"Sorry": A Tibetan Blogger Remembers Norzin Wangmo

High Peaks Pure Earth has resurrected a blogpost titled "Sorry" by a Tibetan blogger, originally posted in December 2008 on TibetCul, that pays tribute to Norzin Wangmo (Nor ‘dzin dbang mo), a Tibetan woman in her thirties who was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 2008 for sending emails and making phone calls abroad.

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)

The Most-Read Postings on High Peaks Pure Earth in 2009

A Happy New Year to all our readers from High Peaks Pure Earth!

This has been the first full year of translations and blog postings on High Peaks Pure Earth, thank you all for reading, commenting and getting in touch.

Expect to see not only more blog translations, commentary and original writings but also changes and improvements to the site on High Peaks Pure Earth in 2010.

For now though, here is a quick round-up of postings that were popular in 2009 top 5:

1. 2009's most popular post on High Peaks Pure Earth was a summary of Tibetan and Chinese blogger reaction to the film "2012":
   http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2009/11/tibet-saves-world-tibetan-and-chinese.html
   
   
2. Translations of Tibetan blogposts about not celebrating Losar (Tibetan New Year) this year were also highly read on High Peaks Pure Earth, see these two posts: http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2009/01/tibetan-bloggers-discuss-tibetan-new.html and http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2009/01/more-from-tibetan-bloggers-about.html
   
   
3. The most translated and most read Tibetan blogger on High Peaks Pure Earth is Woeser, the general link to her articles is one of the most-clicked links on the site. Woeser's articles about not celebrating Losar and instead commemorating 2008 were her most-read articles this year. See: http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2009/01/let-us-make-lamp-offerings-and-light.html and http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2009/01/remember-and-memorialise-louder-than.html
   
   
4. Translations of blog postings by Jamyang Kyi have been widely read on High Peaks Pure Earth. This year, Jamyang Kyi's third letter to her imprisoned friend Norzin Wangmo touched many readers and became one of the most-read posts of the year: http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2009/07/third-letter-to-my-friend-norzin-wangmo.html
   
   
5. Finally, Tibetan bloggers were often the first (and at times, only) sources of information about political detentions, imprisonments or activism inside Tibet. These kinds of translations by High Peaks Pure Earth have caught the attention of readers, see these postings on the Amdo singer Tenzin,  Tashi Dondrup, Kunga Tsayang and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.

Update on Tibetan Singer Tashi Dondrup

According to an article published today in The Times newspaper:

"Chinese authorities have arrested a popular young Tibetan singer, accusing him of composing subversive songs. 

Tashi Dondrup was detained yesterday afternoon while in hiding in the western city of Xining, capital of Qinghai province, where he had taken refuge after the authorities banned his music."

The Times article was also posted on Woeser's blog today with Woeser writing the same information in Chinese and also posting a link to Tashi Dondrup's music videos on a Chinese YouTube type website called Tudou: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/5TylQff3Cy0/

In February this year, High Peaks Pure Earth translated a blogpost by Jamyang Kyi about Tashi Dondrup that she had written on February 11 in which she recounted hearing that a singer named Tashi Dondrup had been arrested. However, the blogpost created confusion as bloggers left comments saying that Tashi Dondrup had been seen in Xining.

Today's Times article clears up the confusion.

Above a Tashi Dondrup music video on Chinese wesbite 56.com that pays tribute to the Dalai Lama whilst showing an image of the X. Panchen Lama on screen. (NB this video will only display correctly using Internet Explorer)

"Third Letter to My Friend Norzin Wangmo" by Jamyang Kyi

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated Jamyang Kyi's third letter to her friend Norzin Wangmo (Nor ‘dzin dbang mo). The letter was orginally written in Tibetan and posted on Jamyang Kyi's blog on 6th June 2009.

Regular readers of High Peaks Pure Earth will be familiar with the friendship between Jamyang Kyi and Norzin Wangmo. The emotionally written first two letters from last year were translated and published here on 5th January 2009. Norzin Wangmo is currently serving a five year prison sentence for sending emails and making phone calls abroad last year. Jamyang Kyi herself was arrested and detained for some time in 2008 and wrote a blogpost full of emotional anguish about her experience, the tones of this experience can also be detected in her letters.

Jamyang Kyi mentions Phuntsog Wangyal, one of the most important figures in modern Tibetan history who, as she points out, spent eighteen years in prison starting in 1958. Phuntsog Wangyal's autobiography 'A Tibetan Revolutionary' was originally released in English in 2004 and was translated into Tibetan and published by The Tibet Times in Dharamsala in 2006.

