At the request of the organizers of the TIBETAN INDEPENDENCE DAY celebration at New York City, on the 13 of February 2013, I was asked to give a talk on the background story, as it were, of the events and personalities that contributed to the creation of an independent Tibet in 1913. JN. The profound …
To Celebrate or Not To Celebrate?
That is the question. “The exile Tibetan administration has called for a boycott of festive celebrations during Losar.” Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, has requested all Tibetans to forgo the usual new year festivities this year, given the “continuing tragic situation” in Tibet, and instead hold prayers and perform religious rituals. But there is another point …
English Translation of 13Th Dalai Lama’s Decree
This complete translation of the 13th Dalai Lama’s decree was prepared by Tsewang Norbu la of Germany. He calls it a “decree” rather than “declaration” as he feels that the Dalai Lama was not “declaring Tibet´s independence but reiterating her independent status.” It is an interesting point, though strictly speaking a declaration does not necessarily …
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Backstory to the 13th Dalai Lama’s Declaration of Independence
Sacred documents in the pious Tibetan world are generally treated with great reverence – placed on the head, wrapped in silk, fumigated with incense smoke – but perhaps not read or discussed as much as they should be. To save the Great Thirteenth’s Declaration of Independence (which we will be commemorating in a few days) …
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