"Why Are Different Numbers of Self-Immolations in Tibet Talked About?" By Woeser

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost by Woeser written on January 11, 2012 for the Tibetan service of Radio Free Asia and posted on her blog on January 22, 2012.

This post follows up Woeser's previous blogpost titled "Why Didn’t Kalon Tripa Read Out Tapey’s Name?" in which Woeser criticised Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay for omitting Tapey's name when reading the names of Tibetans who have self-immolated. For those readers unfamiliar with the case of Tapey's self-immolation in 2009, see an earlier article by Woeser titled "Tibet is Burning".

The picture shows a cartoon by @hexiefarm for the Tibetans who self-immolated,
"Buddha's Tears", from the cartoonmovement website.

2006 Appeal Letter Against Mining in Amdo, Tibet, Resurfaces Online

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost and open letter related to mining and environmental destruction in Tibet. The blogpost was posted on a Sina blog on August 28, 2011 but re-posts an open letter from 2006 by villagers in the Gepasumdo (Ch: Tongde) county which is located in Tsolho (Ch: Hainan) in Amdo, part of Qinghai province today. The post also includes 15 photos of the damage in the region.

The blog owner himself admits, "I don’t know how much influence it will have putting this letter and photos on the internet" but it is interesting that these issues of five years ago are re-surfacing online. It would seem that the issues of 2006 need still to be addressed. At the end of July 2011, High Peaks Pure Earth translated an appeal letter by locals affected by serious water contamination in the Kumbum area caused by mining activities.

Mining and subsequent environmental destruction as well as health concerns have also been the focus of blogposts by Woeser, see "Impoverished Matö County", "Please Stop the “Development” of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar for Profit", "Avatar" in Tibet
 and "Songtsen Gampo’s Hometown Is About To Be Completely Excavated".

Poem: "The Truth of Flames on the Thorny Path"

Screenshot of the posting as it appeared on Rdrol.Net

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a poem written by an anonymous Tibetan blogger that is dedicated to detained Tibetan writer Choepa Lugyal. The poem was posted online on October 25, 2011. Three reactions to the poem have also been translated.

According to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Choepa Lugyal was arrested in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, on October 19, 2011. Choepa Lugyal's penname is Me Che, which literally means "tongue of flames" but can also mean a small smoldering fire or amber. This poem has since been taken offline, perhaps due to the political sensitivities surrounding not only the detention of the writer but also the reference to fire and flames, evoking the images of the recent self-immolations in Tibet.

"Mourning" - A Poem About the Self-Immolations

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a poem titled "Mourning" by a Tibetan blogger named Sengdor, the poem was posted online on October 11, 2011.

On October 7, 2011, two former monks from Kirti Monastery in eastern Tibet set fire to themselves in Ngaba county town and later died from their wounds. This string of self-immolations in Ngaba continue, with news of another self-immolation just yesterday, an emotionally distressing time for Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.

The poem "Mourning" is a response to these self-immolations and the post has received over 1000 views and 40 comments. To avoid repetition, High Peaks Pure Earth has translated just four of the comments below.

"Kumbum On A Journey" - A Poem About Kumbum Monastery

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a poem titled "Kumbum On A Journey" by a Tibetan blogger whose online name is "Madman". The poem was written on July 22, 2011 and posted on his TibetCul blog on August 17, 2011.

Kumbum Monastery featured here on High Peaks Pure Earth in July 2011, we translated an open letter written by the monks and local residents to the authorities appealing for action to be taken over the lack of clean drinking water in the area, brought on by intensive mining activities.

The poem conveys the rather sad thoughts and feelings of the blogger as he visits Kumbum Monastery, mourning what he sees as the loss of the greatness of past, both historic, Tsongkhapa, as well as more recent, Tenth Panchen Lama. Interestingly, this sense of Kumbum's decline was featured in a Wikileaks Cable from the US Embassy in Beijing in September 2009, read more by following this link: http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/09/09BEIJING2719.html

Tibetan Blogger Expresses Concern: "Before Long, Planes Will Fly in My Hometown"

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost by a Tibetan blogger from Amdo who keeps a blog on the Tibetan-language blog-hosting site called "AmdoTibet". The blogpost was written on June 1, 2011 and posted online on June 12, 2011.

In the blogpost, the blogger expresses concern after hearing that an airport will be built in his hometown, particularly over an increased military presence, quality of housing and the beginning of the urbanisation of the area.

The previous post on High Peaks Pure Earth about contaminated drinking water around Kumbum Monastery also addresses the problems for locals that intense development can bring. This report by the International Campaign for Tibet, also about Amdo, expands on the issues and states that "more than 30,000 farmers had been moved off their land [...], in order to facilitate the expansion of Ganhetan Industrial District".

Screenshot of the Blog Hosted on AmdoTibet.cn

"Kirti Monastery Facing A Great Disaster" By Woeser

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost by Woeser written on April 19, 2011 for the Tibetan service of Radio Free Asia and posted on her blog on April 27, 2011.

The unrest in Ngaba, Eastern Tibet, the subject of this blogpost, has been ongoing since the self-immolation of young monk, Phuntsog, from Kirti Monastery - on whom Woeser wrote in a previous blogpost. Woeser also wrote a poem dedicated to another Kirti monk who was detained on March 25, 2011, in Beijing. In this blogpost, Woeser also remembers another monk from Amdo's Labrang Monastery, Jamyang Jinpa, who died on April 3, 2011, due to torture in detention following his protest in front of foreign journalists at his monastery in April 2008.

The most recent report from Ngaba was released two days ago by International Campaign for Tibet, to read, follow the link.

Tibetan Students in Beijing Protest for Tibetan Language; Tibetan Netizens Show Support Online

High Peaks Pure Earth has noticed a lot of online activity by Tibetans over the last few days related to Tibetan language. As reported by international media, Tibetan students in Rebkong and Chabcha in Amdo (Qinghai province) and Tawu in Kham (Sichuan province) have been protesting over plans to restrict the use of Tibetan language in classrooms.

