Tibet Foundation Newsletter Summer - Autumn 2009

TIBET FOUNDATION newsletter
Patron: His Holiness the Dalai Lama Number 57 Summer/Autumn 2009
Tibet Foundation
Tibet Foundation is a registered charity (no. 292400), founded in 1985, which works towards creating greater awareness of all aspects of Tibetan culture and the needs of the Tibetan people. The Patron of the Foundation is His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Aims To promote the culture, religion and way of life of people of Tibetan origin, To relieve poverty amongst Tibetan peoples, To raise the standards of education and health care in Tibetan communities and To support the continuity of Tibetan Buddhism and culture, and to create a greater awareness of His Holiness the Dalai Lamas message for peace.
Tibet Foundation Newsletter is a publication of Tibet Foundation. The newsletter is sent to all supporters of Tibet Foundation for a yearly subscription of 15 (20 overseas). Please make cheques payable to Tibet Foundation. The views expressed in Tibet Foundation Newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Foundation. Tibet Foundation Trustees: Susan Burrows, Patrick Gaffney, Tsering D. Gonkatsang and Phuntsog Wangyal. Director: Karma Hardy Advisors to the Foundation Lama Doboom Tulku, director of Tibet House in New Delhi and former assistant private secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Sean Jones, Asia expert and travel consultant. Stephen Marshall, solicitor in the law firm Ormerods. Tashi Tsering, a Tibetan scholar and the director of the Amnye Machen Institute, Dharamsala. Newsletter Editorial Board Tsering Dhundup, Nick Swann, Tsering Shakya and Phuntsog Wangyal.
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Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer/Autumn 2009
We will soon be celebrating one of the biggest festivals of the year, Christmas. This is a time when we remember those closest to us - our relatives, friends and colleagues. Here at Tibet Foundation, it is also a time to remember the Tibetan people whose welfare we endeavour to care for and support. Recently in the UK, we have witnessed natural calamities such as flooding and its devastating impact on the lives of many ordinary people. In Tibet, winter is harsh and this year there is already heavy snowfall. People are expecting difficult times ahead, especially for the nomads in north and east Tibet where the Foundation has been working for the past 19 years. Unlike in the West the difficulties faced by Tibetans go
unreported and they are often left without any help whatsoever. I would like to thank all of you who have so generously responded to our Yak for Life appeal. One of our most successful, ongoing projects, it particularly helps Tibetan nomads inside Tibet. In the last two months some 35 yaks have been sponsored. Thank you so much for contributing to this. Tibet Foundation has also been helping Tibetans both inside Tibet and in Exile to receive an education. This is the key to success in this sophisticated and competitive world. Without a good education, there is very little chance for Tibetans to be able to compete with others and to ensure any degree of security or prosperity. Supporting
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Tibet Foundation, 2 ST James's Market (off Haymarket) London sw1y 4sb, UK Telephone: 020 7930 6001 Fax: 020 7930 6002 enquiries@tibet-foundation.org www.tibet-foundation.org 2 Tibet Foundation 2009 Cover picture: Rev X, the Japanese monk from the London Peace Pagoda prays at the Tibetan Peace Garden in front of the Kalachakra Mandala. 3
Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009
Tibetans to receive a better education is a real investment for their future. We are, therefore, appealing for your continued support to help fund the education of Tibetans both in exile and inside Tibet. This year, on separate occasions, Phuntsog and I were both in Tibet for more than two months. Working closely with the local people and monitoring our projects, we are very pleased to tell you that the help we are giving the Tibetans through our Aid to Tibet programme continues to be of significant, practical benefit for the ordinary Tibetans. It is also the simplest way to support them in their complicated and difficult situation. We met a number of the children who the Foundation began to support in the early 1990s. Now young adults, they have completed their university education and gained jobs in the administration. It is heartening to know just what a difference our support is making. Those Tibetans whom we met very much wish to express their immense gratitude for your generosity, and ask you to Keep up your good work! They send you their best wishes for a very Happy Christmas. Thank you again for all your support. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Karma Hardy
His Holiness the Dalai Lama His Contribution to the World

