Tibet: prosegue a Larung Gar la demolizione degli alloggi dei religiosi. L’appello di Human Rights Watch

30 marzo 2017. Fonti ufficiali cinesi hanno reso noto che entro la fine del mese di aprile sarà ultimata la demolizione dei 3.225 alloggi appartenuti ai religiosi ormai allontanati da Larung Gar, il più grande e noto centro di studi buddhisti tibetani.

Parlando ai membri della comunità religiosa, un abate dell’istituto ha dichiarato che nel corso del 2016 e nei primi tre mesi dell’anno in corso sono stati allontanati da Larung Gar e dal vicino centro di Yachen Gar 4.828 religiosi. In previsione dell’arrivo, con l’incarico di ispezionare i lavori in corso, del capo della provincia del Sichuan, l’abate ha chiesto ai monaci e alle monache di Larung Gar di mantenere la calma e concentrarsi sui loro studi: “Poiché siete per lo più tutti giovani, dovete essere tranquilli e concentravi sulla pratica e sullo studio. Per i nostri monaci e le nostre monache è stato un periodo molto duro e difficile, sia fisicamente sia mentalmente. L’ordine riguardante le demolizioni e le espulsioni viene dall’alto e non può essere discusso, dobbiamo mostrare senso di sopportazione e non reagire con proteste o suicidi. Dobbiamo pazientare ed essere tolleranti ancora per un mese”. Read the rest of this entry »

Pema Gyaltsen, un tibetano di ventiquattro anni, si è autoimmolato il 18 marzo a Nyarong, nella provincia del Kham. Sale a 147 il numero dei tibetani che hanno cercato la morte con il fuoco all’interno del Tibet occupato.

Pema Gyaltsen, un agricoltore familiarmente chiamato Pegyal, si è autoimmolato con il fuoco nelle vicinanze del monastero di Tsokha, a Nyarong, nella regione orientale del Kham, attorno alle 16.00, ora locale, di sabato 18 marzo. Avvolto dalle fiamme ha invocato il ritorno del Dalai Lama e la libertà del Tibet. La polizia, immediatamente arrivata in forze sul posto, ha preso in consegna il suo corpo: secondo alcune fonti Pema, ancora in vita il 19 marzo, è stato ricoverato all’ospedale di Kardze dove è deceduto. Altre fonti riferiscono invece che il nuovo eroe tibetano è ancora in vita. Sembra che i parenti del giovane tibetano, recatisi alla stazione di polizia per vedere il loro congiunto, siano stati picchiati e trattenuti per tutta la notte all’interno dell’edificio. Read the rest of this entry »

India should focus on development of villages: Dalai Lama

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 19 March 2017 (PTI) – India should focus on development of villages to ensure prosperity, the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said on Sunday. “India’s prosperity depends on the development of villages instead of developing big cities. So, the journey of development should start from rural areas of the country,” the Dalai Lama told a gathering at Turnal village of Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh.

He was here to participate in the ongoing ‘Namami Devi Narmade-Sewa Yatra,’ which is aimed at conserving Narmada river.

“India is predominantly an agriculture-based economy and rural India must be transformed for the country’s development.

“The focus should be on developing basic facilities like health and education in rural areas. All the basic requirements of the people should be made available in the villages. India will transform only through the rural transformation,” the Dalai Lama said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader also stressed the need for greater participation of women in different fields.

“The women are more sensitive and full of compassion. Their enhanced participation will make the world a better place as they can ensure promoting deeper human values,” he said.

While lauding the river conservation campaign launched by MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who also participated in the programme, the Dalai Lama said the people should think holistically as far as global warming was concerned. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Madhya Pradesh to Talk on the Environment and Happiness

India should focus on development of villages: Dalai Lama
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 19 March 2017 (PTI) – India should focus on development of villages to ensure prosperity, the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said on Sunday. “India’s prosperity depends on the development of villages instead of developing big cities. So, the journey of development should start from rural areas of the country,” the Dalai Lama told a gathering at Turnal village of Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh.
He was here to participate in the ongoing ‘Namami Devi Narmade-Sewa Yatra,’ which is aimed at conserving Narmada river.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at Narmade-Sewa Yatra in Turnal, Madhya Pradesh, India on March 19, 2017. Photo by Lobsang Tsering/OHHDL

“India is predominantly an agriculture-based economy and rural India must be transformed for the country’s development.
“The focus should be on developing basic facilities like health and education in rural areas. All the basic requirements of the people should be made available in the villages. India will transform only through the rural transformation,” the Dalai Lama said.
The Tibetan spiritual leader also stressed the need for greater participation of women in different fields.
“The women are more sensitive and full of compassion. Their enhanced participation will make the world a better place as they can ensure promoting deeper human values,” he said.
While lauding the river conservation campaign launched by MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who also participated in the programme, the Dalai Lama said the people should think holistically as far as global warming was concerned.
“The environment has been changing across the world. Our approach should be holistic. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been making efforts for conservation of river Narmada. People should actively participate in such campaigns to make them successful,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »

A 24-year old Tibetan man named Pema Gyaltsen (also known as Pegyal) self-immolated at around 4pm local time, on March 18, 2017, near Tsoga monastery in Nyagrong, Kham, eastern Tibet.

