Tibet and China: the past in the present

Tsering Shakya is research chair in religion and contemporary society in Asia at the Institute for Asian Research, University of British Columbia. He is the author of The Dragon in the Land of Snows: A History of Modern Tibet since 1947 (Columbia University Press, 1999)

(This article was first published on 18 March 2009) http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/tibet-and-china-the-past-in-the-present#comment-499926

19 – 03 – 2009

The Chinese government proclaimed in January 2009 that for the first time a festival called “Serf Liberation Day” is to be celebrated in Tibet, in commemoration of the events of 1959 when Chinese forces occupied Lhasa and established direct control over the country following the uprising of Tibetans against their encroaching rule.

The decision – a response to the widespread protests that engulfed the Tibetan plateau in March-April 2008 – was carefully crafted and presented as if it reflected the heartfelt sentiments of the Tibetan people. The announcement of this “liberation day” – 28 March 2009 – was made by the Tibetan members of the standing committee of the regional National People’s Congress in Lhasa, a body that represents China’s promise of autonomy to Tibetans but which in fact functions invariably as a conduit for the iteration of Chinese Communist Party directives rather than expressing local views.

Shocking new video of Chinese police brutality in Tibet

Edit: The video has been removed from Youtube but here is another link here: http://footage.tibetanbridges.com/Torture-in-Tibet.mov

Explore.org

Here’s a short film recently released by Explore.org that was sent to me. The video documents some key aspects of Tibetan history and culture.

Explore.org is a philanthropic project that showcases the extraordinary works of non-profits around the world. Explore.org’s multimedia library consists of short documentary films, world-class photographic galleries, and original interviews with inspirational NGO leaders and local heroes.

This Tibet Special is the result of a fact-finding mission that took place in April 2006. On that visit Explore gave a grant to the Dickey Orphanage, which was used toward building their new home on the road to Drepung Monastery.

See Video Here: http://explore.org/explore/tibet

Journey with the Explore team to the spiritual city of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. See Potala Palace, the traditional winter home of the Dalai Lama and a pilgrimage destination for thousands of Buddhists. Listen to the sounds of monks practicing the art of debate at the Sera Monastery, and witness the many ways in which new technologies are changing the Tibetan cultural landscape.

Radio Documentary from the Economist

Hi Jigme,

From looking at your blog on Tibet, I thought you might be interested in hearing this radio documentary from The Economist.

‘Tibet: anniversary of an uprising’, features James Miles, The Economist’s China Correspondent (and the only Western journalist present in the country during last year’s unrest), and Dr Robert Barnett, a former journalist who is now a leading author and lecturer on Tibet. Together they question whether China’s tactics for quelling civil unrest may backfire during the 50th anniversary of the uprising in Tibet.

The audio interview is available here – it would be great if you could have a listen. Please feel free to link to the content or post it on your blog.

Best wishes,
Lucy

The Economist

The Dalai Lama’s Pre-Dawn Ritual

Hi Jigme,

As a Tibet expert, I know you’re more learned than most about the Dalai Lama. But did you know that His Holiness’s morning ritual includes praying while jogging barefoot on the treadmill? The TODAY SHOW’s Ann Curry followed the Dalai Lama as he went through his pre-dawn ritual, I thought you and your readers would find the clip very interesting:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29108526#29108526

Best,

on behalf of NBC

This is a very entertaining video I had emailed to me. Of course I don’t consider myself a “Tibet expert”.

THE STATEMENT OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TIBETAN NATIONAL UPRISING DAY

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising against Communist China’s repression in Tibet. Since last March, widespread peaceful protests have erupted across the whole of Tibet.  Most of the participants were youths born and brought up after 1959, who have not seen or experienced a free Tibet. However, the fact that they were driven by a firm conviction to serve the cause of Tibet that has continued from generation to generation is indeed a matter of pride.  It will serve as a source of inspiration for those in the international community who take keen interest in the issue of Tibet. We pay tribute and offer our prayers for all those who died, were tortured and suffered tremendous hardships including during the crisis last year, for the cause of Tibet since our struggle began.

Chinese forces surround Tibetan monastery: activists

AFP[Monday, March 02, 2009 21:10] BEIJING (AFP)-Security forces have surrounded a Tibetan monastery in a tense region of southwest China after monks there demonstrated against Chinese repression, activist groups said Monday.

They said Sunday’s demonstration occurred in an area of Sichuan province’s Aba prefecture where a monk set himself alight last week to protest against China’s 58-year rule of the Himalayan region.

Tensions are high in Tibetan-populated areas ahead of the 50th anniversary on March 10 of a failed uprising against Chinese rule that led to revered spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fleeing into exile.