Riots in Tibet

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An Appeal to all Chinese Spiritual Brothers and Sisters
From the Dalai Lama, Hamilton, NY, April 24, 2008

	His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama

"Today I would like to make a personal appeal to all Chinese spiritual brothers and sisters, both inside as well as outside the People’s Republic of China, and especially to the followers of the Buddha. I do this as a Buddhist monk and a student of our most revered teacher, the Buddha. I have already made an appeal to the general Chinese community. Here I am appealing to you, my spiritual brothers and sisters, on an urgent humanitarian matter.

The Chinese and the Tibetan people share common spiritual heritage in Mahayana Buddhism. We worship the Buddha of Compassion – Guan Yin in the Chinese tradition and Chenrezig in Tibetan tradition – and cherish compassion for all suffering beings as one of the highest spiritual ideals. Furthermore, since Buddhism flourished in China before it came to Tibet from India, I have always viewed the Chinese Buddhists with the reverence due to senior spiritual brothers and sisters.

As most of you are aware, beginning with the 10th of March this year, a series of demonstrations have taken place in Lhasa and across many Tibetan areas. These are caused by deep Tibetan resentment against the policies of the Chinese government. I have been deeply saddened by the loss of life, both Chinese and Tibetans, and immediately appealed to both the Chinese authorities and the Tibetans for restraint. I specially appealed to the Tibetans not to resort to violence.

Unfortunately, the Chinese authorities have resorted to brutal methods to deal with the development despite appeals for restraint by many world leaders, NGOs and noted world citizens, particularly many Chinese scholars. In the process, there has been loss of life, injuries to many, and the detention of large number of Tibetans. The crackdown still continues, especially targeting monastic institutions, which have traditionally been the repository of ancient Buddhist knowledge and tradition. Many of these have been sealed off. We have reports that many of those detained are beaten and treated harshly. These repressive measures seem to be part of an officially sanctioned systematic policy.

With no international observers, journalists or even tourists allowed to Tibet, I am deeply worried about the fate of the Tibetans. Many of those injured in the crackdown, especially in the remote areas, are too terrified to seek medical treatment for fear of arrest. According to some reliable sources, people are fleeing to the mountains where they have no access to food and shelter. Those who remained behind are living in a constant state of fear of being the next to be arrested.

I am deeply pained by this ongoing suffering. I am very worried where all these tragic developments might lead to ultimately. I do not believe that repressive measures can achieve any long-term solution. The best way forward is to resolve the issues between the Tibetans and the Chinese leadership through dialogue, as I have been advocating for a long time. I have repeatedly assured the leadership of the People’s Republic of China that I am not seeking independence. What I am seeking is a meaningful autonomy for the Tibetan people that would ensure the long-term survival of our Buddhist culture, our language and our distinct identity as a people. The rich Tibetan Buddhist culture is part of the larger cultural heritage of the People’s Republic of China and has the potential to benefit our Chinese brothers and sisters.

In the light of the present crisis, I appeal to all of you to help call for an immediate end to the ongoing brutal crackdown, for the release of all who have been detained, and to call for providing immediate medical care to the injured."

The Dalai Lama

Hamilton, NY, April 24, 2008

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Please do check out the sweet initiative at this website:
for-the-people-of-tibet.net

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Video: Interview with the Dalai Lama

(From Agam's blog)

On his first trip outside India since the Tibetan crisis began just over a month ago, Dalai Lama sat down with NBC's Ann Curry for an extended one-on-one. Thanks to NBC for making the entire interview available.

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Just in case you wondered why these "Tibetan monks" were so violent in Lhasa....

This is an illustration of what I think happened:

This is not an uncommon 'tactical move' from the Chinese government,
as could be seen on the back-cover of the 2003 annual TCHRD Report
This photo was apparently made when soldiers were ordered to put on robes to play as actors in a movie.

