environment : The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

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Dharamshala: The Tibet Post-His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje launched the new website dedicated to environmental protection in the Himalayan region initiated by a network of thirty-six Buddhist monasteries across India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Launching the website at Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya on Tuesday (22 December), Gyalwang Karmapa underlined the need to work for the environment as a logical extension of our Dharma practice, connecting it to our Mahayana commitment to benefit others, and to live in a way that is consistent with the basic fact of interdependence.

Gyalwang Karmapa urged the audience to ask themselves whether the beautiful aspirations and prayers they make in the morning are carried out in their actions throughout the day. Often when opportunities arise to work to benefit others, we do not seize them, and if we ask ourselves why this is so, it is usually because we are simply working for our own egocentric concerns. Too often we behave as if others existed for us, and as if the Earth was ours alone to use as we wish," he added. "Our actions based on such attitudes have had cumulative effects that are devastating for the Earth itself, he said.

We, nevertheless, dominate the planet as if it were ours alone, and we are responsible for virtually all the damage done to it. This attitude is inappropriate as well as damaging given our total dependence on others, and especially on the earth itself, for our well-being and for our very survival. Without the plants that yield oxygen, we would not even be able to draw a single breath, Gyalwang Karmapa said.

Using a powerpoint presentation to underscore his points with images, Gyalwang Karmapa took the audience on a dazzling tour of the galaxy, pointing out along the way that we humans have nowhere else to go if we destroy the earth's natural environment.

"Yet unlike humans, the earth is endlessly forgiving," he noted.

"When someone commits heinous crimes, such as murder, he is shunned and expelled from human society. Yet however much harm we do to her, the Earth never banishes us. Despite all the damage we have done thus far, she has never given up on us, but continues to yield her resources to us with great generosity. We, therefore, all have a responsibility to consider what practical steps we can do to respond in kind to this great kindness that we receive from the Earth," Gyalwang Karmapa said.

Dekila Chungyalpa, Director of the Greater Mekong area for the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) and Khenpo Kelsang Nyima from Rumtek spoke on the significance of environmental protection.

The event concluded with a moving rendition of the song 'Aspiration for the World', composed by Gyalwang Karmapa himself and sung by a chorus of students from the Tibetan Children's Village School.

In addition to a large number of Tibetan monks and nuns, translators were on hand to deliver the message to the international audience in nine different languages. Many devotees, including foreign students who are in Bodhgaya to attend the upcoming Kagyu Monlam and the annual winter teachings, attended the event.

www.khoryug.com - a bilingual website in Tibetan and English, offers educational resources on importance of forest protection, water conservation, wildlife preservation, climate change adaptation and waste management, and a forum for people interested in the environment.

Dharamsala: The Tibet Post International-At this month's historic UN summit in Copenhagen, representatives of the world's nations have come together to discuss and collaborate on the issue of climate change-its causes and its effects in different regions, and potential solutions to the problem that affects us all. But while the issue of climate change is a truly global one, some parts of the world have been more seriously affected by global warming than others. The Tibetan plateau, whose glaciers are the source of most of Asia's major rivers, is an especially crucial area that has been devastated by destruction from climate change in recent years. Both Tibetan delegates in Copenhagen and members of the International Parliamentary Network on Tibet have brought this issue before the UN summit and proposed a series of measures to save the world's "third pole".

Tenzin Norbu, a researcher in the Tibetan exile government's Dharamsala-based Environment and Development Desk, headed the Tibetan delegation in Copenhagen. The Central Tibetan Administration's website, tibet.net, reported that Norbu and his delegation have met with negotiators from Canada, Australia and the Netherlands to discuss the issue of climate change in Tibet and its possible solutions.

As Chinese cooperation is essential in any attempt to protect the Tibetan plateau, Norbu also presented a white scarf and a copy of the Tibetan administration's recent report, "The Impacts of Climate Change on the Tibetan Plateau: A Synthesis of Recent Science and Tibetan Research", to Li Ganjie, vice minister of China's Ministry of Environment Protection.

Recent scientific research makes clear that Tibet's glaciers will soon disappear if China doesn't amend its environmental policies immediately. Tandong Yao, director of the Chinese Academy's Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, reported that, "Fifty percent of the glaciers were retreating from 1950 to 1980 in the Tibetan region; that rose to 95 percent in the early 21st century."

