We are anxiously awaiting coverage by the dozen journalists who were ‘invited’ to Lhasa by Chinese officials on a three day, tightly controlled, guided tour. Just released today are several videos featuring journalists at the Jokhang Temple and what they found. It seems that all attempts by the Chinese government to present a tame situation inside Tibet have failed.
These two videos feature desperately pleading monks at the temple who spoke out (some while crying) first in Tibetan, then switched over to Mandarin, so that they could be understood by the journalists*. They made statements proclaiming that Tibet is indeed not free, and stated their support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They also added that the scheduled prayers that day had been staged by the Chinese officials to coincide with the tour.
One British journalist who was trying to cover the appeals by the monks was interrupted when security forces literally dragged him away.
We really hope that these reports will resound across the world and help repair the brutal situation inside Tibet. As far as those brave monks who spoke out to the press in front of the Chinese officials, we fear for their safety. As we have all witnessed in the news, even the slightest bit of dissidence never goes unpunished by the Chinese Communist Party.
*So were those invited to Lhasa an ‘mixed bag’ of different journalists, or were the majority Mandarin-speaking Chinese reporters? How’s that for unbiased reporting?
In April of 2007, we interviewed the Venerable Bagdro, a Tibetan monk living in exile in northern India. When he was a young man he was imprisoned for protesting in Lhasa. In prison he was mercilessly beaten and tortured. When he was finally released he escaped over the Himalayas into India. In exile he has traveled the world telling his story. He wrote about the ordeal in his book called “A Hell On Earth“.
At the end of the heartbreaking interview, we asked if he would like to give a message to the world that we could post on the internet. We’ve been waiting for the right time to release this, and with the current situation in Tibet capturing international attention, we decided that the time was right.
If you would like read more about Bagdro’s life in prison, his escape to India over the Himalayas and fight for his country, you can purchase a copy of “A Hell on Earth” by writing to or e-mailing Bagdro at:
Ven Bagdro
C/O Tashi Choeling Monastery
McLeod Ganj
Dharamsala
176219
Himachal Pradesh
India bagdro_earth@hotmail.com
A lot has elapsed for us in the past month, but more importantly, we need to address what’s been pervading the media as of late–TIBET.
Please see the small gallery of photos I shot while Aaron and I were filming and photographing the New York City proceedings of the 49th Anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day last Monday. If you want to read the captions, click on the blurb icon in the lower left. If you want to see larger images, just click on the slideshow and you’ll be directed to the gallery. (If, some reason, the embedded slideshow isn’t showing, then click on “gallery of photos” above.)
On this fateful day of March 10, 1959, Tibetans took to the streets of Lhasa [Read more →]
Tonight, Lama Pema, Aaron and I will be attending Tibet House’s 18th annual benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in celebration of Tibetan New Year. It will be a special night filled with performances by many a talented musician! Phillip Glass, Nawang Khechog, and Sufjan Stevens are just some of the artists who will appear for this amazing cause. The acoustics will be great, especially for amplifying the throaty chants and deeply resonating long horns of the Drepung Gomang monks.
When I first arrived in New York (wow! I can’t believe it’s been almost 7 years), I attended this amazing benefit on a whim. And even from the nosebleed section, I was moved by the sounds of David Bowie, Patti Smith, Bebel Gilberto, and most of all, the Tibetan Buddhist monks. Their throat-singing was unlike anything I had ever heard. It was simply enchanting. At that point, I never would have known that in years to come, I would visit Asia and consequently become deeply impassioned and involved with the Tibetan community.
Today marks the first day of Tibetan New Year (Losar). We had the good fortune to spend it with Lama Pema and other Dharma students at the Palden Sakya New York Center. In Lama-la’s beautiful shrine room adorned with fabulous thangka paintings and an elaborate altar in honor of Buddha Shakyamuni (ya know, Siddhartha?), we recited prayers for Long Life for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Sakya Trizin, and murmured Buddhist mantras in Tibetan to end suffering of all sentient beings. I had my first true taste of meditation during a few episodes of chanting Sanskrit mantras repeatedly. [Read more →]
Just yesterday, I received a “Call for Knitters” email in my inbox. I had been waiting for a cool opportunity like this. Another way to use creativity for a good cause… Since I am new to knitting, this will be my first charitable knit/purl experience. Maybe you’re interested? Do you love to knit and wanna give your creations to Tibetan Buddhist nuns in need? [Read more →]
In early February, the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute will be opening its doors to about 2o new little monks-to-be from the far reaches of Mustang. During our time in this magnificent and majestic part of Nepal, we were able to meet a few of these boys. Some we actually filmed during their interview and selection process. We were instantly drawn to one Tsawang Gyurmay, a charming and intelligent 8 year old boy from Kagbeni.
So, we were very pleased when Lama Pema showed us some pictures of the boys who had been accepted and lo and behold, there was little Tsawang!! With much consideration, Aaron and I have decided to sponsor him. We’re thrilled to be supporting him and can’t wait to watch him grow! That means we have another excuse to go to Pokhara again!!
And so you can feast on his cuteness, we’ve included a short video of Tsawang reciting the Tibetan and English alphabet. Don’t you just love him? Especially his big brown eyes!
I’m in full photo filing mode. Phew! Tagging, sorting, classifying, rating sure becomes exhausting. I’m thankful to be nearing the end of this seemingly interminable task! Currently viewing a collection of photos from Shigatse, Tibet and found two goodies.
During our seven month journey were blessed to meet many amazing people. Here’s a photo of three of the best friends we made - Tenzin Sonam, Tenzin Sherpa and PT. All three helped us immeasurably during our travel and work.
