Tibetan monks have known military repression for a long time . Chinese tanks started their tragic invasion of Tibetan land at the beginning of the 50s killing the heroic Tibetan resistance, suppressing any possible dialogue and China itself is the main economic, political and military partner of the Burmese junta of Rangoon generals. China in fact keeps under control Northern Burma economy where they use the Chinese currency, yuan, and mobile phones contracts are paid in Beijing and not in Rangoon.For a long time in western countries Tibet and Burma have been considered a holiday paradise, places of dream and escape, magical and mystic adventures, because of misinformation of media and tour operators supporting unaware and lucrative trips.People from Tibet know well the oppression of their country after half a century of brutal military regime repressing every form of dissidence. Tibetans under the Chinese regime are deprived of those basic rights we give for granted in western countries such as freedom of speech and assembly. People who assert these rights are sent to prison.Following Lhasa uprising in 1959 put down with a bloodshed and the exile of the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans, about one million and a half people died because of the Chinese occupation. Ethnic cleansing hit Tibetan women with induced abortions and mass sterilizations.In Tibet today’s cultural genocide – the destruction of monk universities, temples, artistic and archaeological sites together with a linguistic marginalization- goes with the diluted ethnic genocide of  the colonialist policy of removal of Chinese Han population from overpopulated China to The Roof of the World. As a consequence Tibetans are becoming an insignificant minority in their own land. At present the Chinese population counts 8 million people while Tibetans are 6 million only. The Golmund-Lhasa railway with its devastating environmental impact is increasing this process of  discrimination in development and modernization  transforming Tibetan economy and landscape in favour of the Chinese settlers who keep the top positions in the Tibetan society.The possession of the Dalai Lama’s picture is prosecuted as a religious crime. The right to express one’s opinions is considered a crime to be punished with arbitrary imprisonment, tortures, death penalty. Dissidents’ imprisonments in China is considered a state secret .We can’t go on like that closing our eyes in front of dramatic violations of Tibetans and Burmese human rights, not to forget Uigurians, Mongolians, the Chinese Han, the Falung Gong believers. We can’t close our eyes in front of the innumerable death sentences executed ( at least 10.000 a year) and the use of torture on thought prisoners just to avoid troubles with China economic agreements totally deprived of political ethics.For sure China, Eden of capitalism and a communist country by name and its sole party, possesses lethal weapons in the global competition. In fact delocalization in China based on costs and working hours (100 euros a month, 12 hours a day including 2 toilet- breaks ), total flexibility, exploitation of juvenile work , violent repression of any protest or independent Union rights, has brought in the short period great earnings for corporations.This race for profits based on the exploitation of low cost labour and an industrial growth disrespectful of the public health system and the environment, has even given rise to a proposal to remove the embargo on weapon trade imposed on China after the massacre of Tian an men  square!The Tibetan question is not only an internal affair but it plays a strategic role in the geopolitical context of Asia too. The Chinese government is the first, oldest and strongest supporter of Burmese military junta oppressing people and Buddhist monks as well as the principal of Tibet invasion troops. Pursuing China without taking into consideration freedom and democracy, means depreciating the value of workers at a global level. As Han Dongfang, a Chinese trade unionist imprisoned and tortured in 1989, says: “Nobody can compete with China because nobody can compete with a total absence of rights”.World interdependence: after the US, China is the major responsible of the greenhouse effect with the highest concentration of sulphur dioxide emissions. China is also number one in the world for CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.Because of China’s support to Burmese military regime, the  repression in Tibet and the tightening of human and civil rights,  a more consistent movement of opinion  is growing at a local and international level  to boycott the Olympic Games in Beijing. China is playing its game in our world  and they have to play according to our rules, that is fair treatment of workers,  open communications, freedom of speech and freedom of thought, self-determination, death penalty abolition.To conclude, we want to highlight the cultural link between Tibetan and Burmese peoples deeply permeated with Buddha’s message of Universal Responsibility and Reciprocal Interdependence; two peoples bearing a  political culture of global peace and dialogue.We have to reflect upon the non-violent struggle of Tibetan and Burmese peoples: their struggle has not increased the weapon international trade. Tibetans and Burmese are ready to die and not to kill for their cause.Last September when protests started in Burma, Tenzin Gyatzo, 14 th Dalai Lama of Tibet and Nobel Prize for Peace, said: ”I give all my support and solidarity in favour of this peaceful movement for democracy in Burma and I launch an appeal to those who love freedom in the world  to support such non-violent protests. I pray for a positive ending of this peaceful movement and the release of Aung San Suu Ky, Nobel Prize for Peace”.The question of Burma and Tibet deserves an international commitment at all levels.

SILENCE IS A CRIME NOW.

from:freetibetfreegames.org

While BARACK OBAMA skips throughout Europe patting himself on the back, Arizona Senator JOHN McCAIN is lining up his presumptive presidency's policy of disrespect for CHINA (especially with the quick approach of the Olympics) by meeting with the DALAI LAMA in Colorado.