Now the protests have spread to Beijing where over 500 Tibetan students from the Tibetan Studies department of Minzu University of China (formerly known as the Central University for Nationalities) held a protest on the campus today (October 22, 2010) at noon. Tibetans on popular social networking sites such as RenRen and MyBudala have been posting photos and status updates about the protests.

The above status update in Tibetan says: "Today at 12, over 500 students protested at Minzu University of China about freedom of language."

A Blogpost and A Poem About the Mudslides in Drugchu

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost and a poem both written about the devastating mudslides that affected Drugchu (Chinese: Zhouqu) in Amdo.

"I Am Tibetan" Series: Poem by Huare Yinggya

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a poem originally written in Chinese by a Tibetan university student on March 10, 2010 and posted on his TibetCul blog on March 19, 2010. According to the blog, the student calls himself Huare Yinggya, meaning he is from Huare, an area in Amdo in today's Gansu province.

Although his blog is still active, this poem has since been removed from TibetCul, the original link http://duoyingjia1987.tibetcul.com/84737.html does not work.

The poem is an interesting meditation on discovering Tibetan Buddhism at university and closely related to Tibetan identity. Hence this poem fits well into the loose series of postings on High Peaks Pure Earth titled "I Am Tibetan".

As the original post is no longer available, the original Chinese is copied below the English translation.

Screenshot of Huare Yinggya's Blog

Thoughts on Tibetan Buddhism by a university student who 
has studied Tibetan since elementary school and is about to graduate

By Huare Yinggya

It wasn’t until university that I started to systematically study our Tibetan nationality's broad and deep traditional culture;
It wasn’t until university that following the teachers’ hard work started guiding us to an ocean of knowledge;
It wasn’t until university that the extraordinary ambition of youth started to have free rein;
It wasn’t until university that I started entering the scripture halls of Buddhist learning.

It wasn’t until university that I knew such different people are living in the world;
It wasn’t until university that I knew wonderful mysteries are aglow within science;
It wasn’t until university that I knew the place for exerting myself;
It wasn’t until university that I knew the warm sense of home when wandering.

It wasn’t until university that I felt spiritual power is needed in life;
It wasn’t until university that I felt the guide of interest is needed in study;
It wasn’t until university that I felt mutual tolerance is needed in love;
It wasn’t until university that I felt considering the true meaning of life is needed in time.

It wasn’t until university that I loved to read books that burst with wisdom;
It wasn’t until university that unawares I studied Buddhist scriptures;
It wasn’t until university that I fell madly obsessed into the Buddhist ocean;
It wasn’t until university that I sighed with my own boundless happiness.

It wasn’t until university that I considered the ocean of suffering taught in Buddhism;
It wasn’t until university that I considered the connections between Buddhism and life;
It wasn’t until university that discovered I am full of courage;
It wasn’t until university that I studied the original forms of Buddhism.

It wasn’t until university that I concluded Buddhism is not a shallow religion;
It wasn’t until university that I concluded Buddhism is a high philosophy;
It wasn’t until university that I experienced Buddhism gives us a lifetime of happiness;
It wasn’t until university that I could say Buddhism is the world’s highest teaching.

It wasn’t until university that I thanked our ancestors for leaving us the best teaching;
It wasn’t until university that a devout faith arose for the lama in my hometown;
It wasn’t until university that a responsibility was fostered to struggle for the people;
It wasn’t until university that I started chanting Buddhist mantras.

It wasn’t until university that I lamented the rarity of the soul of life;
It wasn’t until university that I discovered helping others is life’s greatest happiness;
It wasn’t until university that I understood the philosophy of a water drop entering the ocean;
It wasn’t until university that it was affirmed the joy of studying Buddhism comes only when caring for others.

I have graduated into the bosom of my alma mater;
I have graduated and it is tinged with slight tears;
I have graduated and hope you will all walk my path;
I have graduated and await all your eternal happiness.

I have graduated and am but one member of society;
I have graduated and am still a child of my alma mater;
I have graduated and am still as compulsive;
I have graduated because of pride in my nationality. 

I have graduated and blood beats through my bosom;
I have graduated and I consolidate Buddhist thoughts;
I have graduated and undertake a holy mission;
I have graduated and I preach the poetry of Buddhism.

Dotsang Yinggya from Huare, poetry student, written in the Chengdu branch office of TibetCul
March 10, 2010

一个从小学习藏文现在即将毕业的大学生对藏传佛教的感悟

到了大学才开始系统的学习我们藏民族博大深渊的传统文化
到了大学才开始跟着老师辛勤的教导漫漫的走向知识的海洋
到了大学才开始挥洒年轻人非凡的雄心壮志
到了大学才开始进入佛学的典堂

