A woman’s gruesome hanging shocked Tibet
Tsering Tso’s grandmother, Lhadhey, 83, and mother, Adhey, 49, on the grasslands outside the small town of Chalong in China’s western Sichuan province. Last October, Tibetans protested in Chalong after 27-year-old Tsering Tso was found hanged from a bridge in the town, prompting mass arrests, beatings and a government crackdown. (Xu Yangjingjing/The Washington Post). (Xu Yangjingjing/TWP)
A woman’s gruesome hanging shocked Tibet, but police have silenced all questions.
By Simon Denyer, 26 August 2016, The Washington Post
JIQIE NO. 2 VILLAGE, CHINA — She was 27, a kind, hard-working woman who supported her family by herding yaks and harvesting caterpillar fungus , a prized health cure, on the high grasslands of Tibet. Last October, Tsering Tso was found hanged from a bridge in a small town near her home.
Her family and local villagers gathered outside the police station in Chalong township to demand answers: She had last been seen in the company of a local Buddhist priest and two policemen.
The authorities insisted it was suicide. Family and friends suspected foul play and demanded an investigation. That night and the following morning, an angry crowd stormed the gates of the police station, smashing windows, according to local police.
The authorities’ response was brutal, revealing much about the crackdown taking place in Tibetan parts of China and showing how unrest and unhappiness is increasingly viewed as dangerously subversive.
On Oct. 10, five days after Tsering Tso’s body was found, hundreds of armed soldiers arrived in the town and descended on her funeral ceremony in the remote hamlet known as Jiqie No. 2 Village in Chinese and Raghya in Tibetan, in China’s western Sichuan province.
Witnesses said more than 40 people were tied up, beaten with metal clubs, piled into a truck “like corpses” and placed in detention.
So much blood was shed, “stray dogs could not finish lapping it up,” according to a remarkable and rare open letter sent by the community to President Xi Jinping asking for justice. Read the rest of this entry »
H. H. Dalai Lama Expresses his Sadness over the Earthquake in Italy
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Expresses his Sadness over the Earthquake in Italy
Dharamsala, HP, India, 26 August 2016 – In a letter to the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness at hearing reports of the devastating earthquake that struck Central Italy with loss of many lives and injuries to many people as well as widespread damage to property.
His Holiness offered his condolences to the Prime Minister and to those that lost members of their families, friends and their homes in the tragedy.
As a token of solidarity with the people of Italy, His Holiness asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards rescue and relief efforts.
http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/1443-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-expresses-his-sadness-over-the-earthquake-in-italy
A Farewell Lunch in Honour of H.H. Dalai Lama
A Farewell Lunch at Shiwatsel in Honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India, 24 August 2016 – On the final day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Ladakh this year, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) offered a lunch in his honour in an ornate tent erected on the Shiwatsel ground where he had recently given teachings. Senior members of all Ladakh’s Buddhist traditions, Ganden Tri Rinpoche Rizong Rinpoche and Thiksey Rinpoche among them, Council Members of LADHC, including Dr Sonam Dawa (CEC, LADHC), Jora Rigzin (MLA, J & K State) and other dignitaries attended.
Ladakhi women performing traditional dance at the luncheon in honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on August 24, 2016. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Mr. Thinley Dorjee, the President of LBA paid tribute to His Holiness, “Once again, we have the auspicious opportunity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s presence with us at this lunch. Nevertheless, our thirst to see His Holiness is never quenched. Therefore, I pray that His Holiness will visit us again and again in the future.”
After traditional Ladakhi musical performances that everyone enjoyed, His Holiness responded: “The song and dance performances we have just been entertained by were offerings to listen to. The traditional costumes worn by the artists were offerings to be seen. But this lunch provided by the Ladakh Buddhist Association is an offering of something to smell and taste and that’s what I’m looking forward to!” and everybody laughed.
“This is not a political gathering, it’s of a spiritual nature involving the teacher-disciple relationship between you and me. Although I have the title “Dalai Lama”, it’s just a convention we have created. I don’t consider myself as anything special. The fact is that I am a Buddhist monk, who has studied the Three Collections of the Buddha’s teachings, and who has for a long time put the Three Higher Trainings into practice. So what I always remember is that I am a Buddhist monk and a follower of the Nalanda masters. Read the rest of this entry »
Tibet, Pechino inasprisce le leggi contro proteste e auto-immolazioni
Tibet, Pechino inasprisce le leggi contro proteste e auto-immolazioni
Il governo dell’area prevede pene detentive “più lunghe” per chi si dà fuoco, manifesta per l’indipendenza o l’autonomia del Tibet, invia all’estero notizie sulla situazione della provincia. La repressione cinese rischia di esacerbare ancora di più la situazione.