The glacial melting in Tibet is caused by a combination of black soot and greenhouse gases, according to scientists from both NASA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Black soot is produced by diesel engines, coal-fired power plants, and outdoor cooking stoves. The increasing amount of both black soot and greenhouses gases is a result of industrial production and Chinese land-use policies that emphasize urbanization in a delicate and traditionally rural area.

Before the Chinese occupation and its destructive environmental policies, Tibetan nomads and farmers had maintained a healthy relationship with their high-altitude, resource-rich environment for thousands of years. Now, the grasslands are quickly disappearing to give way to factories and urban infrastructure, and thousands of Tibetan nomads are being relocated to fixed communities.

As the traditional inhabitants and environmental stewards of the "third pole", Tibetans arguably have as much to offer in the fight against climate change as any scientists, UN negotiators or Chinese policy makers-and any plan to reduce glacial melting in Tibet must incorporate all of these actors.

In an open letter to UN Copenhagen participants entitled "Tibet's Role in Climate Change Solutions", members of the International Parliamentary Network on Tibet deplored that, "Tibetans are being deprived of the stewardship of their land at a time of environmental crisis."

The Parliamentarians emphasized that the participation of Tibetans stakeholders, especially nomads, is a crucial component of any solution to climate change on the Tibetan plateau. Their letter stated, "The involvement and experience of Tibetans is integral to the successful implementation of climate change policies"-policies which will affect billions of people throughout Asia.

Thirty-five Parliament members, representing parliamentary groups in Italy, Canada, Iceland, Australia, India, European Parliament, France, the UK, Sweden, Belgium, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Scotland and the Tibetan Parliament in exile, signed the open letter.

This letter is a part of the "Rome Declaration on Tibet", adopted by the Fifth World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet, which took place 18-19 November in Rome.

Chinese paramilitary police patrol in a street of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, China, Monday March 9, 2009, a day before the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule. (AP Photo)

Dharamshala: TibetPost-9-April-2009-China occupied the whole of Tibet in 1949, and for 60 years Tibet has since been gripped by violence and terror that has lead His Holiness the Dalai Lama to describe life inside of his homeland as "hell on earth". Since Tibetan Uprising Day last March, the Chinese Government has imprisoned, tortured, and murdered hundreds of Tibetans, treating Tibetan people with inhumane cruelty. On a daily basis, Chinese authorities are increasing their heavy restrictions on Tibetans in all parts of Tibet.

Tibetans in Tibet do not have any chance to communicate with Tibetans in exile, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government in Exile officials. Due to this, Tibetans inside Tibet are showing solidarity in staging different forms of protest. In March 2009, the Tibetans in Karze County ceased to cultivate their land; likewise, other Tibetans in the county are being encouraged not to farm anymore as a form of protest. Tibetans in the area distributed documents from town to town, and made the decision to cease activity on their farms.

Local authorities held a mandatory meeting, forcing Tibetans in Karze to attend, and issued a warning to those distributing ad writing the pamphlets, a new form of protest. Officials also warned that whoever was writing the documents would be imprisoned and their farms seized by the government. Beginning on 19 March, authorities began to arrest many Tibetans in Karze and in surrounding counties. Some villagers were forced to escape to hill stations.

There are eight townships in the Nyinsab area in Karze County: Thingkha, Lhopa, Sungo, Trangben, Rongsha, Serchu, Kadrak, Dhadho. Each of the farmers in these townships have eight farming operations and each farming operation supports 40 families; each larger family has 130 Ha of land, while smaller families are entitled to 30 Ha. Income for the larger families is 15,000 kg of grain, and 1,500 kg for smaller families. The average income of each family is 3,500 kg of grain; the annual income is 8,960,000 kg of grain. One third of the weight of the grain is peas. In one year there are 120-130 trucks carrying peas to sell in China. One third of the grain is barley, and one third is wheat.

Normally the best grain resource of Kham, Eastern Tibet is in Karze County. Therefore, counties such as Sershul, Dege, Nyakrong, Palyul, Jodha, Goojo, Chamdho, and nomad areas depend on Karze for grain. According to the Tibetan calendar, the year begins on 16 February, and it is during that time that crops are planted.

