October9

Through My Eyes

Saturday October 9

(We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of the Tibetan uprising. )

" Before noon the subject was logic and epistemology, and my opponents were undergraduates like myself. In the middle of the day, the topics were Madhyamika and Prajnaparamita, again debated with undergraduates. Then in the evening, all five major subjects were hurled at me, this time by graduates, all of them considerably older and more experienced than myself. At last, at around seven o'clock in the evening, it was all over. I felt exhausted- but relieved and delighted that the panel of judges had unanimously agreed that I was worthy to receive my degree and with it the title of geshe, or Doctor of Buddhist studies. On 5 March, I left the Jokhang to return to the Norbulingka, as usual in a splendid procession. For the last time, the full pageantry of more than a thousand years of uninterrupted civilisation was on display. My bodyguard, dressed in their brightly coloured ceremonial uniforms, surrounded the palanquin in which I rode. Beyond them were the members of the Kashag and nobles of Lhasa sumptuously clad in silk and flowing robes, their horses stepping high as if they knew that the bits in their mouths were made of gold. Behind them came the most eminent abbots and lamas in the land, some lean and ascetic, others looking more like prosperous merchants than the highly evolved spiritual masters they were.

Finally, thousands upon thousands of citizens lined the route, and the road was packed with eager spectators along the full four-mile distance between the tow buildings. The only people missing were the Chinese who for the first time since their arrival, had neglected to send a contingent. This did nothing to reassure either my bodyguard or the army. the latter had posted men up in the hills, ostensibly to 'protect' me from the freedom fighters. But in reality they had a very different enemy in mind. My bodyguards had a similar fear. Several of them openly established a position and kept their Bren gun pointing at the Chinese military headquarters.

It was not until two days later that I again had indirect communication with the Chinese authorities. They wanted to know for definite when I would be free to attend the theatrical show. I replied that the 10th of March would be convenient. Two days later, the day before the performance, some Chinese called on the Kusun Depon, commander of my bodyguard, at home, saying that they had been told to take him to the headquarters of Brigadier Fu, the military advisor. He wanted to brief him about arrangements for my visit the following evening.

The Brigadier began by telling him that the Chinese authorities wanted us to dispense with the usual formality and ceremony of my visits. Pointedly, he insisted that no Tibetan soldiers accompany me, only two or three unarmed bodyguards if absolutely necessary, adding that they wanted to whole affair to be conducted in absolute secrecy. These all seemed strange requests and there was much discussion about them amongst my advisors afterwards, Nevertheless, all agreed that I could not refuse without causing a severe breach of diplomacy which might have very negative consequences . So I agreed to go with a minimum of fuss and to take along only a handful of staff.

Tenzin Choegyal, my younger brother, was also invited. He was by this time studying at Drepung monastery, so he was to travel independently. In the meantime, word went out that on the following day there were to be traffic restrictions in the vicinity of the stone bridge that led over the river adjacent to the Chinese headquarters.

Of course, it was completely impossible for my movements to be kept secret and the very fact that the Chinese wanted to do so shocked my people, who were already concerned about my safety. The news spread like flames on dry grass.

The result was catastrophic. Next morning, after my prayers and then breakfast, I went outside in the quiet early morning light for a walk in the garden. Suddenly, I was startled by shouting in the distance. I hurried back inside and instructed some attendants to find out what the noise was all about. When they came back, they explained that people were pouring out of Lhasa and heading in our direction. They had decided to come and protect me from the Chinese. All morning their numbers grew. Some remained in groups at each entrance to the Jewel Park, others began to circumambulate it. By noon an estimated thirty thousand people had gathered. And during the morning, three members of the Kashag had difficulty getting past the crowds at the front entrance. The people were showing hostility to anyone they thought guilty of collaboration with the Chinese. One senior official, who was accompanied in his car by a bodyguard, was stoned and badly injured because people thought he was a traitor. They were mistaken."