By Venerable Sogyal Rinpoche, the author of best-selling book The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.
In Cambridge in 1973. Teaching in London at the invitation of Tibet Foundation, 1984.
Presented on the occasion of the 74th birthday celebration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which was organised by The Tibetan Commemorative Committee, London, on 5 July 2009
I would like to begin by thanking The Tibetan Commemorative Committee - the Tibetan Community in Britain, the Office of Tibet, and the Tibet Society - for holding this event here today. Let me also take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude for everything that you do. This occasion is a celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lamas 74th birthday, and I have been invited to say something about him and his contribution to the world. This is particularly moving for me, as I can remember so vividly His Holinesss visit to the United Kingdom in October 1973, on his first ever journey to the West. I had the honour and blessing of taking some small part in this visit. But we could never have imagined, at that time, the impact and the influence that His Holiness was going to have on the world in the future. His Holiness has emerged as one of the great leaders of our time, a world leader and a figure of great moral authority, who commands the respect of people everywhere - including heads of state, religious leaders, fellow Nobel Prize winners, scientists,
scholars, philosophers, as well as ordinary men and women of good-will all over the world. People everywhere, rich or poor, whatever their religious beliefs, know and love His Holiness as a great spiritual leader, a spokesman for peace, and a champion of human values. His message of compassion has touched the hearts of countless men and women, for whom he is a source of hope and courage in this troubled world of ours. It is no exaggeration to say that he has transformed the lives of millions. Because the human values that His Holiness promotes of love, forgiveness, tolerance and concern for others in fact hold the key to the inner strength, confidence and happiness that all of us are searching for today. His Holiness has shown as well that these values are not simply a religious matter, but they are of universal and vital concern for the survival of humanity as a whole. In his book Ethics for a New Millennium, for example, he has given us a remarkable vision of how we can all develop these values, to bring about a saner and more peaceful world.
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Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Meeting political leaders in Northern Ireland. With Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In London in the 1980s.
The scale of His Holinesss vision and achievements is simply staggering. You only have to look at the list of countries he visits, the amount he accomplishes and the sheer number of people he reaches and touches. He has devoted his whole life to furthering the well-being of humanity. For almost forty years, he has travelled all over the world, sharing his message of universal responsibility and compassion, and it is a message that grows more important and more relevant as each day goes by. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a leader who totally embodies his message: he walks the talk. One person who worked closely with him said: He is someone who has completely fused his self with his work. His personal life and work are perfectly integratedso fully integrated, in fact, that there is no separation between his personal life, work life, spiritual life, or home life. And since he does not separate out a particular set of functions and relegate them to a job category, he has no job. ...I have often marvelled, in fact, at how he carries his full self with him wherever he goeshe seems the same
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in any setting. He has no off-duty personality. ... He is who he is, the same whether hes at home or at work. There must be an immense feeling of freedom in that kind of life. His Holiness himself exudes a peace and contentment that are unchanging, whether he is receiving the Congressional Gold Medal from the President of the United States, or whether he is serving food to homeless people, as he did recently in America. I remember very well the day we heard that His Holiness had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October, 1989. The very next day, he began a major Buddhist teaching in California at Rigpas request. When I congratulated him, he replied: I consider this prize to be some kind of recognition of my motivation and its sincerity. So essentially the credit goes not to this monk Tenzin Gyatso, but rather to the sincere motivation of altruism. Every human being has the same potential for compassion; the only question is whether we really take any care of that potential, and
develop and implement it in our daily life. My hope is that more and more people will realize the value of compassion, and so follow the path of altruism. As for myself, ever since I became a Buddhist monk, that has been my real destiny - for usually I think of myself as just one simple Buddhist monk, no more and no less. Let us take a brief look at some aspects of His Holinesss philosophy. First of all, he always emphasizes our interdependence: the fact that we are all deeply connected with one other, and with our environment. Last year when he visited Lerab Ling, Rigpas main centre in France, to inaugurate our temple, he said: The concept of interdependence is a principle that is applicable and relevant to every field of human life todaythe economy, environmental issues, religious harmony, international relations, and even our health. The reason why it is so very relevant is because this view of interdependence offers us a more holistic picture. When we come to see that everything we
experience and perceive arises as a result of a series of inter-related causes and conditions, then our whole perspective will change. Since everything is interconnected, it means that our every action, word and thought counts. And when we acknowledge our dependence upon one another, it naturally inspires us with a sense of responsibility and altruism. His Holiness often says that if you want to truly look after your own self-interest, then, at least be wisely selfish, rather than foolishly selfish. Take a good look and you will realize that if you truly wish to take care of yourself, it means giving up harming others, and trying to help them instead. When we think solely of what is beneficial for ourselves, we get it badly wrong; it always tends to boomerang back onto us. In His Holinesss words: What is entailed isa re-orientation of our heart and mind away from self and towards others. To develop a sense of universal responsibility of the universal dimension of our every act and of the equal right of all others to happiness and not to sufferis to develop
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Fleeing from Tibet into exile in India.
In the temple at Lerab Ling, France in 2008.
His Holiness contiues to guide and teach throughout the world.
an attitude of mind whereby, when we see an opportunity to benefit others, we will take it in preference to merely looking after our own narrow interests. Today, we urgently need the vision and the courage to overcome our narrow, selfish interests. Our old attitudes and short-sighted ways of treating people and the planet have to change: they have brought us suffering, and they lie at the root of both the economic crisis and destruction of the environment. The heart of His Holinesss message is how we can train our mindthat is, transform our attitudes and ways of thinking by training the mind in compassion, and by discovering inner peace. He explains: If you have contentment and inner peace as a basis, your mind will be relaxed and deeply at ease. Then no matter what difficulties or crises you encounter, you will not be disturbed. Your basic sense of well-being will not be undermined. As a result, you will be able to carry on your everyday life, your work and your responsibilities more efficiently, and your mind
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will also have the wisdom to discern what to do and what not to do. In turn, your life will become happier. And, when difficulties arise, you will even be able to turn them to your advantage. So, for your own inner peace, taking care of your mind and heart is crucial. Once your own mind is more at peace, then both inner and outer harmony will automatically follow. This inner peace lies at the heart of what the Nobel Prize Committee called His Holinesss philosophy of peace. As he says: I usually tell people in order to achieve genuine world peace; firstly we individuals should develop inner peace. When, as individuals, we disarm ourselves internally through countering our negative thoughts and emotions and cultivating positive qualitieswe create the conditions for external disarmament. Indeed, genuine, lasting world peace will only be possible as a result of each of us making an effort internally. One of His Holinesss great contributions to the world has been his dedication to non-
violence, during the long struggle of the Tibetan people for their rights and freedoms. He always quotes Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King as his sources of inspiration. And his example has inspired people in every part of the globe in their own aspirations for freedom. What is so striking about His Holinesss message is how up-to-date and relevant it is to the real, and urgent, problems of today. These days, we all talk about creating a sustainable world and this is exactly what is at the heart of His Holinesss thinking. He points out continuously that issues such as human rights, environmental protection and greater social and economic equality, are all intimately inter-connected. He has become one of the leading spokesmen for the preservation of the worlds environment. Recently, for example, he gave his support to the Prince of Waless campaign to protect the rainforests. He says: The earth is our only home. If we do not look after this home, what else are we charged to do on this earth?
His Holiness has spoken out very strongly many times against the damage to the environment caused by the richer nations, and warned of the long-term global dangers of economic and social inequality. At the conference of Nobel Laureates in Jordan last year, he called this inequality a moral crisis, that is responsible for world hunger, and is caused by a lack of compassion. In his way, His Holiness has also become a spokesman for the poorer nations of the world. At the same time, he is deeply concerned about the state of most modern education. He believes that warm-heartedness, human values and a sense of responsibility urgently need to be included in the educational curriculum at every level. For us Tibetans, His Holiness represents an extraordinary example of leadership. For half a century he has been our guiding light, and led the Tibetan people in our nonviolent struggle for survival. All over the globe, he has awakened an awareness of Tibet, and Tibets unique spiritual culture. I remember very well, as a member
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of the Tibetan community here in Great Britain during the 1970s and 1980s, how we sought to create a wider understanding of the question of Tibet. I feel a deep debt of gratitude to all those who didand continue to doso much to help us. Naturally, I think of organizations like the Tibet Society, founded in 1959, and Tibet Foundation, who have all made such a huge contribution towards His Holinesss work. The Economist magazine has called the Tibetan refugee community far and away the most successful on the planet. We Tibetans owe so much to His Holinesss vision and constant endeavour. And he is rightly, and universally, admired for having brought democracy to the Tibetan community in exile, and for having established it for the future. In his recent addresses to Tibetans around the world, His Holiness has emphasized the importance of the study of Dharma for the preservation of our culture. He explains that we should not just to rely on blessings and outward ceremonies, but really take to heart and analyze the meaning of the teachings. For him, transforming the mind is always the crucial point and the core of Buddhas teaching. Equally, he has emphasized the importance of education, encouraging Tibetans to excel in modern fields of education. This is already happening, of course, to a certain extent. He has also underlined how the Himalayan people and the Tibetans share the same spiritual roots and one culture, and how important it is that we support one other. Of course it is our responsibility, as
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Tibetans here in the free world, to do all that we can to maintain our heritage, and to keep Tibet and His Holinesss message alive in the minds of people far and wide. One of His Holinesss great achievements is the influence he has had on the development of Buddhism. For those of us who are Buddhist practitioners, he is not only an example, but a leader, and a pioneer. He has taken the greatest personal interest in making sure that the study and practice of Buddha dharma flourishes authentically everywhere, both in the East and in the West. Meanwhile, his teachings are treasured and studied, like those of the great panditas and masters of the past. On account of his knowledge, his learning, and his experience, His Holiness is able to translate the teachings so authentically for our time, and to relate the Buddha dharma to the modern world in so many inspiring ways. Last year at Lerab Ling, he said: Buddhism in the 21st century implies fuller knowledge: fuller knowledge of modern science, modern education and todays reality, and at the same time a fuller knowledge of the structure of Buddhism. That is what I mean by 21st century Buddhism. His Holiness has shown how the teaching of Buddha transcends religion and has a universal and immediate relevance to the problems of our time. He has had a lifelong fascination with science. He believes both science and Buddhism share a common vision of serving humanity, both through compassion and wisdom. Here in London, I remember the great physicist, the late Professor David Bohm, who was a dear
friend of His Holiness, and someone he called his scientific guru. Since 1987, with the Mind and Life Institute, His Holiness has conducted an extraordinary and farreaching dialogue with the world of science, which has shown the depth and power of Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices, and what the Buddhist teachings have to offer the world at large. Another great friend of His Holiness here in London, and a true friend of the Tibetans, was the late Edward Carpenter, the Dean of Westminster. He recognized in His Holiness a leader who had a genuine respect and openness towards all religious traditions, and a belief in their importance for cultivating positive human qualities. Truly, His Holiness has been a pioneer in building understanding between the faiths. He has prayed in mosques, temples, synagogues and cathedrals. He has made pilgrimage to holy places, like Jerusalem and Lourdes, and taken part in retreats with practitioners of other religions. What is more, in his Buddhist teachings, there is never any notion of conversion; His Holiness always insists that people stay with their own religious tradition. Looking back at His Holinesss incredible contribution to the world, its easy to understand why we Tibetans regard him as the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, Phagpa Chenrezig, the Buddha of compassion. In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, I wrote: He is, I believe, nothing less than the face of the Buddha of Compassion turned toward an endangered humanity, the incarnation of
Avalokiteshvara not only for Tibet and not only for Buddhists, but for the whole world--in need, as never before, of healing compassion and of his example of total dedication to peace. I believe that one of the reasons that his presence is so powerful, and that he has achieved so much, is that all the Tibetan people have placed in him their prayers and their deepest aspirations and hopes. Also, I know that the greatest masters of Tibet, that generation who sadly have mostly passed away, like His Holinesss tutors Ling Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche, and the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, all directed their strongest blessings and prayers into him, as they knew the role he was destined to play. In fact, His Holiness so much represents Tibet that when you pray for his long life, in many ways you are praying for the long life of the Tibetan tradition and for the future of Tibet. His Holiness embodies the highest hopes of the Tibetan people, and nowadays also the deepest aspirations of so many around the world. I would like to conclude with a prayer which I think all of us here will feel in our hearts: that His Holiness continues to live for a long time and that his health remains excellent; that his vision and all his aspirations, for the world and for Tibet and the Tibetan people, may be fulfilled; and that during his lifetime he may return to Tibet, and bring the same leadership there as he has for us Tibetans in exile, and indeed for the world at large. Tertn Sogyal Trust, 2009. All rights reserved.
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WILD TIBET: The Story of Tsoe the Olympic Mascot
Part 3
Sam Wangyal, filmmaker and director of Wild Nomads travel company, continues his journey to discover more of the Chirus tragic story.
Tibet is a land of Buddhism and its people follow the teachings of Lord Buddha. The 33rd Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo decreed laws against hunting and killing wildlife and promoted the idea of animal protection and life conservation. Ever since, due to the promotion of Buddhist beliefs and exhortations by successive Buddhist masters, an aversion to killing and hurting of animals as well as other sentient beings has become almost second nature to Tibetans, and this helped create a balanced ecological system on the Tibet plateau that is spiritually inspired but scientifically viable.
mouth and the carnivores that drink by lapping the water. Three flat unleash fesses are Beaver, Badger and Frog. Three bending animals without bile are the Horse, Wild Ass and Deer. Three up-right standing animals who do not shed skin are Pica, Hare and Grouse. Three flying birds without kidney are Garuda, Eagle and Vulture. Likewise there is significance of names chosen to describe some animals. Differences between big and small birds are based on their eyes. Bigger birds have their eyes slightly covered with the upper layer of skin where as small birds have their eyes covered slightly from the corners. These distinct characteristics of birds and animals are set forth according to the observation of scholar of northern Tibet. Great scholars may not agree with these broad groupings but I present this for the sake of pleasing the curious children. In 1924 Charles Bell wrote on the Tibetan environment, Eastern Tibet is at all events a country with a future. The lands on the whole lie at more reasonable elevations. Agriculture is possible on a large scale. Grazing is abundant, and there are extensive forests. Nor is this all. For its mineral wealth - gold, silver, copper, iron and lead - hitherto untouched, may well prove of great value when developed on modern lines. How right he was, but he was not to know when he penned these words that the Chinese would become the masters of Tibet and so of the land. The Chinese takeover one can say has tragically changed not only for its people but to the environment and wildlife, and Tibet is now described as "ecologically devastated" in many respects. In a special report for the UN Commission
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Lama of Tsotrie
Earlier this year during my brief stay in Dharamsala, the respected Tibetan scholar Tashi Tsering pointed out to me that as early 1434 A.D. Paljor Sangpo Tagtsang had recorded an account describing the diverse wildlife of Changthang Plateau. He wrote, The herbivorous wild life of the nomadic region of northern Tibet may be grouped into nine types. (i) The horned male and female animals -Wild Yak (Drong), Antelope and blue sheep. (ii) The hornless male and female animals - Wild ass, Musk Deer and Rabbit. (iii) The horned male and hornless female of Deer, Gazelle and Tsoe. It is said that there are no other wild animals apart from these animals in the distant northern parts of Tibet. Differences between carnivorous and herbivorous wild animals are described according to how they drink water such as herbivorous that drink water with the
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on Human Rights, it is noted that large areas are now deforested, and "a once flourishing wildlife seems to have been virtually wiped out...".4 China is pushing the national economy and the countrys modernization forward. Communism promised the people of China and Tibet a socialist paradise. Yet railways, oil and gas pipelines, petrochemical complexes, hydroelectric damns, military bases and new cities for migrant workers and army personnel have negatively impacted much of Tibets environment and culture. Surprisingly little seems to be written about Chumarleb, a county of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where the longest rivers in Asia (what we know as the Yangtze and the Yellow Rivers) originate. It is the main area where water reservoirs build up to feed the country's northern and southern water systems. I came to learn from the nomads that they have been facing severe grassland degradation resulting from desertification and marmot rampancy. At
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this high elevation the nomads livelihood is entirely based on animal husbandry. Their own livelihood and future is endangered. Xinhua news agency reports, Overgrazing from the Tibetan herders' livestock and the growing number of people living on the grasslands of China's far northwest Qinghai province are endangering the source of the nation's great rivers. But this does not seem to be the whole story as experts believe this is caused by two factors - lack of water and global warming. Climatic factors are causing the source of the Yangtze to dry up, and the situation is worsening. The Chinese government sees the nomads as a problem and the steps being taken to reverse this trend are unbelievable. They are ordering 100,000 Tibetan nomads to give up their lifestyle and move into the huge urban towns sprouting up along the Yellow River by 2010. This could possibly be the tragic end to the Tibetan nomads way of life - living in harmony with nature for over a thousand years herding yaks, spinning
sheep wool and weaving yak hair for tents and surviving on animals. On the internet I came across evidence of the real motive behind relocating the nomads under the pretext of environment concerns. One post reads, Are you kidding? China all of a sudden caring about the environment? Get real, China! Glaciers in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau that feed the rivers are melting at an alarming rate due to global warming, while underground water supplies are falling partly due to the region's increasing population and industrialization. An anonymous reader replies, The real reason is to destroy the native culture and for social control in the run-up to the Olympics. Every effort is being made to break Tibetan identity. The Central Tibetan Administration is deeply concerned at the increased mineral extraction activity that is happening at the Dachang Gold Mine in Tibet. They say it would have large adverse social and environmental impact on the Tibetan
Plateau and further beyond. Apart from being the source of major rivers of China and rest of Asia, the Tibetan Plateau is regarded by many as having direct and indirect impact on the local and global climatic changes. We dont have to be a scientist to notice these changes; you can see it all happening now as described above. Unfortunately Tibetan people living along the edge of this region will be the first ones to suffer the consequences of these negative developments. So in this regard, the challenge of conserving wildlife and environment is increasingly becoming significant and urgent. Unlike in Rawlings days, today there are few herds of more than 2,000 Tsoe (Tibetan antelope), but better news came last year from George Schaller who, returning from a recent 1,000 mile expedition across Tibet's remote Chang Tang region, reported that the Tibetan Antelope may be increasing in numbers due to a combination of better enforcement of poaching regulations and a growing conservation ethic in local
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communities. Schaller also noted that some nomadic communities living in the Chang Tang region have made concerted efforts to safeguard their wildlife and have established local wildlife reserves to protect populations of wild yak and other wildlife. "These wholly local Tibetan initiatives are the best means of establishing long-lasting conservation efforts, and they should be encouraged in every possible way," says Schaller. What I discovered confirms Schallers observations. I found there were local Tibetans who are voluntarily taking the initiative to set up wildlife protection groups. Their initiative has been inspired and encouraged by their lamas. Here I witnessed the living proof of the vitality of Buddhism in strengthening wildlife conservation and more and more influential Buddhists are speaking out on the subject and helping to bring about recognition of the pragmatic and dynamic role that Buddhist philosophy could play in conservation - far more than
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in the past. I learned a tremendous amount out there on the trail of the Tsoe about the threats they face, their habitat, the mammals, birds, plants, and invertebrates, and about the possibilities for making conservation work. I also came away confident that that the Tibetans will protect the wildlife encouraged by their faith and the lamas. But I also had a sense of foreboding for the Wild Yak unless steps are taken to protect them more rigorously. The nomads say this and my friends working with wildlife conservation efforts sense this. The Wild Yak is in great danger of extinction for want of open space in the grasslands and but manmade barriers such as fences and the train tracks confine its movements. Unlike the endangered Tsoe that are adapting to use the tunnels built for them the Wild Yak has a mental block about crossing the railway tracks or entering the tunnels. All these are the things I heard and saw as a lone wanderer with a video camera exploring the wilds of high Asia.
This journey of discovery and learning was made possible by friends I made along the way and their invaluable assistance and companionship and traditional Tibetan generosity. Completing my project will be a way to thank them. The film recording for the documentary The Story of Tsoe is still in the bag and I hope to complete it soon as further funding becomes available. With the 2008 Olympics the world media focused failed to notice that one of the mascots was the Tibetan Tsoe, that the Chinese have given the Chinese name Yingying. A more appropriate gesture of acknowledgment of its original habitat would have been to give its Tibetan name. Eventually, I hope to take the film back to Tibet and share it with the Tibetans for their participation in highlighting this risk of destruction of the ecosystem, the wild life and the nomadic way of life of the Tibetans in the Chang Tang area. This would involve distributing the film to schools, teachers, activists, trainers and more importantly
to the lamas to further encourage them to engage the people in conservation projects at the local level being mindful of global awareness and support of their actions. It is in these times we need to look back and to see what insights our forefathers had when they saw their land as inherently sacred. It is a testament to their native intelligence and the influence of Buddhism that the natural ecology of Tibet should be saved from exploitation driven by consumerism and shortsighted policies. Their beauty and power is not only for the next generation of Tibetans and Chinese people who are directly affected but by all since we live in a shrinking world of global community. Yes, it is heartening to see Tibetans making concerted efforts, often against heavy odds, to conserve their environment and wildlife as part of their ancient heritage which we now recognise as our world heritage.
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Teaching and Learning Programme Mustang in Nepal
the Nepal governments system. Their enthusiasm for the opportunity to come together to learn more about effective teaching and learning was huge. We readily agreed to take up the challenge. Over the next few months, through the generous support of our sponsors, we raised the 5,200 needed to get three of us from the UK to Nepal and to run a seven-day residential programme.
Eastern Tibet and as teacher trainers. Also, we consulted with others who had relevant experience to share. Our aim was clear: to provide the twenty-five teachers with the tools and the confidence necessary to start to move their practice forward to improve the learning experience of their pupils through the use of more learner-centred and active approaches. The high level of preparation proved to be very important because, in the event, Michele had to deliver the programme on her own. Roger came off the plane at Delhi with a thrombosis in his calf. The advice from the doctors in Kathmandu was that he should not travel to Mustang. A week later, his emergency treatment successfully over, he was cleared to travel west to Pokhara by bus to spend ten days living with the Tibetan refugee community that he helped establish in 6567. Michele carried on with the journey to Mustang to deliver the programme. A twenty-minute flight took her through the high Himalayan mountain range to land at 3200 metres in the Tibetan landscapes of Mustang. After two and a half days on horseback and on foot, wonderfully supported by Tsering and Ram Subedi, a Nepali representative of the NGO, Michele arrived in Ghiling to be met at the entrance to the school by a wonderful welcoming party of teachers, children and villagers.
Preparation
Ghiling, with the school buildings on the far left
Roger Catchpole has had a long career as a teacher and as an educational developer at the University of Plymouth. He has also worked on a wide range of educational projects in the UK, Asia and Southern Africa. He has carried out consultancy and development work for organisations including UNHCR, the British Council and the EU Education Office in Nepal. Michle Catchpole has had a career as a teacher of adults, as a lecturer at Plymouth University and also as a languages advisor with Cornwall County Council. She continues to lead EU Educational programmes. After successfully completed their Teaching and Learning Programme in Mustang, Nepal, Roger and Michele sent us following report (July 2009).
Background
In 2007, when we reported on our teaching and learning programme for teachers and Tibetan pupils in Eastern Tibet, our intention was to follow this up by extending the programme to other schools in the region. Sadly, though, the sensitive political situation in Eastern Tibet following the Olympic Games and its aftermath meant that we could not return for the time being. We were very pleased therefore when the Tibet Foundation asked us to respond to a request from Tibetan refugee teachers in Mustang, on the Nepal-Tibet border. These dedicated young people from the refugee camps in central Nepal teach a range of subjects but also bring a Tibetan input to the ethnic Tibetan children in Mustangs schools. They have completed their secondary education but, as they are refugees, have not had access to any teacher training under
We made an important early decision to extend our programme team to include Tsering Passang of the Tibet Relief Fund, London. Tserings links with the teachers and with the ancient kingdom of Mustang enabled us to find a suitable school venue in a small town called Ghiling that was willing to host a seven-day residential programme. A Nepali NGO, Maitra Ratna Nepal, built and supports the school and was very supportive to the programme. Very quickly 25 teachers including 19 Tibetan refugees, five ethnic Tibetans and one Nepali from the schools within a few days walk from Ghiling signed up as participants. Through Tserings contacts we were also able to carry out a survey that informed us of these teachers current practice. The schools senior staff did a wonderful job in getting the necessary food supplies up to Ghiling on horse back and in preparing to accommodate the thirty programme participants. Here in the UK we concentrated on preparing a detailed and well-resourced programme for each of the seven days. To do this we drew on our experience in
The Programme in action