"Third Letter to My Friend Norzin Wangmo" by Jamyang Kyi

Today I am trying to finish the third letter. I know that you are waiting for the letter which should be written in Chinese since all letters must be checked by the jailors. When I realised that the letter will not be passed on to you by the jailors, I started to think of composing a letter which would reach you eventually and it took me some time to prepare this letter. This is the reason why this letter is late. When I wrote my first letter to you, I really did not know how to begin the letter and wondered how you would understand the letter.

It was a year after your arrest around 3rd April that I wrote my first letter which contained over a hundred words. The letter was filled with my sadness, the reason is that I could not write all the things I wanted to say and discuss with you, whilst writing the letter I was in tears and could only write some words of encouragement in the letter.

A month after sending the letter, I still had not heard any news from you, so I started to think that you may not have received my letter. Then I called your sister to try to find out about your situation. After some days I heard that you had received my letter and we also learned that you are so busy all the time with heavy physical work and you would be punished if you did not finish your work in time. I heard they deprived you of your right to make a phone call to your son Dhondup Dorje once a month. I also heard that in order to regain the right to call your son, now you have been working double time and this has caused you to lose weight.

The day we learned that you had received our letters, it was delightful news and immediately I wrote the second letter. I went to Karma Mindru Tibetan Restaurant to look for my niece and tell her to post the letter in the morning. She told me that she had finished her letter to you. My niece met you only once and you two do not know each other well. She knows you because I talk about you. She promised to write to you every month. I am so happy to see her doing this.

When I wrote my second letter, I was not as sad as the previous time, yet I was not sure what I should write. It is difficult for me to write something which is artificial in the letter. I know you would not be satisfied if I wrote only a few sentences. At the time I was reading ‘A Tibetan Revolutionary’, a book about Phuntshog Wangyal and wrote to you about the book. The reason why I mentioned the book to you is that Phuntshog Wangyal spent eighteen years in jail and whilst in prison he read many books, as a result he eventually became a famous scholar. You should learn from his courage and perseverance that will bring great benefits for your life in the future.

The punishment given to you by the jailor is an attempt to intimidate you. You should not fall into a deceiving trap and I hope that you will devote yourself to reading books the little time you have. If I were to write a more direct letter, I fear that the jailor would not give you the letter.

It is raining today and the weather brings sadness. I remember one time at the end of the autumn, while all the leaves turned a yellowish colour, you with your son, and three members of my family went hiking, when we reached the forest, a (fire) guard prevented us from going further. The children started to play with stones and built the shape of a house. We three adults played a traditional stone game from Ngapa Khyungchu. Do you remember? I remember telling you that I will write down the rules of the game, recently I have started the project along with a collection of folk music of the Ngapa Kyungchu.

How come we Tibetans are so unfortunate? All the people who love our nation have been wasted one after another. At the beginning of March this year, Sanggya Dundrup passed away. I thought of writing something about him, but I was unable to as it was so painful. When he was alive, Sanggya Dundrup voluntarily taught Tibetan language to a group of children in Xining and he loved his students. He was teaching on the day he passed away, and this demonstrates his affection for his nation and this is also the legacy he left for us to carry forward. His death is a great loss to his family and to all of Tibet.

Palsa la (dPal bzang lags), the place where we played the stone game is exactly located on the hillside which stands behind our office building. From the window of the restroom on the top of the building you can see the mountain range, and every time I recall our meeting my heart pains like a weight of stone pressing on it. The pain in my heart lingers on as this year there are so many sad incidents. In the meantime, I have not found an answer why I always think of you with such deep sorrow. Therefore, it is impossible for me to find a moment of clear mind resembling the pure sky. Since last year I have been taking sleeping pills to calm down my mind and heart. When people ask me to sing a song, I reply to them that I have no reason to sing songs this year.

I wrote in my last letter that four years is not a long time to console and give strength to you, nonetheless, I am counting the years on my fingers. Dear friend, it has been a year and two months since your arrest. There is not a single day that passes by without my missing you.

"Answers to Three Questions" by Jamyang Kyi

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost from Jamyang Kyi that was posted on her blog on 20th May 2009. The post is in reply to questions to Jamyang Kyi that were posed by a student.

There is much discussion in the Tibetan blogosphere about the increasing number of Tibetan women engaged in the sex trade and also larger discussions about gender equality. The debate is conducted largely amongst college students. Jamyang Kyi expresses concern over the situation in the rural community, where male dominance persists. She also raises the issue of rape in Tibetan society where the men are never punished for their crimes.