Sources have said “he called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and for freedom in Tibet at the time of self-immolation.”

The police reportedly arrived at the scene and immediately took away his charred body.

A minute-long video has emerged out of Nyagrong today, which shows a huge police presence at the self-immolation site.

It is reported that Pema Gyaltsen,  an unmarried farmer is the lone breadwinner for his family of six-parents and four siblings.

Two sources from the Tibetan exile community said Gyaltsen was taken to a hospital in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. One source said he later died, but the other said his contacts in the region believed he was still alive in hospital. Read the rest of this entry »

18.03.17 Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India – This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove to the nearby Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, which was established as a university in 1951. He was welcomed by the Vice Chancellor, Shri M.L. Srivastava. Before addressing more than100 students and faculty in the University’s conference hall, His Holiness planted a Bodhi Tree Sapling and unveiled a commemorative plaque on a new administrative building.

His Holiness recalled visiting the University in 1956, when he was in India participating in the 2500th Buddha Jayanti Celebrations organized by the Mahabodhi Society of India.

“Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai was supposed to visit Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, but for some reason he was not able to do so. I was asked to go in his stead. At that time I was a Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People Congress of the People’s Republic of China. Today, I visit you as a refugee.” Read the rest of this entry »

Cina, nuove tensioni in Tibet: Dalai Lama, “Si combatte anche con l’insensatezza dei funzionari cinesi”

A ridosso dell’anniversario della rivolta che nel 1959 portò all’esilio della più alta autorità buddista del paese, nella regione autonoma Pechino continua a mostrare i muscoli. Il Dalai Lama in un’intervista alla HBO si è scagliato contro i vertici cinesi che nel frattempo hanno inasprito la repressione nell’area

di Chiara Nardinocchi

ROMA – A marzo, tibetani e sostenitori dell’indipendenza della Regione autonoma del Tibet (RAT) ricordano ogni anno la rivolta del 1959, soffocata nel sangue dalle forze armate cinesi, costata la vita a 65.000 persone e l’esilio al Dalai Lama. Giorni caratterizzati da proteste in tutto il mondo. Il 2017 non ha fatto eccezione, così dalla Germania a Nuova Delhi si sono moltiplicate le manifestazioni a sostegno dell’indipendenza tibetana.
Parate e controlli a tappeto. Ma quest’anno il clima è se possibile più teso. Ad alimentare il fuoco delle ostilità hanno contribuito gli atti di forza della Repubblica Popolare che una settimana prima dell’anniversario ha fatto sfilare a Lhasa una parata composta da 5mila soldati e 1000 veicoli militari. Pechino ha mostrato i muscoli per scoraggiare eventuali atti di ribellione da parte della popolazione locale. Un gesto simbolico preceduto dal divieto varato agli inizi di febbraio ed esteso al mese di marzo per giornalisti e turisti di viaggiare nella regione autonoma.
Read the rest of this entry »

Visit to Nava Nalanda Mahavihara and 2nd Day of International Buddhist Conference

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 18 March 2017 – This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove to the nearby Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, which was established as a university in 1951. Read the rest of this entry »

Inauguration of the International Conference on Relevance of Buddhism in 21st Century

Rajgir, Bihar, India, 17 March 2017 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama departed Dharamsala yesterday morning as rain clouds gathered overhead. On arriving at Gaya Airport, he was received by representatives of the Bihar State Government. After a brisk lunch, he drove to Rajgir, where he stopped his car at the foot of the hills leading to Vulture’s Peak. This is where Buddha Shakyamuni turned the Wheel of Dharma for the second time with his explanation of the Perfection of Wisdom. His Holiness remained a few minutes in silent reflection facing in the direction of the sacred site. Read the rest of this entry »

Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara Empowerment in Dharamsala

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India, 14 March 2017 – The weather was milder today as His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked from his residence to the Tsuglagkhang, greeting well-wishers as he went.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting members of the public on his way to the Main Tibetan Temple on the second day of teachings in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 14, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

Having taken his seat on the throne he immediately began the preparatory procedures for the Avalokiteshvara empowerment he was going to give. While he did this people gathered in the temple and its surroundings followed the chant master’s steady recitation of Om mani padme hum. When he was ready, His Holiness explained what he was about to do.
“Today I’m going to give the empowerment of Avalokiteshvara with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes. Avalokiteshvara is praised by all the Buddhas. He is the embodiment of the compassion of all the Victorious Ones. As Chandrakirti wrote in his ‘Entering into the Middle Way’ – compassion is important in the beginning, middle and end of the path. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have great qualities of body, speech and mind based on minds that are rooted in compassion. To begin with all the Buddhas generated the awakening mind of bodhichitta based on their having a courageous heart of compassion. By serving others they fulfil their own purposes—because they have compassion.
“We Tibetans call ourselves the people of Avalokiteshvara and likewise we regard the Chinese as blessed by Manjushri. However, until now we have tended to be selfish, driven by a self-cherishing attitude that has resulted in our not fulfilling our wishes. By switching that attitude to a concern for others and cultivating wisdom we can overcome the sufferings of others and ourselves. A commentary to the Perfection of Wisdom says that bodhisattvas focus on other beings and on enlightenment in order to help them. Read the rest of this entry »