From the article on Breitbart:

"I've been a great admirer of his ... and look forward to meeting an individual who is a transcendent international role model and hero. " - Breitbart.com

GOT IN HIMMEL! What are you doing? We know you're tired and probably haven't had a nap or a glass of warm milk in days, but did an intern line up your schedule?

For someone who spends time in a German restaurant in Ohio, while his opponent addresses the German people, this is the opposite of a sound political decision.

China will be watching this very closely. Mark my words.

I am VERY disturbed by this. I never thought I'd say this, but perhaps ANN COULTER is on to something.

-JH

Um, seriously!

Politico:

Addressing more than 200,000 elated Europeans massed in Berlin at twilight, presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama promised Thursday that he would work to unite Christians, Muslims and Jews in a safer, more united world.

His 27-minute speech at the gold-topped Victory Column was interrupted by applause at least 30 times, with occasional audience chants of “O-ba-MA!”

Billed as a speech about Transatlantic relations, it turned out to be a manifesto for the planet, with an appeal to “the burdens of global citizenship.”

Local authorities said the crowd was more than 200,000 — triple Obama's previous record of 70,000 in Portland, Ore.

Reaching out to skeptics back home, he heralded “the dream of freedom” and declared firmly: “I love America.”

“People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment. This is our time,” he declared, offering himself “not as a candidate for president, but as a citizen, a proud citizen of the United States and a fellow citizen of the world.”

Obama’s speech, the centerpiece of his presidential-style sweep of the Middle East and Europe, set a global agenda as expansive and audacious as any contemplated by a candidate for United States president.

Meanwhile, John McCain had a sad little press availability at a place called Schmidt's Fudge Haus right after he ate the wieners at Schmidt's Sausage Haus on a homosexual date with gay Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), all of this, of course, in Ohio.

McCain's speech (Watch for Lindsey Graham trying to casually pick the wiener out of his teeth with his tongue on camera -- this is undoubtedly a common problem for Lindsey Graham):

(h/t TPM)

Sad. My favorite parts were when he talked about how he, personally has great relations with Europe (even though most Europeans hate the US these days, entirely because of McBush foreign policy), and the part about how he gets to meet the Dalai Lama tomorrow. That'll go over real well with the Fundamentalists who already hate him.

And now, Obama's speech:

(h/t Towle)

Yes, voters, that's the contrast.

Poor old sad whiny bitchy John McCain or new, young, beloved Barack Obama who might actually have a shot in hell at getting our allies to stop fucking hating us...

1. Gostar de ser elogiado
2. Não gostar de ser criticado
3. Gostar de ser feliz
4. Não gostar de ser infeliz
5. Gostar de ganhar
6. Não gostar de perder
7. Desejar ser famoso
8. Não gostar de ser ignorado

As várias facilidades materiais que nos são oferecidas pelo mundo atual são muito benéficas. Mas esses confortos, basicamente, não nos trazem a felicidade. Quando há uma circunstância agradável ligada a objetos materiais, isso traz uma sensação de prazer, mas simultaneamente a mente pode não estar tranqüila. E esse prazer não terá o poder de acalmar a mente.

Por outro lado, se, por exemplo, uma pessoa está tranqüila no nível mental, pode sobrepujar as ocorrências do nível material. Porque a experiência no nível mental é mais forte do que a do nível material. E o contrário não é verdadeiro.

Uma pessoa vê um sofrimento físico como algo com sentido, algo que significa um resgate, uma experiência, uma aprendizado. Outra pessoa vê apenas sofrimento na mesma situação. Isso gera duas experiências totalmente diferentes. Assim, a questão central é: você quer sofrimento ou prazer? Quer felicidade? Então, terá que analisar a realidade, e verá que o desenvolvimento material é importante, mas que o desenvolvimento espiritual é o fundamental para o bem estar.

O desenvolvimento, o conforto material é útil, mas é uma satisfação menor face ao desenvolvimento da espiritualidade.

Dalai Lama

WSS/NKT demands:

1. "To give freedom to practice Dorje Shugden to whoever wishes to rely upon this Deity.
2. To stop completely the discrimination between Shugden people and non-Shugden practitioners.
3. To allow all Shugden monks and nuns who have been expelled from their monasteries and nunneries to return to their monasteries and nunneries where they should receive the same material and spiritual rights as the non-Shugden practitioners."

WSS states a line of points which from their point of view are proofs for a systematic "religious persecution" by the Dalai Lama.

These points include that six Shugden monks were expelled from their monasteries. According to WSS this has been done "to fulfil the Dalai Lama's wish". According to a monk from Sera, Shugden monks pushed up events and their actions led to different disputes, which couldn't be solved. Finally they decided to expell the Shugden monks after they recognized that the preceding Sera administration's "live and let live approach" failed.

