LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS – LIFE IN EXILE – THANK YOU AMERICA

 

 

LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS – LIFE IN EXILE – THANK YOU AMERICA

LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS – LIFE IN EXILE – THANK YOU AMERICA

 

 

Living Tibetan Spirits thank America for life in exile. My life's final destination is not known. For now, I admit that I am not a Refugee and I am not an Asylee. While I live without knowing or reaching my destination, I say, "Thank You America."

 

Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

 

DALAI LAMA TO KICK OFF YEAR-LONG 'THANK YOU INDIA' EVENTS ON SATURDAY

 

Clipped from: https://in.news.yahoo.com/dalai-lama-kick-off-long-061955936.html

The Central Tibetan Administration will organize a public event at the Tsuglagkhang temple on Saturday and the event will be attended by Indian dignitaries too.

New Delhi: Marking the 60th year of exile in India, Tibetan Buddhist leader Dalai Lama is set to kick off yearlong pan India 'Thank You India' events on March 31.

The Central Tibetan Administration will organize a public event at the Tsuglagkhang temple on Saturday and the event will be attended by Indian dignitaries too.

In a statement, President Dr Lobsang Sangay said that Tibet is inextricably linked to India through geography, history, culture, and spiritually and that "the Tibetan struggle is 'Made in India' and said that 'the success of the Tibetan struggle will be India's success story."

The announcement of the spiritual leader's attendance comes a month after, according to a report in the Indian Express earlier this month, foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had sent a note on February 22 to Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha, following which the "senior leaders" and "government functionaries" of the Centre and states were directed to skip events of exiled Tibetan leaders.

The Centre later clarified that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was free to "carry out his religious activities in India", reacting to reports that the government has asked senior functionaries to "skip" all events by the "Tibetan leadership in India".

In an interview to CNN-News18 earlier this month, Dalai Lama had said that he doesn't care about alleged pressure from China forcing the cancellation of events in Delhi to mark 60 years of the Tibetan government's exile in India. He also said the position of the Dalai Lama has become irrelevant now and that the Tibetan people must decide on whether to continue it. The Tibetan government-in-exile shifted the high-profile event commemorating Dalai Lama's 60 years of exile as an effort to bringing peace to relations between India and China.

Many Tibetan activists are said to have communicated to relevant authorities as the development 'humiliated' Dalai Lama.

China has for long considered the spiritual leader as a dangerous separatist and says Tibet is an integral part of its territory and has been for centuries. Beijing also says its rule ended serfdom and brought prosperity to what was a backward region, and that it fully respects the rights of the Tibetan people.

"Today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the best ambassador for Indian values of non-violence, ahimsa and inter-religious harmony and the promotion of basic human values: compassion and kindness," said Dr Sangay.

 

 

 

 

 

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LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS THANK US CONGRESS FOR GIVING SUPPORT

 

 

LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS THANK US CONGRESS FOR GIVING SUPPORT

LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS THANK US CONGRESS FOR GIVING SUPPORT

 

 

Living Tibetan Spirits thank US Congress for giving $17 million in aid to Tibetan Government-in-Exile and worldwide Tibetan community.

 

Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

 

US CONGRESS AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR TIBET WITH $17 MILLION IN AID TO EXILED GOVERNMENT AND TIBETANS WORLDWIDE – THE EPOCH TIMES

 

Clipped from: https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-congress-affirms-support-for-tibet-with-17-million-in-aid-to-exiled-government-and-tibetans-worldwide_2475193.html

 

 

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C), flanked by President of the Central Tibetan Administration Lobsang Sangay (R) and Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Penpa Tsering (L), greets the audience during the 52nd anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day at the Tsuglakhang Temple in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala on Sept. 2, 2012. (STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

Amidst an escalating diplomatic and economic standoff between the United States and the Chinese communist regime, the U.S. Congress has approved a massive spending bill that includes $17 million that will be used to support Tibetans in and out of Tibet. This includes the Tibetan government-in-exile, which is vehemently opposed by the Chinese regime that currently rules over Tibet.

The funds were earmarked through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, and include $8 million for Tibetans inside Tibet and $6 Million for Tibetan community in India and Nepal. On top of that, Congress created an additional new line of funding of $3 million to strengthen the capacity of the Tibetan government in exile and Tibetan institutions.

