 THE DALAI LAMA
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to the Netherlands co-organized by ICT Europe
The
International Campaign for Tibet and the Tibetan community in the
Netherlands marked the 25th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
receiving the Nobel Peace Prize by presenting His Holiness with a medal
on May 10 during a three day visit in the Netherlands, which was co-organized by ICT.
Tsering Jampa, Executive Director of ICT Europe said: “His
Holiness’ promotion of the concept of oneness of humanity and the common
message of all religions have contributed to better understanding
between different communities and religious traditions, while his call
to make the 21st century one of dialogue has the potential of reducing
violence and promotion of mutually beneficial approaches to
international conflict resolution.
INSIDE TIBET
Two Tibetans stage bold solitary protests
 A
teenage monk from Kirti monastery carried out a lone protest holding an
image of the Dalai Lama on April 26 on the same Ngaba street where many
Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009. The monk, named Losang Tenpa,
called out messages of protest against the Chinese government’s policy
in Tibet until he was detained by police just moments later. Two weeks
earlier a Tibetan man in Manikengo town, which is currently administered
by Sichuan province's Kardze prefecture, was detained after carrying
out a similar protest. The man, whose name remains unknown, drew cries
of support from onlookers before being detained. Please see the full ICT report here.
Political prisoner Lobsang Donyoe released
Lobsang Donyoe, a monk from Gonsar monastery, completed a six year sentence
and was released late last month. He had been accused of leading the
monks of Gonsar in protest and raising the Tibetan flag. One of a number
of prisoners who are now completing sentences given during the 2008
Tibetan Uprising, RFA reported
that he was “severely” tortured in prison and that he was given a warm
welcome by fellow monks and local Tibetans upon his release.
Religious teacher and fellow monks detained over prayers for the Dalai Lama
Lobsang Tenzin, a lama from Pasho monastery in eastern Tibet, was detained by police
amid allegations that he and a number of fellow monks had helped fund a
long-life ceremony for the Dalai Lama. A local source told RFA that the
monks were "also accused of conducting special prayers in Pashoe
monastery on March 16 for the long life of the Dalai Lama." This follows
a number of other incidents in the area, including the arrest of a monk in March 2014 for distributing the teachings of the Dalai Lama, and the fatal beating of another for the same.
Jigme Gyatso of Leaving Fear Behind honored by Reporters Without Borders
 Jigme Gyatso, a monk who assisted Dhondup Wangchen film the short documentary Leaving Fear Behind and whose whereabouts are currently unknown, has been honored by Reporters Without Borders as one of their "100 Information Heroes." Reporters Without Borders notes that following the filming of Leaving Fear Behind
he was "immediately arrested, sentenced to seven months' imprisonment,
then beaten and tortured. He was released in October 2008. However, in
2012 Jigme Gyatso, described by fellow Tibetans as "monk of moral
integrity and a sincere social worker", was seized again by the
authorities, who are holding him in secret. His family have had no news
of him since September 2012." In related news, there are indications that Dhondup Wangchen will be released on June 5, 2014, more than 6 years after he was imprisoned for his part in filming Leaving Fear Behind.
AROUND THE WORLD
Dalai Lama welcomed by thousands of supporters in Oslo
While Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg bowed to Chinese pressure and declined to meet with His Holiness, thousands of Norwegians
gathered in the rain outside his hotel to welcome his return to their
country. A number of prominent Norwegians did meet with the Dalai Lama,
including the Norwegian Nobel Committee and a former prime minister, and
later in the week he met with members of the Norwegian parliament.
Speaking to the press,
His Holiness explained that he wasn't at all disappointed by the lack
of a reception with Solberg, and added that the Chinese reaction to his
visit seems to have boosted the visibility of his trip. Norwegian
voters, on the other hand, appear to clearly disapprove of Solberg's
decision, and it was cited as a cause for the drop she and her party experienced in the most recent public opinion polls.
As with other recent trips, protestors organized by Shugden
groups were present to demonstrate against the Dalai Lama. For more
information about Shugden, please see this article released on May 8th by the Central Tibetan Administration.