到了大学才知道世界上生活着五彩的异人
到了大学才知道科学中焕发着美妙的奥秘
到了大学才知道自己还处在拼搏的行列
到了大学才知道漂泊中感觉那家乡的温馨

到了大学才感觉生活中需要精神的动力
到了大学才感觉学习中需要兴趣的引导
到了大学才感觉爱情中需要彼此的宽容
到了大学才感觉时光中需要思考生命的真

到了大学才翻阅爱心中爆发的智慧的著作
到了大学才无意中学习佛教的经典
到了大学才疯狂地痴迷到佛学的海洋
到了大学才感叹到自己无尽的快乐

到了大学才思考佛学中教授的苦难的大海
到了大学才思考佛学和生活的彼此关系
到了大学才发觉自己满腹的勇气
到了大学才研究佛学的原始面貌

到了大学才得出佛学不只是浅薄的宗教
到了大学才得出佛学是一种高层次的哲学
到了大学才体会佛学给我们终生的快乐
到了大学才赶说佛学是世界上至高的教育

到了大学才感谢祖先给我们最好的教育
到了大学才虔诚的信仰起家乡的活佛
到了大学才树起为民族奋斗的义务
到了大学才开始念诵起奇特的佛号

到了大学才感叹生命是无常的难得的灵魂
到了大学才明白生活中助人是最大的快乐
到了大学才理解一滴水流进大海的哲理
到了大学才断言有爱心才能进佛学的快乐

毕业了在这个母校的怀中
毕业了夹杂着淡淡的泪花
毕业了希你们走我的道路
毕业了期你们永久的快乐

毕业了我只是社会的一员
毕业了我仍是母校的孩子
毕业了我还是那样的冲动
毕业了就因为民族的骄傲

毕业了我怀着满腔的热血
毕业了我凝固佛学的思维
毕业了我扛起神圣的使命
毕业了我宣讲佛学的诗歌

2010.3.10 华锐娃朵仓英加学诗于藏人文化网成都分公司办公室

Earthquake in Tibet, Leading Tibetan Intellectual "Shogdung" Detained in Xining

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated two blogposts from the Xining-based Tibetan website www.sangdhor.com. The first blogpost reports the arrest of a prominent Tibetan writer and intellectual called Shogdung (ཞོགས་དུང་ Zhogs Dung, his pen name meaning "morning conch") on April 23, 2010 and was posted online on April 25, 2010. The second blogpost is an open letter to victims of the earthquake in Kham.

Shogdung's real name is Tagyal (bkra rgyal) and he was a member of staff at the Nationalities Publishing House in Xining. He is the author of several books including the recent publication gnam sa go 'byed (The Line Between Sky and Earth) about the events in Tibet of 2008. In 1999, to mark the centenary of Lu Xun's death, Qinghai Tibetan News (mtsho sngon bod yig gsar ’gyur) carried two articles by Shogdung, which ignited huge debate amongst the Tibetan intellectuals in Amdo. Shogdung argued that Tibetans could only overcome their colonised condition through wholesale modernisation. He argued that Tibetans should embrace modernisation and disassociate from traditional Buddhism learning as a means of overcoming their present condition. In fact, Shogdung's hyper critical attack on traditional Tibetan cultural practices was seen by many Tibetans as remnant of the Cultural Revolution and the fact that his article was published through an official channel, it was seen as resembling the view of the CCP.

From the blogpost it would appear that Shogdung's detention is related to the earthquake in Kham of April 14. Just three days after the earthquake, on April 17, a group of prominent Tibetan intellectuals based in Qinghai's Xining province had written an open letter of condolence to the victims of the disaster. Shogdung was one of the signatories of this open letter (in his real name Tagyal) and it was published on his blog. 

The open letter expresses condolences and at the same time is critical of the Chinese government in their handling of the earthquake relief efforts. Other signatories of this open letter include well known Tibetan writer and singer Jamyang Kyi and other members of the group known as the New School of Thought. The New School is a group of progressive writers who are critical of the past and argue for the need for internal reform and change in Tibetan tradition. They are highly critical of the negative aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan version of the open letter carries the pen names of the signatories but the Chinese version gives their full names, and also includes short descriptions of the people, and this is the version that appears below in translation.

Read more about Shogdung in this essay "Inventing Modernity in A mdo: Views on the Role of Traditional Tibetan Culture in a Developing Society" by Lauran Hartley.

***Update April 26, 2010, 2pm GMT: The website http://www.sangdhor.com/ is currently inaccessible.

A Brief Account of the Detention of Friend Shogdung

Several days ago, thousands perished in the massive earthquake in Yushu and it caused suffering for tens of thousands of people. People who are from different countries and languages came together to mourn the tragedy and donated to the people in both direct and indirect ways. However, at this time, to everyone's surprise, while we are mourning for our brother and sisters, our friend Shogdung was arrested by the national security offices.

At 5pm on April 23, apparently five or six police officers from Xining Police Station came to the Qinghai Nationalities Publishing House and took Shogdung to his house and then they searched his library and house. After taking some pictures, they took him away. In the evening at 10pm, several police officers came to his house again and took his two personal computers, saying that the police behavior was not so rough. Again at 3am in the morning, according to his wife Lhatso, the police came again to his home and handed them the arrest warrant and asked for some bedding for him. Taking the arrest warrant, in the early morning, two of his daughters and others went to see him at the local police station but they were not able to meet him and his whereabouts are still unknown.  

Three days after the earthquake, he had wanted to go to Yushu but he did not get the permit to go there. So he stayed in Xining. Until the day of his arrest, he was busying himself with helping the relief efforts and counseling for injuries. Needless to say, at this time the arrest brought additional sad news for his family and friends. However, we think about our brothers and sisters who died in the earthquake, we should not be that sad. Since the day of his arrest, friends and others constantly called us and asked his condition and all expressed bemusement and surprise. However, if we think about this carefully, we should not be surprised at all. Just one month ago, isn't it that Kirti Kyab from Zoege county  and other teachers were arrested and not yet released? After that isn't it that Therang (Tashi Rabten) and Shokjang (Druklo) from North West Nationalities University were also arrested? Who knows what will happen to every one of us? This is for now and we are worrying about how this is going to develop in the future.

 To the People in the Affected Area as Well as Those Who Are Concerned About the Disaster

Early morning on April 14, 2010 at 7:49, an earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck Kham Yushu County. According to the media, ten thousand are injured but under close scrutiny, the real number could exceed the announced number. At the same time, this earthquake severely affected Pelyul, Derge and Dzachukha counties in Kardze prefecture.

In fact, we peace-loving and in an inferior position (Tibetans) are not only shrouded by a great might, military force and brutality. This time a natural disaster has struck. Only by forcing oneself to endure, we should follow the teachings of our ancestors that heroes would not shed tears when crying bitterly and should stand up. Bearing in mind the teachings of our ancestors that everything is impermanent, we should wipe away the tears that have fallen on the cheek. We should also remember well the rule that the family members have to live on though the dead will not return any more.   