( An incredible display of loyalty especially since many of these Tibetans had witnessed the Chinese military power and it's atrocities. 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 spinning for you and working a bit more on the weaving with the grapevine bark which with us working two as one is going quite well! Two as one we've become much more skilled at this! After that I headed up our precious snow mountain to continue bringing food to the trees and native plants. Two as one pulling strongly and patiently together we've brought another couple of tons of tree food down! There's not much more to complete with this; then it's on to the other fall preparations! After that I rested by your Medlar tree as usual then returned to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. Two as one we've fixed a few more mistakes on the pages as usual. I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite; I'll put this up a bit early 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 October 9 (We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of the Tibetan uprising. ) " Before noon the subject was logic and epistemology, and my opponents were undergraduates like myself. In the middle of the day, the topics were Madhyamika and Prajnaparamita, again debated with undergraduates. Then in the evening, all five major subjects were hurled at me, this time by graduates, all of them considerably older and more experienced than myself. At last, at around seven o'clock in the evening, it was all over. I felt exhausted- but relieved and delighted that the panel of judges had unanimously agreed that I was worthy to receive my degree and with it the title of geshe, or Doctor of Buddhist studies. On 5 March, I left the Jokhang to return to the Norbulingka, as usual in a splendid procession. For the last time, the full pageantry of more than a thousand years of uninterrupted civilisation was on display. My bodyguard, dressed in their brightly coloured ceremonial uniforms, surrounded the palanquin in which I rode. Beyond them were the members of the Kashag and nobles of Lhasa sumptuously clad in silk and flowing robes, their horses stepping high as if they knew that the bits in their mouths were made of gold. Behind them came the most eminent abbots and lamas in the land, some lean and ascetic, others looking more like prosperous merchants than the highly evolved spiritual masters they were. Finally, thousands upon thousands of citizens lined the route, and the road was packed with eager spectators along the full four-mile distance between the tow buildings. The only people missing were the Chinese who for the first time since their arrival, had neglected to send a contingent. This did nothing to reassure either my bodyguard or the army. the latter had posted men up in the hills, ostensibly to 'protect' me from the freedom fighters. But in reality they had a very different enemy in mind. My bodyguards had a similar fear. Several of them openly established a position and kept their Bren gun pointing at the Chinese military headquarters. It was not until two days later that I again had indirect communication with the Chinese authorities. They wanted to know for definite when I would be free to attend the theatrical show. I replied that the 10th of March would be convenient. Two days later, the day before the performance, some Chinese called on the Kusun Depon, commander of my bodyguard, at home, saying that they had been told to take him to the headquarters of Brigadier Fu, the military advisor. He wanted to brief him about arrangements for my visit the following evening. The Brigadier began by telling him that the Chinese authorities wanted us to dispense with the usual formality and ceremony of my visits. Pointedly, he insisted that no Tibetan soldiers accompany me, only two or three unarmed bodyguards if absolutely necessary, adding that they wanted to whole affair to be conducted in absolute secrecy. These all seemed strange requests and there was much discussion about them amongst my advisors afterwards, Nevertheless, all agreed that I could not refuse without causing a severe breach of diplomacy which might have very negative consequences . So I agreed to go with a minimum of fuss and to take along only a handful of staff. Tenzin Choegyal, my younger brother, was also invited. He was by this time studying at Drepung monastery, so he was to travel independently. In the meantime, word went out that on the following day there were to be traffic restrictions in the vicinity of the stone bridge that led over the river adjacent to the Chinese headquarters. Of course, it was completely impossible for my movements to be kept secret and the very fact that the Chinese wanted to do so shocked my people, who were already concerned about my safety. The news spread like flames on dry grass. The result was catastrophic. Next morning, after my prayers and then breakfast, I went outside in the quiet early morning light for a walk in the garden. Suddenly, I was startled by shouting in the distance. I hurried back inside and instructed some attendants to find out what the noise was all about. When they came back, they explained that people were pouring out of Lhasa and heading in our direction. They had decided to come and protect me from the Chinese. All morning their numbers grew. Some remained in groups at each entrance to the Jewel Park, others began to circumambulate it. By noon an estimated thirty thousand people had gathered. And during the morning, three members of the Kashag had difficulty getting past the crowds at the front entrance. The people were showing hostility to anyone they thought guilty of collaboration with the Chinese. One senior official, who was accompanied in his car by a bodyguard, was stoned and badly injured because people thought he was a traitor. They were mistaken." ( An incredible display of loyalty especially since many of these Tibetans had witnessed the Chinese military power and it's atrocities. 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 spinning for you and working a bit more on the weaving with the grapevine bark which with us working two as one is going quite well! Two as one we've become much more skilled at this! After that I headed up our precious snow mountain to continue bringing food to the trees and native plants. Two as one pulling strongly and patiently together we've brought another couple of tons of tree food down! There's not much more to complete with this; then it's on to the other fall preparations! After that I rested by your Medlar tree as usual then returned to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. Two as one we've fixed a few more mistakes on the pages as usual. I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite; I'll put this up a bit early 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!)