“We remain thankful to the U.S. government and Congress for their generous financial assistance towards the Tibetan community,” said Dr. Lobsang Sangay, president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, officially known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

The CTA is headquartered in Dharamshala, India, and effectively represents the Tibetan exile community in India, which numbers around 100,000. It also claims to represent the people of the entire Tibet region, which has been occupied by the Chinese regime ever since its military invasion of Tibet in 1950.

The increase of funds granted by Congress alleviates concerns that U.S. support for Tibet might be dwindling, as the Trump administration’s slashing of State Department budgets in 2017 had at the time raised fears that funding for Tibetans might be cut or terminated completely.

The funding is consistent with the decades-old U.S. policy of providing support for the Tibetans and the Tibetan exile government, despite the Chinese regime’s consistent opposition to such aid, which it sees as meddling in China’s domestic affairs.

 

 

 

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IT'S SNOWING IN LHASA – MY HEART ACHES

IT'S SNOWING IN LHASA – MY HEART ACHES

 

Lhasa received snowfall from Saturday to Sunday. My heart aches by looking at snow scenery of Lhasa. My heart ache is not because  of Snowfall. I get pain when I think of China in Tibet.

 

Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

  

SNOW SCENERY OF LHASA, TIBET – GLOBAL TIMES

 

Clipped from: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1093886.shtml

 

Photo taken on March 18, 2018 shows the snow-covered Lhasa City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhasa saw a snowfall from Saturday to Sunday.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

 

Photo taken on March 18, 2018 shows the Potala Palace after a snowfall in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhasa saw a snowfall from Saturday to Sunday.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

 

Photo taken on March 18, 2018 shows the Potala Palace after a snowfall in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhasa saw a snowfall from Saturday to Sunday.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

 

Photo taken on March 18, 2018 shows the Potala Palace after a snowfall in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhasa saw a snowfall from Saturday to Sunday.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

 

 

 

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TIBET AND CHINA UNION POSSIBLE IF COMMUNIST GOVERNANCE OF CHINA ENDS

TIBET AND CHINA UNION POSSIBLE IF COMMUNIST GOVERNANCE OF CHINA ENDS

 

In my analysis, Tibet can exist with China like 'European Union' if Communist Party governance of People's Republic of China comes to an end. As such, European Union is not governed by principles of political doctrine called Communism.

 

Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

 

TIBET CAN EXIST WITH CHINA LIKE 'EUROPEAN UNION': DALAI LAMA

 

 

Clipped from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-tibet/tibet-can-exist-with-china-like-european-union-dalai-lama-idUSKCN1GS0C7

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - Tibet can exist within China in the same spirit as the European Union sticks together, the territory’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, considered a dangerous separatist by Beijing, said.

 

The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule and set up a government in exile in the foothills of Dharamshala. Chinese troops had seized control of Tibet nine years earlier.

He says he only seeks autonomy for his homeland, not outright independence. He has also expressed a desire to return to Tibet.

“I always, you see, admire the spirit of (the) European Union,” the Dalai Lama said in a video message to the International Campaign for Tibet on the Washington D.C.-based group’s 30th anniversary on Thursday.

“Common interest (is) more important rather than one’s own national interest. With that kind of concept, I am very much willing to remain within the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese word, “gongheguo” (republic), shows some kind of union is there.”

China says Tibet in an integral part of its territory and has been for centuries. Beijing also says its rule ended serfdom and brought prosperity to what was a backward region, and that it fully respects the rights of the Tibetan people.

Beijing insists that the Dalai Lama is a “splittist” in a monk’s robes and has warned foreign leaders against meeting him, even in a personal capacity.

Donald Trump has not met with the Dalai Lama since become president in January last year. All recent U.S. presidents before Trump had held meetings with the Dalai Lama.

While the Dalai Lama reiterated his desire for reconciliation as Xi Jinping begins his second five-year term as China’s president, he also said the Tibetan issue was not about to go away.

“Among the Chinese hard-liners, in their mind, it seems some kind of dilemma is there about their present policy - whether, you see, it can solve Tibetan problem or not,” he said.

Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Nick Macfie

 

 

 

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WISDOM OF BUDDHA – DALAI LAMA SUPREME RULER OF TIBET LIVING IN EXILE

WISDOM OF BUDDHA – DALAI LAMA SUPREME RULER OF TIBET LIVING IN EXILE

 

In my analysis, the 14^th Dalai Lama remains the Supreme Ruler of Tibet while he lives in exile. He is neither a refugee nor an asylee. To describe him as religious leader of Buddhism or as spiritual leader is incorrect. The reality of Dalai Lama must be accounted in terms of real or true Tibetan Experience of Life, Death, and Rebirth.

 

Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

 

 

THE ANCIENT WISDOM THE DALAI LAMA HOPES WILL ENRICH THE WORLD – BBC NEWS

 

 

Clipped from: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43208568

Justin Rowlatt South Asia correspondent @BBCJustinR on Twitter

Image caption BBC correspondent Justin Rowlatt (L) meets the Dalai Lama

It isn't often you meet the leader of a world religion - rarer still that he tweaks your cheek. But that's what happened when I met the 14th Dalai Lama last month.

You know when he has entered a room. First there is a hush and, almost immediately after that, a ripple of infectious laughter. Next, there he is, his face creased into a mischievous smile, his eyes twinkling behind his tinted spectacles.

I met his holiness in Bodh Gaya, the northern Indian town where Buddha himself is said to have attained enlightenment. It is an auspicious place to meet the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and it was also an auspicious day.

The Dalai Lama had just published the first volume of what he hopes will be a key pillar of his legacy- a four volume series bringing together ancient Buddhist scientific and philosophical explorations of the nature of reality.

He chuckled when I greeted him, clearly delighted to talk about the book. It draws on the wisdom of thousands of sutras and treatises written in Sanskrit by scholars in the historic university of Nalanda, he told me.

Nalanda is a legendary place, founded more than a millennium and a half ago on a site about 100km (60 miles) from Bodh Gaya in India's eastern state of Bihar.

Contemporary accounts describe an astonishing complex of temples, reading rooms, gardens and lodging houses; a veritable city with pointed turrets, sparkling roof tiles, glimmering lotus ponds and peaceful flowering groves.

It was one of the world's first universities and - at its peak - one of the greatest centers of learning on the planet, with some 10,000 students. Such was its scale that when it was razed to the ground by Muslim invaders in the 12th Century, the libraries were said to have burned for three whole months.

The only reason these ancient Buddhist texts survived the destruction, the Dalai Lama explained, is because, centuries earlier, Tibetan monks had trekked down to the hot Indian plains from their icy redoubts in the Himalayas to translate them.

They returned to their monasteries in the mountains with these Tibetan versions.

Now the Dalai Lama wants to make them available to the whole world. "The wisdom came from India", he said, giggling - everything he said seemed to be accompanied by a chuckle - "but now we know it better than the original Indian masters".

The Dalai Lama is in his early 80s now, but he's still sprightly. Apparently, his doctor has told him he needs to reduce how much he travels, but looking at his schedule this only seems to mean that he now travels once a fortnight rather than every week.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Dalai Lama(L) and Indian's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in Delhi

But as he grows older, his followers have been forced to consider what will happen when he eventually passes away.

His death - and eventual rebirth - will be a major geopolitical issue. The Chinese have regarded him as an enemy - " a wolf in monk's clothes", they once called him - ever since he rejected Beijing's rule and fled Tibet in 1959 for sanctuary in India.

In exile, he's become an extraordinarily effective ambassador - not only of the Tibetan cause, but for Buddhism in general.

With his cheerful smile and burgundy robes, he has come to embody the Western ideal of Buddhism: a wise monk on a peaceful journey in search of self-enlightenment.

Buddhism needs a popular champion now more than ever.

Buddhist Myanmar's brutal attack on its Rohingya Muslim minority is just the most dramatic example of how, in South East Asia and elsewhere, the tradition has become increasingly entwined with a strain of toxic and often violent nationalism.

Image copyright Getty Images Image Caption Ruins of the historic Nalanda University

As the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama couldn't intervene directly, but last year, as Buddhist mobs torched Rohingya villages, he urged Myanmar to "remember Buddha".