On the last day, at the certificate awarding ceremony, one of the local teachers said
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ways of making lessons more interactive and of enabling their pupils to contribute more to lessons. They spent half a day looking at how the outside environment can be used to bring interest and relevance to Science lessons, normally only taught from the text book. At the end of each day the participants were left with a question to work on which related to the topic for the next day. They also had time at the end of each day to record their reflections in their logs.
A group photo with the teachers and Michele, taken on 7 June 2009. Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Rigzin, Abbot of Pal Ewam Namgyal Monastery, Lo-Monthang, was invited as the Chief Guest for the Conclusion Ceremony, during which he awarded the certificates to the teachers.
to the problems they are facing and to add further dimensions to their practice. All of those involved in the programme see the importance of ensuring that this second consolidation stage takes place. Initial discussions indicate that the most suitable time and venue for this would be in January 2010 and in the Pokhara valley. We will be ready to go out to Nepal again in January and the teachers will be down from Mustang for their long winter break. News of the success of the programme has brought requests from more teachers who also want to be taken through the first stage. We want to be able to include these teachers too. We are hoping that the more confident members of the first group will be able to take responsibility for taking this new group through their second stage. Our longer-term aim is to prepare some of the teachers for taking on the training role, using and adapting our programme as a model. We are very pleased that we were able to deliver the programme in June successfully and almost according to the budget set out beforehand. All of those involved are most grateful to those that gave us the funding and the support to make this possible. You have all helped make a great impact on twenty-five young and dedicated teachers. We are now starting to develop plans for the follow-up in January, something that the teachers have asked for unanimously. Once these plans are in place we are hoping that we will be able to raise the funding that we will need to achieve our aim.
that he had learnt more in his seven days in Ghiling than he had learnt from his previous 10-month teachers training. The written feedback from the other participants was equally positive. Here are three of the comments:
I learnt a lot and I am sure I can teach very much better than before. I will try to change when I go back to my school and will try to teach according to my training. I will be very glad if I get such training in the future Tsering Lhamo, Charang it is my first training and all of the teachers were unknown to me. But I never felt strange because everyone here was friendly and the environment was really adjustable I dont know how the days pass so fast. It was a really good experience to be here Sonam Bista, Lo-Manthang it is very difficult to teach students without having teacher training. From this training I get many new ideas such as like to use active learner strategies to make the students learn best this seven days seven days shows me a gateway to teaching Tashi Dhundup, Ghiling 20
We feel that this success came from five key ingredients: a well prepared and relevant programme, the opportunities given to the teachers to experiment with new ideas, practising what we preached in the delivery of the programme, the willingness of the teachers to reflect on their practice, and the wonderful support that Michele received from all of those round her. Ghiling School, with its classrooms, kitchen, dining room and dormitories, provided an excellent venue. Three cooks fed everyone amply, with Maitra Ratna Nepal subsidising some of the cost of the food. This extra financial support was necessary because the costs of travel passes to enter Mustang turned out to be higher than expected. The residential nature of the programme enabled a great deal of happy socialising in the evenings. Through workshops the participants looked at how to improve the structure of their lessons in ways that can lead to more effective pupil learning, and they developed
Towards the end of the week time was given to micro-teaching so that the participants, using a class of pupils provided by the school, could try out and experiment with the new methods and approaches from the programme. They also looked at how classroom observation can be a valuable tool for sharing practice and supporting each other.
What next?
From the outset we have seen this programme as the first stage of the two-stage process necessary to realise our aim. The twenty-five teachers have gone back to their schools determined to change and improve their practice. Over the next six months they will be reflecting on their progress and the problems they come up against. They will be continuing to support each other through coming together from time to time in the small groups established at the end of the programme. Our outline plan for the second stage is to bring them all together after this period to help reinforce and spread the good practice that is emerging, to help them find solutions
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Tenshug: Long Life Dalai Lama Ceremony held in Switzerland