The post reflects Jamyang Kyi's personal sentiments and advocacy for women’s rights, which she considers as her life’s purpose. As mentioned in our earlier post about Jamyang Kyi, she is the only Tibetan woman either inside Tibet or amongst the diaspora who write advocating the gender issue within Tibetan society.

Earlier blogposts by Jamyang Kyi that have also been translated by High Peaks Pure Earth include the moving letters to her imprisoned friend Norzin Wangmo, a letter to her friend Chakmo-la and a letter to her missing friend Go Sherab Gyatso la.

"Answers to Three Questions" by Jamyang Kyi

Question: What do you think of the increasing number of Tibetan prostitutes in the cities?

Nowadays, there are men writing with a hostile attitude on the net and in journals describing women in general in hurtful words such as “prostitute” (smad ‘tshong ma), harlot (‘phyon ma) and floozy (g.yon ma). Even intellectuals like Sangyal Dondrub, who usually speak out for the rights and equality of woman, are fond of using these words. These words have left a wound in me and my sisters. Today when I am suddenly posed with such a question I feel so sad.

It is a universally accepted fact that if there is a market then products will be sold, whereas without markets, products cannot be sold. It is a pity that all of the men who write [about women] neglect this principle, which actually most of them should be aware of. Furthermore, it is laughable that they still do not realize that everyone who purchases the products is no different from the seller. Who is to say who is better, the seller or the buyer?

The French writer Simone de Beauvoir studied the causes and conditions of prostitution systematically. She pointed out that the causes behind becoming a sex trader are multiple, many of the young women become involved in the sex business because they have broken up with their lovers or when poor women who moved from the countryside to the city and work as a servants are raped by their employers and lose their virginity. It is not without reason why a woman would consider her virginity something extremely precious to her so that it should be protected as her soul. The custom of considering virginity as something sacred can be traced back to when society treated woman as the private property of men. And men are concerned with not mistaking their scion. Therefore, any woman at the time of marriage must be a virgin. This how the tradition of considering virginity as important originated.

According to information provided by my friend Dzamkar who comes from southern Amdo, the cult of virginity has not disappeared in her hometown. Yet, those young girls are raped, in fact someone she knows was recently raped. We have to acknowledge that such criminal activity is committed by men and the ones praising such behavior also are men.

We know that in ancient China, the source of prostitutes were women who were prisoners or mistresses of the criminal men. But where are those Tibetan prostitutes from? We do not know much about their background, the reason and their willingness to engage in such a dangerous business. There must be certain reasons for Tibetan women becoming prostitutes. No matter what reason they have, people look down upon them without hesitation and there is no room for their voices to be heard and taken into consideration.

In Tibet, most of the prostitutes are from the countryside and have not received any education, they are not aware of any epidemic diseases. They do not have knowledge of prevention and protection. Many men from rural areas also bring diseases from the city and carry them to rural areas when they return to their home villages. In her talk on women’s health care and clinics, Doctor Sonam Tso mentioned that there is a young girl from the Kokonor region who has caught syphilis. Every time her wound was bound she cried and did not want to cooperate with the treatment at the hospital. A ridiculous thing was that she caught the disease from her husband who got the disease when he visited a brothel near Xining bus station. When I asked her if the female patient complained about her husband, Doctor Sonam Tso told me that the woman came from the countryside and did not know how to complain about her husband. She could not do anything but just had to accept the reality and the fate of being a woman.

The fact is that some men are bringing suffering and even grave threats to the lives of their wives and children. This is becoming a serious problem in the poor nomadic areas where there is an obvious lack of medical care and treatment. Those men full of libido and without value for money have so much desire to meet women who want to escape hard work but love money. When they meet such a woman they throw away all their money.

We have to think of what we can do about issues like this and what we can do to save the lives of women and children from danger. One of the serious problems is of AIDS spreading worldwide and this disease transfers from one to another through sexual intercourse, blood transfusions and so on. There is no cure yet for this kind of disease.

90% of Tibetans are illiterate and we should be aware that these diseases might eliminate the whole Tibetan nation if we neglect this ongoing problem. We should educate people and make people aware of disease through media such as newspapers, radio and television. The social problem of prostitution is not something that is easy to bring to the surface but this is the reality we have to confront and cannot avoid. Here I want to appeal to all women who cannot turn away from this matter that in order to protect yourself you must please use a condom. This is a desperate appeal from me and I do not know what more I can say than this.

Question: Compared to foreign women, do you think that Tibetan women are too dependent on men?

