prefissati. Il gruppo dovrebbe partire per Lhasa il 6 luglio e dovrebbe rimanere in Tibet fino al giorno 13. Alcuni diplomatici dovrebbero visitare il paese alla fine di giugno. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Speaks on Community and Well-Being and the Quest for Happiness in Adelaide

Adelaide, Australia, 21 June 2013 – As the Winter Solstice dawned over Adelaide today, the sky was dark with benign rain. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was received on arrival at Adelaide Town Hall by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Bob Brown, who escorted him to a private meeting the focus of which was a ‘Discussion on Compassion.’ He responded to this welcome: “I’m very happy to be here once more in this beautiful city to meet again with old friends. I first met Bob Brown in Hobart in 1992, before he went to Tibet in 1997. Read the rest of this entry »

Panel Discussion as Part of the Forum ‘Happiness and Its Causes’ and a Meeting with Chinese Scholars and Friends in Melbourne

Adelaide, Australia, 20 June 2013 – Before leaving his hotel to begin his public program this morning, His Holiness was interviewed by Mark Davis for Dateline on SBS Television. He asked if His Holiness had more time and energy for spiritual matters since retiring from political responsibilities.  “Yes, I am committed to promoting human values and inter-religious harmony. The affection our mothers show us right after we’re born plants the seed of compassion in us that is the ultimate source of peace of mind. As people grow up they tend to forget this. Read the rest of this entry »

Teachings on the ‘Heart Sutra’ and ‘Eight Verses for Training the Mind’ at Quang Minh Temple

Melbourne, Australia, 19 June 2013 – This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove about 12 kilometres out of Melbourne to the Quang Minh Temple, a centre for the Vietnamese Buddhist community, overlooking the Maribyrnong River. He was invited by Geshe Sonam Thargye, Director of the Drol Kar Buddhist Centre, to give an explanation of the ‘Heart Sutra’ Read the rest of this entry »

Ethics for a Whole World with the Sydney Peace Foundation and Compassion: the Foundation of Well-Being in Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia, 18 June 2013 – This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited by the Sydney Peace Foundation to participate in discussions of Ethics for a Whole World at the New South Wales Parliament House attended by more than 170 students and others. A preamble to the event paid tribute to the Cadigal people and their possession of the local land, which corresponds to Tibetans’ possession of the land of Tibet. Read the rest of this entry »

Young Minds Conference, Lunch at Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant and a Visit to Westmead Hospital

Sydney, Australia, 17 June 2013 – A quick drive around the block took His Holiness the Dalai Lama from his hotel to the Sydney Town Hall this morning to attend a session of Young Minds, an exciting forum exploring issues facing youth today. The forum’s slogan, emblazoned on bright red and white banners throughout the venue read: warm heart, cool head, bright future. The theme of this morning’s discussion, before a capacity audience of more than 1200, was ‘How do we grow a good person?’

Once His Holiness and fellow panellists, Carla Rinaldi, Deborah Harcourt and Yassmin Abdel-Magied had taken their seats on the platform, Moderator, Simon Longstaff put the question to His Holiness – How do we grow a good person? “The measure of being a good person seems to be whether or not you have peace of mind,” His Holiness replied, “Someone may be wealthy, successful, highly educated, in a position of leadership, but if they have no inner peace, they won’t be happy. Read the rest of this entry »

Concluding Teachings, Public Talk on Ethical Mindfulness in Everyday Life and Addressing a Gathering for Tibet in Sydney

Sydney, Australia, 16 June 2013 – The first people to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama today were a group of philanthropists with whom he had some conversation before leaving his hotel this morning. Asked the secret of his optimism, he said:

“We are basically social animals. We are not like turtles that lay their eggs, but never meet their offspring. Our survival depends on our mother’s care and affection and someone who has received such affection has the potential to show affection to others.” Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Begins Teaching ‘The Jewel Lamp: a Praise of Bodhichitta’ in Sydney

Soon after breakfast this morning, more than 200 Chinese students, scholars and friends waited eagerly to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his second day in Sydney. He greeted them in Tibetan that was immediately translated into Chinese:

“Our connection is not just on a personal, individual level, but people to people. Historically a longstanding relationship has existed between Tibetans and Chinese. Political systems come and go, but our spiritual and cultural relations will not change.”