The books he is writing aim to bring the wisdom of Buddha to a wider audience. He hopes they will encourage people to study what he calls "the system of emotion" as an academic discipline. "Education everywhere is considered important," he explains.

"But if you look, the content of so-called modern education - very much orientated about material value. Not talking about inner value. So now, today, the best educated people, emotionally - lot of problem!" he says, and once again bursts into delighted laughter.

"I love to tease other people and so now I want to tease you", he tells me, rubbing my shoulder.

I brace myself.

"You see this country traditionally rich in the knowledge of emotion." He pauses, and gently tweaks my cheek with a finger: "You Britishers introduced modern education!"

There is another explosion of laughter and then his holiness moves slowly down the room, chuckling as he greets the hundreds of other people waiting to see him.

 

 

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LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS - NEITHER REFUGEE NOR ASYLEE

LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS - NEITHER REFUGEE NOR ASYLEE

 

On March 13, 1959, Dalai Lama, Supreme Ruler of Tibet began a difficult journey of his life. Today, he may describe himself as 'Son of India' but he is neither refugee nor asylee. However, using the quote from William Shakespeare's 'OTHELLO', it can be said, "Tis Neither Here Nor There."

In my analysis, "Thank You India" Dalai Lama event moved out of Indian Capital of New Delhi entirely because of US President Donald Trump's reluctance to meet with Dalai Lama, Supreme Ruler of Tibet while living in exile.

 

Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

 

DALAI LAMA EVENT MOVED OUT OF INDIAN CAPITAL - VOICE OF AMERICA NEWS

 

Clipped from: https://www.voanews.com/a/dalai-lama-event-moved-out-of-indian-capital/4282352.html

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama wears the ceremonial hat of the Gelug school of the Tibetan Buddhism as he prays during his religious talk at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, March 2, 2018.

NEW DELHI — 

A high-profile function to be attended by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to mark the start of his 60th year in exile in India has been moved from New Delhi to Dharamsala days after India told top officials to stay away from such events, calling it a “very sensitive time” for relations with China.

Sonam Dagpo, spokesman for the Tibetan exile government told VOA, “we came to know about the Indian government’s circular and we decided we respect the position and we shifted it to Dharamsala.”

A directive by India’s top bureaucrat saying it is “not desirable” for Indian officials to participate in these events was first reported in the Indian Express newspaper.

The Dalai Lama’s “Thank You India” public function on April 1 was the high point of a series of yearlong events planned by the Tibetan exile government based in Dharamsala. A tree planting ceremony by the Dalai Lama scheduled for the previous day in New Delhi has been scrapped.

The move to steer away from the Tibetan leader's events is seen as an effort by New Delhi to not rile China at a time when ties between the two countries are strained.

Analysts see this as a reversal of a tougher posture taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the last two years.

FILE - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama delivers teachings at the Thupsung Dhargyeling Monastery in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, India, April 6, 2017.

Last April it allowed the Dalai Lama to visit the sensitive border region of Arunachal Pradesh, partly claimed by China, overriding Beijing’s strong warnings that it would damage ties. Prior to that, the Tibetan leader was hosted, along with other Nobel Laureates, by the Indian president for a meeting about children’s rights, also infuriating China.

Beijing regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist and says he is trying to break Tibet away from Chinese control.

“There is definitely an attempt to extend the olive branch and reset the ties,” said Alka Acharya, a professor of Chinese Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. “They are reverting back to a much more formally and officially correct position which is that the government will distance itself from activities of the Dalai Lama which may have a political implication.”

FILE - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, left, greets devotees as he arrives to give a talk at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, Sept. 7, 2015.

Although the Dalai Lama lives in India along with tens of thousands of Tibetan refugees, New Delhi has usually been careful to avoid showing him official support.

After news of the note emerged, the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Dalai Lama is “deeply respected by the people of India” and there is no change in that position. His holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India.”

The note advising Indian officials not to attend the Dalai Lama events was apparently written on the advice of India’s Foreign Secretary, Vijay Gokhale, who visited Beijing last month in what observers said was a visit to stabilize the rocky ties, which hit a low point last July when they were involved in a tense military standoff in the Himalayan mountains.

Dagpo from the Tibetan government in exile meanwhile said they were in favor of better relations between the two Asian neighbors. “If relations between India and China improves that will also help in resolving the Tibet issue,” he said.