Tibetan Communities from 19 European countries offered a Long Life Ceremony (Tenshug) to the Dalai Lama, Tibets Spiritual and Temporal Leader in the Swiss town of Lausanne on 5th August.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Lausanne from 3rd to 6th August, where he gave a series of public teachings on the topic, Understanding our mind and the causes of happiness, based on the text of the great Buddhist Master Tsongkhapa, The three principal aspects of the path; an initiation of the Medicine Buddha and Long Life Ceremony (Tenshug); and a public conference on the topic of World peace through inner peace. The International Buddhist Rigdzin Community, founded by Venerable Namkha Rinpoche, hosted the Dalai Lamas visit to Lausanne. The Tenshug ceremony was led by Kalon Tripa, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, who is the first elected Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Former and present Members of Tibetan Parliament and Dalai Lamas representatives in Europe, 15 elected representatives of Tibetan Communities in Europe, Venerable Sogyal Rinpoche of Rigpa International Buddhist Centres and Venerable Namkha Rinpoche of International Buddhist Rigdzin Community took part in the ceremony on stage by offering Tibetan scarves to the Dalai Lama, whilst Tibetan Buddhist monks chanted
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specially dedicated prayers for the long life of His Holiness. This special ceremony, which was conducted in the presence of some 6,500 Tibetans and Buddhist followers from around the world, was held at the Centre Intercommunal de Glace de Malley in Prilly, a little town located 3 km West of Lausanne. The Tenshug or Long Life Offering is a long established Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It is a religious offering to request the spiritual teacher to live longer for the benefit of all sentient beings. It strengthens the bond between the spiritual teacher and the disciple. The Tenshug offers a unique opportunity for the Tibetans to celebrate and demonstrate their distinct Tibetan identity and spirit. Those who participate in this religious offering do so with pure motivation and dedication. Each and every one should try to develop a positive motivation and try to accumulate as many Long Life prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama as possible. At the ceremony, His Holiness said that he was very touched by the Tibetans living in Europe for the trouble they had taken to put on the Tenshug Ceremony, which was postponed from last year, following
ill-health. The Dalai Lama said that since Tibetans have shown their commitment and reaffirmed their faith in him, it is paramount they take Buddhist practice more seriously and study hard. He explained that the rituals and prayers alone are not enough as the Buddha always encouraged his disciples to use the teachings as a form of personal experiential inquiry, to look within and put what is learned into real practice. The recent visit by the Dalai Lama was his 22nd time in Switzerland and his first time in Lausanne. His visit to the country was coordinated by The Tibet Bureau, Geneva. Europe is currently home to over 7,000 Tibetans; 4,000 of whom live in Switzerland.
his heartfelt remarks at the opening address. This special conference was organised by International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) and Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association (STFA). This Sino-Tibetan conference was attended by more than 100 Chinese and Tibetan scholars, educators, writers and human rights advocates. The aims of the conference were to inform the Chinese people and the international community that Tibetan culture and way of life are gravely endangered and that the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people are seriously being violated by the Chinese regime. In addition, the conference aimed to outline effective measures to support the Tibetan people in their struggle to regain their freedom and to sustain and promote its unique culture.
Sino-Tibetan Conference in Geneva

His Holiness the Dalai Lama also attended the Sino-Tibetan Conference Finding Common Ground in Geneva on 6th August, where the Tibetan Leader made
The Final Document of the 2009 Sino-Tibetan Conference Finding Common Ground is now available on: http://www.tibet-chinaconference.org 23
Tibet Foundation Day

Good evening, everyone. On behalf of the Trustees, a very warm welcome to you all. Were delighted that you could join us today to celebrate the 24th Anniversary of Tibet Foundation. This is also the third and final event marking the 10th Anniversary of the Tibetan Peace Garden. This year the Trustees report will be somewhat shorter, hopefully and the reception rather longer ! A lot of information can be found on Tibet Foundations website and in our Newsletters. So today I will just focus on a few particular highlights. The past year has been financially difficult for everyone and Tibet Foundation, like many other charities, has seen a distinct slowing down in its income. However, so far, this has not caused any serious problem to our ongoing activities. In fact, weve been able to complete some major undertakings and to give urgently needed support to certain other new projects. As I think you already know, the Foundation aims to: promote the culture, religion & way of life of people of Tibetan origin; relieve poverty amongst Tibetan peoples; raise the standards of education and health care in Tibetan communities; preserve and support the continuity of Tibetan Buddhist culture, and create a greater awareness of His Holiness the Dalai Lamas message of peace.
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those who contributed to this appeal. A full report can be read in our last newsletter. In Mundgod, south India, the Foundation offered 800,000 rupees (the equivalent of 10,000) to help to complete the building of a two-storey house to provide accommodation for the Beri monastic community. Given the current political situation these monks could well be the last to come from Tibet from this community. We recently received sponsorship for about another 30 children at the Tibetan Homes Foundation in Mussoorie, north India. Our special thanks to all of you who responded so positively to our winter appeal. Our work in India and Nepal still continues to be the most consistent and successful of Tibet Foundations programmes. In a year, on average, we send approx. 100,00 for a variety of projects, including hospitals and clinics, old peoples homes and performing arts institutes, but mainly for the education of some 1,000 Tibetans.
Aid to Tibet
As we know, there was major unrest in Tibet in 2008. As a result, the situation still continues to be very tense, and the number of foreigners visiting Tibet or engaged in aid work has fallen dramatically. However, we are pleased to report that it has not affected our ongoing projects in the Foundations Aid to Tibet programme. We continue to support the education of nearly 1,000 children, also to provide aid for the elderly and healthcare for the sick in the Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. In addition, during the visit of one of our trustees, Phuntsog Wangyal, in June this year, we made a commitment to support the painting of Buddhist Murals by 35 artists in the newly built assembly hall and debating chambers of Dhargye monastery. This is a one-year project, requiring a total of 90,000 Chinese Yuan (9,000). So far 30,000 has been spent, and another 60,000 Chinese Yuan need to be given in the coming year. Regarding Education: Gyalten School is one of the principal schools that the Foundation has been supporting in Tibet since 1992. Currently, 340 children are being educated there - 173 girls and 167 boys. Year after year its academic results have shown it to be one of the best primary schools in the area, receiving merit awards on several occasions. With support from local people and aid organisations like Tibet Foundation, the school has now completed the building of new hostels for boys and girls, new teachers quarters and improved classrooms. The Foundation continues to provide school meals for the children. This article continues on page 28
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Friday 11 September 2009, Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS

In furtherance of these objectives: We continue to run four main programmes: Tibetans in Exile, Aid to Tibet, Buddhism in Mongolia, and Art and Culture.
Tibetans in Exile in India/Nepal

The Foundation gave urgently needed relief aid to the people of Bihar affected by devastating flooding in 2008. Bihar is the Indian state in which Bodhgaya is situated, where Lord Buddha reached enlightenment and one of the holiest of places for all Buddhists alike. For Tibetans it was, in a small way, an opportunity to show their gratitude to the people of India for the generosity and hospitality theyve shown to thousands of Tibetan refugees living in their country since 1959. We were able to give the equivalent of approx. 10,000. We particularly thank all
Some of the Tibetan children in India sponsored by Tibet Foundation
Phuntsog Wangyal with Minister Sithar in Chengdu in June 2009.
Above: Some of the resident monks of the Beri monastic community and their new house in Mundgod, south India built recently with funds from Tibet Foundation. Below: With financial support from Tibet Foundation some of 35 artists and craftsmen painting murals and making statues in the newly built Tantric Assembly Hall of Dhargye monastery in East Tibet.
Above: Sonam Wangche, the Foundation representative in Kandze giving money to two representatives of elderly people and a group of them supported by Tibet Foundation in the Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Below: Sonam Wangche pointing at a school building rebuilt after the Sichuan earthquake and furnished with funds from Tibet Foundation in Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
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During a meeting in June with Gyalten Rinpoche, the founder of Gyalten School and head of Dhargye monastery, Phuntsog Wangyal learned that since 1998 more than 2,000 Tibetan children have completed their education begun at this school. 1,500 students, including 200 following vocational trainings, have either gone on to further studies or have successfully embarked on a career. A few have gone to universities in China or monastic institutes in India. We consider this to be an example of how our support for education in Tibet has produced significant practical results in empowering Tibetans. Gyalten Rinpoche said, Gyalten School and all the children and their parents are very grateful to all the supporters of Tibet Foundation who have continuously helped the school, given a real future for our children and brought happiness to all of us. Phuntsog Wangyal was given assurance by the authorities, some at ministerial level, that they indeed welcome the Foundations participation and contribution, and will themselves continue to give full cooperation. We would like to encourage anyone, willing to offer support, to help with the education of Tibetans in Tibet. They need our help more than ever before. It would be so regrettable when we have such a golden opportunity to offer much-needed practical assistance, if were unable to do so because of a lack of funds. Please do think of the Tibetans in Tibet who have put so much hope in us in the West. We dont want to let them down at this critical time.
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Buddhism in Mongolia
Tibet Foundation is one of a very few aid organisations in the West to have helped in the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia since 1992. At present the Foundation provides sponsorship for 91 Mongolian students studying a 15-year course in Tibetan monastic institutes in India. A number of those who were sent to India in the early nineties have already returned to play an important role in providing Buddhist education in their own country. We recently completed a major project with the Mongolian government of the publication and distribution of Buddhist textbooks to all secondary schools. This is the first time in almost a century that schoolchildren in Mongolia can study Buddhism at school. Within just one year, the positive impact of improving Buddhist knowledge can already be seen, not only amongst the students but also their parents. In a recent essay competition inviting comments from teachers using one of the textbooks, its evident that they are clearly of great benefit. A teacher in Ulaanbaatar city wrote: What a great fortune it is to be born as a human. Every child should grow up learning about Buddhist moral education and the enormous treasure inherited from generation to generation. In our society, there are so many things affecting our behaviour. If we forget and ignore our culture and tradition we will be the same as a lost monkey in the forest. The feedback from many of these schoolteachers refers to the textbook
Mongolia, His Holiness Sakya Trizin blessed the ground of the monastery. In an interview, he compared the Foundations work in reestablishing Buddhism in Mongolia with that of Sakya Pandita when first introducing Buddhism to Mongolia. The Mongolian government and its people are truly appreciative of the help theyve received. On 8th June The President awarded Phuntsog Wangyal with the Friendship Medal of Mongolia for "making a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and Great Britain to restore Mongolian traditional culture, customs and spiritual heritage. Those of you whove contributed to this programme can also feel very much included in this acknowledgement.
Phuntsog wangyal and Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar
as being thoroughly written, easily understandable, covering all major aspects of Buddhas teaching. Several praised it, calling it The Golden Book. Another significant project in cooperation with the Mongolian government is the publication of a catalogue of Masterpieces of Mongolian Buddhist Arts from five major museums in Mongolia. Since the communist revolution some of the remaining artifacts have been kept in museums as exhibits without any identification, description or cataloguing. This project is now close to completion. Once published this will become one of the worlds major sources of knowledge of Mongolian Buddhist arts, clearly described and identified with all names written in Mongolian, Tibetan, English and Chinese. Tibet Foundation has helped many Mongolian Buddhists, both individuals and organisations, to revive their tradition and to re-open their monasteries which were destroyed during the Soviet Regime. One of the finest examples is the Sakya Pandita Dharma Chakra monastery now under construction with support and encouragement from the Foundation. During a recent visit to
Art and Culture

