December 18

Through My Eyes

Saturday December 18

(We continue to listen to Dalai Lama as he tells of the establishment of the Tibetan government in exile! )

" Likewise, there was no interference from Delhi over how I and the growing numbers of Tibetans conducted their lives. In accordance with popular requests, I had begun to give weekly audiences in the grounds of Birla House. This gave me the opportunity to meet a variety of people and tell them process of removing the protocol which did so much to separate the Dalai Lama from his people. I had a strong feeling that we should not cling to old practices that were no longer appropriate. As I often reminded people, we were now refugees.

To this end, I insisted that all formality should be deliberately reduced and made clear that I no longer wanted the people to perform the old courtesies. I felt this was especially important when dealing with foriegners. They would be much more likely to respond to genuine worth if they found it. It is very easy to put others off by remaining aloof. So I was determined to be entirely open, to show everything and not to hide behind etiquette. In this way I hoped that the people would relate to me as one human being to another.

I also stipulated that whenever I received anybody, he or she should sit on a chair of equal height, rather than one lower than mine as was customary. At first, even I found this rather difficult as I did not have much self- confidence, but it grew from then on. And despite the misgivings of some of my older advisors, I think the only people who were discomfited by these principles were occasional new arrivals from Tibet who did not know that the Dalai Lama no longer lived the way they were used to.

Life at Birla House was hardly conducive to formality anyway. It was neither especially grand nor large and at times it became quite crowded. I shared it with my mother as well as my household, and the remainder of my officials lived close by. This was the first time in my life that I had seen so much of my mother. I very much enjoyed her company.

In addition to reducing formality, our tragedy also gave me the opportunity greatly to simplify my own personal life. In Lhasa I had had many possessions which were of little use, but it was very difficult to give them away. Now, I possessed almost nothing and I found it much easier to pass on things that were given to me if they could be of use to my fellow refugees.

In the field of administration, too, I was able to make radical changes. For example, I saw at this time to the creation of various new Tibetan government departments. These included Offices of Information, Education, Rehabilitation, Security, Religious Affairs and Economic Affairs. I also particularly encouraged women to take part in government. I reminded people that selection for important positions should never be based on the question of gender, only on the quality and aptitude of the candidate. As I have already mentioned, women always played an important part in Tibetan society and today there are many who hold key posts in the Tibetan Government in Exile.

I returned to Delhi during September 1959. By this time, I was somewhat easier in my mind about the refugees. Their numbers had by now grown to almost thirty thousand, but Nehru was true to his word and many had been removed to road camps in the hills of northern India. My main aim now was to do what I could to have the question of Tibet's right to independence raised at the United Nations. Once again I began my visit by calling on the Prime Minister. We spent some time discussing a proposal to transfer some of the new arrivals to the south of India. He had already written to the heads of several Indian states asking whether any would be prepared to make land over to us Tibetans.

After expressing satisfaction to hear that more than one offer had been made, I mentioned my plan to try to have a hearing at the UN. At this, Nehru began to show signs of exasperation. Since neither Tibet nor China were member states, he said it was highly unlikely that I would succeed. And even if I did, it would not have much effect. I replied that I was aware of the difficulties, but that I simply wanted the world to keep Tibet in mind. It was vital that my people were not forgotten in their misery. 'The way to keep the Tibetan question alive is not through the UN, but through the proper education of your children. But it's up to you. You live in a free country,.' he said.

I had now already written to the Governments of many countries and now I had meetings with the Ambassadors of several. I found this a very trying ordeal. I was still only twenty-four, and my experience of dealing with high-ranking officials was limited to what I had gained during my visit to China and my few talks with Nehru and his colleagues. Nevertheless, it paid off to the extent that some were very sympathetic and gave me advice on how to proceed, and all promised to inform their Governments of my requests for support."

