China Starts Moral Crusading Against Kirti Monastery

By MALILA Harris


CHINA NEWS – China in its new strategy to derogate the image of Kirti Monastery, smearing reputation by raising questions on moral character of monks. In the night of April 21, Chinese government drove away over 300 monks of the monastery in Ngaba Country of Sichuan Province, with more arrest seen likely to follow on April 22.

Earlier, on April 19, Chinese foreign ministry had expressed the normalcy in the monastery despite reports of frequent clashes between monks and police. Independent reports say the monastery had been closed by the authority and not even food being supplied at time. Moreover, monks being arrested without charges and tortured and a forceful education in patriotism are being carried out there. International media reporters are banned to enter the area and neighboring Tibetan areas.

China has been thwarting the reputation of the monastery, alleging monks for morally guilty conduct against dissidents. Tibetan monks and lamas had been subjected to such allegation before during Chinese democratic 1959 reform and the Cultural Revolution period (1966-76).

According to the government, the monks are given “legal education” due to some “illegal activities” such as prostitution, drinking in the monastery and gambling. There are also reported by the government authorities to publicized pornographic videos by the monks. They are accused of disrupting social order and blamed for the strife in the Tibetan Plateau.

The government report also publicized an elaborate story of self-immolation and death of the young monk named Phuntsog, creating unrest in the area. While the eyewitness says the young monk was ruthlessly thrashed by the police after the flame was put out.

China also contradicts its own report, which said the young monk was 20 years old, but according to the new government report claimed he was 16.

Lobsang Sangay, How Good He Will Be As Dalai Lama’s Replacement

From EDITOR’s Desk
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Lobsang Sangay - The new political leader of Tibet

Grew up in a Tibetan settlement, studied law in India and earned Doctorate in Law from Harvard Law School, the first Tibetan to receive the degree and his dissertation, Lobsang Sangay is the first prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile. His education and foreign background certainly demand respect from people but the question is how much he would be capable of replace the Dalai Lama’s political role.

On Wednesday, April 27, Central Tibetian Administration announced the next Prime Minister in Dharamshala. At the Lhakpa Tsering Memorial Hall of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), in a press conference, the results of 15th general election have been disclosed. Sangay won the election with 55% votes, the best among two other candidates. Supporters of Tenzin Tethong casted 37% votes whereas the second runner up Tashi Wangdi received 6.5% approximately.

The front runner for Kalon Tripa, or prime minister, Lobsang Sangay is an India born, US-based Tibetan Scholar who is expected to bring the new approach in dealing with china. The 43 year old emphasized to “reach out to the Chinese government, to have a dialogue, to resolve the issue peacefully and non-violently.”

The packed audience of Tibetan, Indian, and foreign journalists also witnessed election commission announcing the 47 newly elected Tibetan Parliament Members. The members' list follows as 30 Members for U-Tsang, Do-tod and Do-med having ten members each and 4 selected by the traditional Bon religion and Tibetan Buddhism.

Undoubtedly, the Dalai Lama draws more respect from people for his spiritual insights but in a political scenario, the 43 year-old lawyer seems more incisive in global diplomacy. An expert on International Law, Democratic Constitutionalism, and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Sangay has earned considerably well repute for his seminar around the world.

According to a news report published by Reuter, the Dalai Lama also expressed his happiness over the election, especially a proactive participation from the Tibetan people. It is believed that he aims to make China’s attempt to select the next Dalai Lama, as now the Tibetans have their own leader who is technically outside China and beyond the control of the Communist Party’s control.

However, analysts say, Mr. Sangay now has an overwhelming work to complete because as of now everyone knows about the Dalai Lama and his task is now to keep the issue of Tibet alive while the man who spent whole of his life struggle for Tibetan people gradually lose color from the global eyeballs.


Dalai Lama as he always introduce himself as a ‘humble monk’ perhaps a definition that seems statesman as a ‘weak’ or a ‘timid’ person who always got humiliation from the Chinese government. But the irony is, China has been struggling with this ‘humble monk’ since he was the teenage ruler of handful of Tibetan refugees. The fact is China has never realized the face value of the man and despite armed with a potent military force and bulging economy, the ‘humble monk’ always create a prickly irritation to the Chinese government. Even with the new political leader and the Dalai Lama position apparently reduced to religious leader of Tibetans, his voice will be a significant echo to the world’s political fraternity.

Now, the biggest challenge of Harvard doctorate is to understand people’s faith and long-lasting struggle for independence and create a face value nearer to the Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama Declares To Step Down As Tibetan Political Head

By BOB Goswami

INDIA NEWS - In an emotional and a bit unexpected move, Tibetan political leader and one of the most rebellion spiritual figures of modern times, has announced to step down from the leadership of political head of Tibetan government-in-exile. However, he has assured to remain as spiritual leader and continue to advocate autonomy for Tibet.

Dalai Lama has been working for six decade long for the freedom of Tibetans. The 75-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate said he would pass the formal authority to a freely-elected leader. Nevertheless, the monk is more renowned all over the world as a spiritual leader, and assured that he would remain as a spiritual leader of Tibetans and committed to playing his role for the Tibet cause.

He has made his announcement on the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day in Dharamsala where he announced in the front of scores of foreigners and large Tibetans crowd, who asserted it as a 'lifetime experience'.

Dalai Lama said he repeatedly emphasized on a political leader for Tibetans who was supposed to be chosen by a free election amongst Tibetans. Now, after so many years he felt the time had come when this needed to put into effect.

The new Parliament will be elected on March 20 when Tibetans from all across the world will vote.

China has critically taken the decision and said in response "are his (Dalai) tricks to deceive the international community."

"The Dalai is in political exile under a religious cloak long engaged in activities aimed at splitting China," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said.

He further said that the government-in-exile was an illegal political organization and world didn't recognize it.

In past, the Dalai had already expressed to give up from the political leadership, but this is the first time he publicly made statement and cleared his intention, asking Tibetans to accept his decision.

He also said about the ‘Jasmine Revolution’ in the Middle East in his speech, preaching non-violence and people power and said he was convinced that non-violent action can indeed bring about positive change.

Several Tibetans and foreigners had gathered at the temple to listen to the Dalai annual speech.

Prime Minister of Tibetan government-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche is apprehensive about the political transition the Dalai wants to. He said the political transition is unlikely to happen immediately.