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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 14, 2008 - 06:34am PT
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Two disclaimers:
1- The following is something I feel needs to be shared, but is political and opinionated in nature and may not be something you choose to read.
2- I am not much of a writer...probably lots of errors...
The following is a letter to my family which I’d like to share with you from an activist we met and talked to at a Tibetan protest in Delhi, India where we live in early September of last year.
This protest which you probably heard either nothing or very little about was the single largest gathering of Tibetans since 1959. You may recall that year.
I think it is worth sharing and hope that I have not cluttered up this site by posting this. If so I am sorry.
However we as climbers are in a unique position I feel to influence those around us because we are passionate in our pursuit of life and what it has to offer us. We obviously do not always agree on everything, but our shared experiences are what we do have in common.
One of the main organizers of that protest and the person we were able to meet and talk with was Tenzin Tsundue.
He was a very passionate man and several months later I was once again able to meet with him following a poetry reading of his here in Delhi.
The following was sent to me and asked to forward it onward to those that may be interested.
As climbers I think we are all keenly aware of the injustice that has been done to Tibetans by the Government of China. Just over a year ago you may recall the situation of the Tibetan Nun who was shot in the back in the vicinity of Nangpa Pass in plain sight of many climbers at the advance basecamp in Cho Oyu.
Sadly little was done by those who witnessed the event though one may argue as to what they could have done...
http://www.savetibet.org/news/newsitem.php?id=1036
Though I was thinking I shouldn't, I will post my original letter but not the photos which I sent to family and friends at the end of this. The letter is of my experiences at that protest. I did send them to CNN and the BBC, part of which (a sanitized version) was published.
Not only is that letter in itself quite long but as I said I’m not much of a writer.
Finally I apologize for my ignorance about knowing only one way to post such a long opinion.
"Sohum" - You Are, Therefore I Am.
DD
On Behalf Of Tenzin Tsundue –
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
 Goethe
Dear Friend,
The time has come for me to go to Tibet again. Last time when I went to Tibet in 1997 - after my graduation - I was arrested by the Chinese authorities, beaten up, interrogated, starved and finally thrown out of Tibet after keeping me in their jails for three months in Lhasa and Ngari. I walked to Tibet, on my own, alone, across the Himalayan Mountains from the Ladakh.
Eleven years later, I am walking to Tibet again; this time too, without permission. I am returning home; why should I bother about papers from Chinese colonial regime who have not only occupied Tibet, but also is running a military rule there; making our people in Tibet live in tyranny and brutal suppression day after day, everyday for fifty years.
The Year 2008 is a huge opportunity for the Tibet movement to present the injustices the Tibetans have been subjected to, when China is going to attract international media attention. I am taking part in the return march from Dharamsala to Tibet, that is being organized as a part of the "Tibetan People's Uprising Movement", a united effort put together by five major Tibetan NGOs: Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet (an association of former political prisoners), National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet, India.
The march will start on 10 March 2008, from Dharamsala, the capital of Tibetan exiles and will pass through Delhi and then head towards Tibet. Walking for six months, we might reach the Tibet border around the time China opens the Beijing 2008 Olympics (August 14-25). Presently it's too early to approximate at which border point we would be crossing; Tibet and India share a border that runs 4,075 Km along the length of the Himalayas. We might choose any point, or even multiple points. We'll see the situation.
I know there had been similar attempts in the past, but this is 2008, and I have seen the organizers working extra hard with strategic planning, taking care of every minute detail, and the best thing is that we have all the NGOs working unitedly for the common goal. This unity is our strength! I do not know where we would end up, that's why I am giving away the little collection of books (my only possession in life) to a library at is being setup in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala. My friends: Lobsang and Nyingje (who served in the Indian army as part of the Tibetan battalion) are also giving away their personal belongings; committing themselves for the march.
Of course the Indian police will do their duty; the Chinese army at the Tibet border would be overtly enthusiastic. Since we are leading a peaceful march, with absolute commitment to non-violence, I do not think anyone - either from Indian authority or Chinese - would impose themselves on us. Inspired by Gandhi's Salt March, even if they did try to stop us, we are not stopping. For how many days can they jail us for just walking peacefully? And why should the Indian government stop Tibetan refugees voluntarily returning home on foot?
