om bhu bu bhu wha shwa ha that savitur variem bargho dhimhi dhiano pratcho dhiahat

If you think Tibet has been a part of China since the 8th century you probably learned your history from China or not at all. Tibet was in effect never under the direct control of China, except for certain brief points starting in the 18th century and ending in the 20th century.
Your point about California is stupid and does not match the history or politics of Tibet in any significant way. The Chinese Yuan dynasty was Mongolian. Does that mean that China is really part of Mongolia? A large chunk of China was conquered by Tibet at one point. Perhaps Tibet should be running China. And I’m sorry, but how do you measure support for liberation movements in an occupied country where speech is actively repressed? Just because you are too lazy to be uncomfortable with the world you live in does not mean other people don’t care. Saying that they don’t is just trying to make it so. And would the author of the article please note that selecting lamas with the golden urn is not originally a Tibetan tradition; it was imposed by the Chinese during a period of a dozen years or so of direct intervention in the late 18th century. It has only been used in a small minority of cases, typically under duress.

Big hitter the Llama

Thank you for your article entitled “The End of Tibet.” I was quite sad, however, to discover that you made no mention of the kidnapping of the Panchen Lama and his family by the Chinese government. The sole purpose of that kidnapping was to destroy the Tibet culture, its religion, its autonomy, its history, its religious structure, the Panchen Lama’s important role as it relates to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the heart and soul of a devout people who have practised non-violence for centuries. Currently, there is an Amber Alert and reward for information leading to the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama and his family. To date, China has refused and continues to refuse to release any information on their whereabouts or their mental and physical health. It is well known that China “re-educates” Tibetans and forces them into a certain mindset. Torture plays an integral part of their method for that re-education. Refusing to inform those who are seeking information (Amnesty International, the Red Cross, and such organizations) only further fosters our alarm for their well being and leads us to wonder whether the Panchen Lama or his family are still, in fact, alive! This is a legitimate question in light of the fact that China has appointed its own Panchen Lama, who is not recognized by the Tibetan people nor is he recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama nor the Tibetan Government-In-Exile. I think you can now see why the omission of these facts (the kidnapping, the Amber Alert, and the reward) is so important. Perhaps you might consider writing another piece about this kidnapping, including information on the Amber Alert and the reward. If you do this, you will have done even more to support Tibetans both inside and outside of that country and for that, they and those of us who support Tibet thank cannot thank you enough.

China was allowed to attack Tibet and take it over as reward for helping the allies in WWII.
Tibet had always enjoyed it’s independance from all the countries in the area and were looked to as the source of spiritual strength and knowledge in the region.
They were admired and revered by their neighbors for their achievements.
When the chinese invaded, there were 2 german foreigners there. The Chinese used it as an excuse to ‘liberate’ Tibet. Tibet didn’t even have an army, saw no need for pacifists to have an army, yet the chinese came in with guns blazing and bombs falling. Merely an excuse to kill and subjugate the population into forced labor. All this with assistance from the US and with tacit acceptance by turning a blind eye. Much of the history about Tibet we see now comes from China’s propaganda machine, with some true stories coming out via refugees.

Looks like Anon gets his information on Tibet from the CIA. The CIA, in order to justify allowing the chinese ownership of Tibet had to spread dissinformation in order to vilify the pacifist Tibetans. To suggest that the Lamas owned slaves is as absurd as suggesting that Bush has anyone’s interests other than himself and his cronies in mind when acting in any official capacity.

Please keep in mind Anon, that no one is saying Tibet should become what it once was. While it was a society that had Buddhism at its center there were indeed a lot of problems. The Dalai lama wanted to implement many reforms when he was to take charge of Tibet. Sadly the Chinese government uses that to justify the so called peaceful liberation. They claim that they civilized barbaric people. But imagine how amazing Tbet would be today if they were able to modernize on their own. It just may have become the paradise it is supposed to be. When I was in Tibet I went on an excursion out of Lhasa and we had to leave really early about 5 am. As we left town you could see police raiding Tibetan local’s homes. When we asked our Chinese guide what was happening, he said “I don’t know and I don’t want to know.” Sadly that’s the attitude some people have there, they pretend its not happening. Just like the west pretends its not as bad as it is. If you doubt, you should go see for yourself. Reading a rolling stone article, while accurate, will never show how bad it really is. On the inside of all the monestaries are surveillance camers and grafitti from the cultural revolution that says “Love your country”.

as a young tibetan female having been born in america, i feel as though it is my duty to educate others about the conflicts going on in tibet, along with its beautiful culture and people. my parents had to flee from india, living in caves and forests, while they were only 7-8 years old. being seperated from their relatives, they grew up as orphans and had to go through many life-long struggles. along with all of the other tibetan refugees and tibetans living in current-day tibet, they are my true inspiration. anyway, thank you for posting this article. whenever i see/hear/read about non-tibetan supporters, it gives me hope for the future. bhoe gyalo!