This year in an unprecedented form of protest, Tibetans have resolved to stand up to the severe violence that has rocked Tibet since March of last year. Despite the large numbers of Chinese military forces sent to the area and to enforce sowing of fields, the people of Karze have resisted and the majority of the land remains unplanted, the traditional time for planting having passed. Even if the land were planted now, the grain would not have time to mature and the fields would not yield sustainable amounts of grain. This is only a detailed account of the situation in the Nyingsub areas in Karze, but the neighboring townships and villages such as Dharjye, Dongkhor, Bery, Zakhog, Drakgo, and Choknri are seeing similar forms of peaceful resistance to Chinese brutality.

Chinese authorities have been arresting anyone and everyone not farming in Karze County and showing no mercy - even those as young as fifteen are being arrested, detained, or tortured.
Since March of this year, Tibetans in Karze have stood up against the Chinese government and peacefully protested Chinese rule. 72 individuals including monks, nuns and lay people have been arrested, 71 still in prison and one killed. Their names, ages, and villages have been released in addition to details surrounding their arrests. They are as follows:

Name Age Township Village When Arrested Where Arrested

1. Paga 30 Rongtsa Phunsum 01-Nov-08 Karze District

2 Pema Yangsto 22 Sungo Shilu Ritrod Monastary 05-Mar-09 Karze District

3 Jampa Lhamo 36 Tranben Yipakhak 05-Mar-09 Karze District

4 Tsering Dakpa 17 Su-ngo Shilu Ritrod Monastary 05-Mar-09 Karze District

5 Rinchen Phuntsok 15 Su-ngo Shilu Ritrod Monastary 05-Mar-09 Karze District

6 Choenyi Gyatso 18 Su-ngo Nyakrong 05-Mar-09 Karze District

7 Lobsang Khadro 22 Thingkha Gewa Drak 06-Mar-09 Karze District

8 Palga A 30 Dhadho Tsoshi 07-Mar-09 Karze District

9 Palga B 34 Tsogo Chokri Aduk 09-Mar-09 Karze District

10 Choetso 16 Lhopa Khangnyi Nang 10-Mar-09 Karze District

11 Tsering Lhamo 17 Lhopa Tsawu Nang 10-Mar-09 Karze District

12 Choedon Lhamo 17 Lhopa Dhokar Teng 10-Mar-09 Karze District

13 Sonam 17 Lhopa Khangnyi Nang 11-Mar-09 Karze District

14 Sonam Gonpo 24 Nyakrong Thangkyi 11-Mar-09 Thangkyi

15 Pema Yeshe 28 Nyakrong Nyida 11-Mar-09 Thangkyi

16 Tsewang Gyatso 24 Nyakrong Thangkyi 11-Mar-09 Thangkyi

17 Ngodup Dorjee 28 Thingkha Drongsar 11-mar-09 Karze District

18 Dawa Tsering 25 Lhopa Dzongnang 14-Mar-09 Karze District

19 Dhondup 26 Lhopa Dzongnang 14-Mar-09 Karze District

20 Lobsang Ngodup 25 Lhopa Dzongnang 14-Mar-09 Karze District

21 Namsal Dorjee 28 Thingkha Zuza Dha Gechung 14-Mar-09 Karze District

22 Karma Norbu 17 Thingkha Zuza Dha Gechung 14-Mar-09 Karze District

23 Rinchen Wangsal 16 Thingkha Zuza Dha Gechung 14-Mar-09 Karze District

24 Sangye Tsering 17 Thingkha Zuza Dha Gechung 14-Mar-09 Karze District

25 Kalsang Dhondup 26 Lhopa Khazur Ladhun 15-Mar-09 Karze District

26 Palden Nyima 40 Lhopa Khangnyi Nang 15-Mar-09 Karze District

