As usual JN’s article on the Nangpa-La’s tragic incident and matters relating to our struggle against the dehumanizing treatment of our people in occupied Tibet is very interesting. Here I’m using the JN initials for Jamyang Norbu although during our heydays in the late 60’s in Kalimpong, we preferred to call him Doc Oc as he was the lead singer and guitarist of his band called, “Doc Oc and the Tentacles”. Translation: Dr. Octopus and the Tentacles.
It was during this period the world was churning, and teetering on its axis in the vortex of a centrifugal force, generated by tectonic shifts on the continents both politically and culturally. The monumental upheavals spawned turbulence in every corner of the world: mankind’s first footprints on the lunar surface; ferocious battles in the war in Vietnam and Middle-East; ravages of the Cultural Revolution in China; assassination of JFK, Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Woodstock and the hippy era; unprecedented Tibetan diasporas; and the emergence of the Beatles along with multitude of bands, etc. So, we on our part gyrated along with the rhythm. To the beat of Doc Oc and the Tentacles, we with Beatle haircuts in bell bottom pants and wide collared psychedelic shirts jived, waltzed, bolly wollied, twisted, and loco-motioned. It was during those days I was told by a friend of mine that Doc Oc was scouting and recruiting youngsters to join the Khampa guerilla forces in Mustang. At the time I kind of ignored the proposition as I was skeptical of it. In retrospect, subsequent events surely confirmed the validity of it. That was then and this is now.
I, for one, do not see JN as disrespectful of HHDL or our echelons in the TGIE in any way, as I believe much of what he does or writes are induced by his deep love of his country, and his insatiable yearning for a free Tibet – the country that was brutally raped – and illegally occupied with ruthless aggression in the name of liberation. We need more people like Doc when the vast majority of our folks prefer to remain reticent in order not to offend others, thus constraining their true feelings and views in our struggle for democracy and liberty. Now getting to the point, JN is correct in stating about the Manchu’s lukewarm reception of the 13th Dalai Lama in Peking 1908, and the subsequent hunt for him in Tibet, and pursuing all the way to the Indian border. To facilitate the Dalai Lama’s flight to India, the people of Phari and Dromo rose to the occasion, and did their utmost to contain the few Ching troopers stationed in Dromo.
However, the order to hunt for the head of the Dalai Lama was not issued by the Manchu Emperor or Empress since both of them had died toward the end of 1908. In fact, the order had come from the local Lhasa Amban. Had it not been for the gallant fight staged by Tsarong Dazang Dadul at Chakzam against the pursuing Ching troops, the Dalai Lama’s escape to India in December of 1910 might not have been possible. It is interesting to note that Manchu protocol required all foreign dignitaries, and emissaries to kowtow anywhere from three to nine times in front of the Emperor in those days. But, George McCarthy, an emissary sent by King George in 1793 simply refused to kowtow to the Emperor since he was representing the British Empire – indeed, the most powerful empire on the face of the globe – consistent with the saying that the sun never sets on the British Empire. In the case of the 13th Dalai Lama the Manchu court acquiesced to the Tibetan demand, and the Dalai Lama had been exempted from the customary protocol of kowtowing several times to the Emperor. Instead Thubten Gyatso was requested to kneel down just once with one knee only.
Some scholars have commended that the Manchu Court was infuriated when the 13th Dalai Lama had fled to Mongolia when the British Imperial troops were pushing toward the Tibetan capital in the summer of 1904. What and how the Manchus felt the way they did is a matter of conjecture at this point in time. The Manchu Emperor at the time was incapacitated in running the affairs of the state as he was under the influence of drugs. It was said that the Empress made him a drug addict so that she could hold the rein and reign the empire, which Empress Dowager did for a period of 47 years until she died in 1908, shortly after the emperor’s death the same year.