Through our Art and Culture programme were able to contribute to increasing awareness of Tibetan culture, and to generate support for our other overseas projects. Various events have taken place too numerous to mention here. But just to highlight one of special significance. This year major renovation work of the Tibetan Peace Garden has been undertaken. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, His Holiness the Dalai Lama reaffirmed his support saying that the Tibetan Peace Garden has both a practical and symbolic value. His Holiness continued, All of us wish to live in peace. The Tibetan Peace Garden is a symbol to remind us that human survival depends on living in harmony and always choosing the path of non-violence in resolving our differences.
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We hope that our events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Garden have raised further awareness amongst the general public of His Holinessmessage of peace. If you have not yet visited, do go to the Garden to spend some quiet time and reflect on His Holiness message carved on the Language Pillar. It is indeed a remarkable sanctuary, next to the Imperial War Museum, amidst this very busy city.
For this anniversary wed also like to reflect on what the Foundation has achieved in 25 years and to hear what our supporters think of our work. Please kindly send us your comments, positive or otherwise.
Conclusion/Acknowledgements
Were very pleased that Tibet Foundations work has been, and continues to be, much appreciated by the people, the community leaders and the government officials involved its support is clearly bringing great benefit to the Tibetan people and to Buddhist culture. The Board of Trustees would especially like to acknowledge and credit these achievements to: all Tibet Foundation's supporters for their continuing generosity its partners for their invaluable cooperation, and its staff and volunteers for their extraordinary hard work, commitment and dedication.
Tsering Dhundup
Newsletter
The Tibet Foundation Newsletter is published quarterly. There youll find more details of topics mentioned here, including reports of how our projects overseas are being monitored.
Funding
Tibet Foundation is a Trust, not based on membership. However, the charity enjoys continued support from many committed sponsors and subscribers. Individual and sometimes anonymous donations are indeed our main source of income. Tibet Day is being held earlier than usual this year so, unfortunately, we have to wait a while longer before we can present the charitys final, financial figures. Our accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2009 are currently with our Auditor. Once completed our audited account will be published in the Newsletter.
Dhundup has agreed to become a Trustee of Tibet Foundation. Many of you know Tsering la. He has been connected with the Foundation for many years, contributing in all sorts of ways and especially to the Newsletter. He brings unique experience, understanding and a wide knowledge of Tibet, its people and culture. Tsering la will be a great asset to the Board.
As you know, our charity does not receive any government funding, but depends solely on donations from supporters. Any donation, however small or large, especially if given on a regular basis, makes such a big difference. Just fourteen pence pays for a decent meal for a schoolchild in Tibet, 15 per month pays for a student in India to study in a boarding school. Tibetans abroad are so appreciative of the help they receive from people like you and me. The Foundation is tremendously grateful for those who have helped and especially those who are leaving legacies in their wills in favour of Tibet Foundation. Without your interest and ongoing support none of this would be possible. So, finally, on behalf of my fellow trustees, I would like to express our sincerest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to you all.
Looking forward to 2010

The coming year, 2010, will mark the 25th anniversary of Tibet Foundation. We hope to organise a wonderful celebration, including the publishing of a textbook on Buddhism in Tibetan language for Tibetan children and a book on Tibetan Medicine. There will also be visits to the UK of some of the most prominent Tibetan Lamas. We are very pleased to announce that His Holiness Sakya Trizin has kindly agreed to be present at the time of the celebration in June. He will give a public talk and Buddhist teachings. We are also delighted that His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa will be paying his first ever visit to Europe next year and will come and bless the Tibetan Peace Garden.
Tibet Foundation Day

The following is a slightly abridged transcript of the address given by special guest Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey.
A full transcript appears on Tibet Foundations website.
Appointment of another Trustee

Before we look ahead to next year, wed like to announce some good news that happened just recently. Were delighted that Tsering
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Gary, professor, ladies and gentlemen, it is really, really good to be here. It is good to be at SOAS, which is a fantastic institution. Im a great fan of SOAS, and a great fan of the work it does, not just with its Buddhist
studies but generally, and it is good that we are recognising that by being here. But Im even more pleased, Gary and professor, to be here to mark this occasion and to be part of your celebration. I have been a
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Member of Parliament for between 25 and 26 years - I lie, between 26 and 27 years - and that means I am just older than the Tibet Foundation. But were both very youthful! Still! Buddhism helps that, too. I want to pay tribute firstly to the Tibet Foundation because it is really important that we continue to spread the message of the character of Tibet - of its history, of its identity, of its special spirituality - far and wide. And thats something that many of my Parliamentary colleagues, with me, try to do in our little way so that the world may understand the contribution that Tibet wants to make and can make and should be able to make. And theres a whole political victory with a small v yet to win, in order to allow that liberation of Tibetan people, Tibetan spirit and Tibetan character. Ive been privileged on several occasions to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he has been in Britain. Hes one of the magical, spiritual people of our age. I always put it, when I describe him to people, and people see a picture of me with His Holiness and realise that I have met him and they ask what hes like, that the other person who comes to mindwho has the same wisdom and spirituality and humour is Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Theyre entirely different characters but they combine fantastic wisdom great, great depth of wisdomand prayerfulness and topicality, complete interest in the activities of the world but with an engaging character that makes you really delight in every moment you spend with him. And I have been privileged to spend time with him not only last year when he came to Parliament,
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but on previous occasionswhen he came for a meal in Parliament and of course when he came to Southwark. And he came to Southwark following the tradition of great spiritual leaders. He came to Southwark to open the Peace Garden 10 years ago this year. And the Peace Garden, Im sure all of you, well, I hope all of you will have been. Many of you will have been many times but I hope you will continue to visit the Peace Garden, which is on land given by the Borough of Southwark. As you know, it was dedicated by His Holiness, has that beautiful mandala in the middle, has the reminder of the Himalayas all around it in the plants and the flowers, and remains every day as a haven of quiet and contemplation in the heart of the largest city in Europe. Im an MP for South London, so I will seek an apology in advance to those of you who live in North London. Of course people have to live in North London, I understand that, and whenever you have a river people live on both banks; I understand that too. And given that people probably came to this country from the south, and the west, they probably came first to the south bank and then were inquisitive to know what was on the other side, so they crossed. And some of them stayed. But if you look at a map of London youll see that the Elephant and Castle and the location of the Imperial War Museum is at the centre of a fan; of a hub. And to the north east is the City of London with all the business activity and to the northwest is the political corner with Westminster, but south of the river is where I always argue real people have lived
and they have done the things that people do when theyre not trying to govern or to pursue commerce. Theyve both prayed and lived life to the full in different ways, either contemplatively or collectively, either personally or together. One of the buildings on the south side of the river is what is now called Southwark Cathedral, which was built in 606 (the original building), so has been there witnessing for over 1400 yearsit was their 1400th year anniversary recently. Its also not irrelevant that the Peace Garden is in a location which is important for two other reasons. Its in a piece of land which we celebrated the bequest of this year. It was land privately owned until 75 years ago and it was given by a rich family, for public use, to the Local Authority. And it was given by a womanan Irish woman, in factwho had married into the British aristocracy. She had become widowed with young children, and understood the difficulty of finding space for recreation for young families in the middle of a busy city. And so this land was handed over, together with the building behind it (which used to be a mental hospital), for the public. And so the significance, the third significance (the first is that this is land publicly owned and blessed by His Holiness; the second is that it was land handed over in order to provide recreation for young people, as well as older people - rest and refreshment where otherwise there was pressure, by a very wise and generous benefactor), but thirdly it is outside what was originally a mental hospital, where people were confined for life (it became called Bedlam, which was where
people who were regarded as lunatics were putmany of them werent lunatics at all, but they were condemned and then they were locked up there) but which has been transformed into the Imperial War Museum. And the Imperial War Museum title suggests that it is all about war. It is, in a way, about war, but it is as much a peace museum as a war museum. It is there to remind people of the folly of war; of the sacrifices of war. And the third part of the garden has now got in it a memorial to the Soviet war dead; those who died from the Soviet Union as it then was, in the Second World War, of whom there were 20 million people who died. Can I just linger over that figure20 million deaths. We forget sometimes the absolutely extraordinary sacrificethe level of the deaths in Europe. We remember the deaths of the Poles, we remember the deaths of the Jews, but the Soviets lost 20 million people in all the Soviet countries (now many of them independent countries, like Ukraine). So the Peace Garden is a wonderfully symbolic and appropriate place. We are hugely privileged to have it. And were hugely privileged that its a place not only blessed by His Holiness, not only at the centre of the hub of London but to which people can go easily, but also here on land given for public refreshment and near the Imperial War Museum (previously the mental hospital). But I want, if I may, to take this opportunity and the privilege of being here to just say one or two other things which I hope will encourage you all. The first is that were very privileged in Southwark, as in many places in London, to have Buddhist
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temples. And in South London between Westminster and the Elephant and Castle area there have been two traditionally - one just near St Thomass hospital and one which is now located in what used to be Manor Place baths in Walworth, just off the Walworth Road a beautiful temple. I pay tribute to the Lama and her colleagues who have made it such a wonderful, wonderful place of rest and refreshment. That temple is going to move; not far away, but its going to move next year to Bermondsey, also in my constituency, also in Southwark. And its going to move into a building that was the library - the municipal library - and its been bought by the temple. And a wonderful opportunity presents itself. Its going to go into a beautiful building. Its going to go into what will be one of the civic centres of the borough. It will be at the centreit will be next to the old Town Hall site. And the community just last week announced how they were going to open their doors to everybody of all faiths and none, to benefit from all that Buddhism can teach. But the one thing that they are able to continue isthey will continue to offer a library. And I believe it will be a wonderful complement to the Peace Garden and the Imperial War Museum if we build with our Buddhist friends in that library, as the core collection, a peace librarybecause one of my eminent predecessors, and many other people who have done my job in Southwark as Members of Parliament, have been either pacifists or have been campaigners for peace. The most famous of whom to whom I pay tribute is somebody called Doctor Salter, who was the Member of Parliament from
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1922 to 1923 and then again from 1924 to 1945. And in my view he was a Quaker; he was the most wonderful predecessor one could wish for. And I think theres a real opportunity to have, in the same borough as the Peace Garden, a library for peace. So that the next generation, and the present generation, can realise what the roads to peace are, through both spirituality and through other means. And I will formally, after our meeting today, be talking to the Lama and her colleagues to see if they would, with me, agree that when the building is opened by them as the new temple, that could be dedicated as one of the purposes of the building. But I want to say one further thing to encourage you along. I think the worldwide movement for peace is growing, and growing more strongly. Theres an academic institute in Sweden, and there are others, which seek to monitor and report on how many conflicts are in the world every year. And the good news, although we still have terrible conflicts and terrible tension, is that the number of conflicts currently is less than it has been in many previous years and decades, and I can refer people (and probably the professor will know) to the academic source for this argument and this proposition. And as a result of that, people are understanding that conflict prevention is a really important political objective. The good news follows that in our British Parliament we now have an all party group on conflict issues, which I co-chair with a Labour colleague and a Conservative colleague. Im a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament, so it gives an all party
representative nature. And we are seeking to advance at all times the case for conflict prevention in Government as policy - in the Ministry of Defence, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in the Department for International Development. And we would love it if, at some stage in the near future, we could work with the Tibet Foundation to find a way of you coming to contribute to one of our regular monthly meetings which we hold when Parliament is sitting, to talk about the Tibetan view and the Buddhist experience and the contribution that can be made to conflict prevention. But its not just in Britain that this is happening. We have founded, last year, under the auspices of something called the east west foundation, an international network of Parliamentarians committed to conflict prevention, and that body is now at work. I am privileged to be a founder member. We founded the organisation in Brussels. It has regular members from Australasia, from the Middle East, from Latin America, from Africa and from Europe and increasing numbers of members also from Asia. We had a telephone conference just this week. And we are seeking to identify areas of the world where there is not actual conflict but the risk of conflict, in order to seek to work to prevent conflict rather than just react to it. And as an example, two of the pieces of work which we have committed ourselves to do now are : Work to identify where conflict might arise from the battle for water - the battle over the limited resource of water in parts of the world. For example, there is a prospective
conflict between Bangladesh and India over the water supply that Bangladesh relies on, that comes through Indian national territory. And were also currently engaged in trying to prevent further conflict between Russia and Ukraine over what is principally the battle over energy supply and gas and oil which Ukraine needs to come through Russia to be supplied, and which has been turned off. So there are various people now in increasing numbers of Parliaments of the world who see their job as being peacebuilding. Not just peace-building on the ground, step by step, as people do all the time in the Middle East, in Israel and Palestine, for example (and Ive been with peace builders in Palestine), but institutionally. And one or two countries have recently changed their Ministry of Foreign Affairs or their Ministry of Defence to be a Ministry of Peace. Which changes the whole of the cultural assessment of what Government is about. And there is a campaign, as many of you may know, for us to similarly have a Ministry of Defence and a Ministry of Peace. And I think theres an argument for all of us to seek to persuade government that thats actually what we should be seeking to do. And of course peace only comes through justice; you dont have peace without justice. And so there has to be all the time a campaign for justice as well. But I wanted to end by saying theres one other encouraging seed of the prayers for peace that His Holiness and others have planted. And that is that people are beginning
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to realise that the way we define economics and success and growth has not been very satisfactory. We have defined economics and success and growth by what has been called in economic terms Gross National Product or Gross Domestic Producthow much do you make; and how much do you sell? But of course you can be economically active doing rather stupid things. You can be economically active building a car which then is involved in a collision, which is then reduced to scrap, which is then built into a new car and so on, and the world is really no further advanced as a result. Several years ago (people have argued for longer than 20 years, probably) but people in the Netherlands in particular argued that we should redefine how our society moves and grows. Its most commonly thought that the country in the world which has formally sought to do this is Bhutan, which has begun to say that the way in which they judge how successful they are is not by Gross Domestic Product or Gross National Product or whether inflation goes up 1% or 10%, but by Gross Personal Happiness. I would perceive to have a basket of characteristics which give a much better indication of how well you are doingof wellbeing, if you likeand there are increasing numbers of people around the world who are looking at wellbeing and the characters of things like infant mortality, infant morbidity, relationship breakdown, mental health breakdown, all those things as well as simply economic growth. And thats an encouraging sign, too, that people are beginning to realise. And we have a huge ecological crisis, environmental crisis and weve had a huge
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economic crisis. They are not accidentally happening at the same time. They are happening, in my judgement, because the world has encouraged selfishness and greed and people have been seeking to exploit the resources of the earth too much for their own use and they have over collected, and over stretched themselves and acquired too much debt. And they have also forgotten that theyre stewards, that we are stewards of the planet, and unless we are responsible, not just for our generation, but for the next generation, then its not surprising that the ecological crisis is now upon us, that pollution is too much for our wonderful planet to bear. And so, there is a great challenge in the politics of the world, and politics is not a place where people of spirituality should fear to tread. Some of the best politicians in history have been people of peace in politicshave been Quakers, have been Hindus, have been Buddhists, have been Christians, have been Jews, have been Muslims, have been people of faith and other religions, Zoroastrians and otherswho have come to their political activism through faith. People like Ghandi are self evident, for example. There are still issues to win. And I end by sayingas we think about the opportunities for Tibet to influence the worldthey start on the doorstep; they start in Tibet itself; they start in the way that we produce a new settlement between Tibet and China (which is what the Dalai Lama has always said he wantednot independence but self government); they start in the region. In my view they need the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, for example, to be much more understanding of the other
faiths of Sri Lanka and the other peoples in Sri Lanka, where theres been terrible, terrible civil war and many people today, tonight, are in camps - internally displaced people. And then it spreads from that part of South Asia to the rest of the world. But I am really grateful that you have your presence here. I am very grateful that you have landed as it were, and taken a little safer bit of earth in South London. I am grateful that that is a blessing every day and every week and every month and every year to the people who come here. I am grateful that it is so beautifully looked after. I am grateful that it now shows that this is not a city of only one faith or no faith, but a city where Buddhism has its proper, central part. And I look forward to working with many of you in the temples south of the river and north of the river and in other places for
the advancement of the principles of Tibet, of non violence, of the love and respect for our planet and the principles of Buddhism, which I respect hugely and have benefited from greatly.
Thank you for the privilege of being with you. Happy 10th birthday for the Tibet Peace Garden, happy 24th birthday for the Tibet Foundation; and that seems to me to suggest that next year it may not be a big anniversary for the Peace Garden, but its an opportunity for another big anniversary for things to do with Tibet because of the 25th anniversary of the Foundation. Thank you very much, look after each other and work and pray and think and meditate in the cause of peace and the prevention of conflict. Thank you very much.
Wisdom Textbook Project 20032009