27 Namkha Gyaltsen 37 Lhopa Tsitsang Gon 15-Mar-09 Karze District

28 Lobsang (Lobyang) 25 Lhopa Golu Phug 16-Mar-09 Karze District

29 Jampa Gyaltsen 30 Lhopa Dhokar Tengdrong 16-Mar-09 Karze District

30 Dhorjee Lhamo 37 Lhopa Khangnyi Nang 16-Mar-09 Karze District

31 Phuntsok Rabgye Serchu Serchu Tengdrong 16-Mar-09 Karze District

32 Lobsang Gyurme 29 Lhopa Sertok 16-Mar-09 Karze District

33 Tsewang Choegyal Rogtsa Midha 16-Mar-09 Karze District

34 Loga Rongtsa Tsangma Dha 16-Mar-09 Karze District

35 Rinzin Woeser 23 Lhopa Dhokar Tengdrong 17-Mar-09 Karze District

36 Ngoga Su-ngo Dru-nga 17-Mar-09 Karze District

37 Jampa Su-ngo Dru-nga 17-Mar-09 Karze District

38 Lhamo Dekyi Su-ngo Gyalsey Gon 17-Mar-09 Karze District

39 Norbu Lhopa Gyalsey Gon 17-Mar-09 Karze District

40 Jamyang 24 Rongtsa Punsum 17-Mar-09 Karze District

41 Tse Tenzin Lhopa Troklo 17-Mar-09

42 Yangchen Lhopa 18-Mar-09 Karze District

43 Jampa Dhondup 27 Lhopa Tsitsang Gon 19-Mar-09 Karze District

44 Sonam Gonpo 46 Lhopa Phulyul Nang 19-Mar-09

45 Taphun 56 Serchu Thamed Daltak 19-Mar-09

46 Kunkun 60 Kar-rag Karag 20-Mar-09 Home

47 Tsering Wangrak 42 Lhopa Khangnyi Nang 21-Mar-09 Karze District

48 Dukar Dorjee 40 Lhopa Khangnyi Nang 21-Mar-09 Home

49 Pachen 30 Lhopa Khangnyi Nang 21-Mar-09 Home

50 Lo Tenpa Lhopa Dzonglo Nang 21-Mar-09

51 Pema Yangtso 26 Lhopa Gyalsey Tsungon 22-Mar-09 Karze District

52 Serser 23 Sharshog Ade Drokde 23-Mar-09 Karze District

53 Two Normad nuns 23-Mar-09 Karze District

54 Yangkyi 33 Rotsa Lamdrak Tsungon 24-Mar-09

55 Sonam Yangchen 28 Rotsa Lamdrak Tsungon 24-Mar-09

56 Yeshe Dhargye 22 Su-ngo Gyesang Dha 24-Mar-09

57 Phuntsok 27 Drakgo Drakgo Gon 25-Mar-09

58 Thupten Trinley 30 Satoe Nyakrong Wudheng Drong 28-Mar-09

59 Jampa Sonam 19 Su-ngo Khangmar Gon 28-Mar-09

60 Tenzin Phuntsok 20 Serkha Beri Bokchok 31-Mar-09

61 Kalsang Tsering 30 Serkha Beri Bokchok 31-Mar-09

62 Yeshe Gyatso Dzapa 00-Mar-09

63 Jampa Wangchuk Dzapa 00-Mar-09

64 Yeshe Wangchuk Dzapa 00-Mar-09

65 Dhungtruk Dzapa 00-Mar-09

66 Nedme Dzapa 00-Mar-09

67 Sonam Palden Dzapa 00-Mar-09

68 Lobsang Tenzin Dzapa 00-Mar-09

69 Dhondup Dzapa 00-Mar-09

70 Jamyang Choephel Dzapa 00-Mar-09

71 Tenzin Pema Dzapa 00-Mar-09

72 Jampa Lodoe Dzapa Beri Gon 00-Mar-09

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and David E. Meyer, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan at the 18th mind and life conference in Dharamshala, India on 6 April 2009. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: TibetPost-6-April-2009 – Scientists, religious scholars, and intellectuals gathered in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s private audience room this morning for the first of five days of “intimate dialogue” entitled “Mind and Life XVIII: Attention, Memory and Mind: A Synergy of Psychological, Neuroscientific, and Contemplative Perspectives”. This is the 18th in a series of conferences organized by the Mind and Life Institute, co-founded by His Holiness in 1987.

