August 20

Through My Eyes

Saturday August 20

(We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he continues to tell of his journey to Russia and Buryatia!)

" A further amusing incident concerned another exhibit which was a model of the Kalachakra mandala. I noticed that there were some inaccuracies in the way it was laid out, so when one young woman staff member began to explain its meaning to me, I said, 'Look! I'm the expert in these matters, why don't you let me explain it to you?" and began to point out the inaccuracies in the mandala. I found this quite satisfying.

As I got to know the Mongolians, I began to realise just how strong are the links between our two countries. For a start, the religion of Mongolians is the same as ours. As I have already mentioned, in the past, many Mongolian scholars visited Tibet, where they contributed a great deal to our culture and religion. Tibetans also use many religious texts which were written by Mongolians. Furthermore,we share many customs, for example the giving of katas. (One slight difference is that whereas Tibetan ones are white, Mongolian katas are pale blue or slate grey.) Thinking along these lines, it occurred to me that, historically speaking, Mongolia has a similar relationship with Tibet as Tibet has with India. With this in mind, I arranged for an exchange of students between our respective communities, thereby reviving an ancient link between the our two countries.

When I came to leave, I had gained many favourable impressions of both USSR and Mongolia. Some of these concerned the material progress I had seen, particularly in the latter country where considerable advances had been made in the fields of industry, agriculture and animal husbandry. I have been back to Russia twice since then ( in 1982 and 1986). On the last occasion, I was pleased to find that the atmosphere had changed dramatically for the better. This was tangible evidence that political liberty has a direct bearing on the way people feel about themselves. Now that they were able to express their true feelings, they clearly felt much happier.

On 2 August 1979, a delegation comprised of five members of the Tibetan Government in Exile left New Delhi en route to Tibet via Peking. I had chosen them carefully. Because it was important that they should be as objective as possible, I selected men who not only knew Tibet as it was before the Chinese invasion, but were familiar with the modern world as well. I also ensured that there was a representative of each of the three different provinces.

My brother Lobsang Samten was one of their member. He had long since renounced his monastic vows, leaving me as the only member of the family in the Sangha, and was at that time going through a very modern phase in terms of dress and appearance. He wore his hair long and had a thick droopy moustache. His clothes were very casual too. I was a little worried that he might not be recognised by those in Tibet who should remember him.

More than ten years later, I still do not know what impression the leadership in Peking expected the delegation to have of the 'new' Tibet. But I think they were convinced that they would find such content and prosperity throughout their homeland that they would see no point in remaining in exile. (And in fact, fearing that the delegation might be physically attacked by a right-thinking local population, the Chinese authorities actually briefed Tibetans to show courtesy to the delegates!) I also suspect that the Dalai Lama and the existence of the Tibetan Government in Exile were a great embarrassment to China, which was becoming anxious about world opinion. Therefore, any means to lure us back was acceptable.

It was fortunate they were so certain of themselves. For, while the first delegation was in Peking, the Chinese authorities accepted my proposal that this mission should be followed by three more.

My five representatives spent two weeks in Peking holding meetings and planning their route which, over a period of four months was to take them across the length and breadth of Tibet. However, as soon as they arrived in Amdo, things started to go wrong for the Chinese. The delegates were mobbed by crowds of thousands of people wherever they went, especially by young people, all asking for blessings and for news about myself. This outraged the Chinese, who frantically signalled ahead to Lhasa to alert the authorities there of what might be in store for them. A reply came back saying, 'Thanks to the high standard of political training in the capital, there is no possibility of embarrassment.'

Yet, every step of the way, the welcome the five exiles received was ecstatic. And, on arrival in Lhasa, they were greeted by an immense crowd- the photographs brought back by them show the streets to be dense with thousands and thousands of well-wishers - who disobeyed a strict warning to stay away. Whilst in the city, one of the delegates overheard a senior Chinese cadre turn to a colleague and say,' the efforts of the last twenty years have been wasted in a single day.' "

( Again Tibetan courage! 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.