According to WSS "The true creator of all these problems is the Dalai Lama" and they demand:

1. "To reverse the expulsion of the six monks and allow them to return to Sera Monastery where they should receive the same spiritual and material rights as the other monks who do not follow Shugden.
2. If you do not accept the first point, we will immediately organise worldwide public demonstrations directly against the Dalai lama whenever he visits any country.

If you have some wisdom you should understand how important the Dalai Lama´s reputation is—this is now in your hands. We need your answer by the 22nd April 2008"

Obviously HH the Dalai Lama didn't fulfil these wishes. So the protests of WSS started 22nd April 2008 at Colgate University, USA.

To find out the dynamic of the conflicts, what happened exactly, and to get the complete picture of the events this will take a lot of time and effort to thoroughly investigate the events in India. Although there are some records and eye witness reports from both sides, they are still one perspective.

According to WSS:

Using his people like an army, the Dalai Lama has destroyed all Shugden Temples and shrines, caused millions of people to experience inhumane situations and unbearable feelings of pain, and expelled all Shugden practitioners from the Tibetan community. He has separated innocent people from their families, friends and community. As a result of these actions, thousands of Shugden practitioners have been forced to become refugees for the second time in their life as they try to escape such inhumane actions that exist in this modern world by seeking exile in other countries. Now, as recently as 8th February 2008, the Dalai Lama has expelled 900
monks from their monasteries. On January 9th 2008 he was invited to inaugurate a Prayer Hall for a large monastic community in South India. At this spiritual event he publicly announced a “Referendum on the practice of Dolgyal (Shugden)” and proposed a collection of votes on this issue with a deadline on 8th February 2008. Since when did the action of prayer become an object for political vote? And since when did voting become a “yes” or “no” game with colored sticks with no middle/neutral option for abstaining? Well, this is precisely the nature of the referendum held by the Dalai Lama and the direct cause for these 900 innocent monks being expelled from their monasteries in recent days.

According to a Bhikshuni:

"During the recent teachings in Drepung by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness mentioned the issue of Shugden a number of times, and this time there was much more concern around the issue. His Holiness the Dalai Lama said (Geshe Dorje Damdrul was translating):

'The government of China is funding lamas who support Shugden in order to create difficulties for me, especially they (the Chinese government) give financial support to these lamas if they cultivate Shugden. China is very critical of me and the Indian government is being pushed against me by saying that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is restricting religious freedom by saying you cannot practice Shugden. It is my duty to warn people, and then it is up to the individual to decide, so I am not restricting religious freedom.'

His Holiness spoke a lot about the issue and as in the past explained His reasons for taking this stand.

His Holiness has asked for a referendum among the Tibetans regarding 2 questions:

1. Do you want to practice Shugden?
2. Do you want to be a part of a community sharing facilities, materials, doing Dharma activity together where some of the community practice Shugden? (This a concern especially in the monasteries where some monks still practice)

If the vote is more than 60% yes on both, then His Holiness the Dalai Lama said He will not even speak one word on the subject again!"

I feel that the actions taken at Sera were probably a result of what HH said, and it was not HH himself who was behind them. I cannot imagine that HH would ask people to sign statements vowing that they would never practice Shugden, or ask that monks be expelled if they do the practice. It seems he expressed his concerns, and perhaps the monks at Sera took these actions.

According to a Bhikshu:

I then travelled to Sera, where I stayed for a further four weeks. After less than a week of the teachings having ended in Drepung, all Sera monks were summoned to the monastery and those outside the monastery had to return within one month. The day after my arrival in Sera, Je and Me monks were signing the declaration [see above]. This is not just filling in a form, but each monk has to stand up in front of the entire Sera Je or Me assembly and declare that they won't practice DS and then sign the declaration. This was done in accordance with the practices as outlined in the vinaya (the code of conduct for monks as set forth by Lord Buddha). Those that refuse to sign the declaration will be expelled (Drepung and Ganden had already expelled monks). Sera Je only has 4 monks who are practising and all are in Switzerland (Gonsar Rinpoche etc.), but for Sera Me, it is a much more serious issue as they have a few hundred monks who do the practice.

The day I left Sera, in mid-February, Me was conducting the final declarations, including those of the two kamptsen's that have monks that do this practice. As DS practitioners have a reputation, there was a large presence of Indian policemen who were searching all the monks before they entered the Dukang. Sera Me's gekyö (the disciplinarian who was named in the letter by the Western Shugden Society) had reportedly visited the chief of police in Mysore, and given him a list of names of people who should be investigated in case he was murdered (fortunately I am not aware that there has been any violence). But it is a very sad state of affairs when the police feel that they need to come into a monastery and that one of the most senior administrator's fears that a fellow monk may murder him. Maybe it is time for a decisive conclusion!