Since 1987, these international science dialogues have contributed greatly to the relationship between science as it exists in the modern world and ancient religious traditions. Eleven Mind and Life Dialogues have taken place in Dharamshala, and seven in Europe and the United States. Participants engage in in-depth, cross-cultural discourse, beginning with presentations by cognitive scientists for 60-90 minutes followed by 90 minutes of dialogue. In the afternoon, cognitive scientists and Buddhist scholars will give 30-45 minute presentations followed by two hours of dialogue.

The conferences aim to advance knowledge and to alleviate suffering by fostering communication between leaders in both scientific and religious fields. It also aims to promote the creation of a contemplative, compassionate, and rigorous experimental and experiential science of the mind which could guide and inform medicine, neuroscience, psychology, education and human development.

In his address to the press this morning, His Holiness expressed his firm belief that these ongoing discussions were changing the minds of the global community. “I think we have brought some interest to people who are normally not too concerned with the inner world”, His Holiness said. “Simply, we are living beings with minds, with consciousness, with experience, with emotion. We can’t limit these things. We want happiness – happiness inside the mind.” His statement, it seems, brings light to the fact that the fruit of these conferences should not be limited to the scholars present the meetings – they should bring awareness and understanding to anyone and everyone willing to listen.

18th Mind and Life Conference in Dharamshala on 6 April 2009. Photo: TPI

“I think that over the last 20 years, our small group I think out of our serious discussion at least I think we made some contribution … Our life, its ups and downs - I think the main factor which governs our life (to much up, too much down), is emotion. So it is logically very important to know the very things which make our lives much happier – so therefore this is not just a religious matter, but a method for a better world, a happier world.”

Subjects to be covered in the next five days include: Multi-tasking, Meditation and Contemplative Practice; The Buddhist Contribution to First-person Cognitive Science; Mental Processes Underlying Attention, Visual Perception, and Cognitive Control; Paying Attention to Awareness; Mental Processes for Attention and Cognitive Control in Children and Adolescents; The Utility of Improving Attention and Working Memory with Mindfulness-Based Training; Attention-Emotion Interface; Results of the Shamatha Project; Embodiment and Intersubjectivity; Education, Application, Buddhism, and Technology.

Participants for the 18th 'Mind and Life' conference:

* Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness, the XIV Dalai Lama
* David E. Meyer, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan
* B. Alan Wallace, Ph.D., President, Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies
* Anne Treisman, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Princeton University
* Rupert Gethin, Ph.D., Director of the Centre for Buddhist Studies, University of Bristol, UK
* Adele Diamond, Ph.D., Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, University of
British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
* Amishi Jha, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
* Clifford Saron, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist, Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis
* Elizabeth Phelps, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, New York University
* Shaun Gallagher, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science, University of Central
Florida

Interpreters:
* Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., President of the Institute of Tibetan Classics in Montreal
* B. Alan Wallace, Ph.D., President of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies

Dharamshala: TibetPost-23-Feb-09-Yeshe Lhadon, 24 years old, Tibetan nun, from Tsangshi village Karze district eastern Tibet daughter of Ngoedup Sonam and Yangtso Dolma, is feared to be dead because of the severe torture that she suffered after peaceful protested that she enacted with two of her friends on 28th May 2008 in Karze district. Two other Tibetan nuns have been sentenced to two years in prison.

At 9:00 am, on 28th of May 2008, Yeshe Lhandon, disputed several documents and Chinese armed police publically brutalized her and took her into custody. According to her friends, who were also sentenced to prison for peaceful protests, “after they took the three nuns to the prison, the Chinese authorities brutalized them and they took them to the hospital after they were badly injured. Because of the beating Yeshe Lhdon incurred she could not be saved. At the emergency room she was doused in cold water but it was impossible to revive her, her life could not be spared. When other prisoners where cleaning the vehicle they were confronted with the huge blood loss that the three nuns had suffered.”

Since May last year, Yeshe has not been seen, family and relatives have searched for her in nine districts, but there are no conformations as to her whereabouts. Her family and relatives believe her to be dead. Her friend Sangye Lhamo, 26 years old, daughter of Bumchung Tsering , and Tsewang Khado 38 years old daughter of Toptop and Kalsang Lhamo, both from Dugra village, Karze district eastern Tibet, have been sentenced to two years on prison. The date they were sentenced and the location of the prison where they are in prison is undisclosed.