Cake, I wish Californicate would declare their independence. It would be nice to see The Estados Unidos de Mejicanos ravage you and your family until you begged the U.S. military to come save your worthless asses. Oh wait a minute, that’s been going on for years! Never mind.

Too bad Jerry Garcia’s not around. I bet the Dead would do some awesome fundraising for Tibet. Hell if Bangladesh’s worthy Tibet ought to be on the top of every Rockstar’s list.

care to teach a latino with an interest in anthropology a little bit about your culture tibetan female? BTW, despite what some of the insensitive oafs are posting on this site, there are many of us who are concerned with what is happening to the keepers of the secrets of the soul.

If California withdrew from the Union, I would laugh. Laugh in hopes that the 10.5 would come and make CA one of the shortest-lived nations to have ever existed.

I like my Union just the way it is, thank you. 50 is a perfect number, let’s stick with it.

Violence is never the way. The Tibetan People know this better than anyone. Have you forgotten how to use your links to spirit to bring the matter into an unavoidable light?

Tibet’s history is what it is because of their pacifist nature and the knowledge your people have compiled over the centuries. Losing that culture to war with an extremely overwhelming force with no compassion or mercy in it’s policy. Violence against them will merely make the situation worse for the Tibetan people and would only make a good excuse for the Chinese to carry out some further expansion on it’s neighbors.
What the Tibetans should do is to awaken awareness in the world to what it means to loose that culture. That type of knowlege should be preserved and promoted.

I know “Violence is never the way” but when my own people are brain washed by the Chinese and a parent can’t even mention the name of Dalia Lama to their child for the fear of persecution. At the same time the world seem to be condemning violence and doing nothing towards the nonviolence movement that the Tibetan’s have opted to follow. We don’t want to wait for a Tibet that has lost it’s culture and heritage. Time is the critical issue and it’s not on our side.

I understand that, look what happened to the cultures that where here in america b4 the europeans came to destroy it all. I believe the HH was able to escape with much of the written history of tibet and the religous culture of buddhism.
At this point, violence will only beget violence.
The only way to defeat a brutal invader with an overwhelming amount of resources is with your brains.
Preferably from within. The Art of War is more about cunning than it is conflict. Remeber, there are other bodhitsavas besides the Penchen and Dalai lamas. They must be awakened and made to realize their rightful roles in the upcoming conflict.

Even though the article paints a very bleak and ominous picture of Tibet’s future, Faith can Move Mountains.

It is heartbreaking to read of the
concerns facing the people of Tibet, the mind and spirit are endless sources of possibilities.

Articles that bring this to the publics’ attention, can create more than awareness.

Let us just be cautious how any country/government/group decides to “Aid” a Fragile Situation…

America has still not learned our lesson from Iraq…(Our “Liberation” for Iraq has not resulted in Peace or Prosperity for the battered Country and its people).

I hope Tibet is handled with Caution and Care and Genuine Concern for its welfare.

Wes yet another Chinese, who has never EVER EVER been in contact with Tibetans to actually see and feel how us Tibetan view this oppression ! Just because you are Chinese doesn’t mean you have to support whatever your Gov’t has and is doing ! That is not Loyalty ! You are nothing but a pawn in this Propaganda movement BY YOUR GOV’T. Haven’t you ever seen the news by CBS or ABC (i forget) but they intervied Chinese students from Beijing Univ. and when shown the pic of Tienamen Sq’ Tank pic, they had no clue (I MEAN NO CLUE AT ALL) one student thought it was an “ART”. this proves and shows the length your Gov’t goes to brainwash its population (trying to rewrite History)

and you and your fellow Chinese Complain about how Japanese are rewriting their history covering up their war crime ..what not…

And don’t even think about using “OHH then what about the Native Amercan” because That does not give your Country the right to do so on another ethnic group ! There are lota murder that happens every day in this world, does that mean i can use that as an excuse to kill you ? your family ?

And don’t even try to bring up some made up history by your Gov’t about how back in this this Century and that century Tibet was under China’s rule, thats just lame…. because my people have been runing our country for at least 2000 years … C’mon How can you go into Tibet and actually see the difference and say “ohh Tibet is China”….when in reality Tibet and China had two different country with two different gov’t.

Also How can you say China liberated Tibet ? when what your country has brought nothing but Destructions ! When you have driven thousands and thousands of My people into Exile !

So how can you say that? You gotta be rational about this !

Now that China has built this railroad… you think us Tibetans are happy? Seriously think who benefits from such effort?

