Tibet is Burning! Tibetans are Dying!
By Geshe Dakpa Topgyal
The first, initial or root of the agitation and resentment in the hearts of Tibetans towards China stems from China’s aggression and inhumane repression to the Tibetan entity, with the intent to smash Tibetan culture, religion, literature, history, arts, culture identity and the identity of Tibet. These problems started in 2008 just prior to the Beijing Olympics. In 2008 before the Beijing Olympics, Tibetans burst into the streets for peaceful protests to draw the world’s attention to Tibetan’s unhappiness under China’s oppression. Though the Chinese Government claims it is helping Tibet with Peaceful Liberation, in reality it is Colonialism. The peaceful protest turned violent from China’s harsh crackdown and use of weapons on unarmed, innocent Tibetan men, women and children. The punitive and inhumane torture of Tibetans has caused deep resentment in the hearts of every Tibetan and Tibet’s supporters who are pro- truth, pro-justice and pro-human rights.
The Chinese government wanted to make sure the world did not view them as oppressive. The protests and demonstration in Tibet brought deep, un-cleanable shame to China as a Communist Country, particularly, to the hardline members of the Communist Party currently in control of the entire country of China.
In March, 2011, China intensified its aggression and oppression, specifically targeting the Buddhist Religion, and the monastic communities of monks and nuns. China views Tibetan Buddhism as a serious threat to its control and power. Many Chinese immigrants who relocate to Tibet have adopted the peaceful Tibetan culture and have become Buddhists, Buddhist monks and Buddhist nuns. These Chinese immigrants are studying and practicing Buddhism, even entering the monasteries.
Since March, 2011, serious problems are happening in Kham, Eastern Tibet. These problems have escalated and are causing Tibetans to dye from self-immolation in protest to the merciless repressive policies towards Tibet and Tibetans. So far twelve Tibetans have self-immolated, mostly monks and nuns from two monasteries; Kirti in Ngaba Region and Karze in the same region. The only thing the Tibetans say while self-immolating is “Free Tibet” and “Return H.H. the Dalai Lama”. Besides protesting China’s tyrannical policies towards Tibet, there is no hidden agenda, and no intention to harm innocent Chinese or make negative remarks about China.
Tibetans inside Tibet see these acts of self-immolation as a form of protest that is nothing other than the act of crying for help and a sign of deep desperation. The act of self-immolation is the only option of non- violent protest because it does not harm anyone else except the protester.
In brief, since this problem started in March 2011:
- 300 monks from the same monastery are missing, and there is no information regarding their whereabouts or what happened to them. The living quarters of these missing monks now have a wax seal on the door from the Chinese Government, meaning no one can enter without breaking the seal.
- Out of the twelve monks and nuns who self-immolated, 5 died on the spot. The Chinese authorities did not allow or permit the traditional Buddhist ceremony for the deceased person. The bodies were not returned to either the monastery or to the hands of the family members.
- The 7 who did not die were removed by the Chinese authorities supposedly to the hospital, supposedly in stable condition, but there has been no further information or outside contact.
- Currently, 200 Chinese soldiers are permanently stationed at the monastery, constantly surveying the movements and activities of the monks, and frequently disrupting the daily routine of the monks teaching, practice, study and ritual ceremony by calling for unnecessary meetings. The Chinese military also forces the monks to engage in re-patriation classes towards China and denounce Tibetan culture and H.H. the Dalai Lama.
China continues with its agenda to eliminate Tibet and Tibetan culture.
- The Chinese Government is heavily taxing Tibetan families by over $400 if they do not remove their child from the monastery and enroll them in a Chinese Government run school where they will have no access to Tibetan culture in their daily life.
- Chinese is using its financial clout to influence other country’s policies towards Tibet and H.H. the Dalai Lama. Particularly in South Africa with the recent denial of H.H. the Dalai Lama’s visa for Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday celebration. Tutu is the Dalai Lama’s personal friend. In Nepal, with ongoing rape, torture and imprisonment of Tibetans openly conducting outdoor group cultural, religious and solidarity activities on the soil of Nepal.
- Argentina made an announcement of their award conferring to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Later they took it back due to China’s bullying force of their economic muscle on Argentina.
- China is forcefully relocating Tibetan nomads and farmers into high-rise concrete buildings and destroying their homes with bulldozers. The aim is to destroy the Tibetan way of life and to handicap them so they are unable to take care of themselves with their old survival tradition.
- China is using every unthinkable, deceptive means possible to ensure young Tibetans forget who they are and what Tibet is.
- China has benefitted immensely from Tibet’s natural resources, wildlife, lumber, and as well as major rivers originating in Tibet’s high mountains. Still China desires more and more which could ultimately be Tibetan’s tender flesh on their dinner plate.
- China regards Human Rights and Religious Freedom in Tibet, as well as in China, as value-less as trash and makes life for Tibetans like a hell on earth.
This is the real situation that is happening in Tibet. On November 2, every Chinese Embassy worldwide was inundated with faxes showing support to the Tibetan people, and denouncing the Chinese Government’s inhumane actions and plundering of Tibet’s natural resources. Information about these events can be seen on http://phayul.com/.
Each individual needs to put effort to resolve this crisis and to fulfill H.H. the Dalai Lama’s approach of the Middle Way. This is not an anti-China policy, but a course of action that is pro-Tibet, pro-truth, pro- human rights and pro-justice. United States Ambassador Locke must aggressively push on China for his visit to Tibet and make public statement on China’s repressive policies in Tibet. China must allow Tibetans to enjoy their religious and cultural freedom, human rights, and to preserve Tibet’s unique culture and way of life as a world’s treasure for mankind.
To help you can…
Read, stay informed, discuss with friends, sign petitions, and contact your legislator.
Donate to the International Campaign for Tibet Campaign for Tibet
Participate in any local event or movement calling attention to the plight of Tibet
