Date: May 2, 2008
Dharamsala -
1. April 29, 2008: Around two hundred people gathered at Lhabsoeri for sangsol.
2. Relay hunger strike continued.
3. In the evening around 2000 people participated in the candle light peace procession.
4. Photo exhibition on recent killings in Tibet continued.
5. Continued to offer thousand butter lamps for all those who died in the recent killings in Tibet.
1. 1st May 2008: Relay hunger strike continued.
3. In the evening around 1000 people participated in the candle light peace procession.
4. Photo exhibition on recent killings in Tibet continued.
5. Continued to offer thousand butter lamps for all those who died in the recent killings in Tibet.
Nepal -
Shabrim recital for April 30, 2008:
No. of participants at prayer congregation = approx. 600
Dolma Gyepa 28,800
Dolma Dhuepa 1,62,612
Dolma Zung 1,32,910
Mani 15,39,138
Vajra Guru 7,43,326
Tamdin Zung 32,62,43
24 hour Relay Fasting in Solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet:
NTSF organized 24 hour relay fast continued into its 19th day. A fresh group of 57 participants joined today. As routinely done, Chithue Yungdrung Gyaltsen la addressed both the outgoing and freshly starting group. The TSC press release was read to both these groups separately.
Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia –
BRIEF REPORT ON TIBET SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT IN AUSTRALIA, NEW-ZEALAND & INDONESIA
BRIEF ACTIVITIES FROM APRIL 21 TILL APRIL 30, 2008 AT CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
April 21:
March on Fast from Bungadore (NSW) to Canberra
On April 20, 16 Tibetans from Sydney started 3 days long peace march without food from Bungadore (NSW) to Canberra covering 70 kms. The main aim of the marchers was to highlight how monks and nuns were denied of food, water, and electricity in their monasteries in Tibet. They reached Canberra on the eve of Olympic torch relay in
Canberra: 23 April 2008.
Torch relay eve candle light prayer, Canberra
Torch relay eve candle light prayer vigil was held outside Chinese Embassy. Mr. George Farley, President of ATC (Australian Tibet Council), myself, Mrs. Deki, President, Tibetan Community, Canberra greeted 17 Tibetan marchers with traditional Tibetan white scarf.
Mr. Tenpa Dukdak, one of the marchers shared his experience of staying hungry for three days. The event was attended by about 300 Tibetans from interstate and supporters. Lots of media personnel came. The event was widely covered by TV & print media. The vigil was addressed by Mr. Wayne Berry, Speaker of ACT (Australian Capital Territory) legislative Assembly and Mr. George Farley, President, ATC.
24th April:
Olympic torch relay in Canberra:
Olympic torch relay protests was attended by about 200 Tibetans from all over Australia and about 1500 supporters. NO HUMAN RIGHTS! NO TORCH IN TIBET! FREE TIBET! were the demands against Chinese Government. Though the large Chinese crowd (around 10,000) tried to intimidate and threaten Tibetan and its supporters to turn violent, Tibetans pledge to remain peaceful through out the demonstration. This was well appreciated by Australian Government Federal Government and State Government, Politicians, Intellectuals, public and by everyone.
Our main aim was to send a strong, positive, peaceful message that human rights in Tibet must be improved and Tibetan protest against the Chinese government is peaceful and will remain peaceful under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The highlight of the protest was the appearance of "FREE TIBET" in Canberra skies. Senator Bob Brown of Australian Greens organized a plane to skywrite "FREE TIBET" over Parliament House during the torch relay.
On the same evening, Tibetans in Canberra hosted shared dinner to Tibetans who have come from other states and for our supporters as well. This was organized mainly to observe the birthday of Panchen Lama, which was on the next day; 25th April.
Representing the Canberra Tibetan Community, its president, Deki had many opportunities to appear on various TV talk shows – twice on Today (morning show) on WIN channel, State Focus on Channel Ten, Stateline on ABC channel, TV news with Lateline on ABC, Win News, Ten News and Prime News. Lots of radio interviews with ABC, 2UE Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane radios and local radio stations happened. Had interview with BBC radio as well and interviews with local and foreign newspapers. At all times Deki was able to convey the message of the Tibetan people inside Tibet and raise awareness about the situation in Tibet. The response was very positive.