Teaching ‘Stages of Meditation’ and ‘37 Practices of a Bodhisattva’

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India, 13 March 2017 – The Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple, and its surrounding verandas, as well as the courtyard below, were filled with people this morning waiting for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to arrive. When he did, he stood before the throne, hand raised in greeting, looking carefully to see who was there. Among the crowd were pilgrims from Tibet and they were who His Holiness addressed once he sat on the throne.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting members of the crowd gathered in the courtyard as he makes his way to the Main Tibetan Temple for the first day of his two day teaching in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 13, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

“Since many of you couldn’t attend the recent Kalachakra empowerment, this teaching today is principally for you. I have great admiration for the strength of spirit of you people in Tibet. Today, there are 400 million Buddhists in China who follow traditions similar to ours, but where we differ is in our use of logic and reason.  Buddhism was first introduced to Tibet in the 7th century when the Emperor Songtsen Gampo married a Chinese and a Nepalese princess and each of them brought a statue of the Buddha with them. But when Emperor Trisong Detsen wanted to strengthen Buddhism in the country he turned to India and invited Shantarakshita who was one of the top scholars from Nalanda.

“Shantarakshita may not have been widely renowned, but when we read what he wrote we can judge his calibre. His works include the ‘Ornament of the Middle Way’, which deals with what the Mind Only and Middle Way schools of thought have in common, and the ‘Tattvasamgraha’, an explanation of epistemology.
“It was also in Trisong Detsen’s reign that Samye Monastery was founded. It included a Monastic section and a Translation section, where translation of texts that would make up the Kangyur and Tengyur collections was done. There had been Chinese monks in Tibet since the time of Songtsen Gampo and many of them were part of the Unwavering Concentration section which focussed on single-pointed meditation. Some of these monks asserted that there was no need for study, what was required to attain enlightenment, they claimed, was to empty the mind of thought.
“Shantarakshita had anticipated that a conflict might arise between his logical, reasoned approach to the Dharma and this non-conceptual method. He’d advised the Emperor to invite his disciple Kamalashila to Tibet to deal with it. Kamalashila was also a scholar of epistemology. His view prevailed and Tibet became the only Buddhist country where the Nalanda tradition and the use of reason and logic were preserved. We have kept this alive for more than 1000 years.” Read the rest of this entry »

Celebrating the ‘Day of Miracles’

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India, 12 March 2017 – The sky was a pristine blue as the peaks of the Dhauladhar range glinted in the rising sun this morning as people gathered in the yard of the Tsuglagkhang adjacent to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s residence. Read the rest of this entry »

Statement of Sikyong on the 58th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day

On this day, in 1959, Tibetans from across the social spectrum rose up to stage a defiant yet peaceful uprising against the illegal occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China. Today, as we commemorate the fifty-eighth anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day, we remember and pay tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for our nation’s struggle. Till date, an estimated million Tibetans have perished and 98% of monasteries were destroyed under the Chinese occupation.

Although, today is a time for us to mourn, however there are reasons for us to be proud and hopeful. Hopeful of the fact that on this historic day, Tibetan men and women from all three provinces marched in unison, bravely challenging Chinese invasion by raising the slogans…. “Tibet belongs to Tibetans,” and “stop interfering in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s rule,” thus making known their aspirations. Read the rest of this entry »

Discorso del Sikyong in occasione del 58° anniversario dell’insurrezione nazionale tibetana

In questo stesso giorno, nel 1959, i tibetani di ogni classe sociale insorsero inscenando una manifestazione di sfida – anche se del tutto pacifica – contro l’illegale occupazione del Tibet da parte della Repubblica popolare cinese. Oggi, nel commemorare il 58° anniversario dell’Insurrezione Nazionale Tibetana, ricordiamo e rendiamo omaggio a tutti coloro che hanno sacrificato la loro vita lottando per la nostra nazione. A partire da quella data si stima che, come conseguenza dell’invasione cinese, circa un milione di persone abbiano perso la vita e sia stato demolito il 98% dei monasteri. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Norbulingka Institute

Sidhpur, Distt Kangra, HP, India, 9 March 2017 – A chill wind blew off the snow covered hills and cold rain fell from a heavy sky over the Kangra Valley this morning. Inside the Main Temple of Norbulingka Institute Read the rest of this entry »