Lhasa – Le autorità comuniste della provincia del Tibet hanno distribuito nei monasteri buddisti dell’area un “manuale di istruzione” che contiene nuove e più dure leggi contro le proteste e le auto-immolazioni. Il testo è scritto in cinese e in tibetano e annuncia: le dimostrazioni, anche solitarie, e i suicidi politici saranno puniti con molti più anni di carcere. Prevista una pena detentiva anche per eventuali “co-cospiratori”.
Il testo precisa che le proteste “includono il diffondere all’estero notizie su quanto avviene in Tibet”. Proibito ai monaci l’uso dei social network e limitato l’accesso alla Rete. Lobsang Yeshi, religioso del monastero di Kirti costretto a fuggire in India, commenta al quotidiano Phayul: “Le autorità usano il diritto come mezzo per giustificare la repressione dei tibetani. Queste nuove leggi dimostrano quale sia la vera situazione in Tibet”.
Un’altra fonte, anonima per motivi di sicurezza, aggiunge con ironia: “Che vuol dire ‘dimostrazioni solitarie’? Se cammino per strada recitando le mie preghiere e mi sfugge una parola sul Dalai Lama o sul buddismo, verrò incarcerato? Mi pare assurdo”. Read the rest of this entry »
The three factors that are threatening yaks in the Himalayas
“ By Omair Ahmad, Aug 20, 2016 – Scroll.in
Interbreeding with cows of Gilgit-Baltistan, or yaks of China, could help revive the animal’s population.
The yak is one of the most enduring symbols of the high Himalayas. Whether you visit Tibet, Bhutan, India or Nepal, you will inevitably find tourist shops selling t-shirts with the animals depicted on them. As the largest animal on the Tibetan plateau – it can be as tall as 2.2 metres at the shoulder, and weigh up to a thousand kilogrammes – and its surrounding regions, the yak is a “flagship species”, and indicates the health of the ecosystem within which it lives. Unfortunately data indicates that the yak is in trouble, and it is in trouble for reasons that affect most of the countries in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
In May 2016, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development , widely known as ICIMOD, published a report titled Yak on the Move: Transboundary Challenges and Opportunities for Yak Raising in a Changing Hindu Kush Himalayan Region . This publication is based on research papers that were submitted at the 5th International Conference on the Yak held at China’s Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences August 27-31, 2014.
ICIMOD has been organising such conferences since 1997, and this time the co-organiser was the Yak and Camel Foundation of Germany. The conference allowed people from all the countries where the yak is raised, from Afghanistan to where India meets Myanmar.
The yak is a high-altitude animal, usually found 2,000-5,000 metres above sea level. It is superbly adapted to the climate of the area in which it lives, which includes conditions of “cold winter, low oxygen content, high solar radiation, and cyclical nutrition with short growing seasons”. Of the estimated 15 million yaks in the world, 90% live on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau region, within Chinese borders. Read the rest of this entry »
The Dalai Lama: Why I’m hopeful about the world’s future
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Because human nature is basically compassionate, I believe it is possible that decades from now we will see an era of peace, but we must work together as global citizens of a shared planet.
The Dalai Lama: Why I’m hopeful about the world’s future
Almost six decades have passed since I left my homeland, Tibet, and became a refugee. Thanks to the kindness of the government and people of India, we Tibetans found a second home where we could live in dignity and freedom, able to keep our language, culture and Buddhist traditions alive.
My generation has witnessed so much violence — some historians estimate that more than 200 million people were killed in conflicts in the 20th century.
Today, there is no end in sight to the horrific violence in the Middle East, which in the case of Syria has led to the greatest refugee crisis in a generation . Appalling terrorist attacks — as we were sadly reminded this weekend — have created deep-seated fear. While it would be easy to feel a sense of hopelessness and despair, it is all the more necessary in the early years of the 21st century to be realistic and optimistic.