Following is a report by Dr. Phuntsok Tsering, the Tibet Foundation representative in Mongolia and Prof. Sh. Choimaa, author and member of editors of Wisdom Book, and the head of Buddhist Cultural Studies, National State University, Mongolia General background
Mongolia, under communist regime for more than 80 years, suffered not only the destruction of Buddhism but also its related culture and tradition. The most important loss, which cannot be restored easily, are the spiritual values cultivated with Buddhism for centuries in Mongolia. On an official visit to the UK, Mr. Tsanjid, the education minister of Mongolia (20002004) met with Tibet Foundation trustees and requested their help in producing moral education textbooks for secondary schools
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in Mongolia. The board of trustees took this matter seriously and discussed the matter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his council of religion and education. His Holiness personally recommended Prof. Jedrung Tenzin, one of the best known Tibetan scholars with the experience of working with students and compiling such textbooks to advise and help with the project. Mr. Phuntsog Wangyal, the Foundation trustee in charge of aid projects came to Mongolia and officially signed the agreement of cooperation with the Mongolia Ministry of Education. For the sole purpose of this project Mr. Wangyal came to Mongolia eight times and Prof. Jedrung Tenzin four times and spent months working with Mongolian scholars and experts on the textbook. Once the draft in Mongolian with a Tibetan translation was completed a team of Mongolian authors and scholars led by then the deputy education minister Prof. Tumur Ochir went to India. After a thorough revision of the draft with other Tibetan scholars and Phuntsog Wangyal, they had an audience with His Holiness and received his blessing.
head of the project and the British charity Tibet Foundation with Phuntsog Wangyal as chief coordinator of financing the project. The Wisdom Textbooks consists of three volumes: Volume I, Mongolian traditional ethics is designed for classes 1 to 5. Volume II, Understanding mind for a healthy living is designed for classes 6 to 9. Volume III, Foundation of Buddhist wisdom is designed for classes 10 and 12. In 2008, 75,000 copies of the textbooks were printed and distributed to some 650 schools throughout Mongolia. Currently, they are used as teaching material as a part of Social Science and Civic subjects. In the future the ministry of education is planning to introduce it as an independent subject. As a part of the agreement between the Mongolian education ministry and Tibet Foundation, a teachers training programme is being conducted during the summer vacation. The work on the teachers handbooks (manual) is in progress and near completion.
gave short speeches at the gathering to share their experience of the textbooks and the books impact on the morale of students. The overall impression was outstanding and extremely positive. A teacher said that within just a few months of its introduction the Wisdom Textbook has become one of the favourite subjects amongst many of her students. Another teacher said that after studying the textbook a naughty student generally known to behave badly in the school approached her asking that he would like to be trained to become a good person, even perhaps to become a monk. Another teacher called the text a golden book turning students from bad to good behaviour. Many parents and guardians of the students welcomed the book and expressed their wishes that the time allocated to teaching Wisdom Textbooks be extended. Many expressed their gratitude to Tibet Foundation and to those who worked tirelessly on the textbooks for their generosity and hard work. There is already a growing demand for the Wisdom Textbooks from libraries, academic institutes and even from ordinary individuals. Requests were also made to put the three volumes of Wisdom Textbooks on websites for others to freely download them. Other suggestions include that the textbooks are reviewed after five years.
with Mongolia as early as 1974, when, after founding the charity, Tibet Foundation established a special programme to help the Mongolian people in their effort to revive Buddhism and their traditional cultural heritage. Tibet Foundation has contributed to a wide range of activities in the revival of Buddhism; creating awareness of Mongolian cultural heritage in the west, translation and publication of Buddhist art, culture and religion, and introduction of Buddhist subjects in the Mongolian education system. On 8th June 2009 the Mongolian President His Excellency Mr. Enhbayar conferred Mr. Phuntsog Wangyal, the founder and trustee of Tibet Foundation with the Friendship Medal of Mongolia, one of the highest state award for foreigners for his significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and the United Kingdom. to restore the Mongolian traditional culture, customs and spiritual heritage. On receiving the award, Mr. Wangyal said that he was greatly honoured and that it was his pleasure to accept the award on behalf of all those who have supported the Foundation as generous donors, committed volunteers and dedicated staff. The Mongolian people would like to express their gratitude to the Foundation and their supporters and wish great success in all their noble works. To sustain the progress already made we wish all supporters and well-wishers to continue their cooperation with the Foundation. Mongolia 1st October 2009
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Assessment of the Textbooks

As a part of an assessment of the books, an essay competition was held amongst the secondary school teachers in the summer of 2009. Some 2,000 teachers from three major cities and various districts in the country participated in the essay competition. On 7th June 2009, the results of the competition were announced and prizes were awarded by Prof. Tumur Ochir, the former deputy education minister and Phuntsog Wangyal, a trustee of Tibet Foundation. The first 10 winners of the competition
Wisdom Textbooks
It is the first time such text books in modern Mongolian language have been written and edited by well-known Mongolian scholars and teachers working closely with Tibetan scholars. It is also the first time ever such textbooks based on moral education have been introduced to secondary schools in Mongolia. This project is a joint cooperation between the Mongolian ministry of education with Prof.Tumur Ochir as the
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The State Award