Mrs B. Tsering, President of Tibetan Womens Association speaking The Tibet Post International. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: TibetPost-16-Feb-09-B. Tsering, president of Tibetan Women's Association based in Dharamshala, works for women's empowerment. Now, after fifty years in exile she indicates that there is more work to be done for women's empowerment in the Tibetan Exile community. She acknowledges that because of considerable support for women's empowerment seats are reserved for women in Tibetan parliament. Her goal for the future is that seats will not need to be reserved for women but that women will take their rightful positions as leaders of society based on their knowledge, achievements, and desires.

Mrs. B Tsering stated "according to some stories she heard from eminent monks that at one time, the nuns of Tibetan Buddhism used to debate the monks in Buddhist philosophy, and the nuns would win, but that changed, and nunneries became places where higher learning was not as encouraged as it was in monasteries."

Mrs. B. Tsering was present in Mundgod when His Holiness the Dalia Lama spoke to Tibetan Buddhist nuns there, she recalls the message His Holiness shared with the nuns, "now the nuns must work hard take your PHD exams and you must become abbots of the nunneries and until you people work hard to get there you will still be under the monks."

"Tibetan women in Tibet are discriminated against both because of their race, and because of their gender" said Mrs. B. Tsering.

She continues explaining the productivity and the role of Tibetan Women in exile, "in the Tibetan exile community women are very active in the home economy, running, and supporting family businesses, but where decisions are required the women of the community are silent, and it is men who make the decisions."

The TWA's leadership training aims at changing the way that women imagine themselves in society. The goal is to reintroduce women to their own potential, and their own desires, by using activities that challenge them to think "out of the box," and make decisions based on their thoughts and feelings, not convention. Mrs B. Tsering believes that the campaign has been met with great success, since the beginning of the classes in 2004, attendance has increased and the program now lasts 5-6 days.

Tibetan Women's Association has had to overcome accepted gender roles and encourage women to attend leadership training sessions. Mrs. B Tsering says; "In the past women, especially nuns, who are invited to the Gender Sensitizing training are hesitant to participate because, they believe that women's rights is western concept and do not apply to the Tibetan community."

To combat this idea men are also invited to the training sessions and from the discussion that occurs, it becomes apparent that women's rights are not a concept that is only to be applied in the west but it is also relevant in the Tibetan community.

Mrs. B. Tsering benchmark for determining the success or failure of the women's empowerment in the Tibetan exile community is complex and takes into account the effervescent nature of culture, and women's evolving role in society.

In this Jan. 12, 2009 file photo, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers parade during training at a military base in Xuchang city, central China's Henan province. China said Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, that its overall security situation had improved over the past year, although it remained alert to separatism in Tibet and Xinjiang and firmly opposed to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Photo: AP

Dharamshala: TibetPost-20-January-2009-The Kardze Intermediate People's Court sentenced four Tibetans, including two nuns, to varying prison terms and the status of a disappeared woman remains unknown, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

Two nuns identified as Tashi Tso, 26 years old and Dhungtso, around 20 years old of Kardze Gema Draggo Nunnery were recently sentenced by the Kardze Intermediate People's Court to 2 and a half and 2 years jail term respectively for their involvement in 18 June 2008 protest in Kardze County. The two, despite enormous restrictions imposed on the movement of the people following mass protests in Kardze areas, were able to slip the security forces by showing a medical checkup note that they procured earlier from the local authorities. Under the pretext of going for medical checkup, the two nuns ran to the County headquarters where they later staged a peaceful protest calling for freedom, human rights and swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. The County Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials at the site of the protest detained the two immediately. Tashi Tso was born to Lobsang Tsundue (father) and Yeshi Wangmo (mother) at Lamgong Village, Thingka Township, Kardze County, Kardze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" ('TAP'), Sichuan Province whereas Dhungtso was born to Druknyaltsang family in Thingka Township, Kardze County. The exact date of their sentencing and charges are not yet known.