In the past I have climbed buildings to shout for freedom, thrown myself at the Chinese embassy gate in New Delhi, spent months in jails, got beaten up police, fought court cases, but I never lost the dignity of the struggle: my believe in Non-violence. The March to Tibet will be non-violent; it is a sadhana, a spiritual tribute to the truth and justice that we are fighting for. This is our Long March to freedom.
And on our journey home, we will cook and camp in tents on the roadside, there will be the marchers and the support marchers, the kitchen team, logistics, media and the medical team. There will be dancing and singing, and theatre and film shows on the road as we take this long journey home.
Here is an opportunity to join a historic non-violent freedom struggle, a people's effort to win freedom for a country that remains subjugated even in 2008. I request you to join us, support us in whatever ways possible. We need people to know about it, so spread the word. You can walk with us, as we walk for six months, maybe you can join us for a day along the path, even one hour, or for a week, months as a supporter. Schools, colleges and even whole town can walk with us. We need volunteers, media people, writers, photographers, bloggers can help us. We need nurses, cooks, technicians and your prayers.
Ever since the march was announced on 4th January 2008, Tibetans have been talking about it; it's a major discussion in the refugee camps. Recently the organizers launched the entry form. And I heard people are slowly getting themselves registered. You too can register your volunteer online. For more information please visit: www.TibetanUprising.org For enquiries email the coordinators: Lobsang yeshi or sherab woser
Join us.
Tenzin Tsundue
Dharamsala
Letter to Friends written in Sept. 2007
"Meemie my wife and I drove over on the evening of August 8th past hundreds of paramilitary police in front of the Chinese Embassy to a downtown location where Tsering our cook, cleaner, and friend took us to see the upwards of 17,000 Tibetans who had come from as far away as Nepal and Myanmar (with money out of their own pockets) to join the largest Tibetans in Exile gathering that has ever happened. We had heard from Tsering about this protest, not from any media source. This is an important point because as we soon discovered, upon finally getting to the area I realized I was the only person with a camera. Absent was any media. This became very disturbing to both of us as what unfolded before our eyes and, the message which the Tibetans were trying to send to the world.
For 48 years, since 1959 when the Chinese invaded Tibet have the Tibetans been under the thumb of this repressive government. To date, it has been estimated by the Tibetan Government in Exile, which His Holiness the Dalai Lama is both Spiritual and Political leader, that at least 1.2 million Tibetans have either been killed or imprisoned by the government of China.
This protest organized by the Youth Congress of Tibet, was an opportunity to draw attention to the plight of the Tibetans and their desire to once again live peacefully in their own country without the threat of persecution, torture, and death from the Chinese government. Like so many others at the protest, we were amazed that such a major happening had virtually no coverage by the media. We spoke with one of the main leaders of the Youth Congress that night and he assured us that their media spokesperson had indeed contacted all the various media offices and notified them of the protest. He (and thousands upon thousands of the Tibetans) could not understand why their time, energy, and very lives were not "important enough to get any coverage..."
This was amazing to us and seemed "a story within a story." It seemed even more unbelievable too, as we had also just been informed that 3 Tibetans had in the last few hours soaked themselves with kerosene and attempted to light themselves on fire in a desperate act to draw further attention to their plight. Luckily, we were told, only one of them managed to light himself on fire but was rushed to the hospital in time, probably saving his life. We did not know his condition though, nor even if he lived. His Holiness (who was in Ladak at the time) managed to get a message to the group in time to stop the other two (and many others that were willing to give up their lives).
In fact we were told that "...there are at least 1000 others who are ready, right now, to do the same...". Many had given away all of their possessions and said goodbye to families before leaving to come to Delhi with the express intention of sacrificing themselves for their homeland.
These desperate acts can not and should not be minimized.
His Holiness had pleaded for non-violence. 1) He did not want any Indians hurt in anyway. It is important to note that the government of India has been extremely gracious in allowing the Tibetans to live in this country. Though they are not given citizenship, they have been given areas to live in, what are know as the Tibetan Colonies. You may have read or are likely to read and hear more about some of the dilemmas facing these colonies. And 2) His Holiness's plea for non-violence also extended in this case... against oneself (ie, suicide) in an attempt to stop further suffering.
We were told under his wishes these suicide attempts were stopped, but it is important to understand that for many of the younger generations they feel that this policy of non-violence has been (for the past 48 years) perceived as being ineffective in change.