TIBETAN CULTURE
"The Monastery Cook"
An insightful short film featuring a cook working in Namgyal
monastery, India, has been released on Vimeo by Russell Avery, Kestrel
Media, and the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights.
Tenpa Choeden, the eponymous monastery cook, discusses his decision to
come into exile and the life he lives now in India. Namgyal monastery
itself is sometimes called the "personal monastery of the Dalai Lama"
due to its close relationship with the Dalai Lama lineage.
INSIDE CHINA
Xi Jinping calls on Chinese students to move to “Western China” after graduating
Communist Party leader Xi Jinping wrote an open letter to Chinese students last week
encouraging them to pursue work in “Western China,” a term employed by
Chinese authorities to refer to Tibet, Xinjiang and other nearby
regions. A Chinese student quoted
by China's state-run Xinhua news agency said that he and his classmates
found the letter had "further strengthened our determination to base
our lives in Tibet."
Chinese rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang detained
 Pu Zhiqiang, a prominent rights lawyer and signatory of Charter 08,
has been detained by the Beijing police ahead of the 25th anniversary
of the Tiananmen Square protests. Taken in connection with a meeting of Tiananmen activists last week, Pu might be familiar to Tibet supporters for his work in attempting to defend Tibetan environmentalist Karma Samdrup against the false charges levied against him in 2010.
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DISCUSSION
Matteo Mecacci's Blog:
A Free Tibet in a Free World
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» Our "dumb democracies"
May 8
» On the trail of democracy
May 2
ICT's Blog:
Ideas, Advocacy & Dialogue on Tibet
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» Documenting the Tibet story, for Tibetans
By: Todd Stein
» Interference and antagonism: reflections on the history of the "Golden Urn Lottery" system
By: Pema Wangyal
ICT IN THE MEDIA
The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed written by ICT President Matteo Mecacci and ICT Board Member Ellen Bork which details how Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg snubbed the Dalai Lama under pressure from China.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 17
National Asian Heritage Festival - Fiesta Asia 2014
This
event showcases Asian art and culture with a wide array of activities
including live performances by musicians, vocalists and performance
artists, Pan-Asian cuisine, martial arts and lion dance demonstration, a
multicultural marketplace, cultural displays and interactive
activities. The Capital Area Tibetan community members will be joining
the Fiesta Asia 2014 Parade - displaying Tibetan traditional attire,
music and performances.
When: May 17, 10am-7pm
Where: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
between 3rd & 6th St.
Washington, DC
Metro: National Archives/Navy Memorial & Judiciary Square
More details »
MAY 29
Fearless in Tibet: The Life of the Mystic Tertön Sogyal
A book talk by author Matteo Pistono, whose new book includes a foreword by Sogyal Rinpoche, the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.
When: May 29, 6:30pm
Where: ICT - Washington, DC
RSVP: rsvp@savetibet.org or 202-785-8591
More details »
JUNE 19-22
BuddhaFest
BuddhaFest
is a 4-day festival of films, talks, meditation and music being held at
Artisphere, in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, VA. The festival is
inspired by the Buddhist practices of mindfulness, meditation and
compassion.
When: June 19-22
Where: Artisphere - Rosslyn, VA
More details »
JUNE 21
Tibet Fest
Tibet
Fest is a family-friendly event put on by ICT in partnership with
BuddhaFest inspired by Tibetan Buddhist culture and the global concern
for its survival inside Tibet. Attendees will have the opportunity to
experience and explore the rich traditions of Tibet through an afternoon
of activities for the whole family. There will also be a Tibetan market
providing the chance to take home a piece of Tibetan culture.
When: June 21
Where: Arlington, VA
More details »
2014 ICT CALENDAR
LIMITED TIME OFFER!
More than 50% the retail price on all orders.
Orders yours today for $6.99, at www.savetibetstore.org or by calling (877) 259-9209.
The 2014 calendar, The Tibetans, provides a glimpse of Tibetans in their homeland featuring exquisite images of Tibetans wearing a wide variety of hats.
ICT STORE
Prayer flags, restocked!
Just in time for spring, prayer flags are once again
available for purchase through ICT’s online store! There are 3 sizes
and 4 styles of flags available. Purchase yours today as a way to proudly display your support of Tibet!
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