Similarly, a 20-year-old woman, Jampa Dekyi from Jokhangnang Village, Thingka Township, Kardze County, Kardze "TAP," Sichuan province was sentenced to two years' jail term for her participation in 31 May 2008 protest in Kardze County.

According to sources, following their court sentences, the aforementioned three convicted Tibetans were transferred to a prison in Chengdu, the provincial capital, to serve their sentences.

In another case, on 17 November 2008, the Kardze Intermediate People's Court sentenced a 32-year-old Yeshi Dorjee to four years' jail term and deprivation of political rights for two years. Yeshi Dorjee, a monk of Kharnang Monastery in Kardze County was detained for his involvement in a peaceful demonstration and distribution of leaflets on 12 June 2008 in Kardze County.

Yega- Disappeared since March 2008

Apart from court sentences, the Centre had documented numerous cases of enforced disappearance of Tibetans following mass protests across the Tibetan plateau since 10 March 2008. Among the latest case to emerge according to reliable sources is, Yega, a 27-year-old, originally hailed from Rongtsa, Kardze County in Sichuan Province and a resident of Karma Kusang area of Lhasa city who had disappeared since 14 March 2008 unrest in the capital. His mother, Tsering Khando was not able to trace him since his disappearance from Lhasa and there has been no information on his present status and whereabouts.

Small and sporadic protests against Chinese rule in Kardze Tibetan areas (a part of what Tibetans know as Kham) of Sichuan Province continue to take place despite a widespread and systematic crackdown on dissent.

Government plans to foil Tibetans' mourning during the Tibetan New Year

According to reliable sources, the local Chinese authorities in the recent times were providing monetary allowance of 500 Chinese Yuan to every family in Kardze, except for those whose members were involved in recent protests, to celebrate the upcoming Tibetan New Year (Losar 25-27 February 2009) which many Tibetans both in exile and in Tibet are planning to skip to mourn the killings of Tibetans in the year 2008. At the same time, government subsidies earlier provided to farmers were also scrapped to those whose family members were involved in protests in the area. The latest ploy of authorities, by providing money and financial subsidies to celebrate Tibetan Losar, was made in contrary to the mood of the people who witnessed brutal crackdown by the Chinese security forces for making demands which many Tibetans had long aspired.

The TCHRD strongly condemns the sentencing of the four Tibetans as their freedom to opinion and expression does not violate any of the constitutional components of Chinese law. Since their activities constitute nothing more than an expression of their opinion, thought and exercise of their basic human rights peacefully, TCHRD calls upon the Chinese authorities to release them unconditionally. Similarly, TCHRD is gravely concerned for the fate of Yigha and hundreds of other Tibetans who have disappeared since the major protest that swept Tibet last year.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama addresses a meeting organized by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. Photo: AP

Dharamshala: TibetPost-19-January2009- in Indian capital, Delhi on 19 January, Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, said he had faith in China's people and held out hope for an eventual change in policy towards Tibet, even though his faith was faltering in the Chinese communist government.

"Since our contact with Chinese officials is becoming difficult, then I often, you see, mentioning our faith towards (Chinese) government now becoming thinner and thinner. However, our faith towards Chinese people never shaken," he said on Sunday, replying to questions on what he thought could resolve the issue of Tibet 50 years after he fled. Reuters reported.

"Now it is no longer a true socialist country, but rather a communist, dictatorial, capitalist country," he said, adding criticism of its leaders was more prevalent now.

"Nowadays, in restaurants and shops, tea shops, criticism of leaders is quite common. So things are changing .... governments change, leadership changes, and eventually, the policy will also change," he said at a Delhi college on a visit to the Indian capital.

The Tibetan government-in-exile says it has not received an official Chinese response to its request for Tibet autonomy under Chinese constitution. Prof: Samdhong Rinpoche, the prime minister of the government-in-exile, called the Chinese response "very funny" because they are explaining their views on the open memo abroad, but not at home.

The communist regime of China strengthens to criticize His Holiness the Dalai Lama from recently, accusing him of "sabotage" to slow the development of Tibet.

Starting the peaceful demonstrations by monks in Lhasa last March escalated into deadly crackdown and triggered protests against Chinese rule in all part of Tibet, particularly in the run-up to the summer Olympics in Beijing last August.