It was Emperor Khangtxi of the Qing Dynasty, who first fomented relationship with Tibet. When the Tsang region of Tibet was invaded and Tashi Lhunpo monastery and Shigatse were plundered and looted 1788 – 1791, it was the Manchus under their great Emperor Qian Long, who had come to help the Tibetans in driving the Gorkhas out of Tibet, just like the United States army helped drive the Iraqis out of Kuwait. It is a historical fact that the famous Qian Long Emperor of Qing dynasty was a follower of Tibetan Buddhism although all his predecessors, the Manchu Imperil families were shamanist. The great Qian Long had practiced the priest and patron relationship with the Tibetan Buddhists, particularly, the 6th Panchen Lama who had visited China in 1779 at the Emperor’s invitation. To show his respect to the Panchen Lama as his preceptor, Emperor Qian Long had graciously proffered Panchen Palden Yeshe a religious hall within the Imperil Palace. This hall close to the Hall of Supreme Harmony is called the Lama Temple today.
According to L.A. Times the late 10th Panchen Lama’s (Choekyi Gyaltsen) widow Lhacham Dechen Wangmo or Lichen had demanded the ownership of the Lama Temple on the grounds that she was the widow of the deceased Panchen Lama, and therefore the Lama temple rightfully belonged to her. Naturally, the Panchen court and Tashi Lhunpo monastery vehemently opposed to transferring the title to her, which created a dilemma. Consequently, litigation ensued. Acting as an arbitrator, the state magnanimously agreed to build a grand residence for Lichen somewhere in Beijing, which she found generous and mirthfully accepted the offer. And the case was closed as both the plaintiff and the defendant were happy with the settlement.
Also, it was at the Lama temple that the famous picture of HHDL and the Panchen Lama on either side of Chairman Mao, flanked by Zhou Enlai (Premier) and Lui Shao Chi (President) was taken during the Tibetan Losar in February1955. Last year the contents of one of the Tibetan Buddhist chortens (stupa) in the Imperial palace were exhumed, and the excavator were overwhelmed to find volumes and volumes of ancient Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts; either put in there during the Yuan or Ching dynasty. This validates the facts that the Yuan and Ching emperors were influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, in addition to numerous factual records on both sides.
Today there is a renewed surge for embracing religion in China as people had been deprived of spiritual practices for a long period of time, culminating during the dark days of the Cultural Revolution perpetrated by a regime, under which seventy to eighty million Chinese were estimated to have perished; i.e. more than over one hundred times the deaths in Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. Buddhism is once again flourishing in China. The Chinese are now going through a period of emancipation of the mind and moral reconstruction, and are facing new challenges of runaway economic growth which is widening the disparity between the haves and have not. Satiated with the seduction of money, and the rat race in pursuit of wealth under Deng’s quote, “To get rich is glorious”, today many professionals and youngsters are pouring into the holly places of Tibet to soothe their souls and cleanse their conscience. These youngsters feel so sanctified by the sanctimonious serenity of Tibet’s holly places; several of them have changed their Chinese names to Tibetan names, etc. As such, it is speculated that Beijing would not allow HHDL to visit Wutai for pilgrimage, let alone Tibet – for fear of fermenting a movement similar to the one when Ayatollah Khomeini was allowed to return to Iran in 1979 – which ultimately paved the way in the downfall of the Shah dynasty.
They are now thrust into the rapid development programs under a communist regime which practices capitalism under the name market economy, oblivious to the inevitability that they are on a collision course. Yet the oligarchy in Beijing incessantly preaches their people of attaining a harmonious society. How can they have harmony when there is so much corruption, inequality and income disparity between the coastal regions and hinterland? It does not add up; no wonder the country is having numerous protests and demonstration (some violent) throughout China. Though China is booming economically by leaps and bounds, the labor wage in Tibet is comparable to those of the Sub-Saharan countries; the lowest wages in the world. What incongruity? To make it even worse the migrants pouring into Tibet are willing to work for about forty percent less. This outcome is depressing. Had it not been for the money being funneled to folks in Tibet by their relatives from the outside world, they could very well go to bed hungry like during the Great Leap Forward period and the Cultural Revolution 1966-1976.