There are many reasons for us to be hopeful. Recognition of universal human rights, including the right to self-determination, has expanded beyond anything imagined a century ago. There is growing international consensus in support of gender equality and respect for women. Particularly among the younger generation, there is a widespread rejection of war as a means of solving problems. Read the rest of this entry »
H.H.Dalai Lama Concludes teachings on the Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’
Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ Concluded
‘Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India, 20 & 21 August 2016 (from news reports) – Continuing to teach Shantideva’s ‘A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ His Holiness the Dalai Lama today suggested:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his teachings in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on August 20, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
“The more we practice altruism and help others, the more we will benefit ourselves. The resultant peace of mind helps us live longer, able to serve humanity longer.”
He recommended that devotees pray with a good motivation to live longer in order to have greater opportunity to practise the Buddhadharma, cultivate bodhichitta, and attain Buddhahood. He added: “ Right from childhood we are under the influence of destructive emotions. We have an instinct to harm others, to kill insects and so forth, due to our past karma and being habitually driven by negative attitudes.
“From the beginning, we are accustomed to being ignorant about reality and adopt a self-cherishing attitude. Now, due to encountering the teaching of the Buddha, we are awakening from the slumber of ignorance. Therefore, we should try to generate the awakening mind of bodhichitta. In the immediate short term it will bring us peace of mind and better health, while in the longer term it will ensure that we take a higher rebirth.”
Reprenstatives of the Ladkhi community presenting offerings during Long Life prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on August 20, 2016.
Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
As His Holiness came to the end of his explanation, hundreds of monks and members of the public, led by Ganden Tri Rinpoche and Ladakh Buddhist Association President Tsewang Thinles, performed ceremonial prayers for His Holiness’s long life and good health. On behalf of the entire people of Ladakh, Tsewang Thinles expressed thanks to His Holiness for coming and showering his blessings on them. He further requested His Holiness to visit Ladakh again and again in the future.
In his response His Holiness said, “These prayers made with great faith and devotion will help me live longer, giving me the opportunity to work for the welfare of all sentient beings.”
On 21st August, the last day of the four days of public teachings, His Holiness conferred an Avalokiteshvara empowerment. In the preamble he encouraged Buddhists among his listeners to adopt a vegetarian diet and curtail their use of alcohol. He urged everyone to be more compassionate and sincere and to recognise that we are all brothers and sisters belonging to one human family.
http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/1440-guide-to-the-bodhisattvas-way-of-life-concluded
How China Keeps Tibet and Xinjiang Silent
The slow creep and chilling effect of China’s censorship
By Nithin Coca, The Daily Dot, 20 August 2016
In late March, a mother of five, Sonam Tso, died after self-immolating in protest against Chinese rule outside a monastery in broad daylight. The horrific event took place in Dzoege County, within Chinese-controlled Tibet. It was the 145th known self-immolation in the restive region since 2009. The lack of free speech, expression, and legal recourse for Tibetans has driven individuals to burn themselves in a desperate, last-resort form of protest.
In the era of smartphones, instantaneous communication, and social media, you would’ve expected this news to quickly spread around the world. It didn’t. In fact, it was not until early May that civil society groups outside of Tibet were able to verify what had happened to Sonam Tso and alert the world. That was more than six weeks after the event has taken place—an eternity in the digital age.
How could that be possible? Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama teachings in Leh, Ladakh
His Holiness the Dalai Lama teachings on ‘A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India, 18 & 19 August 2016 (from news reports) – Almost thirty thousand devotees thronged the Shiwatsel ground to attend teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama here today. Four days of teachings, with sessions in the mornings only, have been organized by the Ladakh Buddhist Association of Leh in collaboration with various volunteer organizations.
As a prelude to His Holiness’s teachings, monks and scholars from various monasteries participated in formal debates with each other, employing dialectical methods to explore the niceties of the doctrine.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama waving to the crowd of almost 30,000 on his arrival at the Shiwatsel teaching ground in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on August 18, 2016.
Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Beginning his explanation of the 8th century CE Nalanda master Shantideva’s ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ (Bodhicharyavatara; spyod-jug), His Holiness addressed the congregation on the importance of learning and understanding what the Buddhist scriptures actually teach. “Faith without understanding the essence of what the Buddha taught is merely maintaining tradition as a kind of social custom,” he advised.
“ We are not gathered here to witness some sort of performance nor even just to hold a meeting together. We are here to explore the teachings of the Buddha. Therefore, if our endeavours are to be fruitful, both teacher and students must generate a pure motivation. Otherwise we’ll just be wasting our time.”
