Third generation

A sense of camaraderie have been built among these young and third generation of Tibetans in exile. The sense of oneness and one voice and their desire to channelize their energy and time for a cause is completely voluntary act. They are taking parts in demonstrations to voice protest against Chinese leaders' recent visit to Washington D.C. These young Tibetans galvanize resources through fund raising for an awareness and for community activities for the run up to Kalachakra initiation in summer.  Out of the numerous activities under way coinciding  the Dalai Lama's Kalachakra is a basket ball tournament, with participants from Tibetan communities all over America.

Incredible Tsampa

 Jamyang Norbu la's  article on  Tibetan culinary is illuminating and empowering.  I was thrilled to read his  part I  of the article and look forward to read up coming parts too. After going through his piece on Tsampa  I feel great of being a Tibetan Tsapa eater.  We all know what Tsampa and the process of eating,  but JN's writings is extremely lucid, humorous and very telling. This is the gift  of great writer, and essayist. The complete article can be viewed here.


http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=29080&article=IN+DEFENCE+OF+TIBETAN+COOKING+%28Part+I%29+%E2%80%93+Jamyang+Norbu




I have also listened to a great song on Tsapa by a Tibetan singer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfh2wwQwJychttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfh2wwQwJyc

Karmapa conundrum

Could the massive overhaul of stashed away cash in monastic residency of Karmapa is stage managed ? are the Indian authorities tipped off by a disgruntled party with ulterior motive ? Is this raid and the discovery of large chunk of cash from Karmapa's office  emerge to be the  iceberg of a bigger set up ? Would this crisis of  karmapa conundrum be a blessing in disguise?  There are more questions whirling around in our mind, than could possibly be answered.

The central government of Indian is probing into Karmapa,s source of foreign currency, including Chinese yuan.  and the legitimacy of land deal and cash possessions. Eventually the result of investigation could lead to two conclusions:
1. Karmapa has no connection with the Chinese authorities at all, and hence Indian government's suspicion of Karmapa will be cleared and that could pave his way to Rumten monastery in Skkimm, and greater freedom of movement for the wise young lama.

Or 

2. The Indian government found some suspicious activities of Karmapa that could not be independently verified, hence Indian government's determination to keep a lid on the young lama justified. And his future movement will further be restricted in the future.

Hu, nudged on rights.

Hu's three days state visit to United State and his meeting with President Obama was hailed by Bejing as a "new chapter" in the Sino-US relationships. Whatever maybe the objective of President Hu's visit, China's rise as a world power  is well recognized by international communities and particulary the United State. Washington accorded the highest honour of warm receptions to the visiting guest with 21 gun solutes, a state dinner. But the US sides were determined to score points or deliver actions besides all the pageantry. A $ 45 billion us export deals were signed by the presidents. US president, congressmen, even reporters  all have nailed down China on human rights. For the first time Hu Jingtao was compelled to admit that "a lot needs to be done" on human in China.

Hu's response to Post

Tibet issues is apparantely one of the major sensitive issues  dogged Sino-US relationships. It is reported, Hu did not respond to all the questions including one on Liu Xiabo. Hu blamed on translation and technical problem when he appeared to be dodging questions on human rights when the first time by Associate Press, at the white house press conference.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/16/AR2011011601921.html?referrer=emailarticle

Buddhism & Democracy

            Democracy and Buddhism are compatiable, in the sense that both put people's interest above anything else,says one of the panelists at a roundable discussion held at ICT this Firday, on the topic " Electing Leaders without a Territory: Challenges to Tibetan Democracy in Exile." While the 2011 exile Kalon Prime Minister's elections have become the hot topic in Tibet dispora, such a thoughtful discourse by outside observers was timely and appropriate.

Foe by J.M Coetzee

   There are some books to be read, others to be digested, some to be cherished, some to be forgotten and others to be treasured.

“Foe is a finely honed testament to its author’s intelligence, imagination, and skill…the writing is lucid and precise, the landscape depicted mythic yet specific”. This New York Times review and other book critics heaped accolade on the fine texture of the novel. Acclaimed writer and the winner of the Nobel Prize in literature, Coetzee’s Foe is magnificent work of art to be cherished and treasured.