Tibet Foundation is the longest serving Tibetan non-government organisation helping the Mongolian people in the revival of their Buddhist culture. Its founder, Phuntsog Wangyal, first established contact
news
Friendship Medal for Phuntsog Wangyal
By T D Gonkatsang
of Buddhism in Mongolia. In 1985, Phuntsog established Tibet Foundation, London, a non-political charity organisation working to preserve Tibetan culture in general, and to provide healthcare, education and socio-economic support for people of Tibetan origin, both in and outside Tibet. One of its aims is to make available the thoughts and ideas of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spreading his message of peace and harmony. In 1990 after the peaceful revolution in Mongolia, the idea of contributing to the revival and promotion of traditional Buddhist studies and culture in Mongolia was first broached. Phuntsog travelled to Mongolia in 1991 and saw how after decades of repression under Communism, people were making great efforts to renovate and rebuild monasteries and temples. Then His Holiness advised him that the Foundation should do what it can to help Mongolians. In 1993 Sue Byrne, a long time volunteer with Tibet Foundation, was requested by the Foundation's Trustees to visit Mongolia and develop a project to assist Mongolian Buddhists, both monastic and lay communities. The Buddhism in Mongolia programme was formally established under Sue Byrnes able leadership as the Programme Manager. The programme was launched with an initial appeal for funds to send Mongolian monks to Tibetan monastic schools in India and to support Mongolias emerging communities of Buddhist nuns. The Foundation's diverse portfolio of projects in Mongolia has since expanded to sixty four to date. Liaising with the Mongolian Department of Education as well
On June 8th 2009, the founding trustee of Tibet Foundation, Phuntsog Wangyal was awarded the Mongolian Friendship Medal by the Mongolian President N. Enkhbayar at the Presidential palace in Ulaanbaatar. The citation reads: It is hereby resolved that the Honourable Mr Phuntsog Wangyal, who has made a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland, to restore the Mongolian traditional culture, custom and spiritual heritage, is bestowed with the Friendship Medal of Mongolia. While congratulating Phuntsog on this singular recognition and honour, everyone who is associated with the work of Tibet Foundation, past and present, can justly take pride and celebrate the recognition of their services and contributions towards the Foundations work in the revival and promotion of Buddhism and Buddhist education and culture in Mongolia. Without their commitment and sustained support, the Buddhism in Mongolia project could not have succeeded in making such a positive and meaningful impact in Mongolia as to be recognized with this prestigious Friendship Award. Its also a challenge to continue to sustain the good work.
as individual monasteries and nunneries, the Foundation assists in developing Buddhist curriculum, publication and free distribution of school textbooks as well as Tibetan Buddhist and medical texts; and sponsoring exchange programs of Tibetan and Mongolian scholars and students, research and publication of Mongolian, Tibetan, Sanskrit dictionaries, furnishing libraries, sponsorship of language studies in India, and many other projects. The Foundation remains active in supporting Buddhist education. It has just completed publication and distribution of Buddhist textbooks for Mongolian secondary schools. A two-volume catalogue of Master Pieces of Mongolian Buddhist Art will be published shortly. Some 120 Mongolians are currently studying Buddhism in India under a 15-year Tibet Foundation scholarship. Our challenge is to raise more funds that will allow Tibet Foundation to continue supporting existing projects and to develop important new ones being requested. Therefore, Phuntsog wishes to thank all our donors, named as well as anonymous, for their past support and requests everyone with an interest in and concern about the steady revival and development of Buddhism in Mongolia. For a more informed picture of the work of Tibet Foundation in Mongolia see the DVD film Blue Scarf, the Revival of Buddhism in Mongolia by Gilles Blaize, narrated by Michael Wood. The 52min documentary tells the inside story of how Buddhist Mongolia suffered decline in the last century under Soviet rule and how its people are courageously making effort to restore their traditional Buddhist culture.
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Phuntsog Wangyal, then the Assistant Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Achieves in Dharamsala, visited Mongolia in 1973 to establish cooperation between the Tibetan library in India and the state libraries in Mongoliaespecially searching rare and special religious texts. The first hand experience of the prevailing situation and the network of contacts made during the visit gave inspiration for further cooperation to revive and develop the traditional religious and cultural relations between Tibetans and Mongolians. As a follow-up to the visit, the first batch of Tibetan students from India were sent for general studies in Mongolia and a group of Mongolians came to India to study Buddhism. In 1979 HH the Dalai Lama visited Mongolia for the first time even though the country was still under the rule of Soviet Union and Buddhism was suppressed. As the plane was approaching Ulaanbaatar, His Holiness remarked that he could sense that it was going to be the start of the revival
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Roerich House An Update by Glenn Mullin

Against all odds, we managed to transform the Roerich residence here in UB, where he lived in 1926 and 1927, from a ramshackle shack with holes in walls, floors and roofs, and most windows broken, into something useable for the summer. I attach some photos of the opening on July 6th. We chose that date because it is also the Dalai Lama's birthday. Some 300 people came to the opening. Nationally famous TV cook show host Enkee catered pro bono, and shot a cooking show at the same time, which will give us a lot of national coverage. Russian TV also covered us, and three Mongolian tv stations. Those of you following the saga, we had organized a national "Roerich Inspirations" art contest. I'll send photos of the five
winners. We presented them with their awards and cash prizes at our opening ceremony. Of the six galleries in the house, we have Roerich prints in three of them, high quality, donated by the Roerich Museum in NY, as well as Jo Jagoda, and Yuri in Samara. The other three rooms have the best of the 71 paintings and statuary that were official entries in our art contest. We went $3,000 over budget on the opening. This was approx $1,000 for framing 40 Roerich prints; roughly $1,000 for a chemical toilet (there was only an outhouse before our opening); and approx $1,000 to install a nice gate. If anyone wants to help with any of these, we can offer you your pick of the art contest paintings. Look over the walls for ideas. For further information contact: www.glennmullin.com www.roerichmongolia.org
colleague Mr. Chonpel Tsering, the Tibetan Community in Britain Council members lead by Chairman Mr. Pempa Lobsang and our office volunteer Mrs. Lhakpa Pempa and her family, as well as all the other volunteers for their help. I would also like to thank our landlord Hansjorg and Mimi for all their kindness over the years and for allowing the usage of this cozy hall. As most of you will be aware, I have served the Office of Tibet for over eight years now, with the last almost two and half years as the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which indeed has been a great honour but at the same time extremely challenging especially in the face of limited resources and manpower. Many of you will remember that last year when Tibet hit the international news headlines, we were only two staff in the office. Nevertheless, by working long hours and even on weekends we managed to not only come out successfully with His Holiness May visit to London, Nottingham and Oxford, but also take care of all the other official responsibilities and respond to the overwhelming approaches received from the UK and international media as the primary source and commentator on issues affecting the Tibetan people. Here I must say that the level of understanding and support shown by the UK Foreign Office, Foreign Ministries of related European countries, various UKbased and other Tibet Support Groups, the Tibetan Community in Britain and other Tibetan Communities, Tibet-related NGOs, Tibetan Buddhist Centres, individual supporters and well-wishers all proved to be a source of much encouragement and helped to fuel our determination to work
still harder. To all of them, many represented here today, I wish to take this opportunity to once again extend my Thanks for all the kind understanding, practical support and warm words of advice and encouragement. One of the biggest rewards that I have received through all these years of patience and service to the just cause of Tibet and the Tibetan people is the trust and friendship of some wonderful people. I do not wish to them here for they through our regular contact know who they are and have always helped us without any expectation. As always, here again a heart-felt Thank You. From experience I know the challenges that lay ahead for the Office of Tibet. I therefore request you and all concerned governments, Tibet-related NGOs, fellow Tibetans and our friends and supporters to also extend your cooperation, friendship and support to the new Representative Mr. Thubten Samdup in the fulfilment of his heavy responsibilities. Mr. Thubten Samdup is a former member of the Tibetan parliament in exile representing the Tibetans in North America and has many years experience of Tibet-related work, that included founding and serving as the President of Canada Tibet Committee from 1987 to 2004. While congratulating Thubten-la on his appointment, I wish him well for the months and years to come as he steers the Office of Tibet to greater heights. Finally, Thank You again for all your support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the just cause of Tibet and the Tibetan Buddhist Culture that has the potential to serve humanity at large, including the Chinese people. Thank you and Thuje-Che!
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Address of Mr. Tsering Tashi, outgoing Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
at the welcome-farewell reception on 17th August 2009 in London jointly organised by the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan Community in Britain
Good evening & Tashi Delek. On behalf of the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan Community in Britain and on my own behalf, I would like to Thank You all for taking the time from your busy schedule on this Monday evening to come and join us primarily to welcome my successor Mr. Thubten Samdup as the new Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based here at
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the Office of Tibet in London. I am pleased to inform that we have with us today even a couple of guests from Scotland representing the Tibet support group and Scottish Cross Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet. I would also like to thank all those who could not come but have either called or written to us with kind words of encouragement and support. A big thank you also goes to my
Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009 Gyatsho Tshering (1936 - 25th June 2009)
A Home for the Tibetan Mind: The Legacy of Gyatsho Tshering

by Rebecca Novick
When the young Gyatsho Tshering approached the Tibetan government with the idea to build a library he was told that he was crazy. They said, This is impossible. Youre just dreaming. Tshering could see their point. But I am a dreamer. I just go on trying and trying. It was 1967, during the early and challenging days of exile. The re-established Tibetan government, overwhelmed and under-funded, was struggling to provide for 100,000 traumatized and penniless refugees, flooding over the Himalayas fleeing the Chinese occupation. But Tshering had his sights set further than the immediate needs of food and shelter. Tibetan Buddhist texts had been arriving in the sub-continent across Tibets borders since 1959carried on the backs of these same refugees. Tshering was profoundly impressed by how many people, only able to bring with them what they could carry from their homes, chose to rescue dharma objects from their altars; pechas (Buddhist texts) statues and thangkas (sacred scroll paintings) rather than items of monetary value. Tshering was deeply concerned that the millennium-old heritage of Tibetan wisdom was being destroyed by Communist forces in Tibet. Inspired by the stories of the great library of Alexandria in ancient Egypt built to house the knowledge of the world, he wanted to create a safe repository to preserve the skill of the Tibetan mind. He finally
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took his impossible dream to His Holiness the Dalai Lama who gave the project his blessing. He was very pleased, Tshering recalls. He said, Why not? Go ahead. But there were a few considerations. Firstly, there was no money. We didnt have any funds, said Tshering. Not one cent. Not one penny. During visits to the West, he would always try to bring up his vision with potential supporters. He was repeatedly, if politely, turned down, with the explanation that the library would be a religious rather than educational establishment. But Tshering refused to become disheartened and he eventually found an ally in the Catholic Church that understood the importance of religious archives. They were very generous, he said. After this, other funders gradually began to come on board. The texts that managed to survive the punishing conditions of high altitude passes and a rugged month-long trek in the packs of Tibetans dodging Chinese bullets, formed the librarys very first collections which can still be seen today. Manuscripts were landing on Tsherings desk battered and torn, with missing pages and passages smudged beyond recognition from snow and rain. It was clear that the challenges went far beyond those of cataloguing and archiving. This was first and foremost a restoration project. A team of the most learned Tibetan scholars was assembledmonks who had
hand to mouth, but we didnt care. We spent whatever we had that day even though we didnt know what we would eat tomorrow. Lamp oil was considered more precious than food. Every day was a day of excitement for us because every day we discovered a new and rare manuscript. Gyatsho Tsherings most vivid memory of that time was the support that he and his team received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He would personally take the time to come down and encourage each one of us. The construction of the library building began in 1969 and took four years to complete and became known as the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. But just as it was mostly the contributions of ordinary Tibetans who filled its shelves, it was the contribution of the poorest and most disenfranchised Tibetans that stood out in its construction. In those days, many Tibetans were literally carving out a living on road crews in the harsh North Indian mountain states, sleeping and eating in dust-filled tents, and earning a meager 3 rupees a day. Many of these workers put aside one rupee and donated it to the construction of the library. Others even took unpaid leave to come to Dharamsala to volunteer as laborers on the building project. Said Tshering They built it as if it was for themselves. That was very moving.
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spent decades studying in the great monastic institutions of Tibet. It had been part of their study to commit many of the texts to memory, said Tshering. They worked from dawn often into the late hours of the night, filling in the missing parts of the texts by hand with nothing but their own memory as a reference. Gyatsho Tshering expressed his regret that with the computer-age Tibetan calligraphy is fast becoming a lost art. Tibetan calligraphy has power. It has energy. That is something that I miss. But what can we do? The times have changed. The manuscript restoration team lived without electricity in shacks that before them had housed cows. We were living
As the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives began to gain international recognition acquisitions started to arrive not just from Tibet but also from Mongolia, Germany, and America. Private individuals began donating their personal collections, including a number of gifts that had been given to them or their family members by the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. Tibetan scholars and academics from around the world began making regular visits to Dharamsala to the library that was becoming renowned for its rich and comprehensive collection of authentic Tibetan texts. Tshering recalled people like Jeffrey Hopkins, Robert Thurman, Stephen Batchelor, Alan Wallace and Alexander Berzin who went on to become seminal figures in the Tibetan Buddhist movement in the West. I remember every one of them, he said fondly. Today, the Tibetan Library houses the entire collections of Tengyur and Kangyur the complete Indian commentaries on the Buddhas sutras and the Tibetan Buddhist canon respectively. Every evening you can find Tibetans, generally the older ones, ambling clockwise around the building, rolling prayer beads through their fingers. Wherever you find the collection of Tengyur and Kangyur, you will find people doing circumambulation around them, noted Tshering. Whenever they feel sad, whenever there is someone sick in their home, or when they want to find consolation, they go to the library and pray. The library was a pioneering institution in many ways. We started a thangka painting school, a woodcarving school, a philosophy school. We had the cream of the scholars.
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Each one of them was a specialist in some field of Tibetan learning. The original idea was for the library to house only written works, but Tibetans were arriving with so many statues, and other religious artifacts that Tshering saw the need to also incorporate a museum. To outsiders its a museum, but to Tibetans its something living. Tibetans going back and forth from Tibet in the 60s and 70s were often requested to look out for missing parts of key manuscripts that made up the monastic curriculum, and without which monks could not complete their studies. Although they risked arrest and imprisonment for bringing such items out of Tibet, to Tsherings knowledge no one ever got caught. He believed that there are still many important texts and documents languishing in drawers and file cabinets in Tibet, some that could prove politically sensitive for the Chinese authorities who have no interest in seeing them made public. Born in 1936 in Gangtok, Sikkim, a country where Tibetan Buddhism dominates, Gyatsho Tshering grew up with a love of Tibetan culture, particularly its literature. The attitude of the Tibetan people towards Buddhist philosophy was very different to now, he observed. The generation of which he was a part, was in his view motivated by a purity of purpose and a sense of altruism thats becoming harder to find in the Tibetan community. Nobody thought to extend their hand to outside help, he said. We all thought, if we dont do it, who will do it for us? Tshering served as the director of the Tibetan Library from up until 1998, after
which he moved to the United States because he said, I needed some rest. He also wanted to have more time for his personal spiritual practicean ironic reversal of the West-East trail that has led legions of Westerners to seek spiritual opportunities in Asia. I feel very satisfied that I was able to do something that was very much of benefit not only to Tibetans but also to people around the world. Im a very lucky person in that I led a useful life. I have no regrets. When I die, I will die in peace. Gyatsho Tshering passed away at the age of 73 on 25th June 2009.
This article is based on an interview with Gyatsho Tshering that took place in the summer of 2007 in Dharamsala. Rebecca Novick is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and the founding producer of The Tibet Connection radio program online at thetibetconnection.org The Library can now bw found on-line at: http://www. tibetanlibrary. org/library/ His Holiness the Dalai Lama inspecting the Librarys construction plans with former director of LTWA Mr Gyatso Tsering (Left) (Photo: Tibet.net/file) Source: Phayul (July 01, 2009)
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The Tibetan Day