Under the harsh Ladakhi sun, the crowd, consisting of Ladakhis, Tibetans, Western devotees and tourists, listened to His Holiness call for harmony between all religious traditions. In discussing the benefits of the awakening mind of bodhichitta, he said it is this spirit of awakening, the aspiration to attain enlightenment to benefit all sentient being that motivates the Bodhisattva’s way of life. The text he is teaching explains how to cultivate and sustain this altruistic aspiration. There are two aspects to the awakening mind—the aspiration, the wish to awaken and actually engaging in practices that lead to that awakening. These bodhisattva practices are commonly known as the Six Perfections and first among them is the perfection of generosity. Read the rest of this entry »
Nomads still migrate to the Tibetan Plateau
Many nomads feel a deep connection with their animals and the land
Despite decades of change and development, nomads still migrate to the Tibetan Plateau every summer, from where China Correspondent Stephen McDonell reports. BBC, 18 August 2016
There was a time here when tribal Tibetans roamed across a vast dramatic landscape with no specific place to call home.
For generation after generation they had lived as nomads, sleeping where they made camp.
They kept their livestock moving, chasing the fresh pastures that became available as the seasons changed.
The limits of their territory were identified by mountains and rivers, and their nomadic existence permeated all aspects of their culture.
In 2016, you might expect this lifestyle to have been fully extinguished, yet it hasn’t been. Not quite. However, what’s left of it is now coming under considerable pressure.
We set out to visit one Tibetan community in Aba region. Read the rest of this entry »
Support Dalai Lama for return to Tibet: Lawmakers to Barack Obama
Urging the US government to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, the letter asks Obama to publicly and regularly call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the People’s Republic of China
The letter asks Barack Obama to publicly and regularly call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the People’s Republic of China, Indian Express, 19 August 2016
A group of 72 American lawmakers have asked US President Barack Obama to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet and call for an immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners languishing in China.
“We write to ask that you redouble efforts in support of the Tibetan people during your remaining months in office. We believe it is critically important to move beyond words to actions,” the lawmakers said in a letter to Obama.
“The Tibetan people view the US as their friend. It is time to honour that friendship with new, creative strategies to encourage meaningful dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity,” the three-page letter, dated August 17, said.
The letter, organised by Congressman Jim McGovern, urged Obama to invite the Dalai Lama to every event, on every occasion, where his knowledge and decades of reflections would be helpful for addressing the world’s problems.
The letter, released on Thursday, call for the US government to facilitate the involvement of the Dalai Lama or his representatives in the global debate on climate change and its potential consequences given Tibet’s fragile environment, rapid warming and critically important reserves of freshwater.
Urging the US government to publicly support the right of the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, the letter asks Obama to publicly and regularly call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the People’s Republic of China whose cases have been documented by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
It seeks establishment of a US consular office in Lhasa, Tibet to help the US observe and address the obstacles to freedom of movement that affect both Tibetans within China, and US citizens, including Tibetan-Americans, who seek to travel to Tibetan areas of China. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visit Ladakh institutions
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visit Islamia Public High School, the Ladakh Nun’s Association and Imam Bargah Mosque
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India, 17 August 2016 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s first public engagement today was to visit the Islamic Public High School in Leh where he was received by the school’s Chairman Mr Abdul Qayuum and the Principal, Mrs Renu Kapur.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at Isalamia Public High School in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on August 17, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Once everyone in the hall was seated one of the boy students gave a recitation from the Quran and one of the girl students recited what he had said in English. Mr Abdul Qayuum thanked His Holiness for coming to visit. He explained that the school takes a multi-lingual approach to education and is concerned to impart social values to its students. He thanked His Holiness for providing a scholarship through the Dalai Lama Trust to three students, who are now pursuing higher education in Jordan and expressed a hope to send more students in the future.
His Holiness was presented with a digital Quran that can play the scripture either Arabic or English.
Addressing the gathering as “Respected elder brothers and sisters and young brothers and sisters” His Holiness said, “If we truly consider ourselves ‘Brothers and Sisters’ we immediately feel closer to one another whereas greater formality creates distance between us”.