And also the Beijing 08 ! It is pathetic how China and YOU (yes YOU) are trying to potray this beautiful image of China filled with sunshine and flowers ! You really think the people of the world is that incapable of their own views that you got to force these facade in them?
SHAME ON YOU ! I JUST HOPE YOU CAN ACTUALLY MEET REFUGEE TIBETANS HERE IN US OR IN INDIA OR SCATTERED ANY WHERE ELSE ON THIS EARTH ! Because you see, we are all part of human family and thats all we are when it comes down to it ! So why Kill the weak ? rather we should be helping each other !

-untill then, don’t feel bad about my response, instead just go out and do your own research ! MEET THE ACTUAL PEOPLE YOU ARE DOING YOUR RESEARCH ON ! only then you’ll see how far your Gov’t has done to cover up Tibet’s issue to its people and to the whole world !

-Be Safe

Read about China’s oppression and realize that it does not end with Tibet. Henry Kissinger called China the most dangerous entity because they are not in a hurry to take over the world. Theirs is a thousand year plan. From the looks of things, it will not take nearly so long.

Unfortunately this is not one of those times. Violent revolt against the Chinese will only illicit a brutal and violent response. It is better to keep the culture and people alive despite the indignit in the mean time. Have hope. Notice that not only the powers of evil are on the move.

I agree Jed, please note the focus on the non-violent message in my post. My only point was to say that if ever it should come to that level, it will be because all other options have been exhausted. Surely in this day age it won’t come to that, but if ever it gets to the point, where this is no culture left to preserve, the few that remain will have to stand fast. Ultimately it’s up to the PRC as to what happens next…

P.S. Things are already brutal and violent.

I have to agree with you there. The situation is definately AFU for the Tibetan people. I wonder what can be done to help ease their plight short of moving all of them out of the country or starting a war. I read recently that there had been some discoveries of oil up there. Hopefully that will bring prosperity and not more abuse and forced labor.

how can we help?

I understand why some Tibetians would be tempted to use violent means to get their independence, but that will get them no where. Look at Ireland’s IRA and Palestine’s PLO. They have been using violent means for decades and the fighting is still as violent and futile as ever. What Tibet needs is to adopt the methods of Ghandi and MLK! Tibet needs to GAIN THE ATTENTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC WORLD. Tibetians need the U.N. to know about their struggle and PUT PRESSURE ON CHINA TO CHANGE its policies.

Long story short: Thank you for bringing up the issue.

Well let us hope that if certain memebers of the Tibetan community resort to violence that the Western media does not become a moutpiece for China’s brutal campaign, and holds China to account for decades of genaocide. Maybe the analogy for Tibetan resistance should be made to the reistance fighters in the Ghettos during WW2, but not to the Hamas style of “resistance”.

Well, I read the article with deep emotion and sadness because it brings tru and reality of Tibet. I wonder everyday and night in the street of New York City when the Tibetan government will wake up and when Dalai lama says I gave enough time to resolve our problem and realize that only thing is take action again the chinese. Yes, there will be thousands willing to die for Tibet and we must.
Dalai lama is ineffective in the last two decades and he gave up too much for the Chinese and got nothing. He is only talks about world peace but scared to talk about for his people and country. He is as the Chinese govenment says ” ONLY A RELIGIOUS LEADER” for us Tibetan too. Gyari lodi is taking the Tibetan government in exile and Dalai lama for a ride. He is only good for ride and his fame and status……
We young Tibetans had enough of these old and useless. Including Dalai lama’s elder brother Gyalo Thondup who is traitor and theif… I heard he is due to give speech this year March 10. commenmoration. He is the one who take and influence Dalai lama. He also got huge money from Chinese, Taiwanese and CIA….

I do not want to do anything with these hopeless people.

Borangzen
from NYC

He’s the bodhisattva of compassion for a reason, the bodhisattva of peace will be preparing soon, don’t force the issue until WE are truly prepared.

Enlightenment for the world will come soon enough, but it must be subtle or it won’t be believed or understood. The invaders will be separated from their hosts and will be sent home with the ones they have been able to corrupt to the fullest, the rest of us will have a difficult time ahead, but the end result is peace and prosperity in unity with nature rather than foolishly trying to control it. The tibetans hold the key to the misteries of the soul, they must begin to share with the rest of us in order to awaken the bodhisattvas.