No matter how far the fall, we have common flesh and blood that is joined and shared and can not be torn apart, nor can the character of our nationality be bought off, therefore, we who live in Xining, Qinghai province, several writers, express our condolences and sympathy with the Yushu brothers and sisters affected by the disaster, offer our condolences to the dead and are pooling funds and furthermore are preparing to visit the affected areas personally as soon as possible. However, as the news from the mouthpiece for the Party organisations can not be believed, we dare not believe in the Party organisations. The Party organisation ordered to temporarily suspend sending people to the disaster area for political purposes. For this reason, we in faraway Xining out of concern for you and your suffering send you this letter, apart from this, there is nothing else we can do. This is also heartfelt and sincere!

In summary, we have a reminder or statement, hope all scholars and cadres empathise with the people of disaster areas to offer food, clothing and medicine! However, do not send your donations to the accounts of a certain organisation or a certain group as if you were paying taxes. The best thing to do is to send somebody one can fully trust to send one’s contributions. Because, who can say that there is no corruption or the bad habit of arrogating to oneself.

Carrying the pain and feeling helpless residents of Xining:

Jamyang Kyi (Well known singer, social commentator)

Tagyal (Well known Tibetan scholar, leader of the New School of Thought)

Lhamo Kyab (Well known bilingual scholar, one of the leaders of the New School of Thought) 

Tabo (University Professor, one of the leaders of the New School of Thought)

Sangdhor (Well known young Tibetan scholar and core member of the New School of Thought)

Sangay Dhondup (Well known young Tibetan scholar)

Menla Kyab (Well known artist)

Mayche (Well known young scholar)

Torture Without Trace: Five Songs by Detained Tibetan Singer Tashi Dhondup

High Peaks Pure Earth presents five music videos by Tibetan singer Tashi Dhondup (also sometimes spelled Tashi Dondrup) from Amdo. According to this report by Radio Free Asia from March 5, 2010, Tashi Dhondup, 30, was sentenced to 15 months of re-education through labour for "separatist activities" related to his music on January 5, 2010.

News of Tashi Dhondup's detention on December 3, 2009, had been reported by media, including this short article in The Times and here at High Peaks Pure Earth we had also been monitoring news of his arrest.

On December 8, 2009, the International Campaign for Tibet released a report and gave the following details about his arrest:

Tashi Dhondup was detained last week at gun-point while his wife wept and grabbed one of the police officer’s legs in an attempt to hold him back.

A popular singer in Amdo, Tashi Dhondup became well known for his song "1958 - 2008" that compares two "terrifying" periods for Tibetans. This song spread amongst Tibetans via the internet and mobile phones and was written about by Tibetan writer and singer Jamyang Kyi on her blog as far back as February 12, 2009. Jamyang Kyi wrote:

I arrived in Ziling (Xining) yesterday and I learned that a young boy name Tashi Dondrup of Mongol origin has produced a CD named "Songs of 2008" but he was arrested before distributing it into the market in December 2008. I was told that his song has been posted on the internet and widely downloaded on to cell phones and is now distributed amongst the Tibetans.

Tashi Dhondup had been detained in September 2008 because of that song and the ICT report tells us "He was detained and beaten for over seven days by police in Xining".

Here is the High Peaks Pure Earth translation of the song "1958 - 2008", for slower internet connections listen to the mp3 below the video:

"1958 - 2008" by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo

"1958-2008" by Tashi Dhondup by hpeaks

"1958 - 2008"

 Hey!
The year of 1958,
is when the black enemy entered Tibet,
is when lamas were put in prison.

That time was terrifying
That time was terrifying

Hey!
The year of 1958,
is when Tibetan heroes were put in prison,
is when innocent Tibetans were put in prison.

That time was terrifying
That time was terrifying

Hey!
The year of 2008,
is when innocent Tibetans were tortured,
is when the earth destroyed people's lives.

That time was terrifying
That time was terrifying

The Radio Free Asia report tells us that Tashi Dhondup was detained again in Xining after thousands of copies of his CD "Torture Without Trace" started to be sold in Amdo. Court documents obtained by Radio Free Asia say that Tashi Dhondup and "some other associates copied about 3,000 CDS and distributed them in 11 counties in Qinghai, Sichuan, and Gansu”.

This is the CD cover of "Torture Without Trace":

 CD cover of "Torture Without Trace" by Tashi Dhondup

The full track listing reads:

01: Waiting With Hope

02: Western Land of Scholars

03: Torture Without Trace

04: Unable to Meet

05: For That I Shed My Tears

06: Pain of Missing

07: Let's Go

08: Unbearable Fate

09: No Escape

10: Tibet Has Good Karma

11: No Regrets

12: Think

13: A Sad Life

Four tracks from "Torture Without Trace" with full English translation are below, including the title track, in video and downloadable mp3 form. For High Peaks Pure Earth readers who wish to see more of Tashi Dhondup's music videos, all thirteen music videos from "Torture Without Trace" have been uploaded on YouTube and can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/sonam0tenzin

Chinese translations of Tashi Dhondup's songs "Waiting With Hope" and "Torture Without Trace" are available on Woeser's blog: http://woeser.middle-way.net/2009/12/blog-post_07.html Woeser also wrote an excellent essay titled "What Kinds of Songs Are Reactionary Songs?" in early 2009 which is worth another read as background to Tashi Dhondup's situation.

Finally, High Peaks Pure Earth is very grateful to Bhuchung D. Sonam of Tibet Writes for his translations of the songs "Torture Without Trace", "No Regrets", "Unable To Meet" and "For That I Shed My Tears" and for allowing us to use and publish them. A big thank you also goes to the translator of "1958 - 2008"!