From the Islamia School, His Holiness went to the Nunnery of the Ladakh Nun’s Association at Kalsang Ling. At Chuchot Yokma he spoke briefly to people who had gathered at a roadside prayer wheel about the importance of education. At Imam Bargah Mosque he was received by both Shia and Sunni clerics while the public gathered in their thousands to witness the occasion. Read the rest of this entry »
A Writer’s Quest to Unearth the Roots of Tibet’s Unrest
On March 10, 1959, several thousand Tibetans, fearing that the Chinese might abduct the Dalai Lama, gathered at the Norbulingka summer palace to protect the Tibetan spiritual leader. Credit The Office of Tibet, Washington, D.C.
By Luo SIling, New York Times, 14 August 2016
Generations of Chinese have been taught that the Tibetan people are grateful to China for having liberated them from “feudalism and serfdom,” and yet Tibetan protests, including self-immolations , continue to erupt against Chinese rule. In “ Tibet in Agony: Lhasa 1959 ,’’ to be published in October by Harvard University Press, the Chinese-born writer Jianglin Li explores the roots of Tibetan unrest in China’s occupation of Tibet in the 1950s, culminating in March 1959 with the People’s Liberation Army’s shelling of Lhasa and the Dalai Lama ’s flight to India. In an interview, she shared her findings.
You’ve drawn parallels between the killings in Lhasa in 1959 and the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing.
China was better able to cover up its actions in Lhasa in 1959, before the advent of instantaneous global media coverage, but the two have much in common. In both, the Chinese Communists used military might to crush popular uprisings, and both involved egregious massacres of civilians. But for Tibetans, what sets the Lhasa massacre apart is their bitter sense of China as a foreign occupying power. The Tibetans were subjugated by force, and they are still protesting today.
What happened in 1959?
The crisis began on the morning of March 10, when thousands of Tibetans rallied around the Dalai Lama’s Norbulingka palace to prevent him from leaving.He had accepted an invitation to a theatrical performance at the People’s Liberation Army headquarters, but rumors that the Chinese were planning to abduct him set off general panic. Even after he canceled his excursion to mollify the demonstrators, they refused to leave and insisted on staying to guard his palace. The demonstrations included a strong outcry against Chinese rule, and China promptly labeled them an “armed insurrection,” warranting military action. About a week after the turmoil began, the Dalai Lama secretly escaped, and on March 20, Chinese troops began a concerted assault on Lhasa. After taking over the city in a matter of days, inflicting heavy casualties and damaging heritage sites, they moved quickly to consolidate control over all Tibet.
Why did the Dalai Lama flee to India?
Mainly he hoped to prevent a massacre. He thought the crowds around his palace would disperse once he left, robbing the Chinese of a pretext to attack. In fact, not even his departure could have prevented the blood bath that ensued, because Mao Zedong had already mobilized his troops for a “final showdown” in Tibet.
When the Dalai Lama left, he didn’t plan to go as far as India. He hoped to return to Lhasa after negotiating peace with the Chinese from the safety of the Tibetan hinterlands. But once he heard about the destruction in Lhasa — several days into his journey — he realized that plan was no longer feasible. Read the rest of this entry »
La demolizione del complesso monastico di Larung Gar
Larung Gar: monaci e monache costretti a tornare alle loro case con minacce di conseguenze per i familiari
I funzionari cinesi che sorvegliano la demolizione del centro buddista di Larung Gar stanno costringendo monaci e monache della cosiddetta Regione Autonoma Tibetana (Tar), che studiavano presso l’istituto, a tornare alle loro case.
Una fonte ha riferito a Radio Free Asia che i funzionari hanno finora preso di mira quelle dimore abitate da studenti provenienti da Lhasa, Ngari, Nagchu, e Chamdo, che sono regioni situate nel TAR.
I monaci e le suore di Driru nel Nagchu sono stati i primi ad essere costretti ad allontanarsi dalle autorità. Sono stati anche avvertiti delle gravi conseguenze sui loro familiari, se si fossero rifiutati di allontanarsi.
La pene includono il divieto di raccogliere un noto fungo, che è di grande valore medicinale e una delle principali fonti di reddito per i tibetani.
“ Ai familiari degli studenti provenienti da queste regioni è stato ordinato di venire per ricevere i loro parenti”, ha detto la fonte.
La stessa fonte ha aggiunto che gli studenti di queste regioni sono stati anche sottoposti a interrogatori e vessazioni con lezioni di “educazione politica” per settimane.