( A new beginning in the land of the Buddha! 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 headed out to wander about taking pictures including lots on Beaver's dam with it's wild array of icy jewels. I took lots of pictures to bring to us. After that I headed up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to the Grove where two as one we made offerings in thanks to the Tenger and nature spirits again since this coming week is the Solstice and the beginning of our new year; we've been going to our sacred place for almost two years as you know well! Then I wandered about taking more pictures before resting by your Medlar tree as usual. After that I returned to our studio to work on the website. Two as one pulling strongly and patiently together we've put the publishing files back together. You'll notice that we've returned the daily pages for October and November, Wildflowers, and our a land of Tibet pages to their usual continuous format. We'll fix the from recently section of our seeing together since we've noticed we've a bit to do on this. Soon we'll be able to work on our monthly and Grove pages again since everything seems to be fine! I'm very glad we got everything back! Anyway, then I worked on the printing block for awhile then worked on our a land of Tibet. Be not concerned beautiful one for we continue firmly on through the changes and the days when it is hard to see in spite of my stumblings. 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 December 18 (We continue to listen to Dalai Lama as he tells of the establishment of the Tibetan government in exile! ) " Likewise, there was no interference from Delhi over how I and the growing numbers of Tibetans conducted their lives. In accordance with popular requests, I had begun to give weekly audiences in the grounds of Birla House. This gave me the opportunity to meet a variety of people and tell them process of removing the protocol which did so much to separate the Dalai Lama from his people. I had a strong feeling that we should not cling to old practices that were no longer appropriate. As I often reminded people, we were now refugees. To this end, I insisted that all formality should be deliberately reduced and made clear that I no longer wanted the people to perform the old courtesies. I felt this was especially important when dealing with foriegners. They would be much more likely to respond to genuine worth if they found it. It is very easy to put others off by remaining aloof. So I was determined to be entirely open, to show everything and not to hide behind etiquette. In this way I hoped that the people would relate to me as one human being to another. I also stipulated that whenever I received anybody, he or she should sit on a chair of equal height, rather than one lower than mine as was customary. At first, even I found this rather difficult as I did not have much self- confidence, but it grew from then on. And despite the misgivings of some of my older advisors, I think the only people who were discomfited by these principles were occasional new arrivals from Tibet who did not know that the Dalai Lama no longer lived the way they were used to. Life at Birla House was hardly conducive to formality anyway. It was neither especially grand nor large and at times it became quite crowded. I shared it with my mother as well as my household, and the remainder of my officials lived close by. This was the first time in my life that I had seen so much of my mother. I very much enjoyed her company. In addition to reducing formality, our tragedy also gave me the opportunity greatly to simplify my own personal life. In Lhasa I had had many possessions which were of little use, but it was very difficult to give them away. Now, I possessed almost nothing and I found it much easier to pass on things that were given to me if they could be of use to my fellow refugees. In the field of administration, too, I was able to make radical changes. For example, I saw at this time to the creation of various new Tibetan government departments. These included Offices of Information, Education, Rehabilitation, Security, Religious Affairs and Economic Affairs. I also particularly encouraged women to take part in government. I reminded people that selection for important positions should never be based on the question of gender, only on the quality and aptitude of the candidate. As I have already mentioned, women always played an important part in Tibetan society and today there are many who hold key posts in the Tibetan Government in Exile. I returned to Delhi during September 1959. By this time, I was somewhat easier in my mind about the refugees. Their numbers had by now grown to almost thirty thousand, but Nehru was true to his word and many had been removed to road camps in the hills of northern India. My main aim now was to do what I could to have the question of Tibet's right to independence raised at the United Nations. Once again I began my visit by calling on the Prime Minister. We spent some time discussing a proposal to transfer some of the new arrivals to the south of India. He had already written to the heads of several Indian states asking whether any would be prepared to make land over to us Tibetans. After expressing satisfaction to hear that more than one offer had been made, I mentioned my plan to try to have a hearing at the UN. At this, Nehru began to show signs of exasperation. Since neither Tibet nor China were member states, he said it was highly unlikely that I would succeed. And even if I did, it would not have much effect. I replied that I was aware of the difficulties, but that I simply wanted the world to keep Tibet in mind. It was vital that my people were not forgotten in their misery. 'The way to keep the Tibetan question alive is not through the UN, but through the proper education of your children. But it's up to you. You live in a free country,.' he said. I had now already written to the Governments of many countries and now I had meetings with the Ambassadors of several. I found this a very trying ordeal. I was still only twenty-four, and my experience of dealing with high-ranking officials was limited to what I had gained during my visit to China and my few talks with Nehru and his colleagues. Nevertheless, it paid off to the extent that some were very sympathetic and gave me advice on how to proceed, and all promised to inform their Governments of my requests for support." ( A new beginning in the land of the Buddha! 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 headed out to wander about taking pictures including lots on Beaver's dam with it's wild array of icy jewels. I took lots of pictures to bring to us. After that I headed up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to the Grove where two as one we made offerings in thanks to the Tenger and nature spirits again since this coming week is the Solstice and the beginning of our new year; we've been going to our sacred place for almost two years as you know well! Then I wandered about taking more pictures before resting by your Medlar tree as usual. After that I returned to our studio to work on the website. Two as one pulling strongly and patiently together we've put the publishing files back together. You'll notice that we've returned the daily pages for October and November, Wildflowers, and our a land of Tibet pages to their usual continuous format. We'll fix the from recently section of our seeing together since we've noticed we've a bit to do on this. Soon we'll be able to work on our monthly and Grove pages again since everything seems to be fine! I'm very glad we got everything back! Anyway, then I worked on the printing block for awhile then worked on our a land of Tibet. Be not concerned beautiful one for we continue firmly on through the changes and the days when it is hard to see in spite of my stumblings. 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!)