Now some months later, Gonsar Rinpoche and his three geshes have been expelled by Je and 300 Me monks have been expelled. Unfortunately the difficulty in Me is continuing as these monks refuse to leave the monastery.

Life has at least returned to some normality. Whilst I was in Sera sojong (the monk's purification ceremony) wasn't performed, Me didn't hold evening debate (there was less than a week's classes between the end of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teachings and the start of the Losar holidays), and all other joint activities were cancelled and the Lachi premises were closed. Sojong was only performed for the first time, two weeks ago!

Because all conflicts are solved in monasteries based on the Vinaya, and from  the perspective of the welfare of the majority, it will be hard to judge the events without knowing that background. The way to solve conflicts in Tibetan monasteries is well explained by the previous (100th) Ganden Tripa, the Head of the Gelugpas, Lobsang Nyingma Rinpoche:

The Mahayana teachings advocate an altruistic attitude of sacrificing few for the sake of many. Thus why is it not possible for one, who acclaims oneself to be a Mahayana, to stop worshipping these dubious gods and deities for the sake and benefit of the Tibetans in whole and for the well-being of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the Vinaya [Buddhist code of discipline], it is held that since a controversial issue is settled by picking the mandatory twig by "accepting the voice of many by the few" the resolution should be accepted by all. As it has been supported by ninety five percent it would be wise and advisable for the rest five percent to stop worshipping the deity keeping in mind that there exists provisions such as the four Severe Punishments [Nan tur bzhi], the seven Expulsions [Gnas dbyung bdun] and the four Convictions [Grangs gzhug bzhi] in the Vinaya [Code of Discipline]. (see Statement Ganden Tripa)

To avoid conflicts and to protect lay people to loose faith in monks and nuns the Buddha set up different rules which - when kept - avoid disputes and turmoil:

1. Not Causing a Division within the Sangha (monastic order)
2. Not Siding with a schismatic (e.g. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso)
3. Not Causing lay people to lose faith in the Sangha
4. Heeding advice about one's offences

It is obvious that these rules are not kept. The Vinaya is very different from worldly perspectives. Mixed with a Western context and values a clash, confusion and a loss of faith in Buddhism will be a natural outcome. Buddhists don't appreciate the harsh abusive language and noisy aggressive public protests of WSS. There are to many points contradicting Buddhist principles and Buddhist Ethics.

On the other hand The Time Magazine is of course correct when stating:

What pushes the current allegations into a potential human rights matter is the contention that those who won’t take the oaths are denied monastery I.D. cards that the Tibetan Government in Exile allegedly requires to process visa requests through to the Indian government. (Most of the Tibetan diaspora lives in India.) “Families are being torn apart,” reads Shugden literature.

One week before starting the series of protests at Colgate University until now WSS/NKT has set up a considerable quantity of anonymous websites, the main one in 11 languages, issuing a great number of press releases, "sending out glossy leaflets to selected Buddhists, publicising protests on various websites, giving interviews, and sending letters to Buddhist organisations" (TripleGem), and printing and spreading brochures (e.g. "The Tibetan Situation Today"). YoutTube Videos were produced and published, and in every suited forum the message of WSS has been published. The campaign included also to remove critical information from Wikipedia, using socketpuppetry, block strategies, removing academical sources from related Wikiepdia articles while adding sources of anonymous websites.

Recently the NKT secretary set up a new anonymous website, attacking some Buddhist masters and some Buddhist individuals - who disagree with them - including the ASA and researcher David N. Kay whose academic paper about NKT is portrayed as "heavily biased" and "who had his own disgruntled history with the NKT".

A Buddhist, who is no former member of NKT, concened about the present development and viewing NKT as a cult, has set up the anonymous website Buddhism under assault. According to him this is his respond to NKT's "ugly attacks on esteemed Tibetan teachers of Buddhism - The Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe (died 1984), Lama Zopa, Lama Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche - and 5 other individuals."

The former Wikepdia articles which were published before April, 15, 2008 have been saved on a separate website. Those interested can see the differences by comparing the articles, reading the talk pages and screening the history of the respective articles.

The Dalai Lama's or his representatives' responses to the accusations are:

In a BBC interview, "the Dalai Lama said he had not advocated a ban, but he had stopped the worship of the spirit because it was not Buddhist in nature. The protesters said they wanted to discuss the issue with the Dalai Lama. The exiled Tibetan leader said people were free to protest and it was up to individuals to decide."

Tsering Tashi, the Dalai Lama's representative in London, told AFP later that they respected the Shugden Buddhists' right to protest but said their allegations were untrue. He added, "the group had not made any formal request to meet the Dalai Lama or his representatives."

The NYT quoted the Dalai Lama: "This is just spirit worship,” he said. “After I read more about it, I realized my mistake and dropped my practice.”, “I think 99 percent of Tibetans follow my practice. Some small portion worship this spirit. I am committed to freedom of speech, freedom of talk. So I say to them, enjoy freedom of talk.”