"Torture Without Trace" by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo

"Torture Without Trace" by Tashi Dhondup by hpeaks

Torture Without Trace

First, a sad tune for my brother hasn't returned from afar
Second, the pain because there is no harmony for people
Third, the occupation and denial of freedom for Tibetans

This is all torture without trace

First, the regret as our ancestral wealth is lost to outsiders
Second, the pain that we aren't the owners of our resources
Third, the practice of sterilisation to wipe out our race

This is all torture without trace
This is all torture without trace

First, the hurt from being denied my parents' love
Second, the failure to hear the inner voices of my people
Third, the grief that our mountains are belittled

This is all torture without trace

Third, the grief that our mountains are belittled

This is all torture without trace

"Unable To Meet" by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo

"Unable to Meet" by Tashi Dhondup by hpeaks

Unable To Meet

When I think about it I am unfortunate
I am unable to meet the Precious Jewel
Even though I wish, I have no freedom
If I think about this I am unfortunate

When I think about it I am unfortunate
I am unable to wave the Snow Lion Flag
Even though I wish, I have no freedom
If I think about this I am unfortunate

When I think about it I am unfortunate
I am unable to sing a song about loyalty
Even though I wish, I have no freedom
If I think about this I am unfortunate

Even though I wish, I have no freedom
If I think about this I am unfortunate

"For That I Shed My Tears" by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo

"For That I Shed My Tears" by Tashi Dhondup by hpeaks

For That I Shed My Tears

My lama, the compassionate one
Has gone into exile from Tibet
It pains my mind no end
And the tears fall from my eyes

Courageous patriotic martyrs
Have sacrificed their lives for Tibet
It pains my heart thinking of them
And the tears fall from my eyes

Tibetans are denied freedom
And beaten up for no reason
It pains me thinking of this
And the tears fall from my eyes

It pains me thinking of this
And the tears fall from my eyes

"No Regrets" by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo

"No Regrets" by Tashi Dhondup by hpeaks

No Regrets

Some say I am bad
Some people say I am good
I can be good and I can be bad
But this suffering in me
for not being able to see my lama
I will tell the people of Tibet
For which even if I am killed
I have no regrets

Some people say I am bad
Some say I am good
I can be good and I can be bad
About the Tibetan martyrs
I will sing for the rest of my life
For which even if I am killed
I have no regrets

Some people say I am bad
Some say I am good
I can be good and I can be bad
Tibet has no freedom I sing
And I'll sing it throughout my life
For which even if I am killed
I have no regrets

I have no regrets

"New Generation" - Hip Hop Music Video from Amdo

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a new hip hop music video from Amdo. The group who call themselves Yudrug in Tibetan, Green Dragon in English and Qinglong in Chinese, are from Machu in Amdo and they released their new track on their blog on February 5, 2010, as a gift to fans for Tibetan New Year. The video was subsequently quickly re-posted on other Tibetan blogs.

Although they call themselves "green dragon" in English, Yudrug is actually a name of a type of horse. This horse is very popular in Machu and considered a jewel, a source of wealth, as clearly stated in one of their previous songs.

Interestingly, no individual credits are given for the song, it is presented completely as a group effort. Even where the name of the lyricist should be, there is just the description “strong-willed”. The beginning of the video, below the song title, tells us that the song is "…for the hard-headed people out there".

The group however do appear to be very professional, as can be seen in their meticulously edited video and good sound quality. In the past, they have given due credit to the song composers, even crediting well-known Nepal based exile Tibetan singer Tsering Gyurmey for a cover of his song "Dream" that they recorded.

This bold new style of musical expression heard in "New Generation" has been quite controversial in Tibetan cyberspace with Tibetan bloggers praising Yudrug for their outspoken lyrics but some also criticising Yudrug for adopting a style that is seen as “too western”. Whatever your musical taste may be, the song is undeniably powerful and energetic with a rousing chorus:

The new generation has a resource called youth
The new generation has a pride called confidence
The new generation has an appearance called playfulness
The new generation has a temptation called freedom

In an earlier blogpost, High Peaks Pure Earth commented on the upsurge in online activity about asserting Tibetan identity.  “New Generation” by Yudrug demonstrates that this pride in Tibetan identity has translated to music as well. Furthermore, this pride is imbued with elements of cool and confidence. In fact, this “coolness” that Yudrug have was the initial inspiration behind a Tibetan blogger’s blogpost of August 2009 titled “Be Cool, Be Tibetan”, where he stated:

The Yudruk phenomenon shows not only that Tibetans can be cool, but that it is cool to be Tibetan. This is a radical shift. But not only does it show a kind of Tibetanness that is on the cutting edge of cool. It also makes it clear that a Tibetan image can be created and exist entirely outside of the Chinese imagination. This is a kind of Tibetanness that was made by and for Tibetans.

High Peaks Pure Earth would like to thank our own "Green Dragons" firstly for drawing our attention to this video and also for their help with this difficult translation. Thank you.

"New Generation" by Yudrug (Green Dragon) from HPeaks on Vimeo.

Below is the mp3 track along with the lyrics to “New Generation” in full:

New Generation by Yudrug (Green Dragon) by hpeaks

"New Generation" by Green Dragon
…for the hard-headed people out there
Lyrics: "Strong Willed"
Composition: Green Dragon
Vocals: Green Dragon and Blue Moon

The noise of vehicles has woken us
Among the crowded tall buildings
Our dreams and belongings have all been packed

See the polluted sky and know
We can't afford to wait for tomorrow's sunrise
Now wake up...

It's already time to walk on the road
It's time to walk, time to think
Our bare shoulders wet with sweat
Our long hair tangled by the wind
Our faith and lives are adorned by freedom
Our collective path is determined by individual choice
As much sweat as you shed
That much result shall you reap

So said our great forefathers
But our forefathers are long gone
We don't have to keep quiet

The owner of karma has left me like a toy
With strength and talent I need to somehow respond
Even the old lady neighbour says I'm spoiled
With power and ability I'll prove them all!

The new generation has a resource called youth
The new generation has a pride called confidence
The new generation has an appearance called playfulness
The new generation has a temptation called freedom

The new generation has a resource called youth
The new generation has a pride called confidence
The new generation has an appearance called playfulness
The new generation has a temptation called freedom

At one time I thought that love was everything
Then love turned me into nothing
A girl I loved so much
Has given me a very beautiful gift
Now I haven't lost her
The dream of love has not been lost

Deceit and cunning!
In a society where people are deceived by money, fame and power
Will I ever find a meaningful love?
Will i ever find a definite pledge?
Who among us will?