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Chinese orchestration of riots confirmed

I receive a lot of questions about the Chinese orchestrating the riots in Tibet.
Apart from the growing evidence that is coming through - despite the two-way news blackout attempts of the Chinese government - there was an earlier report I missed. In short:

"The violent riots that the Chinese state-run media have reported as having taken place in Lhasa are not what they seem to be, according to a former highly placed Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official.
Mr. Ruan Ming claims the CCP carefully staged the incidents in Tibet in order to force the Dalai Lama to resign and to justify future repression of the Tibetans.
Mr. Ruan Ming was a speechwriter for former CCP General Secretary Hu Yaobang. (The Epoch Times)"

For more, see the original article at Epoch Times.

The Chinese really miss Steven Spielberg..

OR: HOW NOT TO FAKE AN ATTACK ON VIDEO

You shouldn't miss this; one of the worst fake attacks ever seen on video. It is a bit clumsy made, but the message is obvious... Unfortunately, it was spread by many western media without comments of orchestration.

May all beings find happiness and the causes for happiness.

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More evidence of Chinese media manipulation

The 'violent rioters' aren't necessarily what they seem. The most vicious looking one with a huge knife proves to be a police officer.

For decades now, the Chinese are trying to manipulate the media to cover up their actions, see this page at the Epoch Times of March 29

One of the "rioters" on the Chinese 'wanted' posters, also featured in CCTV's riot coverage, was a policeman. He was brandishing a long knife.
Then, a Thai tourist who happened to be around in a police station, saw this guy with the long knife entering, and re-appearing in police uniform... Back in Thailand, she saw the image and reported the incident

This was certainly not the first time of something like this; as Epoch Times noticed:

"In his "Events in Lhasa March 2-10, 1989", the Chinese journalist Tang Daxian revealed how the CCP orchestrated violence as part of a plan to suppress the 1989 protests in Tibet. "

And further: "According to the NY Times, "Foreigners and Lhasa residents who witnessed the violence were stunned by what they saw, and by what they did not see: the police. Riot police officers fled after an initial skirmish and then were often nowhere to be found." "

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Yesterday (March 27, 2008) His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke directly about the troubles in Tibet, asking all supporters worldwide to help in any way they can, providing that this happens in a strictly non-violent way. He explained that this is a moment of crisis, and that it is all of us, rather than the Tibetans in exile, who have the potential to shift the situation.
His Holiness specifically stated, not for the first time, that Tibetan dharma cannot survive without Tibetan freedom. He explained that only Tibetan Buddhism has been able to preserve the full Nalanda tradition and its message of universal compassion, its techniques to promote inner values and its teachings on interdependence, with their extraordinary potential to bring peace and harmony to the modern world.

One of the only ways that we can influence the decisions of the Chinese government is to show that there is widespread and increasing public condemnation of their actions in Tibet. How can we do this? How can we link together all the feelings of individuals, who by themselves may feel powerless, but as a group could have an unforgettable impact?

We have a simple suggestion. We all want to stand up for Tibet. Let's do it, literally. Every day, let's commit to simply standing up. just for a few moments, with either a printed or digital photo of the Tibetan flag in our hands. Individually or in a group. Quietly or noisily. In the most creative and spectacular way imaginable. On the street, in schools, on trains and buses, in the workplace, in bars and restaurants. Let's be visible, newsworthy, fun and contagious. We want to make our feelings public throughout the world, and we want millions of people to join in.

March 31st has been designated an international day of action by the International Tibet Support Network. Will you stand up that day, wherever you happen to be? And then continue, as long as the situation lasts.

We are not only standing up for one country that is experiencing oppression, but for every act of injustice and repression that has happened personally to us, or to other people in the world.

This is something we can all do for Tibet. Who can you phone, text or email and encourage to join in? Can we make this happen across the globe, particularly during the next weeks, before it is too late? We need your help and are very grateful for anything you can do to make this happen.

With a big prayer for peace in Tibet
Valentina and Alison

Spread at the request of Lama Zopa Rinpoche

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May the Chinese, who have been killing, raping, torturing, destroying and repressing the Tibetans for some 50 years now, finally gain the wisdom to start talking to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

For more news, see my Blog on the Chinese occupation of Tibet

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Last updated: August 16, 2008