The disturbing thing for me (and should be for others) is the potential of escalation of violent acts.
Not just against oneself...
At the same time that we had heard about these attempts we also discovered that 11 Tibetans had been on a hunger strike since July 8th, 32 days without food. We were able to go to the tent where they were laying or sitting to see them. What we saw were the eyes looking out from emaciated bodies. Skin stretched over skeletons.
As I rubbed the tears from my eyes at such a pitiful sight I saw, unbelievably, a smile, then another one break out on two of those faces as they shared what must have been some private joke or whispered words of encouragements. I knew then that I had to do something, anything, to get their story out. A few of the volunteers that were helping these hunger strikers where administering heated poultices to the bodies of several of them in the attempt to "draw out the anger" from their bodies and to help in restoring positive thoughts. The commitment to their fellow Tibetans, to their culture, and to their lands was above anything I had previously experienced. The absence of their story only angered me and continues to keep me up at night.
Desperate acts are a result of desperate people.
While hundreds of paramilitary police sat bored on the curbs and blocked off roads in the stifling heat of night heavily dressed in their riot gear with nothing to do, buses were lined up one or two at a time and being packed tightly with Tibetans. Thousands of other protesters were chanting slogans, sitting, laying, or shuffling exhausted from a day of protesting, I wondered around snapping photos and feeling overwhelmed by the frustration which I could almost reach out and touch. Frustration once again of the world that cares more for Bollywood films, money, and the expectations of a soon-to-be Olympics in a country that will not recognize the rights of a peaceful Buddhist country. Are we in accepting to go to China for the Olympics turn legitimizing their claim to Tibet. Thought the Tibetans want to send a team to the Olympics they are unable to as China so far has denied them permission. I know that politics and Olympics don't mix, but in today's world I don't see black and white anymore.
Later that night when Meemie and I got home I downloaded my pictures to the computer and Meemie wrote to the BBC attaching along with her writing a few of these photos.
Somehow we both managed to make it to bed.
The next day we scanned the news wires hoping for something, anything about this story which we both felt needed to be told. However, we discovered that Pakistan's Musharaff had siphoned off the news reporters from the region in the expectation that possible emergency law or some such thing was going to happen that day.
Only on page 4 of the local India Times did we find a 1 or 2 paragraph article with 1 picture which said anything about the Tibetans.
Two days have gone by now, and we now see that indeed some information is coming out (see accompanied link). It is however disturbing that such a major event (certainly for the city which we live in and the region in general) has passed with so few people knowing about it.
Only time will tell if the Chinese governments policies towards Tibet will come out in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics. This is of little comfort I'm sure to the thousands and thousands of Tibetans that were there Wednesday.
Peace,
Chris
ps We found out this weekend that the hunger-strike had been called off. It is still unclear at this time who called it off or what pressure was applied in ending the strike."
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survival
Big Wall climber
arlington, va
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Feb 14, 2008 - 08:00am PT
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Delhi Dog,
First, don't worry about your writing ability when you are writing about something of such magnitude.
Second, a climbers forum seems a perfect place to share this for many reasons.
1) Climbers have a natural and long standing fondness for Tibet.
Mountains, Mystery, Peaceful Buddhists, A long history of climbers and explorers.
2) An international audience of participants and lurkers.
3) An audience of older, caring, politically aware, and sometimes mature people with computers!!
It seems to me that the only way for the Tibetans to have much success in this is to get LOTS of westerners involved. Many westerners would actually have to be with them too, it seems.
The Chinese have shown for 50 years that they don't have any concern for the way the Tibetans feel about it.
Unfortunately, even though the Chinese want to play nice because of the Olympics, they have shown a real genius for deflecting all aspects of the Tibet issue. Millions of Chinese and apparently their government seem to believe they have a legitimate claim to Tibet, and a march won't change that. At this point it might be a little like the Lakota mounting a "Free South Dakota" campaign.....
Why will they be walking for six months when the nearest border crossing is less than 300 km. away?
I have a son who is a Buddhist who did what he could to circulate information about the monks in Myanmar this last year.
Delhi, will you e-mail your post to me and give me permission to try and circulate it here in DC?
Thanks for posting Delhi Dog.
Bruce
Edit: ST threads of much less stature than this have gotten hundreds of posts. I wonder if we can keep this one going for awhile. C'mon climbers post up.