28th April:
49th Day prayer:
As per direction from Dharamsala, a prayer was held at Tibet Information Office to mark the 49th day since the uprising started from March 10th 2008. Tibetans in Canberra attended the prayer which is convened by local monk Tenzin Chopak la.
30th April:
Candlelight vigil by Tibetan Community-Canberra
As part of weekly prayers, Tibetan Community in Canberra held two hours candlelight vigil prayers in front of the Chinese Embassy on Wednesday to commemorate those who have died standing up for their freedom in Tibet.
BRIEF ACTIVITIES SINCE 10, MARCH 2008 AT ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND CANBERRA
17th March:
Led by Khensur Rinpoche and Geshe Pema Tsering, Tibetans in Adelaide and other supporters gathered at Tibetan Buddhist Institute for prayer especially to recite Dolma prayer.
28th March:
A candle light vigil prayer was organized from 4:30 pm till 8:30 pm. at Victoria Square in the city. Around 300 people including Tibetans and supporters participated in the vigil, which received both television and print media coverage. A member of the Tibetan Community gave radio interview as well.
6th April:
On that day, Khensur Rinpoche gave 1000 armed Chenrezig initiation to a crowd of around 40 people to commemorate those who have sacrificed their life for Tibet's freedom. Other prayers recited were Om Mani Padme Hung and Benzaguru. This initiation was held at Tibetan Buddhist Institute.
13th April:
ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Marathon
Mr. Temey Rinzin, Campaign Co-ordinator of Tibetan Community, Canberra along with his friend participated in ACT Marathon wearing “FREE-TIBET” shirt. They ran to create awareness about the serious human rights abuses occurring in Tibet.
17th April:
Canberra Student protest in Sydney
4 Canberra Tibetan students went to Sydney to show their solidarity and to protest against China coinciding with the arrival of Olympic torch in India. They displayed “ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM, FREE TIBET” huge banner from Opera House, Sydney and the vision was spectacularly covered in news that evening. The youths of Canberra worked on the banner for three days.
18th April:
Another candle light vigil was held at Victoria Square by around 60 people. This time, though the event was addressed by Ms. Sarah Hanson-Young, political senator for the Greens party, who spoke strongly for Tibet.
24th April:
Tibetans and supporters undertook a rally for Free Tibet from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. The rally was carried to co-incide the torch rally in Canberra. Ms. Sarah Hanson-Young, political senator for the Greens party had again gratefully spoken for Tibet.
Bhutan –
May 1, 2008
Commemoration of the 49 days since killings of peaceful Tibetan demonstrators in Tibet:
As notified by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee to observe the 49th day, special day to perform proper funeral rites with prayers, the Tibetans in Bhutan recited and accumulated the following prayers. The details are as follows:
Name of the prayers |
Total figure of the prayers |
No. Of participants |
Name of Area |
Gonpo Woepak mey |
15 |
15 monks |
Nyedey Rabgeyling monastery |
Kyabdro |
141 |
|
Jigme
Settlement |
Gyalwai Soldeb |
47 |
|
Bodh Kyong Lhasung Trinchol |
47 |
|
Neychung Trinkul |
47 |
|
Densol Montsik |
141 |
|
Chenrezig Sungnyag |
56400 |
|
Butter lamp lit |
1000 |
|
Mani |
338800 |
|
Lhongtso
Settlement |
Dolma |
1425 |
|
Kyabdro |
9200 |
|
Bhenza Guru |
2000 |
|
Butter lamp (lit) |
300 |
|
Mani |
210500 |
|
Padro
Settlement |
Benza Guru |
20000 |
|
Dolma |
630 |
|
Mani |
120000 |
|
Bodhgar
Settlement |
Butter Lamp (lit) |
200 |
|
Mani |
619000 |
|
Khasa Settlement |