Le autorità hanno anche imposto restrizioni e pesante monitoraggio della comunicazione al fine di frenare il flusso di informazioni dal sito di demolizione. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Thiksey
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visiting a Nunnery and Mosque at Thiksey As Well As Lamdon Model School in Shey
Thiksey, Ladakh, J&K, India, 12 August 2016 – Before leaving Thiksey, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Gaden Chhatnyanling Nunnery at Nyarma, about one kilometre south of Thiksey Monastery. On the way there he stopped to visit the ruins of temples and stupas that were part of a monastery built in the 11th century by Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo, the renowned Tibetan translator. When His Holiness briefly visited the Temple of Vairochana, he was informed that people gather there periodically to perform prayers and hold discussions about Buddhism. He advised them that, since the place had been blessed by the presence of Rinchen Zangpo, it would be good to uphold his legacy by holding such discussions and reading the 16 volumes of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras at least once a year. Read the rest of this entry »
Gli insegnamenti di Lama Zopa Rinpoche in diretta in italiano
Ven. Siliana Bosa
La ven. Siliana Bosa, del monastero Lungtock Choekhor Ling, traduce in diretta in italiano Dal 14 al 28 Agosto, gli insegnamenti di Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche in North Carolina – USA.
È previsto che Lama Zopa Rinpoche insegni tutti i giorni, approssimativamente alle 16:00 e alle 19:30 ora locale, che in Italia corrispondono alle 22:00 e all’1:30 di notte.
Qui di seguito il link per seguire gli insegnamenti in italiano di Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche dal nord Carolina a partire dal 15 agosto. Main page for the Livestream of Light of the Path 2016
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClUMK5PN0vPSVAq2CDkM26w
Per informazioni www.sangha.it
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaching The Lamp
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaching ‘The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment’, a Longevity Empowerment and a Long Life Offering
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking during the second day of his two teaching in Thiksey, Ladakh, J&K, India on August 11, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Thiksey, Ladakh, J&K, India, 11 August 2016 – This morning, the sky was cloudy as His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove to the teaching ground at Thiksey, where thousands of people had gathered to hear the teaching, receive the Long Life Empowerment and participate in the Offerings and Prayers for His Holiness’s Long Life. His Holiness began by announcing the presence among them of a Thai Bhikkhu who he met the day before.
“He follows the Pali tradition which first recorded the Four Noble Truths and the 37 Factors of Enlightenment—the foundation of all Buddhist teachings. We also have the Vinaya, the code of monastic discipline in common. Indeed, both the Pali and Sanskrit traditions of Buddhism uphold the Three Collections of the Teachings and the practice of the Three Higher Trainings: morality, concentration, and wisdom. “Although these are fundamental to our tradition too, we somehow overlook them in favour of deity yoga practice. Yet they are the foundations necessary for doing tantric deity practice. Deity yoga will only be effective if we cultivate the practices of the awakening mind of bodhichitta and an understanding of emptiness.” His Holiness went on to say that having faith is not enough, following the teachings of the Buddha requires reason and understanding, without which Buddhism will not last long in the world. Read the rest of this entry »
Tibet Addio
Il Tibet normalizzato a colpi di marketing. Dopo l’affronto dei monaci che si immolavano, la Cina ha preso le sue contromisure. Aeroporti, rifacimenti in stile, souvenir e catene commerciali. Per i turisti. di Gabriele Battaglia. Lhasa. «Chi è che crea lavoro qui? Il Partito comunista» dice ridendo l’autista tibetano mentre guida in direzione della steppa di Ganjia, un’immensità erbosa costellata di monasteri, cavalli e yak. Indica la ciminiera della centrale termica alla periferia di Xiahe, capoluogo di contea nella prefettura autonoma tibetana di Gannan, provincia cinese del Gansu. Il lavoro. Read the rest of this entry »
H.H.Dalai Lama Teaching the ‘the Awakening Mind’ and ‘Lamp for the Path
Images of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the opening session of the Fourth Great Summer Religious Council at Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, J&K, India on August 9, 2016.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaching the ‘Commentary on the Awakening Mind’ and ‘Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment’
Thiksey, Ladakh, J&K, India, 10 August 2016 – This morning, on his way to the teaching venue below Thiksey Monastery His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeted the local people who were waiting to catch a glimpse of him. Seated on the throne he told the gathering: “Usually, when I teach the Dharma, I do so in two steps. First, I give a general introduction and then I explain how to do the practice. Today, I have chosen to teach the exalted Nagarjuna’s text ‘A Commentary on the Awakening Mind’ (Skt.: Bodhichittavivarana) by way of introduction, followed by Jowo Atisha Dipamkara Shrijnana’s ‘A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment’ (Skt.: Bodhipathapradipa).”