According to Kasur Tashi Wangdi, the Dalai Lama's representative in America:

"There’s no suppression! His Holiness made it very clear that according to his own observations over many years—in fact, he himself used to worship Shugden—and over many years of his own experience and observation and investigation, he found that this practice is not according to Buddhist practice. That practice is also bringing in divisions within the Buddhist traditions. The practitioners are attaching more importance than the basic Buddhist practice, and therefore he felt that it’s a practice that he would not approve of and therefore he advised people to not engage in it. But he made it very clear right from the beginning it was up to the individuals. He has a responsibility to explain the negative aspects of it and then it’s up to the individuals to decide on their own. Officially there has never been any repression or denial of rights to practitioners. But after His Holiness’ advice many monastic orders adopted rules and regulations that would not accept practitioners of Shugden worship in their monastic order. The followers have set up their own groups and they are free to function. But it’s in the right of institutions to make their own decisions." and "There’s some misunderstanding that groups taking their own actions is the policy of the Tibetan government, but it’s not. Institutions take advice and it is within their right to say they do not want Shugden worship. But now if a group of people say they want to set up their own institution because they are different practitioners, which is within their right." (see Interview with Tashi Wangdi)

According to The Time Magazine:

"Shugden practitioners deny that they are fundamentalist, purist or violent, and have renewed their complaints in light of an intensifying crackdown by the Dalai Lama. He — or people acting in his perceived interests — has expanded the loyalty demand from abbots to monks and even laypeople as far afield as France. In a nod to the Tibetan Government in Exile's self-definition as a democracy, each monastery has been taking a referendum on Shugden. When the "anti" faction inevitably wins, the monks pledge to renounce Shugden and deny spiritual or material aid to those who hold out. In transcripts that Shugdenpas allege record the Dalai Lama's comments, he sounds atypically (to the Western ear) authoritarian. "Shugden devotees are growing in your monastery," he is quoted as snapping at one abbot. "If you are this inept, you had better resign."

[...]

The problem is that in Tibet most people shun those whom they think the Dalai Lama wants them to shun. The protesters display photos of signs they say have gone up recently in Tibet urging shopkeepers not to do business with tainted monks. They could be written by anybody, but most people assume they know the ultimate author of the signs.

Experts seem to think that there is something to the Shugden allegations. "There is considerable anecdotal evidence to support what they say," Stephen Batchelor, co-founder of the Sharpham College for Buddhist Studies and Contemporary Enquiry, wrote in an email to TIME, although, he adds, "I have yet to see any hard evidence." Wrote Donald Lopez of the University of Michigan, "Buddhist monks who apply for an Identity Certificates must also submit a letter form their abbot. I was told that there may have been cases in which, contrary to the policy of the Government-in-Exile, monks who worship Shugden have not been provided with such a letter."

A witness from Sera and TibetInfoNet portrayed the situation in India from the perspective of what happened in Sera and what lamas and how the PR of China are involved.

The Australian Sangha Association (ASA) issued an official statement, suggesting to the protesters: "Therefore, in the spirit of Dharma and in accordance with Buddhist principles the ASA would encourage the NKT and WSS protesters to request forgiveness from the Dalai Lama for their behaviour and in future to conduct themselves with humility and restraint." Regarding the status of NKT monks and nuns whether being authentic Buddhist monks and nuns or not, the Australian Sangha Association expressed their opinion "that for NKT members to represent themselves to the public as authentic Buddhist monks and nuns is wrong and misleading."

NKT published 24 hours later their point of view "NKT monks and nuns are authentic and try to show a good and practical example of service, celibacy and humility for our modern world. Buddha Shakyamuni himself said that the Vinaya should be practiced in accordance with what is most acceptable for society. The NKT is following this advice from Buddha.". According to NKT ASA is "delivering a misleading and injurious statement"; "Nowadays, in Tibetan Buddhism, ...in practice many of these are broken from the day the vows are taken. We should appreciate that the NKT is acting honestly, in accordance with this reality, following the truth. They are not pretending to be lofty or important simply by collecting a large number of vows that are subsequently not possible for a modern-day practitioner to keep." The statement of ASA is felt as being led by "bias" and "a mixture of religion and politics".

With the same claim, mixing Dharma with politics, Geshe Kelsang expressed in the past his discontentment with the Buddhist approach of Lama Yeshe - who invited him in 1977 to England in his main center (Manjushri Institute, Ulverston) - the Dalai Lama, the Gelug school and the Tibetan diaspora. Finally this claim and different radical views and policies of Geshe Kelsang, as well as his growing insularity, led to a schism with Lama Yeshe and his organisation (FPMT) and his breakaway and isolation from the Gelug school,Tibetan Buddhism and the monasteries and ordained Sangha. As a result, since its inception in 1991, NKT is isolated from the Buddhist world and Tibetan Buddhism. Applying the same old defensive or attacking means again and again, there seem to be less hope for a change in NKT.