When I hear men saying that women are dependent creatures, I suddenly imagine it means that women do not have to walk through heavy snow, they stay home with nice clothes and good food, and women do not have to do anything but relax and enjoy themselves. The reality, however, is that all men and women work equally both in the fields and on the nomadic grasslands. In particular, most of the work in the field and in the house is done by women. Due to the ideological tradition of our society, women are usually labeled as dependent on the “trinity” of the father, the husband and son respectively. In my opinion, the only things women do less are the jobs which need strong physical strength. Therefore, the title of dependent creatures is not a suitable description for women and it should be removed from their heads.

In Tibetan households in the urban areas, women work in public office as men do and they have to spend more time taking care of the family such as raising children and maintaining the daily life of the family. This means that the main responsibility is on the shoulder of the women. Therefore, the description dependent creature is not an accurate description of women but it may be more apt to describe men.

Question: Now it has become common amongst university students to say that to attract girls is just a matter of playing with words; in other words, the art of flattery wins the heart of the girl. Do you have any comment on this?

I think there are many reasons which are taken into consideration when a woman chooses a man as her friend. Yes, the skill of language may be one of the reasons. But, it is not as easy as just obtaining a skill of language - there are some other preconditions that should be fulfilled before proclaiming a woman as his lover.

It is natural for men to talk about women. In our villages, men have been talking about women ever since I can remember and at university male friends talked about women all the time. Similarly there are men in our office who chat about women. In a word, this is a topic, which can last a lifetime and never come to an end. Love is not only their precious treasure of the heart but also a thorn of the mind. When I compare the time of the past with that of the present, I find that the way of dealing with love and the attitude towards love has changed dramatically. People in the past were a bit more sincere and purer towards love, more than the people of today. They elevated love before selfish interest. Of course, I am not saying that people of today are only concerned with selfish interests, but it seems to be like this.

As the saying goes, man is a creature of worldly desire and woman is a creature of love. I am a follower of love and I have experienced both the sweetness and bitterness of love. There is evidence that love and regards between the male and female have declined.

My experience and little knowledge I have learned have given me new strength and energy. Since my brain has given me the ability to think, I have totally discarded the old habit of thinking that we need male authority. This is an important wish.

Thank you very much and I hope you will continue to pay attention to this issue of women in Tibet in order make more people aware of the condition of women and promote change.

The Return of TibetABC!

Having previously reported various closures and 'technical maintenance' incidents related to Tibetan language blogs, High Peaks Pure Earth is happy to report that the highly popular Tibetan language website www.tibetabc.cn is back online!

We haven’t gone through each of the posts to see if any have been sanitised and cleansed of any inappropriate thoughts but just at quick glance, it appears that many of the previous posts are intact. Jamyang Kyi’s previous posts haven’t been removed either.

The return of the site is welcomed by netizens with many celebratory odes. All Tibetan netizens agree that the Tibetan language websites and forums are vital to the flourishing of Tibetan language and its use. The Tibetan creator of the website and other writers and intellectuals argue that making a Tibetan language that is vibrant and used daily, especially the written language, is the most important task of all. Without turning the Tibetan language into a language of everyday practice, its vibrancy will be lost.

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated two posts, which reflect the happiness felt by Tibetan netizens.


http://www.tibetabc.cn/u/sosang/archives/2009/200932019751.html

A Joyous Day 20th March 2009

Today is the day the Tibetan language blog has been re-opened. Over the last five or seven days, the blog has been closed. In my opinion, it is better not to post anything that “exceeds the limit” (gtam ‘gal) if you are a real friend of the blog. Since everyone knows the reason, I do not have to tell you about this in detail. All the unsuitable comments on the blog will be deleted, but comments on the ten minor and five major sciences of Tibetan culture are welcome, especially on Tibetan literature. In order to keep the Tibetan language blog running; we appeal for your support for our work by posting comments that will bring only benefits for the blog.

Under this post a comment reads:


On the joyous day of 10 March in the Land of Snows, Golog Kunga Tsangyang (mgo log kun dga' tshangs dbyans) was suddenly arrested. At the moment he is probably in the city prison (grong khyer btson khang).

For this second posting, High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a celebratory poem:


http://www.tibetabc.cn/u/xueyuhanzi/archives/2009/2009320195322.html

Tibetan language website
The radiating light of our hearts
From today
Lets hope that the light may not be eclipsed

Tibetan language website
The single lamp that is the thread of our souls
From today
I hope that it may not be blown away by the wind

Tibetan language website
The messenger for the souls of compatriots
From today
I hope that the noble messenger may be free of all obstacles.

"Do you know the singer named Tashi Dondrup?" by Jamyang Kyi

What happened? After our last post reporting that the Tibetan blogosphere is quiet, suddenly yesterday it became alive again with new posts. Did High Peaks Pure Earth have anything to do with this? Maybe our friends in Tibet heard we were thirsting for new posts to read. Anyway, we are glad to see bloggers are back!!!