( 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 working as one pulling strongly and patiently together is going quite well! After that I did some drawing and worked with the clay. After that I took a nap then headed out to wander about taking pictures before heading up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to check the trees and native plants. After that I worked on our a land of Tibet. 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 August 20 (We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he continues to tell of his journey to Russia and Buryatia!) " A further amusing incident concerned another exhibit which was a model of the Kalachakra mandala. I noticed that there were some inaccuracies in the way it was laid out, so when one young woman staff member began to explain its meaning to me, I said, 'Look! I'm the expert in these matters, why don't you let me explain it to you?" and began to point out the inaccuracies in the mandala. I found this quite satisfying. As I got to know the Mongolians, I began to realise just how strong are the links between our two countries. For a start, the religion of Mongolians is the same as ours. As I have already mentioned, in the past, many Mongolian scholars visited Tibet, where they contributed a great deal to our culture and religion. Tibetans also use many religious texts which were written by Mongolians. Furthermore,we share many customs, for example the giving of katas. (One slight difference is that whereas Tibetan ones are white, Mongolian katas are pale blue or slate grey.) Thinking along these lines, it occurred to me that, historically speaking, Mongolia has a similar relationship with Tibet as Tibet has with India. With this in mind, I arranged for an exchange of students between our respective communities, thereby reviving an ancient link between the our two countries. When I came to leave, I had gained many favourable impressions of both USSR and Mongolia. Some of these concerned the material progress I had seen, particularly in the latter country where considerable advances had been made in the fields of industry, agriculture and animal husbandry. I have been back to Russia twice since then ( in 1982 and 1986). On the last occasion, I was pleased to find that the atmosphere had changed dramatically for the better. This was tangible evidence that political liberty has a direct bearing on the way people feel about themselves. Now that they were able to express their true feelings, they clearly felt much happier. On 2 August 1979, a delegation comprised of five members of the Tibetan Government in Exile left New Delhi en route to Tibet via Peking. I had chosen them carefully. Because it was important that they should be as objective as possible, I selected men who not only knew Tibet as it was before the Chinese invasion, but were familiar with the modern world as well. I also ensured that there was a representative of each of the three different provinces. My brother Lobsang Samten was one of their member. He had long since renounced his monastic vows, leaving me as the only member of the family in the Sangha, and was at that time going through a very modern phase in terms of dress and appearance. He wore his hair long and had a thick droopy moustache. His clothes were very casual too. I was a little worried that he might not be recognised by those in Tibet who should remember him. More than ten years later, I still do not know what impression the leadership in Peking expected the delegation to have of the 'new' Tibet. But I think they were convinced that they would find such content and prosperity throughout their homeland that they would see no point in remaining in exile. (And in fact, fearing that the delegation might be physically attacked by a right-thinking local population, the Chinese authorities actually briefed Tibetans to show courtesy to the delegates!) I also suspect that the Dalai Lama and the existence of the Tibetan Government in Exile were a great embarrassment to China, which was becoming anxious about world opinion. Therefore, any means to lure us back was acceptable. It was fortunate they were so certain of themselves. For, while the first delegation was in Peking, the Chinese authorities accepted my proposal that this mission should be followed by three more. My five representatives spent two weeks in Peking holding meetings and planning their route which, over a period of four months was to take them across the length and breadth of Tibet. However, as soon as they arrived in Amdo, things started to go wrong for the Chinese. The delegates were mobbed by crowds of thousands of people wherever they went, especially by young people, all asking for blessings and for news about myself. This outraged the Chinese, who frantically signalled ahead to Lhasa to alert the authorities there of what might be in store for them. A reply came back saying, 'Thanks to the high standard of political training in the capital, there is no possibility of embarrassment.' Yet, every step of the way, the welcome the five exiles received was ecstatic. And, on arrival in Lhasa, they were greeted by an immense crowd- the photographs brought back by them show the streets to be dense with thousands and thousands of well-wishers - who disobeyed a strict warning to stay away. Whilst in the city, one of the delegates overheard a senior Chinese cadre turn to a colleague and say,' the efforts of the last twenty years have been wasted in a single day.' " ( Again Tibetan courage! 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. ( 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 working as one pulling strongly and patiently together is going quite well! After that I did some drawing and worked with the clay. After that I took a nap then headed out to wander about taking pictures before heading up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to check the trees and native plants. After that I worked on our a land of Tibet. 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!)