We are caught up in our thoughts of pain and of mere fashion
We wrote our own darkness and we're scared of living
We embody the pride of youth and search for future aspirations with full willpower

Search!
Search!

We are the new generation of today

As I achieved what I wanted to achieve
My dreams don't waiver in the night
As I said what I wanted to say
I didn't turn into a mute
I did it for me only!

As I achieved what I wanted to achieve
My dreams don't waiver in the night
As I said what I wanted to say
I didn't turn into a mute
I did it only to represent myself!

Get used to me!
I am the decadent breath of your uncontrollability

Get used to me!
I am under your limitless uncontrollable watch

Get used to me!
I am the manifestation of today and the substance of tomorrow

I am very light, in your imagination
I am very small, in your vegetable patch

Does your advanced theory wish to blow up my head?
Does your forced bullet wish to shoot through my heart?

I am just an old and damaged vehicle
The horse of time departed early morning
The small flame under your saddle
The blood and bodies frozen in the ice are bound to fade

We are the sharp wisdom that your speeches and lectures haven't reached
We are the smooth darkness that your flame and power hasn't absorbed
We are the response with playfulness that makes your heart ache
We are the infection and fright to your livelihood!

The new generation has a resource called youth
The new generation has a pride called confidence
The new generation has an appearance called playfulness
The new generation has a temptation called freedom

The new generation has a resource called youth
The new generation has a pride called confidence
The new generation has an appearance called playfulness
The new generation has a temptation called freedom

Our story has not ended here
It's just the beginning
We never fall asleep but are awake forever

Get used to dreaming
Get used to unlawful damage and uprisings
Get used to this way of living
Get used to moving forward

To our beloved and proud new generation

Translation: High Peaks Pure Earth

"2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year" Preliminary Results Announced

Following our previous translation Tibetan Bloggers Nominate the "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year", High Peaks Pure Earth has translated the announcement of the preliminary list of winners which was posted on the official blog of TibetCul on February 2, 2010.

Visitors to TibetCul are mostly college students based either in Tibetan areas or colleges around China. Their initial voting very much reflected their interest and concerns which seemed to be social work and contemporary/popular culture. The lists below, edited by the TibetCul webmaster do not reflect the votes cast by individuals. This is notable in the omission of Woeser who received many nominations from netizens.

For more background on the people and the poll, please see our previous post. High Peaks Pure Earth will publish the eventual winners once they are announced! 

TibetCul.com : "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year" Preliminary Results

Who is 2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year? Let us discover together, choose together, document together and let their spirit and power warm us, inspire us and guide us.

Another year comes to an end - at the end of 2009, which Tibetans attracted widespread attention? Which Tibetans in Tibet made an outstanding contribution to society? Which Tibetans used their individual powers to expound the outstanding spirit of the Tibetan nationality? Which Tibetans in 2009 who affect our lives are we proud of?

They may already be famous or perhaps are completely unknown; some may be high-spirited and some may be awe-inspiring. In 2009, these people remain in our field of vision. Their life paths mark this era.

Therefore, at the end of December, TibetCul launched a major activity to select the "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year", a selection which lasted over a month where netizens could make recommendations and nominations, TibetCul allowed netizens to choose anyone they wanted and, following careful investigation and consideration, the preliminary "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year" list is announced, once again for the consideration of online users and readers of the TibetCul official blog, the consultation period is February 2, 2010 - February 11, 2010 for netizens and readers to express their views on the list. Based on this, TibetCul will release the final list on February 11, 2010.

"2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year" Preliminary List for Individuals:

Penor Rinpoche (Master of Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist teachings, passed away on March 27, 2009)

Ngapo Ngawang Jigme (Tibetan official, Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, passed away on December 23, 2009 due to illness)

Jampel Gyatso ("Gesar" Research Centre, doctoral tutor)

Jigme Gyaltsen (Tibetan educator, Jigme Gyaltsen Welfare School)

Haxi Tashi Dorjee (environmental volunteer, Vice Secretary General of The Snowland Great Rivers Environmental Protection Association, Qinghai)

Wangchuk Tseten (Founder of TibetCul, Tibetan publisher, poet, scholar)

Pema Tseden (Tibetan director, screenwriter, filming in their mother tongue)

Karma ("King of Dzi", Tibetan businessman, environmentalist)

Gadai Tsering (young Tibetan poet, representative Tibetan figure in poetry circles)

Sonam Tashi (Tibetan singer, 2009 "Girl, I Love You", the most listened to online and downloaded Tibetan song in the country)

"2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year" Preliminary List for Groups:

All the monks of Labrang Monastery

Staff of Qinghai Tibetan TV

Tibetan Bloggers Nominate the "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year"

High Peaks Pure Earth has been following an online poll posted on the blog of the popular Chinese language Tibetan website TibetCul.com. The poll asks readers to nominate the 2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year and was started on December 18 2009. The nominations period will close on January 28 2010.

Those nominated by Tibetan netizens give an insight into the influential and respected figures in Tibet today and the wide variety of fields they are involved in. Some names will be familiar to regular readers of High Peaks Pure Earth, such as prominent writer, poet and blogger Woeser and Labrang monk Akhu Jigme (also known as Lama Jigme).

The nominations reveal that Tibetans are very much concerned with issues of culture and social welfare. Leading the nominations is film director Pema Tseden who manages the almost impossible task of balancing acclaim from and in China whilst remaining popular amongst Tibetans, as these nominations attest to. Read and listen to Pema Tseden's first ever interview with a Western media outlet (America's NPR) here, a link to his latest film "The Search" is included on the page.