Jamyang Kyi wrote a new post yesterday. It is quite by coincidence that for the last few days we have been wondering about the name and identity of a person who had been arrested. On February 4th 2009, Radio Free Asia reported that a singer named Sogtruk Shebrab (Sog phrug shes rab) was detained for singing the song 2008. This same report was carried on other Tibetan news websites.

Tashi Dondrup

It is not clear if two people have been arrested or if there is some confusion over the names. According to Jamyang Kyi’s latest post the person who has been arrested is called Tashi Dondrup. Tashi Dondrup is well known to us. He has produced three VCDs in the past. One of his VCDs was produced with another famous female Amdo singer Gonpo Tso (mGon po ’tsho). He is from Henan County (rma-lho sog-rigs rang-skyong-khul) from the village of Gser lung. His age is given to us in typical Tibetan style as 24-25 (rtsa bzhi-rtsa lnga).

According to our friends, Tashi Dondrup had cleared the song with the Security Bureau - gong an ju (公安局) (Tibetans often pretend to misspell gung an cud and write sku ngan cus meaning Bad Bureau) and had received their permission to produce the VCD. Since last March, all production of VCD and other materials for public sale has to be cleared with the Security Bureau before public sale.

This is the song 1958-2008 (the video has been made by someone outside of Tibet)

Here is Jamyang Kyi's 11th February blogpost about Tashi Dondrup*:

Do you know the singer named Tashi Dondrup (bKra shis don grub)?

On the twelfth of this month, after my nephew Dawa Tsering came back home from herding animals, he said, “Aunty! Tashi Dondrup, the singer, has been arrested for singing songs about the Tibetan cause. My shepherd friend has downloaded the song “2008” (bGyad lo dang nyis stong brgyad) on his mobile phone and I also have this song”. I did not take much notice because the singer I know as Tashi Dondrup usually sings songs praising the Chinese. My nephew noticed my disinterest and, eyes wide open, he said carefully, “Aunty, he does not sing Chinese songs, he is a traditional singer”. I thought my nephew is just a twelve year old student, moreover in the village people love making idle talk and saying things without any firm basis. I thought this was another misunderstanding and did not discuss it with anyone.

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.

Tonight I carefully asked my nephew where his friend got the song by Tashi Dondrup, with eyes wide open, he told me that his friend downloaded it from the internet. My nephew came first in his school examination and I brought him to Xining with me as I had promised him before. At that moment, I realised that sometimes even a child can tell you something worthwhile that needed to be noted. I feel that anything can be heard no matter how far the place is located and remote from the modern city.

I realised that all the people of Tibet are deeply concerned about the news. Let us together salute and remember all the heroes and heroines who either died or remain in prison including the fellow brother Tashi Dondrup forever, everlasting ….

*Update 1: At the time of writing this blogpost, a new comment was added onto Jamyang Kyi's blog by a reader saying:









The musician Tashi Dondrup hasn't been arrested. Saw him in a shop in Xining yesterday.

*Update 2, 13th February 2009: High Peaks Pure Earth has learned that the singer and mandolin player Tashi Dondrup has indeed been detained as feared. It appears that there are 3 people named Tashi Dondrup and this has created a lot of confusion. Another Tashi Dondrup is a singer who sings in Chinese and has a successful career in China but not in Tibet - this is the one Jamyang Kyi refers to. Finally the third Tashi Dondrup is a record seller who runs a shop - the one that might have been seen by the reader of Jamyang Kyi's blog.

*Update 3, 16th February 2009: High Peaks Pure Earth has learned that the detained singer Tashi Dondrup has been released. Many thanks to the reader who found this YouTube video featuring Tashi Dondrup.

*Update 4, 25th February 2009: A further comment was posted to this blogpost by someone calling themselves Jiumei on 23rd February 2009:

The Tibetan musician Tashi Dondrup was arrested around 10th August 2008 in Xining while he was staying in a hotel by soldiers wearing uniform. I had a conversation with him before and we are close friends so I know his situation very well. I can testify to this, if you still doubt this news and his arrest please contact me on [XX] and I will tell you the situation truthfully.

*Update 5, 4th December 2009, news of Tashi Dondrup's arrest in Xining reported in The Times. Please see: http://www.highpeakspureearth.com/2009/12/update-on-tibetan-singer-tashi-dondrup.html

Letter to Chakmo-la by Jamyang Kyi

Jamyang Kyi posted on her blog a letter addressed to her friend Chakmo (lCags mo). She notes that the letter was written in October 2008 but was only posted on her blog on 31 December 2008.