We love you John McCain!  You are the most beloved candidate we have ever seen in our lifetimes, and you are hearing that from a Californian who knows you mean what you say!

"REFORM, PROSPERITY, PEACE"

Breaking off the WIRE! Click and go!

"...I've been a great admirer of his ... and look forward to meeting an individual who is a transcendent international role model and hero," the White House hopeful said ahead of the meeting in Aspen, Colorado.

"And I have admired him and respected him for the efforts he's made on behalf of freedom of the people of Tibet but also all over the world," McCain told reporters..."

IMAGE FROM: http://www.images-photography-pictures.net/Dalai_Lama.htm

While Barack Obama spoke in front of hundreds of thousands in Berlin today, John McCain visited a German restaurant here. He jabbed his opponent for his speech on foreign soil while he is still a candidate, "Well I’d love to give a speech in Germany to– a political speech –or a speech that maybe the German people would be interested in,” McCain told reporters, “But I would much prefer to do it as president of the United States rather than as a candidate for the office of the presidency."

The Republican nominee-in-waiting says he is focusing on campaigning in America—another not so subtle jab at his rival, “And so we’re gonna be campaigning across the heartland of America and talking about the issues that are challenging America today.”

The McCain campaign put out a statement after Obama’s speech today pushing the same themes as the candidate did--that Obama is acting as though he is already the president while McCain is focused on average Americans:

"While Barack Obama took a premature victory lap today in the heart of Berlin, proclaiming himself a 'citizen of the world,' John McCain continued to make his case to the American citizens who will decide this election,” Spokesperson Tucker Bounds said in an e-mailed statement, “Barack Obama offered eloquent praise for this country, but the contrast is clear. John McCain has dedicated his life to serving, improving and protecting America. Barack Obama spent an afternoon talking about it."

McCain made his comments after visiting Schmidt’s Restaurant and Sausage Haus where he ordered chocolate puffs and had lunch with local small business owners discussing the economy, health care, and rising gas prices.

John McCain will participate in the LIVESTRONG summit this evening—a town hall focused on cancer with seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. Tomorrow he will be meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. McCain says he looks forward to the meeting tomorrow, “ I have been a great admirer of the Dalai Lama and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting an individual who is a transcendent international role model and hero and I have admired him and respected him for the efforts he’s made on behalf of freedom of the people of Tibet but also all over the world.”

The meeting will be at a conference on Tibetan culture in Aspen, Colorado.

In the meantime, I made a very early morning trek to Aspen yesterday morning to make it to work at Aspen Ambulance

I took some photos near McClure Pass before the sun came up.

The highway was desolate at that hour, but a semi happened by during this 30 second exposure.

The Crystal River. 5:30 am. I like the trees clinging onto the cliff.

Another 24 hour ambulance shift tomorrow. Apparently John McCain and the Dalai Lama himself are in town having dinner together Friday Night. Can you say, "Awkward silence?"

In any case, McCain isn't looking so hot these days, and that just might keep us medics busy...

-A's

The 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, had sought permission to visit various monasteries in Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh as well as Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Karmapa's personal security officer Thenlay told IANS that the two-month-long religious tour was cancelled by the central government.

He said the government had not cited any reason but the tour might have been cancelled in the wake of the Beijing Olympics.

'The government might be anticipating large-scale protests during the Karmapa's visit in the forward areas,' an aide of the spiritual guru said.

The Karmapa fled Tibet and sought refuge in India some eight years ago. Ever since, he has mostly lived in the Gyuto Tantric Monastery in Sidhbari near Dharamsala - the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, which is not recognised by any country.

As per the tour schedule, the Karmapa was supposed to attend prayer meetings in Buddhist-dominated areas, including the world-famous Tabo Monastery in Spiti, which is also called the Ajanta of the Himalayas.

This was not the first time that the Karmapa has been denied permission. A number of requests made by him for visiting monasteries and pilgrim centres had been turned down by the government in the past.

The Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu School, which is one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism. He is considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.

Dalai Lama

However, I was embarrassed recently (and continue to blush when I think about it) because of an occasion where I met a few rather accomplished people. During this evening, where I drank far too much, I blabbed on about music and what I do and my relatively small achievements. They were, of course, very gracious and barely spoke at all about what they do, have done.

I didn't find out until later just how much they've done and how celebrated they are. And so it makes me feel small and ridiculous and like a little kid who has to show off how smart she is (Did you know the human brain weighs 8 lbs? Or something like that...) Again, my cheeks are getting hot just thinking about this night.

I suppose a little embarrassment never hurt anybody. But I wonder what that emotion is really about when it comes down to it? Shame? Guilt? Insecurity? Sensitivity? Because I imagine if you're an insensitive person, you wouldn't get embarrassed by much. And then there's that whole other thing of being embarrassed by other people's behavior.