Another much nominated cultural figure is young Amdo poet Gadai Tsering who writes in Chinese, here is a link to his blog. Despite having an endorsement for his poetry from Woeser on the main page of his blog and overtly political themes in his poetry, Gadai Tsering also enjoys official literary acclaim. In October 2009 it was announced that he was in the "2009 China Top 10 Minority Poets" and he had previously received the titles of "National Top 10 Minority Poet" and "2006 Northwest Outstanding Poet", amongst others.

Also nominated are the editors of the literary magazine "Shar Dungri" (The Eastern Snow Mountain), a publication that contained many articles and essays about the protests of 2008, many of which were translated from Tibetan into English by International Campaign for Tibet and published in their report "A Great Mountain Burned By Fire".

Many of the grassroots figures are engaged in charitable projects such as schools and orphanages. Whereas there is little information available in English online about Samdup Tsering's orphanage, a 2006 McKinsey China development report tells us that the Sherig Norbu Jigme Gyaltsen School in Golog, Amdo, was founded in 1994 by Jigme Gyaltsen and "combines a traditional Tibetan education, which includes logic and debating techniques rooted in Buddhism, with a modern Chinese education taught in Mandarin and English." The school is also mentioned in this 2008 blogpost about a trip to the area the previous year and here is the link to the English page of his school's website.

Keep checking back on High Peaks Pure Earth for more translations of comments and, of course, for the results of the poll, once they are announced!

2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year?

Who is 2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year? Let us discover together, choose together, document together and let their spirit and power warm us, inspire us and guide us.

Another year comes to an end - at the end of 2009, which Tibetans attracted widespread attention? Which Tibetans in Tibet made an outstanding contribution to society? Which Tibetans used their 

individual powers to expound the outstanding spirit of the Tibetan nationality? Which Tibetans in 2009 who affect our lives are we proud of?

They may already be famous or perhaps are completely unknown; some may be high-spirited and some may be awe-inspiring. In 2009, these people remain in our field of vision. Their life paths mark this era. Because of this, TibetCul has planned a special event for the year's end - to  choose the "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year", the selection will be made by the readers of the TibetCul network and netizens based on Tibetan individuals or groups in 2009 who have attracted the public attention of the masses in all Tibetan areas and influenced different fields, finally the "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year" will be announced.

The criteria for nominating the "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year":

This year's nominees should have one or more of the following characteristics:

in 2009, have made a significant impact on our lives, drawing attention to the wider Tibetan community or group;

in 2009, in order to promote social progress and development of the times, have made an outstanding contribution  and achieved significant honours, drawing the attention of the wider community;

in 2009, Tibetans who have made outstanding contributions or performed greatly in their work;

 

in 2009, used the strength of the individual to promote values in Tibet today, and in society, of fairness and justice, to contribute to humankind;

in 2009, their personal behavior, thoughts and words embodied the spirit of the Tibetan nationality and made an outstanding and significant impact on society.

Method of nominating the "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year":

Leave a comment via the TibetCul blog naming the nominated person, state the reasons for the nomination and provide information about their achievements, nominations without stating reasons are invalid;

E-mail nominations to TibetCul nominating the appropriate person and state the reasons for the nomination, provide information about their achievements, nominations without stating

reasons are invalid;

The nomination period is from December 18 2009 to January 28 2010, nominations outside this period of time will be considered invalid.

Comments:

Who is it? Everyone should know in their hearts
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Who is it? Everyone should know in their hearts

If everyone knows then you should say it, it's the responsibility of Tibetans.
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Whilst paying close attention and prioritising those who contribute to Tibetan people and Tibetan culture by using Chinese, it is important not to forget those who contribute to our culture and groups using our mother tongue.
Otherwise at the end, Tibetan culture, the foundation of Tibetans, will be lost.

Pema Tseden
Gadai Tsering
Sherten
Rebtan Puchon Rinpoche
Tsering Thar
Jen Mada
"King of Dzi" - Karma
Monlam, founder of Tibetan language software, Monlam's version 3 is convenient to use and [brings] confidence [to the user]. We should hold it in esteem.
Luozang (Lobsang) (Teacher at Tibet University, developer of new version of Tibetan English Chinese electronic dictionary）
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Who is it? Everyone should know in their hearts

If everyone knows then you should say it, it's the responsibility of Tibetans.

It's the distant "sun"

I think I've said enough to make you understand

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Also there are those who lost their lives in 2009 for Tibet, do you dare to pick them?

Do you dare to pick Woeser?

There are still more...

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Gyalwa Rinpoche (Tibetan for Dalai Lama)

Acha Woeser

Jamyang Norbu

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Dear friends, if we are participating in choosing "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year", I think we should calm down first and think carefully before we choose.  We should vote for our sun, our distant saviour (we would all want to vote), or those Tibetan heroes who have risked their lives on Tibetan land, but we can't do that. If we all went and voted for them, this website and this forum would quickly come to an end as a result. Therefore I hope that everyone will face the reality and choose those around us who do things for all Tibetans.

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Pema Tseden, Teacher Lobsang, Mr Monlam, also Tsewang Naoru

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I choose Snowland's Jigme Gyaltsen, head of the Welfare School. He is very well known in the Amdo regions and a great educator! His students are from various parts of Tibetan areas including four provinces and one prefecture. He himself is a monk!

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(1) Labrang Monastery's Akhu Jigme

(2) Staff of Qinghai Tibetan TV

(3) Singers Kunga, Gangchenpa Dolma Kyap, Sherten, Tashi Dhondup (Henan County)

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I think the people below should be nominated: 

(1) Qinghai Tibetan TV: using media to create native Tibetan literature and art style.

(2) Teachers of Jigme Gyaltsen School in Golog:  they teach with love which vigourously fights back the propaganda of demonising religion and monks.

(3) The new terminology translation group led by Khenpo Tsultrim Lodoe: their work truly reflects the spirit of selfless dedication to the Tibetan people.

(4) The Tibetan dance performance "Welcoming Spring" by the troupe from Lhatse, Tibet: Stunning the whole world with the charm of Tibetan folk arts.

(5) TibetCul: platform for Tibetan scholars to express their love to the their communities in Chinese language.