Referring again to the past, he said that in 7-9th centuries Tibet and China were separate nations as recorded in Chinese documents. But, he went on, things change and today China is a highly developed economic power, while Tibet is economically relatively undeveloped. Therefore, there is potential benefit in Tibet’s remaining with the People’s Republic of China. Tibetans have their own unique language and a sophisticated Buddhist culture; what they need is genuine autonomy as provided for in the Chinese constitution. Read the rest of this entry »

Second Day of the Jewel Lamp Teachings in Sydney

Sydney, Australia, 15 June 2013 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama resumed his seat in the Sydney Entertainment Centre punctually at 9.30 this morning. In the centre of the backdrop to the stage is a large screen onto which images of different historic Buddha statues have been projected.

During the first session yesterday, it was the 2nd century CE Gandharan image of the ‘Fasting Buddha’, which His Holiness appreciated. During the second session, it was the contemporary Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, carved in Thailand for the Great Stupa in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, which His Holiness consecrated in 2009. This morning it was a 6th century carved wood image of the Buddha from China and this afternoon the 13th century bronze Great Buddha of Kamakura, Japan. Read the rest of this entry »

Education Matters Says His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sydney

His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Auckland in the quiet before dawn today, but it was a beautiful morning when he landed in Sydney at the beginning of an eleven day visit to Australia. A sea of smiling faces awaited him as he emerged from the airport to drive to the University of Sydney. 
 
At the University he was introduced to an audience of 788 students and staff by Prof John Keane as a real leader, who stands for non-violence and compassion and shows a path for everyone. “Brothers and sisters,” His Holiness began, “I’m happy to be able to speak to you bright, young people. People of my age belong to the twentieth century generation and the twentieth century has passed, nobody can bring it back. Most of you belong to the twenty-first century, of which more than 80 years remain. Read the rest of this entry »

Meetings and a Public Talk on the Path to Happiness in Auckland, City of Peace

It was cold and dark when His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Dunedin early this morning to fly to Auckland. The drive from the airport into the city on arrival was warm and sunny, more like an autumn morning than the depths of winter. He went straight into a meeting with the Peace Foundation that has declared Auckland, nuclear-free New Zealand’s biggest city, a City of Peace. He was introduced to the small gathering that included schoolchildren by Vice President Yvonne Duncan. He lost no time commending the Foundation and expressing his appreciation of its work for peace. He summarized the wars and violence that have taken place since he was born in 1935, concluding on a hopeful note that people in many places today are showing that they are fed up with violence. He said: “As an idea City of Peace is wonderful, but a declaration is not enough, Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with members of the Dunedin Interfaith Council on the steps of St. Pauls Cathedral in Dunedin, New Zealand on June 11, 2013. Photo/Jacqui Walker

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Interacts with Students and Gives a Public Talk on Ethics for a Whole World in Dunedin

Dunedin, New Zealand, 11 June 2013 – There was a brisk chill in the air today when more than 30 local church leaders and representatives of various religions and faith communities belonging to the Dunedin Interfaith Council gathered on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Dunedin.

From there it was short drive to the University of Otago Clocktower Building where he was met by Vice-Chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne. A group of Maoris sang and an elder declaimed a traditional Maori welcome. Afterwards His Holiness quizzed them about Maori accounts of life after death, creation and their place in the natural world. On the walk to the University’s St David Lecture Theatre a bagpiper led the way. Read the rest of this entry »