The other statement by JN, “If the Dalai Lama rallied in Times Square, New York, it would shake Beijing”. I find this statement contestable. To me this hypothesis resonates with discordance in view of the fact that recently our patriot (Tenzing Tsundu) was gagged during Hu Jintao’s visit to India. I also remember reading a headline in a paper in the 90’s which screamed, “Gagging the Dalai Lama” during one of HHDL’s visits in Britain. Our statement to the International community in Tezpur in the spring of 1959 was confiscated by the host country in order not to incur the wrath of its neighbor. We are living in exile as indicated in our travel documents. As such, we do not have the privilege of unfettered means and ways in venting out our grievances against dehumanizing treatment of our people by the predator.
So, it’s important that we navigate the sea on an even keel mindful of not embarrassing our host country, and other sympathetic countries. We have risen this far starting from ground zero under the unwavering leadership of HHDL when McLeod Ganj had nothing but Narojee’s store, and a handful of miniscule stores or vendors selling withered vegetables and bare necessaries displayed on the bare ground. In the early 60’s a dilapidated hut served as staff office, and some staff members even had to sleep in the cowshed, paradoxically just like during Mao’s Long March in 1934 – 36. Today, we are a force to be reckoned with the renewed surge of nationalism among the young, and our persistent pursuit of justice and equality. Sure like anywhere else, we have our share of ups and downs in dealing with all the odds and ends in our exile existence.
I’m also having difficulty in deciphering with clarity the Gandhi-HHDL comparison. Gandhi was rallying in his own country with the backings of aver four hundred million people in the Indian sub-continent, against foreign imperialists’ colonization at a time when the sun was already setting on the British Empire. Britain’s power was rapidly waning as it was severely weakened militarily, economically and politically by the Second World War. Beside Gandhi there were many stalwarts in the Indian sub-continent at the time fighting for their independence.
Gandhi was an activist while HHDL is a head of a state in exile highly respected and revered by the International community. India was then ripe for independence when Mahatma and other prominent freedom-fighters were agitating for independence and the timing couldn’t have been better. In retrospect, I believe India would have got her independence one way or the other, with or without Gandhi. By this I do not mean to marginalize Gandhi’s indefatigable endeavors in freeing India from the shackles of imperialism. As in life or in geopolical matters everything is timing. Timing plus efforts equal dividend. Had it not been for the Tiananmen Square massacre in June of 1989, the Dalai Lama might not have been awarded the Nobel Peace Price in October of that year. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the Nobel Peace Committee could have deferred the award a little longer.
Where as, ours is a whole different scenario facing a formidable force which is rapidly rising in economic boom and power, that many of its neighboring countries feel jittery when China flexes its muscles. I have said it all along that I wish we are David against Goliath, but the problem is it’s David against ten thousand Goliaths. Today China is working hard in cultivating amicable relationship with many countries, particularly the African and the Latin American countries. On February 11, 07 Hu Jintao wrapped up his eight African nation visit, to either mend fences or to court them so that they would vote favorably in the United Nations, when dealing with the issue of Taiwan independence.
Although China is a formidable force, we are by no means deterred. Whoever would have imagined the powerful Soviet empire would face collapse? Buoyed by Mikhail Gorbachev’s statement in 1990 in reference to the Baltic States that, “what were stolen must be returned,” the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) declared unconditional independence which eventually led to their independence on September 6, 1991. Following the Baltic example in December the fifteen republics of the former USSR declared their independence; today they are independent. Sure enough, no empire in the world has lasted in line with the concept of impermanence. The Soviet Empire perished after 74 years, and the new Emperors of China have been exercising their existence since October 1, of 1949. And, I dare say their years are numbered as China is again rumbling because of glaring inequalities, injustices, and yawning disparity between the privileged and the mass. And, the people’s yearning for freedom has grown from inaudible mumble to coherent grumble. It’s only a matter of time before the winds of democracy and liberty will caress the faces of the coming generation.