 

 

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LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS: TIS NEITHER HERE NOR THERE

LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS: TIS NEITHER HERE NOR THERE

 

I survive in world as host of Living Tibetan Spirits. I cannot claim that I am 'Son of India' for I stayed away from India since 1984. I cannot claim that I am Tibetan for I host Living Tibetan Spirits. I cannot claim that I am American for my association with America has a purpose of its own. My Spirit still aspires for Freedom, Democracy, Peace, and Justice in Occupied Tibet. I claim that I live in Exile for I am Neither Here nor There.

 

 

 

Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

 

MY POSITION IRRELEVANT NOW, TIBETANS MUST DECIDE ON IT, SAYS 'SON OF INDIA' DALAI LAMA

 

Clipped from: https://in.news.yahoo.com/don-apos-t-care-formalities-032117643.html

Speaking to senior journalist Vir Sanghvi on CNN-News18’s show Virtuosity, the Dalai Lama said it was more about how you feel for Tibetans and how Tibetans feel for India.

Dharamsala: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says he doesn't care about alleged pressure from China forcing the cancellation of events in Delhi to mark 60 years of the Tibetan government’s exile in India. He also said the position of the Dalai Lama has become irrelevant now and that the Tibetan people must decide on whether to continue it.

Speaking to senior journalist Vir Sanghvi on CNN-News18’s show Virtuosity, the Dalai Lama said, "As early as 1969, in an official statement, I had mentioned whether the very institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not is up to the Tibetan people. I very much admire democracy and feel the Tibetan system is feudal, is wrong.”

"As soon as I reached India, I took the responsibility to set up a Reform Committee to change some of our systems and practices which failed to succeed as the Chinese government wanted reforms in their own way. Even spirituality should have democratic representatives…. People should focus on studying in order to preserve the Tibetan spirituality and not on the institution of the Dalai Lama. I feel the Dalai Lama is not relevant anymore."

The spiritual leader also identified himself as the "son of India".

"I certainly feel at home in India for two reasons. Firstly, since the 8th century, Tibet has followed Nalanda traditions. So,from a very young age, I started studying certain texts from Nalanda University… Secondly, for 70 years, my body has survived on Indian dal, rice and chapatti. Sometimes, I describe myself as a son of India,” the spiritual leader said.

He also spoke about how he was originally influenced by Chinese Marxism and felt he was a Marxist "as far as social economy is concerned".

The Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet to India in March 1959. The Tibetan government-in-exile is about to complete 60 years in the country. Amid the recent tensions with China, the Centre was reported to have cautioned its senior officials to stay away from events aimed at marking the start of the Dalai Lama's 60th year of exile.

"I don't care about the formalities, have a formal function and deliver a speech. It doesn't matter, what is important is here (in heart). Tibetan people, whether they are at home or away, they have the Tibetan spirit that is wonderful. And I think, a majority — about 99 per cent of them — are Buddhists and about 1% comprise Muslims, Christians etc."

Pressed further on how it didn't matter to him, the Dalai Lama replied that the Tibetan knowledge of Buddha dharma teaches "a good self-confidence".

"You see the totalitarian Marxism... very narrow-minded and short-sighted. I must make it clear that as far as Marxism is concerned, as far as the social economy is concerned, I am Marxist. Marxist economy emphasizes on equal distribution. That's very good. The emphasis and special right is given to the working-class people, it's so wonderful."

He said he was originally impressed by Chinese communism that nourished during the time of Mao Zedong. He also spoke about his demands for autonomy and recalled how in 1974 the Tibetans gradually decided to talk with the Chinese government and gave up their demand for separation or independence "but at the same time not satisfied with the present condition".

"Every Chinese knows that we are not seeking separation... we are simply seeking the right which is mentioned in Chinese constitution... regarding preservation of our culture, including Tibetan language."

He said the Tibetans established some contacts with successive Chinese governments without any major headway. "In 2001 or 2002, there was a revival or direct contact under the leadership of (then President) Ziang Zemin. There was a meeting with Chinese officials in 2010 that was the last time. Since then, there has been no direct contact."

Asked about what severed the communication, he said he didn't know but "I think some of them are hard-liners".

 

 

 

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