April 16

Through My Eyes

Saturday April 16

(We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells Tibetans' troubles in Bhutan.)

" Since my meeting with Father Thomas Merton, I have had considerable contact with other Christians. On my visits to Europe, I have visited monasteries in a number of different countries and , on each occasion, have been very impressed with what I have seen. the moonks that I have met have shown a devotion to their calling of which I am quite envious. Although they are comparative few in number, I have the impression that their quality and dedication are very high. Conversely, we Tibetans, even in exile, have a very large number of monks-four or five percent of the exile population. Yet there is not always the same degree of dedication.

I am also very impressed with the practical work of Christians of all denominations through charitable organisations dedicated to health and education. There are many wonderful examples of these in India. This is one area where we can learn from our Christian brothers and sisters: it would be very useful if Buddhists could make a similar contribution to society. I feel that Buddhist monks and nuns talk a great deal about compassion without doing much about it. On several occasions, I have discussed this matter with Tibetans and other Buddhists and am actively encouraging the setting up of similar organisations. However, if it is true that we can learn from Christians, I also feel that they could learn from us. For example, the techniques we have developed for meditation and one-pointed concentration of mind might help them in other areas of the spiritual life.

The end of the 1960s coincided with the first signs that my dream of resttling all 100,000 Tibetan exiles in India, Nepal and Bhutan could be achieved. So although the little news I heard from Tibet was very depressing, I looked forward to the future with a sense of real and well founded optimism. However, two series of events outside my direct control reminded me of just how precarious our position was.

The first of these concerned approximately four thousand refugees who had settled in Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a remote country lying on the far eastern border of India, due south of U-Tsang , the central province of Tibet. Like Tibet, it is a land of majestic mountains and is home to a devoutly religious people who follow the same Buddhism as we do. Unlike Tibet, it is a full member of United Nations.

The late King of Bhutan was very kind to the Tibetans who sought exile in his country and, with assistance from the Indian Government, he provided land and transport and helped to set up agricultural settlements for my people.

All went well to begin with, and the Tibetans were very happy. When I met with a group of them at the first Kalachakra initiation ceremony that I gave in Bod Gaya in 1974, I was pleased to learn that they were doing well. They were full of praise for their hosts, and especially for the new king, Jigme Wangchuk, who had recently ascended the throne. H impressed everyone with his maturity in handling affairs of state. But only a few months later, matters took a turn for the worse. Twenty-two prominent members of the Tibetan community were arrested, tortured and thrown. without trial, into jail in Tinphu, the capital. My personal representative, Lhading ( a relation of the late king), was amongst them. I was deeply distressed at this news and felt that there should be a thorough investigation ( though I did not believe the allegations of conspiracy levelled against these people). This did not happen and the true position never became clear. Eventually, I realised that these Tibetans were being used as scapegoats in an internal affair of the Bhutanese Government.

After this unfortunate occurence, many of the refugees decided to leave Bhutan. but those who remained have continued to live peacefully, despite there still being some suspicion and resentment against them,I believe. In any case, I am grateful to the Bhutanese people and Government for all they have done for my people and am certain that in the future our traditional friendly relations will be fully restored.

The other sad episode concerned the guerillas, trained and equipped by the CIA, who continued their struggle to regain Tibetan freedom by violent means. On more than one occasion, I tried to discover detailed information about these operations from Gyalo Thondup and others, but I have never heard the full story. I do know, however, that in 1960 a guerilla base was established in Mustand, an area which lay in the most remote northern region of Nepal, right on the border with Tibet. A force several thousand strong drawn from the exile population was assembled there( though only a small proportion actually recieved training form the Americans). Unfortunately, the logistics of this camp were not well planned."

( I think most likely the problems in Bhutan were due to Chinese influence and interfence. I promise to add more tomorrow...)

*( please click here to read of the day with me )

* This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth

Dalai Lama of Tibet.

Through my eyes

( Please see my spinning for you!)

( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? I began the day in our studio spinning for you then worked on the printing block which with we two as one pulling strongly and patiently together is going quite well! After that Mom and I went outside to look at the garden! Then I continued work near our studio. After that Will came over and we all went to get the tree food. It was a family outing of sorts since the weather was wonderful! Then I worked to get the electric line and water line out of the shed; it's about time to begin working on the water system! After that I headed up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to continue trimming around the trees and native plants then rested by your Medlar tree as usual before heading to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. Two as one we've gotten a lot done! We've fixed a few more mistakes on the pages as usual. I've been putting up the pages late I know. It's the time change thing ; I tend to stay outside until rather late! I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite; I'll put this up for now so we can rest.