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Maysho
climber
Truckee, CA
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Feb 14, 2008 - 08:54am PT
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Thanks Chris for posting this, I recently befriended a woman who was arrested at Everest Base Camp last year for unfurling a banner using the Beijing Olympic slogan and adding to it. "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008". She is part of Students for a Free Tibet. There are many groups from around the world who are planning protests and actions around this issue when the world is paying attention to the Olympics. Now is a great time to get involved.
Peter
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 14, 2008 - 09:41am PT
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Thanks Survival...I appreciate your kind words and do feel better now about sharing:>)
Much of my thinking too about these issues centered around us as climbers and not only specifically for Tibetans (though my heart is with them in their struggles) but with indigenous peoples in general of the areas we explore.
One can easily get caught up in ones own issues (ie, Obama -vs- McCain) which are certainly as legitimate as any others, but we must recognize our responsibilities as people to and for all people.
You are most certainly welcome to use any of what I have to further reach out. I'll send.
Hunger Strikers
and counting...
Peter, wonderful energy.
There always comes a choice, whether to do or not, whether to go for it or not. I'm heartened that your friend did what she did.
We are very much involved with Students for a Free Tibet here. They are doing some excellent work.
http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/
Headed to Kashmir on Saturday...4 meters of snow
DD
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survival
Big Wall climber
arlington, va
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Feb 14, 2008 - 10:06am PT
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DD,
Glad you're with us. The pictures help, keep 'em coming.
I recently heard from a wise fellow about milking your photos out over a period of a day or three, to give the thread added life. Sounds like a wise idea to me.
I will share the new link with my son as well. Thanks.
Kashmir, I've always wanted to go there. Have you been to Ladakh also? How about Gangotri? No wonder you're called DOG!! You better post a trip report. Watch out for slide zones....
Peace,
Bruce
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b.p.
climber
bishop
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Feb 14, 2008 - 10:53am PT
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DD.
Thank you for bringing this up...and for adding Goethe's quote, which I have kept on my desk for the past 20 years.
I have many contacts in Europe...may I forward this post over to them?
I am breathless
for not understanding the world
The same sky
unfolding over everything
The obstinacy of life.
Bernard Noel
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 14, 2008 - 11:21am PT
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Hope
It hovers in dark corners
before the lights are turned on,
it shakes sleep from its eyes
and drops from mushroom gills,
it explodes in the starry heads
of dandelions turned sages,
it sticks to the wings of green angels.
It sprouts in each occluded eye
of the many-eyed potato,
it lives in each earthworm segment
surviving cruelty,
it is the motion that runs
from the eyes to the tail of a dog,
it is the mouth that inflates the lungs
of the child that has just been born.
It is the singular gift
we cannot destroy in ourselves,
the argument that refutes death,
the genius that invents the future,
all we know of God.
It is the serum which makes us swear
not to betray one another,
it is in this poem, trying to speak.
By Lisel Mueller
Feel free to use and pass any of my post onwards b.p.
Cheers,
DD
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paganmonkeyboy
climber
mars...it's near nevada...
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Feb 14, 2008 - 01:07pm PT
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Keep this on the front page bump...good read, many thanks for sharing.
-Tom
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L
climber
Malibu, baby....in a Cheetah shirt
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Feb 14, 2008 - 01:10pm PT
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DD,
Beautiful!
With so much fluff, choss, and downright defecation littering this site at times, it's wonderful to read a post with substance like yours.
Would you mind emailing me a clean copy of your letter that I might forward it to my friends, also?
Thank you so much, and keep up the consciousness work.
Laura
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SamRoberts
climber
Bay Area
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Feb 14, 2008 - 02:41pm PT
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Tashi Delek, Delhi Dog!
My wife and I spent two months in Tibet last fall and saw first hand the supreme indifference paid to Tibetans by the Chinese. The most touching moment of our trip was when after spending the night camped near an extended family of nomads, we asked them if there was any of our gear they would like. They said no, but embarassingly asked if we did have one thing- a photograph of the Dalai Lama! Out of all the things they could have asked for, they just asked for a simple photograph of their exiled leader. Unfortunately we didn't have one with us, but we tore pages of photos out of our guidebooks and gave them pictures of the Potala Palace, Mount Kailash and others. They were so grateful!