Given the current situation I’m for the Middle Path approach but with a twist. I have said it all along, “If you can’t fight em, then you engage em and capitalize on em without surrendering your sovereignty, if possible”. If not, settling for one nation with two systems just like Hong Kong and Macau is prudent. This, in my judgment is rational, and the international community would find it reasonable. I believe it is a win-win scenario for both China and Tibet. I am aware of Dharamsala’s recent equivocal utterances to the effect in cooperating and uniting with China, etc. They’re in politics and I believe they are using political jargon. I consider HHDL a seasoned politician as he had been burdened with the affairs of the state since he was just a teenager.
In the course of some fifty six years, the Dalai Lama had met with many world leaders and politicians, and they were much impressed by his sage and savvy. Today, the Dali Lama is one of the few highly respected and revered leaders in the world. He is the world’s third most popular leader after Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton according to polls taken about two years ago. He didn’t get there overnight. It took him decades of persistent pursuit of justice with nonviolence, and leading a life that is exemplary in today’s world which is fraught with greed, decadence and corruption. Where on earth can we get a leader with such quality? The Dalai Lama is recipient of numerous accolades and honorary degrees from major universities in the west. In October 07 he will be awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Metal in Washington D.C… Hence, we are fortunate to have a spiritual and secular leader of such caliber, and it’s our duty to coalesce and endeavor in seeking justice, in a way that will not undermine or tarnish all the efforts generated thus far by our precious leader.
We are now living in the new century of a fresh millennium. Lot of things has changed, and things are evolving. What had worked well in the last century may not work today. With this in mind, boycotting products made in China does seem a little obsolete at a time when the whole world is affected by winds of globalization and gloconomics. I’ve seen Tibetan stores in McLeod Ganj, Manjutila and Bodhanath, bulging with Chinese merchandise. What’s the point of bashing an already broken Chinese thermos flask in the street with the slogan, “Made in China, we won’t buy it”. Even if we all Tibetans boycott Chinese products, I don’t think it’ll even scratch the surface of China’s economy, and in the process antagonize many Chinese. The only solace we get in return is a sense of some satisfaction. That’s about it. So, I say, “Made in China we buy it, 99 Cent is our store”.
Yes, it is unfortunate that the tragic incident took place on Nangpa-La, but this is nothing new. The only difference this time is that the cold blood killing of a seventeen year old child got caught on camera of some Romanian mountaineering crew. I strongly believe that HHDL had earnestly prayed for the victims and survivors incarcerated. Life is precious and any callous act to take a life is unjust and inhumane under international law. I also realize HHDL has many important issues to deal with on a daily basis.
On March 10th JN will be rallying in the East coast, and I’ll be doing the same on the West Coast. So, quit asking what you can do for your country. We have talked the talk but the important thing is we got to walk the talk. We can then walk the walk. So, come out and join with us in rallying; rain or shine, hail or snow. As such, may I urge all of you to commemorate the 10th of March, (which is similar in nature to the Boxer uprising of China in 1900) especially, the nuns and monks of various Dharma centers in the free world. You all know that many nuns and monks in Tibet are being severely tormented in their cells for protesting, while many in the free world’s Dharma centers are fighting the battle of bulge, as a result of devouring too many delicious dishes in comfort zone. Please don’t forget those imprisoned in our illegally occupied native land by illegal aliens. Together we can, and we’ll prevail no matter what the odds are. Many are saying this is China’s century and we’re saying why can’t it be part of ours too?
Bhod Gyal Yong
Chewang Ngokhang (Ajo Che, Shanquog Che)
Southern Cal
Thepo Tulku
California,USA
Phone:510-776-3730