High Peaks Pure Earth has been monitoring Jamyang Kyi’s blog and when she didn't post for several months over the summer of 2008, we were all anxious about her safety. The letter makes it clear that during that period she was visiting her family in Jadoru (Bya dmo ru).

Although the letter is personal, High Peaks Pure Earth has posted this translation as it would be of interest to readers concerned about Jamyang Kyi’s current well being.

Dear Friend Chakmo la (lCags mo),

How are you? It has been more than half a year since we last saw each other, but I never forget the moments that we were together. Although I had thought for months of writing you a short letter, I was not able to do that. Honestly, life is not predictable and it is just like a stream forever flowing.

Today, I woke up at nearly seven o’clock as usual. I spent two hours reading and had a chance to glance at the autobiography Freedom in Exile, (bTsan byol pa’i bag phebs) and with sadness I got up from bed. After breakfast, I went to the office. It takes half an hour from my house to where I work. When I arrived in Xining, after staying half a month in my hometown Jadoru (Bya mdo ru), I had gained four to five kilos in weight, so it forces me to walk to the office everyday now.

It has been raining almost everyday the past several days and the weather is unpredictable. Today, I walked to my office in the rain. I realized when the chilly wind brushed against my face that it is already close to the end of autumn.

The yellow leaves of the trees falling in front of my steps and ta ta sounds of the leaves crushing under my feet brought feelings of sadness inside me. When my mind became clearer, the thought of my beloved compatriots living abroad and the autobiography Freedom in Exile, rushed into my mind. At that moment I suddenly had an urge to write a short letter to you.

First of all, I would like to say congratulations to your translation of learned Tsering Woeser’s book ‘Poetry Named Tibet’. Some days ago you interviewed Paldan Gyal on his experiences in his homeland. I་ thought your frank and honest conversation was good.

Dear friend, I am sure you and your family are well as usual. Are you busy these days? Although I am completely occupied by the endless housework as well as occupied by a massive amount of office work, I am well and my family and relatives are also doing well. Do you remember once I told you that the happiness given to parents by their children is immeasurable? Naturally, this happiness comes with difficulties and suffering. When I was writing down my thoughts from the other day, my daughter was pushing and pulling from the back of my chair and trying to talk to me with nonsense words, and sometimes she held my hand so that I could not write properly. In the meantime I had to answer her questions constantly so I could hardly get a moment in which I could concentrate my mind on what I was doing. I clearly know that my child is wasting a lot of my time, but she is the only source of happiness of mine, so as a mother I cannot complain about her. I think a mother’s love to a child is why a mother risks her life to save her child and the final hope of a mother is her children. Countless mothers break their won dream for their children's well being. This is hard to avoid.

Yes, since I was deeply overwhelmed by the past memories of our meetings, as I walked half an hour to my office, even the Chinese street became more silence and I arrived in front of my office without hearing the noise from the street. I locked the door of my thoughts then and put the key in my pocket. My mind and body was completely seized by a lonely wind.

The Very Last Note from Tsawa Danyuk

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a note from Tsawa Danyuk that Jamyang Kyi posted on her blog on 2nd January 2009 (photo of the blogpost below). It appears that this writer is either missing or has fled abroad. We are not certain if Tsawa Danyuk is another blogger or whether the note was sent to Jamyang Kyi. It is apparent from the note that he had been accused of unknown crimes for writing or saying some words.


What is interesting is that since March 2008, a number of Tibetan writers and bloggers have been accused of political crimes by the authorities and have disappeared or gone underground. Another point to note is the growing admiration for Jamyang Kyi amongst her readers and followers. The comments on her blog are filled with words of admiration and affection to her.


The Very Last Note from Tsawa Danyuk (Tsha ba mda’ smyug)
By a tormented soul

Because of a few words I had said three years ago, I had to leave my beloved parents, teachers and friends. I even had to depart the land, where my umbilical cord is buried and be tossed away like sacrificial cake (gtor ma) from my native land.

Now I endure pain and suffering beyond worldly imagination inflicted by an army equipped with modern technology. What do I have to sacrifice? Where do I escape? Am I not allowed to remain on this earth? What crime have I committed? I begin to the think that even the gods are not being fair. I cannot comprehend! I am confused! I am laughing!

Notice: The above short note was written by Tsawa Danyuk on 29th April 2008

Comments:







Are you the writer of this blog?






Compatriot. Indeed, yes, I am the writer of this blog whose name begins with Jam. Thank you from the depth of my heart for visiting my blog all the time.