Appello urgente per fermare la distruzione di Lhasa

per favore firmate e fate girare tra amici e conoscenti perché firmino a loro volta, è molto importante raggiungere le 20.000 sottoscrizioni per sperare che l’UNESCO ascolti l’appello per riconoscere la città vecchia di Lhasa, patrimonio dell’umanità e così salvarla dalla distruzione…..
L’iniziativa, partita dal giornalista e attivista britannico Pete Speller che ha raccolto l’accorato appello della scrittrice tibetana Woeser, è rivolta al ministro degli Esteri del Regno Unito William Hague e al direttore del Centro Patrimonio Mondiale dell’UNESCO Kishore Rhao http://www.change.org/petitions/kishore-rao-stop-the-destruction-of-lhasa?share_id=qbgSphmBvz&utm_campaign=friend_inviter_chat&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=permissions_dialog_false ,

http://www.change.org/it/petizioni/william-hague-and-kishore-rao-stop-the-destruction-of-lhasa?utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shar

Secondo quanto previsto da un nuovo piano regolatore approvato dalle autorità cinesi, quello che resta delle tradizionali abitazioni tibetane della città di Lhasa sarà demolito per fare posto a un grande centro commerciale destinato a trasformare l’antica capitale del Tibet in una città turistica simile a Lijiang, lo “Shangri-La” della provincia dello Yunnan. Aderendo alla petizione internazionale, lanciata da Londra, le cui firme saranno inviate a Kishore Rao, direttore dell’UNESCO, e a William Hague, segretario agli esteri britannico, invitiamo tutti i sostenitori della causa tibetana a firmare l’appello STOP ALLA DISTRUZIONE DI LHASA, Al sito:http://www.change.org/it/petizioni/william-hague-and-kishore-rao-stop-the-destruction-of-lhasa?utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition.

Il progetto, già in fase di realizzazione (nelle foto) prevede la distruzione dell’area attorno al tempio del Jokhang e a quello di Ramoche. Da Pechino, dove attualmente risiede, la scrittrice e blogger tibetana Woeser ha lanciato all’UNESCO e alle istituzioni di tutto il mondo un disperato appello affinché Lhasa sia risparmiata Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Meets with Parliamentarians and Students on his Second Day in Christchurch

Dunedin, New Zealand, 10 June 2013 – The first people His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with today were New Zealand Youth Representatives of the Council for a Parliament of World Religions, who belonged to a wide range of faiths. His Holiness encouraged them, but stressed that working for inter-religious harmony requires us to be really active.

“Religion is about cultivating a more peaceful mind, so it’s very disappointing if religion becomes a source of conflict. Our traditions share a common message of love and compassion, patience and tolerance. If we also remember the instructions about forgiveness, there’ll be no basis for conflict.”

The twelve New Zealand parliamentarians he met next coming from all parties represented 10% of the members of parliament. He thanked them for their support. He came straight to the point about relations between Tibet and China stating that as a country and a people the Chinese are wonderful. The problem is the closed totalitarian system. Read the rest of this entry »

An Explanation of the Four Noble Truths and a Public Talk to Begin His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Visit to New Zealand

Christchurch, New Zealand, 9 June 2013 – After a long journey from India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was given a warm and friendly reception on arrival yesterday for his seventh visit to New Zealand. He then drove in brilliant wintry sunshine to his Christchurch hotel, where a traditional Tibetan welcome awaited him, before retiring for the night.

This morning began with an interview by Maari McCluskey for MindFood magazine. She wanted to know if His Holiness thought that spirituality had the effect of blunting a person’s competitive edge.His reply was straightforward: “Material development alone does not bring peace of mind, so there is an increasing trend towards developing inner peace. For some this leads to an interest in religious faith, but there are others for whom this has little appeal. However, within our minds are many emotions and the better we understand how they work, Read the rest of this entry »

First Day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Explanation of a Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life in Dharamsala

Despite the sweltering summer heat, more than 8000 people gathered at the Tsuglagkhang here today to listen to His Holiness the Dalai Lama begin to explain Shantideva’s classic ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’. This short series of teachings has been requested by a coordinated group of 1100 Indian Buddhists, among them 480 belonging to the Young Buddhist Societies of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They were joined by 1900 foreigners from a variety of countries across the world and 5000 Tibetans, including 2000 monastics. Read the rest of this entry »