After the March protests, the Chinese crackdown left 219 Tibetans dead, 1,294 injured, 5,600 are still under arrest or detention and more than 1,000 missing.

Recently, China has strengthened its "patriotic re-education" workshops prescribed to Tibetan monks after the uprisings on 10 March where 42-64 monks were imprisoned for participating. Monks are forced to pledge allegiance to the CPC and denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama as their spiritual leader.

More latest news and issues about Tibet and Tibetans, please visiit: www.tibetpost.net

25-year old Miss Sonam Choedon from Lithang, in eastern Tibet, celebrates after being crowned Miss Tibet in Dharamsala, India October 12, 2008. Photo: Tibet Post International

(The Tibet Post International 12 October 2008)-25-year-old Sonam Choedon from Lithanng county, eastern Tibet crowned Miss Tibet 2008 Dharamsala, India October 12: Colorful firecrackers were repeatedly blossomed into the dark air making spectacular patterns and hundreds of crowd made a roaring clapping as the competition night of the Miss Tibet pageant 2008 started.

Director of the Tibetan beauty pageant Mr Lobsang Wangyal thanked the crowd for their overwhelming support. “As you know, as I do as usual, I am happy to talk some points, first: About this pageant, 2nd is politics, as I am supporting middle-way approach of the Dalai Lama and the 3rd is about how to speak our Tibetan language” he said.

After going through four rounds of competition in the evening of Sunday, 25-year-old Sonam Choedon from Tibet, currently living in Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, was crowned Miss Tibet 2008 here this evening.

Sonam Choedon was born in Lithang in Kham, eastern Tibet in 1983. She is a student, has studied up to class 8 in Tibet. She can speak fluent Chinese, as well as Tibetan.

She came into exile in India in December 2007 in search of better opportunities to study. Her hobbies include dancing, reading and studying languages.

In the future she would like to become a dance teacher and also work on languages. She would also like to use her life and strength to help others in need as people have done for her when she first arrived in India.

Sonam Choedon responded the every question at the crowding world media after she was announced winner of Miss Tibet 2008.

“As became a Miss Tibet, I would be speaking on behalf of the Tibetan people, particularly Tibetan women, telling their story and making people more aware of the Tibetan situation. I believe that awareness is the key issue, and hope that by sharing my story it will empower others to do the same.” She said

“I believe that our goal will be achieve soon, without any doubt if we, all Tibetans follow the middle-way that approached by our leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama" she added

Miss Tibet 2007 Tenzin Dolma crowned Sonam Choedon and was presented a scholarship cheque of Rs. 100,000 by Mr Lobsang Wangyal.

“Miss Tibet beauty pageant 2009 will be held June-July 2009’ Mr. Lobsang said

Xinhua: 2007-11-20

LHASA, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, is to see its city area expand by more than 60 percent with the establishment of an urban district for the city's growing population.

The 42-square-kilometer Liuwu New District on the southeastern bank of the Lhasa River will take Lhasa's city proper to about 100 square kilometers from the current 60 square kilometers when the district takes shape in 2009.

Armed troops gather at Drepung on October 17, the day the Dalai Lama received the Congressional Gold Medal. Picture obtained by the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy, India, www.tchrd.org

Armed troops gather at Drepung on October 17, the day the Dalai Lama received the Congressional Gold Medal. Picture obtained by the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy, India, www.tchrd.org

"Lhasa will look much bigger on the map," said mayor Doje Cezhug.

When the Tibet Autonomous Region was founded in 1965, Lhasa's city area was just five square kilometers.

Today, nearly four-fifths of Lhasa's 600,000 residents live downtown, though greater Lhasa has seven counties and one district covering about 30,000 square kilometers. At least 80 percent of Lhasa's population are Tibetans.

The new district will accommodate 110,000 residents and has welcomed 17 businesses with a total investment of 800 million yuan (US$102.5 million), said Doje Cezhug.

Houses in the new district will be two-story, quake-resistant structures in traditional Tibetan style, said Jiang Feng, an urban planning official from Beijing working in Tibet.

He said the Liuwu New District would become a major hub for finance, real estate and tourism.

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