Whether the first six Tibetan primordial beings are monkeys or not is not our topic of debate.
Whether Nyatri Tsanpo descended from sky or not is not our (debate) to be won and lost.
Whether Songtsen lived into his eighties or not is not about victory or defeat.
Whether we are living up to the legacy of Tibetan kings is the question for the six million Tibetans.

Embrace the courage of our ancestors to our hearts and hold our hands together.
The agile horse running east and west, yet what is the use of a single horse?
Like the elegant saying, that united hands are gold, this is the path we should stride.

This was written in the Wood Bird Year, on the 23rd of the 1st Tibetan month. Tsawa Danyuk wrote this in Rebkong. I offer this to Jamyang Kyi.







The descendants of red-faced Tibetans call out the name of Tsawa Danyuk.








You are the flower of my life
You are my heart’s choice,
Forever my affection and love to you.










In the past I only thought of you as a singer. Yet, this year when the tide of time turned against us, I have scaled the strength of all the known Tibetans. And you are one of the most courageous Tibetans in the face of this difficult time and undeniably you have become a historical person. For being the voice of many educated Tibetans and raising the voice of truth through your writings, I would like to thank you from the depth of my heart.







Because of this oppression, I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes even if I were dying.









Tsawa Danyuk, Tsawa Danyuk!
Where are you? Have you been blown away by the storm?
A symbol of intelligent mind and brave heart
Forever present in (our) conversation,
Will never be forgotten.

"To Go Sherab Gyatso la" by Jamyang Kyi

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a letter to Go Sherab Gyatso that Jamyang Kyi wrote on 25th July 2008 and posted on her blog on 31st July 2008. In an earlier posting, a letter to her friend Norzin Wangmo, Jamyang Kyi had said "Go Sherab Gyatso (sGo she rab rgya tsho), the one you were enquiring about, was arrested a few months earlier. His phone has been cut off and we have no idea about his whereabouts." From this blogpost, we know that Go Sherab Gyatso has been imprisoned but we do not know more than this.

Go Sherab Gyatso is the author of the book "We Need To Wake Up" (Nga Tsho sad ran), published in 2007 by Gansu Nationalities Press. Follow this link to see the index of the book in Tibetan.

We Need To Wake Up
by Go Sherab Gyatso

Jamyang Kyi mentions other intellectuals such as Arig Dolma Kyab, Golog Palchen Gyal, Norzin Wangmo and Woeser. For our European friends, here is a translation of the blogpost, in French, by the team at www.tibet-doc.org.

*Update 6th January 2009*
Many thanks to a High Peaks Pure Earth reader in China who informed us that Go Sherab Gyatso has since been released and is back at Kirti Monastery.


'To Go Sherab Gyatso la' by Jamyang Kyi

At that time, no one expected the possibility for sudden events to occur and I never thought that I would be taken away and denied the right to utter three words or take three steps forward. At that time you said that you had been accused of horrendous political crimes and had been sentenced to 3 years in prison. I་ deeply regretted that three prime years of your life would be wasted in prison. I had hoped these three years would turn into a beneficial experience.

At the time when I was kept in 'Ping An' detention centre for two days, this thought came to my mind again and again. I was regretful and ashamed for feeling it was hard to pass even two days in detention. In my mind I wondered how you would endure three years. Whatever the reasons may be, if one hasn't experienced detention, then it is not easy to make assumptions.

I respected those brave men and women who sacrificed their life and those who are within the walls of prison fighting for our nationality, especially talented Arig Dolma Kyab (a rig sgrol ma skyab). I deeply admire and respect this brave young man. And I realized that as for myself I am small-minded and not brave. In your case, you were imprisoned not once but twice. Your late father was labelled with political crimes and had to leave his own beloved place of birth. Your father died thinking of his beloved home in a foreign country. Thinking of it sometimes, the feeling of deep sadness falls to the ground.

The saying that behind every brave man there is an intelligent woman is true. Even when the situation was hopeless and desperate, your father had to leave and become a refugee. Your mother stood strong and encouraged and emboldened you. Like the saying goes, a half of the clothing is the shoe and half of a couple is the wife. She took the responsibility of both parents and raised you healthy and strong, mentally and physically. You are truly the son of a brave father and an intelligent mother. I would not be able to compare between your parents who is the more important or who is more courageous.

Among us, the diamond-like precious brave men and women are beaten against the rock and ground into the soil one by one. In these dark times how many of the brave and capable young men and brave mothers will be destroyed. Thinking carefully, how could all this be happening? Our men slept and the enemy took over, and women slept and the work overwhelmed us. And you uttered the unblemished truth, "We Need To Wake Up".