(6) The film production team headed by Pema Tseden: creators of film in the mother tongue.

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Highly recommend Gannan's Gadai Tsering! He received the title of one of the top ten cutting-edge poets in the country, as well as the fifth Gansu Minority Literature Prize.

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Nominating poet Gadai Tsering! True to life poetry!

----------------

Gadai Tsering!

Gadai Tsering!

Gadai Tsering!

----------------

Regarding the most competitive candidate for nomination, this should go to Gyalwa Rinpoche (Tibetan for Dalai Lama) who made significant contributions to preserve and promote Tibetan culture in the past century in the entire nation and who was exiled. He suffered for you, for me and for every Tibetan.  In this world, each individual plays a different role and makes contributions in various areas. Yet, we cannot forget those who work for the marginalised people, for example, the lady who runs the Dekyi Orphanage.

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(1) Staff of Qinghai TV Tibetan Centre, they have suffered a lot in order to promote our culture

(2) Beijing Normal University's student "Sheep" Yeshe Tenzin

(3) Kunga

(4) Woeser

(5) Teacher Tsering Thar

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Woeser

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Pema Tseden, Wangchuk Tseten, Monlam, Gadai Tsering 

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Nominating the editors of the journal "Shar Dungri", because of "Shar Dungri" our Tibetan literature started on a common road, democracy, freedom, rights, harmony, equality. These subjects are the struggle of our time, the goal of Tibetan youth.

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Recommend Beijing Normal University's "Sheep", every young person can learn from his determination, his energy is very similar to my Amdo classmates. Passion, energy, ambition, dreams.

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I think my classmate who is from Amdo, studying at Qinghai Police University should be nominated.  We should all learn from his spirit, hope the community will nominate him.

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Nominate: Pema Tseden, independent Tibetan filmmaker, he has a sense of responsibility for his nationality. Regardless of his own life. Regardless of his own future. For the struggle of a nationality.

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In my personal opinion, "2009 Tibetan Personality of the Year" is made up of the key words: “Tibet" "2009" and "Personality”. Only those who present some achievements are eligible to be nominated.  Celebrities can not always rest on their laurels and be nominated every year. People are welcome to add their thoughts if they differ from mine.

(1) Pema Tseden: film director who really lives up to the name of the first Tibetan filmmaker, who leads a professional, purely Tibetan film team and who opened the door to modern Tibetan film development. Tibetans want to film their lives on their own!  Work of the Year: "The Search";

(2) Tsering Woeser: independent writer, presenting the world a true Tibet by digging the truth of Tibet.  In 2009 she received a number of international awards in literature and reviews (please search online for more details). Work of the Year: Everything produced this year;

(3) Wangchuk Tseten: TibetCul founder, 2009 Website of the Year that continues to be updated, keeping pace with the times, where you can receive information from all over Tibet and hear the voice of civil society! Work of the Year: the continually changing world of the website; 

This is the domestic list. And there is a lack of information about the achievements of many famous personalities. So please continue to supplement, listing the achievements and works of the year 2009...

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Pema Tseden: film director, he really lives up to the title of the first Tibetan filmmaker.

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After I read about Samdup Tsering on the internet, I personally went to visit the school he founded for orphans! The conditions inside make you feel very sad! The children's dorms in the cold winter didn't  contain even a single warm thing! I can not imagine how those cute kids spend the winter! Also, so many children depend on Mr. Samdup Tsering to eat, which makes us think deeply about the burden placed on Mr. Samdup! He can only rely on his own efforts! His spirit and actions should be truly admired! He made so many who had already lost hope and confidence in life once again find hope and allowed them a chance to survive! Samdup Tsering is a selfless and altruistic kind of person!  If he is not nominated then who will be? Many Tibetans are famous for their own interests, but for the sake of others, Mr. Samdup Tsering gave up the luxury of his own happiness and luxurious way of life! How  many of this kind of person are there in this day and age? That's why I really want to nominate Samdup Tsering to be Tibetan Personality of the Year!

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Agree; nominate Pema Tseden, he has the qualities to be this personality.

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Woeser, Pema Tseden

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Pema Tseden, Gadai Tsering

They are both quintessential of a generation of Tibetan youth, both have made extraordinary contributions in their fields!

Strongly support them!!

---------------- 

Pema Tseden
Pema Tseden
Pema Tseden
----------------

Endorse Pema Tseden
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The lady who runs Dekyi Orphanage
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Recommending the nomination of the charitable Samdup Tsering

Reason for nomination: Samdup Tsering's orphanage that he founded can also be seen on television! Very moving! Although he almost became bankrupt, he adopted so many children. The investment was huge, it could have been as high as RMB 1.8 million! It is really impressive as well as moving! Who to nominate, if not him? He deserves the title of moving figure! Those who are famous for their fortune do not deserve the title since all they have done is for their own interests. Only those whose behavior and achievement contribute for the good of others can really touch people's hearts. The fact that Samdup Tsering could risk the loss of his own fortune to adopt orphans is really moving!

Click the following links to see Samdup Tsering on video:

http://kumbum.tibetcul.com/76623.html

http://kumbum.tibetcul.com/76272.html

http://kumbum.tibetcul.com/75943.html

http://kumbum.tibetcul.com/73116.html
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Woeser Woeser
Strongly support Woeser
She is the quintessence of we Tibetans!
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"Regarding the most competitive candidate for nomination, this should go to Gyalwa Rinpoche (Tibetan for Dalai Lama) who made significant contributions to preserve and promote Tibetan culture in the past century in the entire nation and who was exiled. He suffered for you, for me and for every Tibetan.  In this world, each individual plays a different role and makes contributions in various areas. Yet, we cannot forget those who work for the marginalised people, for example, the lady who runs the Dekyi Orphanage."

On this point, Rinpoche is no less than an international figure.
----------------

I think there are many Tibetans abroad, prominent figures, vote for them, they are pretty great, better not to vote for political figures, such as Ngapo, who many Tibetans have opinion on.