His Holiness reminded the audience that they had not gathered to watch a show or simply to recite prayers and mantras.
“Since you’ve gathered here to listen to a Buddhist discourse, you should understand that the word ‘Dharma’ refers to making a spiritual transformation within ourselves by putting the teaching into practice. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Thiksey Monastery
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Fourth Great Summer Religious Council at Thiksey Monastery
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India, 9 August 2016 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove this morning from his residence in Choglamsar to Thiksey. On the way, he made a brief stop in Shey Village to bless a new memorial stupa. His Holiness was received at the Thiksey Monastery teaching ground by Thiksey Rinpoche, the head lama of the monastery and 9th reincarnation of Jangshem Sherab Zangpo, a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa. Thiksey Rinpoche studied at Drepung Monastery in Tibet from 1953 until 1959.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama holding a medal presented to him by Thiksey Rinpoche in celebration of his 81st birthday at Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, J&K, India on August 9, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
His Holiness had been invited to Thiksey Monastery to inaugurate the 4th Great Summer Religious Council (Yarchö Chenmo) that is being held 9th- 22nd August. The first such council was held in 2012 and His Holiness advised that it should become an annual event. Buddhist monks and nuns from all traditions, school children from twenty participating schools in Leh, as well as members of the public are attending the Council this year.
Before entering the newly constructed teaching hall, accompanied by Ganden Tripa, Rizong Rinpoche and Thiksey Rinpoche, His Holiness cut the ribbon at the door to signify its inauguration while auspicious prayers were recited. Taking his seat inside, His Holiness was presented with a medal by Thiksey Rinpoche in celebration of his 81st birthday. Thiksey Rinpoche, Dr. Sonam Dawa, Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Sheikh Javed of the Shia Muslim Community, the Molvi of the Sunni Muslim Community, Tsering Dorjee, Jammu & Kashmir State Minister, and Ganden Tri Rinpoche addressed the gathering. Between their speeches, groups of students as well as monks and nuns engaged in debate. His Holiness was requested to present a certificate and medal to Thiksey Rinpoche to mark the people of Thiksey’s gratitude.
His Holiness opened his remarks by observing that as human beings we are all fundamentally the same. Unfortunately, he said, we create many problems for ourselves by focusing instead on secondary differences between us such as race, colour, religion or whether we are rich or poor. Much more important are the ways in which we are the same. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visiting Saboo and Stok
Visiting the Villages of Saboo and Stok
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India, 8 August 2016 – Participating in the opening ceremony of the Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics this morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was warmly received by the Director of the Institute, Geshe Tsewang Dorje, Ganden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche, invited guests, and local people from the village of Saboo.
Students, guests and members of the local community listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the opening ceremony of the Ngari Insitute of Buddhist Dialectics at Saboo, Ladaklh, J&K, India on August 8, 2016. Photo/tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
In his welcoming remarks, Geshe Tsewang Dorje reminded His Holiness that when the school was founded 11 years ago a group of 25 students was selected from families facing economic hardship. Today, the school has 49 students from all over Ladakh, including Changthang and Zanskar. He said the school, which aims to provide educational opportunities to the underprivileged, will continue to be guided by His Holiness’s advice.
A group of 5th grade students then recited the ‘Eight Verses for Training the Mind’.
In his response, His Holiness expressed appreciation of the opportunities the Director and staff of the Institute are providing the students under their care. His Holiness stressed the need for knowledge in the 21st century.
“As Buddhists,” he said, “we need to study Buddhism. We need to use our intelligence to understand what the teachings mean. It’s not enough just to rely on rituals and recitations. As human beings, we have a wonderful intelligence, which we should use to the full. However, we must also be careful to use it effectively for the benefit of others rather than causing them problems. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Celebrating Thonmi Sambhota
Celebrating Thonmi Sambhota and Addressing Tibetans at Choglamsar
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India, 7 August 2016 – This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Zangdok Palri, not far from his residence. Representing the celestial palace of Guru Padmasambhava, the temple is situated on top of a hill with a panoramic view of the Leh valley. His Holiness was welcomed by representatives of the Himalayan Buddhist Association, organizers of a conference celebrating Thonmi Sambhota, who created literary Tibetan 1372 years ago.