IMO, the Chinese will never completely defeat a people that are so totally devoted to their beliefs as the Tibetans are. Thanks for posting, Delhi Dog!
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survival
Big Wall climber
arlington, va
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Feb 14, 2008 - 05:01pm PT
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Bump for the Tibetans.
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 14, 2008 - 08:58pm PT
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"IMO, the Chinese will never completely defeat a people that are so totally devoted to their beliefs as the Tibetans are."
I struggle with this thought myself.
One of the fears is that there is the new generation of young Tibetans that though peaceful in nature have never even been to Tibet and will find it in their hearts that only a larger commitment and sacrifice will be needed in order to draw the world's attention to their issues (the burning of themselves is an example). They are becoming increassily desperate...
Just as many of the Palestinians for example have committed incredible acts of desperation so might this younger generation.
That is my fear.
Even his Holiness has come to realize that some form a dialogue with the Government of China is needed (though they still reject that because that would acknowledge his leadership) in order to move ahead, possibly even working towards an autonomous region rather than full on China lands.
Only the future knows, however, there are many example of hope and change...we now have a woman and a black man potentially as our next President and...South Africa, are but two.
L, I'll send you. Thank you.
Cheers,
DD
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John Moosie
climber
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Feb 15, 2008 - 12:25am PT
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Thanks for posting this Chris and write what you need to write. Please don't worry about the length. It is a story that needs to be told.
I pray for the Tibetans and the leaders of China, that they might find peace.
Such a beautiful country and such a heartbreaking story.
More Pictures please. :-)
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survival
Big Wall climber
arlington, va
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Feb 15, 2008 - 12:28am PT
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DD,
You made a fine post here.
The silence is almost deafening for a thread that's been up all day. It's surprising to me for a site where folks can debate a chiseled hook placement for 2,000 posts.
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John Moosie
climber
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Feb 15, 2008 - 12:34am PT
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No surprise. There is nothing to debate. Debate means posts. But some of us will keep bumping it and hopefully Chris has more pictures to post.
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Anastasia
Trad climber
taking a left turn, ETA unknown
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Feb 15, 2008 - 12:40am PT
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First Bump!
AF
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2008 - 12:51am PT
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Sometimes apathy rules, but my guess not from the Taco Stand.
We all need to sleep sometimes, but at some time we all wake up...
Thanks folks,
DD
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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Feb 15, 2008 - 01:34am PT
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Morning Chris, Thanks for posting this story. I never sent this on to the- New and Review...Sorry,I am on the editors sh#t list. Anyway, sending it from India seems better.
Here's the address- newsreview.com.. also Chicobeat.com
D.D., Light at the end of the work tunnel..less than 4 months!
Can't wait to see you guys! xoxo, to Meemie and the Kids. Love nita;-)
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2008 - 01:37am PT
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Hey Nita!
Actually little over 3...yipee!
Brair's in Nepal, Haley's in Kashmir and I'm at work...oops better get back to it.
Thanks for the linkage.
Hey Andy!
ps check out the Hmong pics :>) big smiles all around
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2008 - 05:39am PT
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Lost my post darn...
Okay here we go again.
In order to get a bit more debat on the issue and to fire up some dialogue (though its late for me),
I wrote in my opening post with added editing :>) the following:
"Are we in accepting to go to China for the Olympics in turn legitimizing their claim to Tibet. Though the Tibetans want to send a team to the Olympics they are unable to as China so far has denied them permission. I know that politics and Olympics don't mix, but in today's world I don't see black and white anymore."
What are your thoughts?
Also, I know it is difficult to '...walk in anothers shoes' but what are your thoughts if the roles were reversed? I know this is hypothetical, however it is worthwhile IMHO to consider if it were us ie. Americans rather than the Tibetans...
Cheers,
DD
___
A Firmer Grasp of the Obvious
Evening, early June,
sweetly tired from the day’s work
lazed out on the back porch with friends,
just finished with dinner
(asparagus and spinach fresh from the garden;
venison backstrap
smoky and rare),
watching the sunset
luster the ocean,
stiff-winged swifts
etching the air,
a full moon rising like a fever of pearl
huge above the redwoods,
I’m seized by the realization
I’ll never understand
the origin and destination of the universe,
the meaning or the purpose of life,
none of the great questions of being,
and probably not much else.
And that knowledge, at last,
making me happy.
-Jim Dodge
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