"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.

Poetry Series: "Straying Far from Myself" Part 1

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated new poetry that was posted online on a TibetCul blog on November 19, 2011. As explained below, these poems were submitted by members of a poetry group who all wrote using the same title:

The theme of the poem in the 66th event of the Three Provinces of Tibet poetry group is "Straying Far From Myself". According to the custom, at first everyone discusses a theme for the poem, for example, "Flying Knife, Flying Knife", "Straying Far From Myself", "Winter", "Poetry with the Smell of Blood", "Mother, I…". In the end, after a democratic vote, the final theme was decided as "Straying Far From Myself". 

The order of participants submitting their poetry is: Ami Lhago, Dorjee Choedpa, Pema Choezin, Tashi Dhondup, Nyima Tsering, Tsering Bhum, Adong Paldothar, Dechen Hengmei, Xibu Feiyang and Lobgya Pema.

"Why Didn’t Kalon Tripa Read Out Tapey’s Name?" By Woeser

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost by Woeser written between January 7 and 9, 2012 for the Tibetan service of Radio Free Asia and posted on her blog on January 15, 2012.

From January 1 - 10, 2012, the Kalachakra teachings given by the Dalai Lama took place in Bodh Gaya, India. In this blogpost, Woeser focuses on Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay's speech held at the teachings where he read out the names of Tibetans who had self-immolated in Tibet. For those readers unfamiliar with the case of Tapey's self-immolation in 2009, see an earlier article by Woeser titled "Tibet is Burning". 

At the time of writing this article, there were 16 Tibetans inside Tibet who had self-immolated, including 3 this year. However, on January 14, there was again news from Ngaba of another self-immolation, which means the number has increased to 17. This year in just 14 days there have 4 Tibetans who have self-immolated. (Photo by @tonbani)

"The Kardze Pledge" By Woeser

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost by Woeser written on September 21, 2011 for the Tibetan service of Radio Free Asia and posted on her blog on September 12, 2011.

In a series of posts making up Woeser's summer travels to Lhasa, through Amdo and Kham, the post below is the follow up to "Mani Gego’s Yak Meat Processing Plant". This post finds Woeser still in Kardze Prefecture and this time focuses on non-violent resistance which appears to be particularly strong in this region. It was in Tawu, Kardze Prefecture, that Tsewang Norbu's self-immolation on August 15, 2011 took place.


Read a French translation of this post here: http://woeser.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/l%E2%80%99engagement-de-garze/

Photo taken on July 28, 2011

"Mani Gego’s Yak Meat Processing Plant" By Woeser

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a blogpost by Woeser written on September 7, 2011 for the Tibetan service of Radio Free Asia and posted on her blog on September 17, 2011.

In a series of posts making up Woeser's summer travels to Lhasa, through Amdo and Kham, the post below is the follow up to "Magnificent Dzogchen Monastery". This post finds Woeser still in Kham and this time the post focuses on local Tibetan objections to yak meat processing plants in the area. These tensions described in the post give context to events that unfolded some months later also in Kardze Prefecture, see this report by Radio Free Asia from December 1, 2011.

The family planning propaganda poster

The Most-Read Postings on High Peaks Pure Earth in 2011

Woeser's Audience with the Dalai Lama... on Skype

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

2011 was the third full year of translations and blog postings on High Peaks Pure Earth, thank you all for reading, commenting, supporting, sharing and getting in touch. We are happy to see so many of you not only here but also with us on our Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus pages.

Here is a quick round-up of our blogposts that were popular over 2011:

High Peaks Pure Earth Winter 2011 Reading List

High Peaks Pure Earth has updated the Summer 2011 reading list to create the Winter 2011 reading list!

With these reading lists, High Peaks Pure Earth suggests books for those interested in Tibet and particularly in Tibetan literature in translation. Click on the links below the photos to see the books on Amazon.

If you have read any of these books, leave a comment or short review... if you have any of your own recommendations, please let us know!

"Lhasa? Lhasa!" By Woeser

High Peaks Pure Earth presents the English translation of a blogpost by Woeser written on October 13, 2011 for the Tibetan service of Radio Free Asia and posted on her blog on October 22, 2011.

This post continues a series making up Woeser's summer travels to Lhasa, through Amdo and Kham. Previous posts are "Impoverished Matö County", "Over One Year After the Earthquake, A Rushed Visit to Yushu", "Sershül Monastery In Recent Years" and "Magnificent Dzogchen Monastery".


This post has also been translated into French and is available here: http://woeser.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/lhassa-lhassa/

A picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sera Monastery onto which a work group painted a mustache to try and stop pilgrims and tourists from recognising the Dalai Lama. However, this old Lhasa woman knows it’s the Dalai Lama in the painting, and despite police supervision close by, she still bows deeply ... (Photos taken by Woeser on March 30, 2010)