A view of Zandok Palri Monastery duruing the Conference on Thonmi Sambhota attended by His Holiness the Dalai lama in Ladakh, J&K, India on August 7, 2016.
Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHD L
In their introductory remarks Tashi Rabgye and Tsering Dorjee noted the importance of Thonmi Sambhota’s achievement to the translation of Buddhist literature into Tibetan. The Kangyur and Tengyur collections created as a result have for centuries been crucial to the culture of Tibet and the trans-Himalayan region. The speakers also expressed gratitude to His Holiness for encouraging the development of Ladakh and its culture since he came into exile.
In his address, His Holiness referred to the historic cultural and spiritual ties between Ladakh and Tibet and expressed his appreciation of the convening of the conference.
“Although Thonmi Sambhota is known to have composed eight texts on Tibetan language and grammar”, he remarked, “Only two, dealing with grammar, the Sumchupa and Takyi Jugpa, survive. Whether you call it Bhoti or Tibetan, this written language is important because it preserves the profound Buddhist culture we share. In today’s rational world the epistemological texts of Dignaga and Dharmakirti, only available in Tibetan, provide us with tools for analyzing the nature reality. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Dakthok Monastery
Tsog Offering, Consecration and Talk at Dakthok Monastery in Ladakh
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, 5 August 2016 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama departed early this morning to visit Dakthog Monastery located approximately 40 kilometers from Shewatsal Phodrang residence in Choglamsar, Leh, Ladakh. He was greeted on the way by devout Ladakhis and Tibetans, many enthusiastically displaying varieties of flowers on the side of the road next to their house and holding traditional greeting scarves in their hands.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama performing a special Tsog Offering at Dakthog Monastery in Ladakh, J&K, India on August 5, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Upon arrival at Dakthok Monastery in Sertri (or Sakti) Village, His Holiness was received by the Lopon and former Lopon of the monastery. Before entering the newly built Temple, His Holiness and the monks of Dakthok and Namgyal Tantric College in McLeod Ganj recited auspicious verses invoking buddhas and bodhisattvas. Inside the Temple, the central image was of Guru Padmasambhava, flanked to his right and left, by Guru Dorje Droloe and Guru Padma Gyalpo respectively. Following the consecration of the triple Gurus one by one inside the temple, His Holiness was offered a mandala by the head monks of Dakthok Monastery.
Then, while His Holiness performed his special Tsog Offering to Guru Dorje Doloe based on some texts from Rinchen Terdzod, the monks recited the various prayers to Guru Rinpoche: Seven Line Prayer, Yearning Song of Prayer: An Invocation of Compassionate Guru Padmasambhava, Dispelling Obstacles Instantly and Achievement of Aspirations, and mantras of Guru Dorje Doloe. Read the rest of this entry »
Tenzin Rinpoche non è morto di infarto ma per le torture subite
Nyima Lhamo: Tenzin Rinpoche non è morto di infarto ma per le torture subite
N yima Lhamo, nipote di Tenzin Rinpoche, importante monaco buddista morto in una prigione cinese, è fuggita in India per dire al mondo di non credere alla versione ufficiale della morte per un attacco di cuore ma vede la causa nelle torture inflitte durante la prigionia.
Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, 65, era stato condannato all’ergastolo per “crimini di terrore e l’incitamento del separatismo” ma nel 12 luglio 2015 alla famiglie è stato detto che era morto in carcere nella città sud-occidentale di Chengdu.
Solo una settimana dopo hanno riferito i media di stato che Tenzin Delek, sostenitore del leader spirituale in esilio del Dalai Lama, era morto per un attacco cardi aco. Il suo corpo non è stato restituito alla famiglia, ed è stato invece cremato.
Ora il sua nipote, Nyima Lhamo, ha intrapreso un viaggio estenuante in India per lanciare un appello per la giustizia; lasciando dietro di sé i parenti stretti, tra cui sua figlia di sei anni.
In un’intervista nella di Dharamsala, dove ha sede un governo tibetano in esilio, ha detto che funzionari cinesi durante la prigionia hanno negato l’accesso ai parenti di Tenzin Delek per quasi due anni prima della sua morte. In precedenza, Tenzin Delek aveva detto che era stato torturato, picchiato, gettato a terra, e bagnato con acqua calda e fredda. Read the rest of this entry »