If you're a very secure person, do you just never get embarrassed? Is Will Smith embarrassment-free? How about Oprah? The Dalai Lama?

Anyway, that is my embarrassing moment of the month (or maybe even year!) Lord, I hope my breasts spill out during a senior citizen Church ceremony or something, just so I can get over this...

Pekín afirma que monjes tibetanos murieron en accidente y no en disturbios

EFE -

Las autoridades chinas señalaron que la muerte de dos monjes tibetanos en la provincia suroccidental china de Sichuan se debió a una explosión accidental en el templo, lo que niega informes de la prensa que apuntaban a un enfrentamiento con fuerzas paramilitares chinas.

Según informó hoy la agencia de noticias Xinhua, la explosión en el monasterio de Gonchen, en el distrito tibetano de Derge, se originó por un cortocircuito en un cable que a su vez provocó una explosión de pólvora para rituales que había sido almacenada "ilegalmente", al contravenir las normas de seguridad.

Es la primera vez que la prensa china informa de este incidente, que tuvo lugar el 12 de julio, con motivo de la celebración del nacimiento del Guru Rimpoche, fundador del budismo tibetano, y en el que resultaron heridos otros cuatro monjes.

Sin embargo, según informaron con anterioridad fuentes del monasterio a la prensa extranjera, la muerte de ambos monjes se debió a un enfrentamiento con fuerzas paramilitares con motivo de una de las festividades más importantes para esta secta, conocida como los "sombreros rojos".

Estas fuentes señalaron que los choques se produjeron cuando los monjes reclamaban el regreso del Dalai Lama, líder espiritual y político tibetano exiliado desde 1959 en la India, y que la muerte de los dos monjes fue censurada por las autoridades chinas.

El incidente se produce cuatro meses después de que el Tíbet registrara sus peores protestas contra el poder chino en dos décadas, cuando desde el 10 de marzo cientos de monjes y tibetanos empezaron unas protestas que se extendieron por todas las provincias chinas limítrofes.

Gobiernos occidentales y ONG criticaron al Gobierno chino por cómo manejó las protestas, en las que murieron una veintena de chinos a manos de tibetanos violentos, según Pekín, o más de 200 por la represión militar china, según el entorno del Dalai Lama.

Grupos de activistas pro-tibetanos interrumpieron el relevo de la antorcha olímpica en ciudades como Londres, París y San Francisco, lo que provocó una fuerte reacción nacionalista en China, y desde entonces representantes del gobierno central se han reunido dos veces con emisarios del Dalai Lama para negociar.

Las tropas comunistas invadieron en 1950 el Tíbet, que disfrutó de periodos de autogobierno en el pasado, pero nueve años después se produjo una rebelión contra el poder chino que acabó con el exilio del Dalai Lama en la población india de Dharamsala.

]]> http://jepensedoncjesuis.wordpress.com/?p=763 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:02:23 +0000 junior1975 http://jepensedoncjesuis.wordpress.com/?p=763 Mort

Si vous avez une parfaite conscience de la mort, si vous considerez que vous pouvez mourir aujourd'hui ou demain, alors, grâce à votre entraînement spirituel, vous allez tenter de vous libérer de toutes les sources d'attachement en vous débarrassant de vos possessions en considérant la prospérité du monde comme étant sans signification. Vous essaierez de porter tous vos efforts sur la pratique. Être conscient de la mort permet de donner tout son sens à la vie et de mourir sans aucun regret.

Very close to the Coliseum was the aptly name Coliseum Bar, where Christine and I decided to stop in hopes of something vegetarian on the menu.  They had both a Garden Burger and Veggie Wrap.  We both went with the Garden Burger and got an onion ring appetizer.  It was your standard, unassuming place (there is a comedy show on Fridays - I think it was).  "The Garden Burger has no meat in it," I believe the waiter told us.  "I'm just making sure you know.  We get these big, burly guys ordering it thinking it's a beef burger piled with vegetables."  Christine was entralled with the Wisconsin accent and could've listened to the waiter all night.  I often wonder what people think of our accent - if they try to guess where we might be from.  Christine thought the burger was a little dry, but I thought it was the best Veggie Burger that I've ever had.  We both agree that the fries and onion rings were great, too (Christine thought the fries may have been the best she ever had).  It was great and quick.  If you're ever in Madison, I'd highly suggest checking it out.

Of course, we were in Madison to hear the Dalai Lama.  Something Christine and I could check off of our Life's TO DO List.  I think Christine could become a Lama-Head and follow him around the country.  It was just an amazing experience to be in the same room with the man (he is just a simple, Buddhist monk).  He has a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh.  He also proves that he really is just a human being. 