And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow

my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright

long dark mane in sunlight

so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)


	Through My Eyes Saturday April 16 (We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells Tibetans' troubles in Bhutan.) " Since my meeting with Father Thomas Merton, I have had considerable contact with other Christians. On my visits to Europe, I have visited monasteries in a number of different countries and , on each occasion, have been very impressed with what I have seen. the moonks that I have met have shown a devotion to their calling of which I am quite envious. Although they are comparative few in number, I have the impression that their quality and dedication are very high. Conversely, we Tibetans, even in exile, have a very large number of monks-four or five percent of the exile population. Yet there is not always the same degree of dedication. I am also very impressed with the practical work of Christians of all denominations through charitable organisations dedicated to health and education. There are many wonderful examples of these in India. This is one area where we can learn from our Christian brothers and sisters: it would be very useful if Buddhists could make a similar contribution to society. I feel that Buddhist monks and nuns talk a great deal about compassion without doing much about it. On several occasions, I have discussed this matter with Tibetans and other Buddhists and am actively encouraging the setting up of similar organisations. However, if it is true that we can learn from Christians, I also feel that they could learn from us. For example, the techniques we have developed for meditation and one-pointed concentration of mind might help them in other areas of the spiritual life. The end of the 1960s coincided with the first signs that my dream of resttling all 100,000 Tibetan exiles in India, Nepal and Bhutan could be achieved. So although the little news I heard from Tibet was very depressing, I looked forward to the future with a sense of real and well founded optimism. However, two series of events outside my direct control reminded me of just how precarious our position was. The first of these concerned approximately four thousand refugees who had settled in Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a remote country lying on the far eastern border of India, due south of U-Tsang , the central province of Tibet. Like Tibet, it is a land of majestic mountains and is home to a devoutly religious people who follow the same Buddhism as we do. Unlike Tibet, it is a full member of United Nations. The late King of Bhutan was very kind to the Tibetans who sought exile in his country and, with assistance from the Indian Government, he provided land and transport and helped to set up agricultural settlements for my people. All went well to begin with, and the Tibetans were very happy. When I met with a group of them at the first Kalachakra initiation ceremony that I gave in Bod Gaya in 1974, I was pleased to learn that they were doing well. They were full of praise for their hosts, and especially for the new king, Jigme Wangchuk, who had recently ascended the throne. H impressed everyone with his maturity in handling affairs of state. But only a few months later, matters took a turn for the worse. Twenty-two prominent members of the Tibetan community were arrested, tortured and thrown. without trial, into jail in Tinphu, the capital. My personal representative, Lhading ( a relation of the late king), was amongst them. I was deeply distressed at this news and felt that there should be a thorough investigation ( though I did not believe the allegations of conspiracy levelled against these people). This did not happen and the true position never became clear. Eventually, I realised that these Tibetans were being used as scapegoats in an internal affair of the Bhutanese Government. After this unfortunate occurence, many of the refugees decided to leave Bhutan. but those who remained have continued to live peacefully, despite there still being some suspicion and resentment against them,I believe. In any case, I am grateful to the Bhutanese people and Government for all they have done for my people and am certain that in the future our traditional friendly relations will be fully restored. The other sad episode concerned the guerillas, trained and equipped by the CIA, who continued their struggle to regain Tibetan freedom by violent means. On more than one occasion, I tried to discover detailed information about these operations from Gyalo Thondup and others, but I have never heard the full story. I do know, however, that in 1960 a guerilla base was established in Mustand, an area which lay in the most remote northern region of Nepal, right on the border with Tibet. A force several thousand strong drawn from the exile population was assembled there( though only a small proportion actually recieved training form the Americans). Unfortunately, the logistics of this camp were not well planned." ( I think most likely the problems in Bhutan were due to Chinese influence and interfence. I promise to add more tomorrow...) ( please click here to read of the day with me ) This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. Through my eyes ( Please see my spinning for you!) ( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? I began the day in our studio spinning for you then worked on the printing block which with we two as one pulling strongly and patiently together is going quite well! After that Mom and I went outside to look at the garden! Then I continued work near our studio. After that Will came over and we all went to get the tree food. It was a family outing of sorts since the weather was wonderful! Then I worked to get the electric line and water line out of the shed; it's about time to begin working on the water system! After that I headed up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to continue trimming around the trees and native plants then rested by your Medlar tree as usual before heading to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. Two as one we've gotten a lot done! We've fixed a few more mistakes on the pages as usual. I've been putting up the pages late I know. It's the time change thing ; I tend to stay outside until rather late! I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite; I'll put this up for now so we can rest. And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright long dark mane in sunlight so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)