The Tibetan day begins at first light rather than at midnight. The day is organised into shorter time periods in a number of different systems, each system having its own particular purpose. These shorter time periods are often conveniently referred to as 'hours' even though their actual length may be different to that of a conventional houreven varying in length from day to day. One commonly used system names the hours after the animals of the twelve year cycle, beginning at first light with the hour of the rabbit, and progressing through the twelve animals in order, with each animal having 'power' for two conventional hours. The logic behind this system is that the animal in question is often at its most active during the relevant time of the day. For example, the hour of the horse lasts from approximately 11am to 1pm: the period when horses are thought to be most active. During festivals, horse racing will often start at the hour of the horse. During the hour of one's own animal sign dharma practice and rituals are less effective than at other times. Another time system, linked at least in part to the monastic way of ordering the day into twelve periods, describes each 'hour' according to how the senses perceive the day's progressin terms of how much light is visible, or the behaviour of animals or other natural indicators of time. In this
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Daylight hours Tibetan Hour First light Sunrise Morning Midday Afternoon early late early late early late early late early late
Late Afternoon early late
system, each of the twelve hours can be divided into an earlier and later period, with each of these periods corresponding more closely to a conventional hour. In both of the above systems one Tibetan 'hour' equals roughly two conventional hours, and there are six 'hours' of daylight and six 'hours' of night. Given that the amount of actual daylight and night time varies day by day (except at the equator), this means that the length of a daylight hour can be longer or shorter than a night hour. This creates a highly complicated time system. However, to make matters simple these times have become standardised and the first hour of the day is considered to begin at 5am and last until 6.59am, the second hour runs from 7am until 8.59, and so forth. In another important system, the day is divided into 60 'hours'. However, this system is mostly used for detailed astrological calculations, and to give more precise times for important events such as moonrise or the movement of the gyu kar (rgyud skarconstellations and other astronomical phenomena which change each day).
Standard Hour 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 Sunday x o x Monday x o x o Tuesday x o Wednesday x o x o Thursday o x o Friday x o x o Saturday x o x o Night hours After Tibetan Hour Sunset Dusk Night Midnight Midnight Pre-dawn early late early late early late early late early late early late Standard Hour 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 Sunday o x o Monday x o x Tuesday x o x Wednesday o x o Thursday o x o Friday x o x Saturday x o x o 4 o x
Books Received
Collected Works of Lelung Zhepai Dorjee By Lelung Literature Preservation Centre Dharamsala 2009, hardcover pp555 This is the first of forty four volumes of the collected works of Lelung Zhepai Dorjee (a great Tibetan Lama of late 17th century) all in Tibetan with introduction in English and Chinese. For further information please contact the publisher at lelungttib@hotmail.com or visit their website: www.lelung.org
Ocean of Melody Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama Translated by Lhasang Tsering
Rupa Co, New Delhi 2009, hardcover 110pp Rs195
Good and bad hours of the day

Different days of the week have different good and bad hours in accordance with the following chart. Bad hours are marked X and good hours O. As might be expected, bad hours are not good periods in which to start new projects, good ones are.
This is a new translation of Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama by a Tibetan author Lhasang Tsering. The book contains an introduction on how and why the author came to translate the songs, and notes to the Text and the Translation. The original Tibetan text is not included in the book. For further information contact Lhasang Tsering, Exile House, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala H.P. 176219 Tel. +91(0)892 221314
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Teaching Schedule of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

This information is liable to change and you are advised to visit an official website such as www.tibet. com (the website of the London Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama) in order to confirm it.
2010 INDIA January 5 to 8 Bodh Gaya, Bihar - Teachings His Holiness will give five-day teachings on Nagarjunas In Praise of the Transcendental Atishas Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment Longchenpas Mind In Comfort and Ease & Tsongkhapas Short Version of the Stages of the Path To Enlightenment January 9 Bodh Gaya, Bihar In the morning His Holiness will confer a Long Life Empowerment and a long life offering will be offered to His Holiness. January 13 Chandragiri, Orissa Phuntsoling Tibetan Settlement Teaching His Holiness will give a one-day teaching on The Four Empowerments of Guru Pema Thoe Treng Tsel. February 28 Dharamsala, HP - Teaching Main Tibetan Temple In the morning His Holiness will give a short teaching on the Jataka Tales. SWITZERLAND April 9 to 11 Zurich - Conference His Holiness will participate in the 20th Mind and Life Conference on Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems A Dialogue Between Economics, Neuroscience and Contemplative Sciences Organized by the Mind & Life Institute. Contact: www.compassionineconomics. org
tibet FOUNDATION e v ents

The 25th Anniversary
We are delighted to announce the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Tibet Foundation with a series of events during June 2010. His Holiness Sakya Trizin, one of the great Buddhist masters of our time has kindly blessed us by accepting our request to be the guest of honour. He will give a series of lectures and Buddhist initiations during his visit to UK. His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, one of the best known young emerging Tibetan Lamas taking a leading role in propagating Tibetan Buddhist culture, is paying his first ever visit to UK in June 2010. He has kindly accepted our request to bless the Tibetan Peace Garden during his short visit to London. In 2010 to celebrate 25 years of our Aid for Tibetans we are presenting some folk songs and dances, this is a unique performance art from the mountainous regions of Kham, East Tibet. The following is a tentative programme for the anniversary. More details will be made available nearer to the time. Please make a note of the dates on the following page in your diary and check with the Foundation near to the time for any changes we may need to make.
Tuition in Tibetan language

(MA, M Ed. CTEFLA, PG Diploma in teaching)
T D Gonkatsang,
who teaches Tibetan at the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford, is now available for online tuition and consultation in Tibetan language. Contact:
tsering.gonkatsang@orinst.ox.ac.uk
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Tibet Foundation 25th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME
Events with His Holiness Sakya Trizin

Friday 11th June 2010 at 3 - 4.30pm Consciousnessfrom a Tibetan Buddhist Perspective SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG. Friday 11th June 2010 at 7pm 25th Anniversary Celebration Brunei Gallery, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG. Saturday 12th June 2010 9.30 12 Tachak Chungsum An initiation to remove obstacles Brunei Gallery, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG.
Saturday 19th June 2010 at 7pm Spirit of Tibet Unique folk songs and dance from Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Royal Geographical Society, 1Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR
Sunday 20th June 2010 Blessing the Tibetan Peace Garden By His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa Blessing at 3pm and lecture at 3.45pm Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ
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Saturday 12th 2010 2 4pm Reflections on Ethics For further information contact: Sakya Panditas letter to the Emperor Tibet Foundation, 2 St Jamess Market, After the lecture His Holiness will give London SW1Y 4SB personal blessings Tel.: 020 7930 6001 Brunei Gallery, SOAS, University of London, Email: enquiry@tibet-foundation.org Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG. Very Important: Check with the Foundation to confirm all venues and times.

Tibet Foundation Newsletter Summer - Autumn 2009

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TIBET FOUNDATION newsletter

Patron: His Holiness the Dalai Lama Number 57 Summer/Autumn 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer/Autumn 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

His Holiness the Dalai Lama His Contribution to the World

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Fleeing from Tibet into exile in India.

In the temple at Lerab Ling, France in 2008.

His Holiness contiues to guide and teach throughout the world.

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

WILD TIBET: The Story of Tsoe the Olympic Mascot

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Teaching and Learning Programme Mustang in Nepal

The Programme in action

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tenshug: Long Life Dalai Lama Ceremony held in Switzerland

Sino-Tibetan Conference in Geneva

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Day

Friday 11 September 2009, Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS

Tibetans in Exile in India/Nepal

Some of the Tibetan children in India sponsored by Tibet Foundation

Phuntsog Wangyal with Minister Sithar in Chengdu in June 2009.

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Phuntsog wangyal and Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar

Art and Culture

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Looking forward to 2010

Tibet Foundation Day

Appointment of another Trustee

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Wisdom Textbook Project 20032009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Assessment of the Textbooks

The State Award

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009

Tibet Foundation Newsletter no. 57 Summer 2009