As for the men who haven't woken up yet, it is enough to respect and remember those who stand at the forefront. Doing so will affect future generations and inspire them. Otherwise, without respect and admiration for the brave people, there is no forward path for our nationality.

For those willing to listen, I always repeat the story of brave men and women. Even to my five-year-old daughter, I told her the story of brave Tsering Woeser (tshe ring ‘od zer) and Arig Dolma Kyab (a rig sgrol ma skyab).

Brothers and Sisters! You are always in the depth of our heart. You, brave Norzin Wangmo (nor ‘dzin dbang mo), Golog Palchen Gyal (mgo log dpal chen rgyal). And many more whom I don't know by name, I have been waiting with great hope that you will be released someday. This is not just my hope, it is the hope and prayer of six million Tibetans.

Comments:







Congratulations and admiration to Woeser and Dolma Kyab, even a mountain cannot obstruct your path.







My respect to the heroes and heroines of our nationality!







Respect to them from the depth of my heart.









Jamyang Kyi. Sometimes you made me laugh and sometimes you made me shed tears.








We are like an insect under the feet of a power that is reckless and lawless. Even if we raise our voices about our suffering for three hundred and sixty days, it will not be heard. I express my respect to you from the depth of my heart.










Sister Jamyang Kyi. I read your blog. There is no end to the tears, there is no limit to the space, everyone is thinking of them. From my depth of my flesh, I remember them, and from the crown of my head, I respect the brave Tibetans.









I would like to request more essays like Go Sherab Gyatso's "We Need To Wake Up" to readers. Even though I would like to read it, I have yet to get hold of it.









Sister, this is the truth. We should really appreciate and respect the brave Tibetan men and women. Like Uncle's advice "We Need To Wake Up" , I pray and hope that we will wake up and walk on our own feet soon.







You are inflicted with so much hardship.







You have suffered immensely and I cherish you in my heart.








Sister. It is our pride that we shower you with admiration of flowers for your courage and sacrifice. Yet, one thing that is sad is that our writers stick to their crooked thinking and look for someone's mistake.







Sister. Thank you.











First, I would like to welcome Jamyang Kyi for her safe return. I and all our brothers and sisters share the pain and suffering you and Go Sherab have undergone.

Like you mentioned, you and the rest of the brave brothers and sisters who were taken away, shackled and denied the right speak to three words and walk three steps, such a thing is unimaginable in free countries in the western world.

My brothers and sisters, this is not an unchangeable precept. You have, for the sake of the happiness and freedom of (our) nationality, sacrificed your own interests. And to me that is a true hero. Hearing that Sherab, one of the exemplary monks of the 21st century has been taken away in secret brings inexpressible pain.








Greetings!! Even though, this is somewhat late, it is coming from the depth of my heart. Ping An Detentions centre. Ha ha!! (Ping An, 平安 in Chinese, translates into English as 'safe')










How are you Jamyang Kyi la? I am an ordinary boy who likes listening to your songs. Your song commemorating the 10th Panchen Lama is very special for me and has left an inexpressible impression. This is the first time I am looking at your blog and even though I wasn't able to comprehend everything in-depth, I can sense your composition expresses the fate of a nationality, thank you for this. (I hope) in the future that we can get to know each other, Tashi Delek.








After the incident, I bought your book on my way home. I hadn't paid much attention to these ideas before. But this year gave me a lot of ideas and changes in my way of thinking. I made myself examine my way of thinking. I would like to thank you and pray for your success.










Amidst the torture and blood, if we can win our truth.
And if we can materialize our hope by our lives’ effort,
Their heart will be warmed, as life is wrapped with hot blood,
Even if their heart is wrapped in the darkness, they will see the rays of light.

I would like to congratulate you on your release.








In our case, "if a man lays still for too long, he is defeated by his enemies and, if a woman lays still for too long, she is overwhelmed by household tasks". It is naked truth expressed elegantly. Thank you. I am extremely happy that you have been released.










After leaving Xining Hospital, I have shared Go Sherab's advice with my collegues and students. It was like medicine to their mind. According to your advice, I have also completed putting together the book on new vocabulary in Tibetan. Like you said, if you cannot speak Tibetan, you are not a true Tibetan and you have lost the pride of being a Tibetan. I would like to request your continued advice and thank you for bringing your book to our attention.







I have no means to help you. Yet we share the same fate. Whenever we are weeping helplessly, it remind us of our karma.








Go Sherab is a person who doesn't know how to think according to the 21st century. He is a convict who disrespects the grateful Buddha, parents, lamas and monastery. It is difficult to establish that he is a Buddhist. The reasons are evident if you look at his book "We Need To Wake Up".