I appreciate all the comments and attention brought to the Tibetan problem. We must mobilize and get the support of the Western countries NOW, and present a totally organized movement by the BEIJING OLYMPICS. Winter 08 is not far away. The situation in Tibet is just another example of China’s insidious and continuous bullying of other countries, cultures, and plan to dominate the world- it is not just Tibet’s problem.
As a Buddhist with Himalayan blood, I am not a lover of violence. But if we think that asking the Chinese nicely to leave Tibet alone is going to work, we are refusing to look honestly at the situation. I think we must take a 2-fold approach… overt and covert.
I work with the US Marine Corps, training the deploying Marines by being an insurgent roleplayer. I know many techniques and strategies of the insurgent movement. The violence brings attention to the cause.
Another way is to take what His Holiness Dalai Lama calls the “Middle Way”– peaceful co-existence. I believe that one of the reasons the Insurgency in Iraq has been so successful is that it has quietly infiltrated the small towns as well as cities, offering an underground and alternative economic reality for the people.
Why not use both means? Keep up the loud, flashy more violent means and work on an alternative system of commerce for the Tibetans who have been forced from their homes and businesses.
So they are forced into the slums? How about continuuing their businesses from there? The more attention is brought to the situation the better. Maybe the Chinese will be pressured to leave the Tibetans alone if the world sees the culture WILL NOT be driven away; Buddhism will not be driven out; it will find it’s way regardless.
It is unfortunate that our brothers and sisters in Tibet must suffer so much indignity.

WHAT CAN WE DO HERE IN THE US TO GALVANIZE SUPPORT? WHERE IS RICHARD GERE AND HOLLYWOOD? A CALL TO ARMS, WE NEED YOU.

Any suggestions on how to help would be appreciated. THE TIME IS NOW

Too bad Tibet is not a Muslim or Arab state. Then you’d see the Tibetians killing themselves to kill Chinese civilians and the rest of the Muslim world rioting in the street daily because of this occupation / deprivation / extermination / apartied / blah, blah, blah. With this distgusting behaviour, these madpeople are on their way to getting another Islamic country in Chechnia.

The squeeky wheels gets the oil as they say. And unless the world speaks up,the truly peaceful Tibetians are in big trouble.

What a bunch of Gen-X tripe generated with more administrative paranoia. I agree with Wes. Before Rolling Stone runs an article, it should check out the facts. The US’s idea of Tibet is through prismatic lenses, with a “Lord of the Rings” image of a buddhist shangri la. Tibetans love it; they’ve even renamed one of their cities “Shangri La”, just for foreign tourists. Before anyone responds to this kind of crap, walk the streets of Kangding, Tagong, Litang or Dawu. Visit the towers of Laha or Oyeu and join in a meal with real people in a real country with real culture.

Alot of you who still don’t get it and leave comments that are hatefull and ignorant, I believe you could be a spy from Chinese government and are trying to send wrong messeges to the public.

In the struggle of Nation’s pride and right, some individual’s frustration can not not help us. It will spoil the spirit of our movement through electronic media. We should be Human first to represent true Tibetan in this world.

Thanks for bringing this topic up. World is in such a mess today, sometime topic like this become difficult to get notice.

What I don’t understand is when someone says Tibetans have to make UN know of their plight and get attention of the world!!! What have we doing for last 5 decades? UN is like an electronic decive with remote control in hand of China.

If you ask me, what to do? I don’t know as way of Mahatma Gandhi and MLK which we have been following for long enough looks getting us no where.

Let’s all help save Tibet!!

Isn’t it a bit weird when citizens of a country with troops on foreign soil, involved in one illegal war, are protesting against a foreign power rather than their own country?

Just saying

i just barley looked this up, just because i had a simple chinese essay due about what is happening over in Tibet. I haven’t learn much yet because i am still reading, but i want to help i do!! but there is one thing over the centuries this world has to realize, we have started to kill it’s each other off! i mean just look at the U.S also we have to locker our doors when we go to bed! we have to be careful when we go some where or maybe just take a casual walk! because there are sick-o’s out there or people that kill people!! as we read in history maybe there were a few bad people but mostly every one was peaceful just like china and Tibet! face it the world will not stop at anything until it is complete and that means as long as satin is still allowed into our heads theses killings will happen! what i think is the monks or who ever, is doing the killing, need a big spiritual awaking! i perfer maybe the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and yes Mormons are good people! and i know it can or could at least help a bit. As i read more i can come to a conclusion on what they should do but for now this is what i can offer.

i just barley looked this up, just because i had a simple chinese essay due about what is happening over in Tibet. I haven’t learn much yet because i am still reading, but i want to help i do!! but there is one thing over the centuries this world has to realize, we have started to kill it’s each other off! i mean just look at the U.S also we have to locker our doors when we go to bed! we have to be careful when we go some where or maybe just take a casual walk! because there are sick-o’s out there or people that kill people!! as we read in history maybe there were a few bad people but mostly every one was peaceful just like china and Tibet! face it the world will not stop at anything until it is complete and that means as long as satin is still allowed into our heads theses killings will happen! what i think is the monks or who ever, is doing the killing, need a big spiritual awaking! i perfer maybe the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and yes Mormons are good people! and i know it can or could at least help a bit. As i read more i can come to a conclusion on what they should do but for now this is what i can offer.

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