For the most part he ended up speaking about suffering and the ways to overcome it, as well as what we can do as a society to promote peace to all.  The basic lessons being that we cannot expect countries to be peaceful if we, as individuals, do not have any inner peace.  We are so angry as a society that society, in turn, will be angry and violent.  One, we need to work on ourselves.  Two, we need to show compassion to our kids (something Ethan is not lacking....) in order for them to breed compassion for others.  When a tragedy occurs in one life, it has already occurred.  You cannot go back in the past and do anything about it, so accept it and move on (and if you can't accept it, then just blame it on karma).

A couple takeaways that I really enjoyed:

• People seem to have a strange conception of Buddhism and the Buddha and even the Dalai Lama - thinking there is something mystical about the whole thing.  In his opening speech, the Dalai Lama makes a point to say he is just a man - nothing more.  He has no powers to heal the sick and can perform no magic (incidentally, if anyone knew of a person who could heal people by touch, he'd love to meet them because his pinky was hurt when a Mongolian shook his hand too hard).
• Welcoming to all people, whether they were there out of curiosity as to what he might say, were dragged along, were Buddhists, or for whatever reason...everyone was welcome.
• I loved that he ended his speech with the great Buddhist philosophy of - hopefully something he said was useful to those in attendance; if not, then leave it behind.
• I think the honest side - the true human aspect of the Dalai Lama - came during a question/answer time.  Questions had been submitted in advance.  A woman was a 39 year old widow and was having troubles coping and wanted to know what to do.  The Dalai Lama thought for a second...  "Sad.  Sad.  Sad."  He shook his head.  "I don't know."  I thought this was perfect, you know?  He is just a man.  He is listening to your questions.  He isn't just gonna give out some bullshit, canned answer like "Just have faith in God and everything will be all right" or some shit like that.  He did end up talking about tragedy again and needing to accept, but I really loved the genuine answer and not just spouting the party line.

As much as I loved hearing the speech of the Dalai Lama, I equally (if not more so) loved that Christine and I were able to do this.  On the road from Cleveland to Chicago.  Chicago to Madison.  Madison to Chicago.  Chicago to Cleveland.  Christine and I were able to just talk and have great conversation with each other, which I think is always really important in a relationship.  With everyday life being what it is (and Ethan being such a focus of it), it can be easy to not talk as much as you should with your loved one(s).  Too busy cleaning, making dinner, buying groceries, working, whatever.  Not that we were having any issues, but this gave Christine and I to continue our connection and have a great time together.  Obviously, we both love Ethan a lot and enjoy hanging out with him, but we need that time for ourselves as well - cut the cord.  And that was wonderful.  Aside from that, Ethan was able to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Chicago - the first time they've been alone together.  And, they had a great time, as my dad became the pawn in Ethan's attempt to get whatever he wanted (taking my dad's hand and directing him to whatever his fancy was and even getting a 30 to 45 minute walk out of him).  Never knowing what he's going to be like, I was afraid that we would be tooooo shy, but he adapted well, and everything worked out, and I think that was the thing I loved most about the weekend, that he was able to connect with his grandparents from Chicago (of course, Christine and I return, and Ethan is all about us, but they had their time together...).

We also made a stop on our way to Chicago in Maumee, Ohio to Gino's Pizza, which is the best pizza you could ever hope to eat.  We picked up a pie for my parents as payment for watching Ethan while we were in Madison.  Of course, we picked up a pie for ourselves for dinner while driving to Chicago on Friday night.  Ethan - poor dairy allergic Ethan - had to settle for plain breadsticks.  My parents were excited and surprised by their payment.  We also made a stop on our way home (this location is maybe five minutes off the turnpike) for some more fresh pizza, which only lasted two days.  You see, I was born in Toledo and still have family there.  Gino's is a big thing with us.  It seems like, whenever someone else gets brought into the Gino's fold, they get hopelessly addicted as well.  I wonder if the people of Toledo know how lucky they are...

C'è qualcuno che vi ci porta e ve lo fa vedere direttamente seduti da casa.

Ecco qualche anteprima...

Nous devons avoir un esprit noble, bienveillant, ouvert, qui ne soit pas agité ou combatif, qui nous permettre d'avancer plus rapidement quand les circonstances externes sont favorables. Commencez dès ce soir, n'attendez pas plus longtemps.

The committee members of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement (TPUM) said they would organise “numerous actions” in Dharamsala, administrative centre of Tibetan exiles in India, and other international venues like UN and IOC Offices in Geneva and New York, European Union in Brussels and Strasbourg.

The group said the actions would be organised in a more vigorous manner both during and after the Beijing Olympics, but declined to give more specific details.

“We have Tibetans and supporters all over the world who will actively take part in our campaign activities” Dr. B. Tsering, president of Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), said at a press conference here today. “Accordingly we will arrange and organise effective campaigns at relevant places,” she added.

The group, in their press statement, said they believed in the “fierce urgency of now” to exploit various channels and means to convey the demands and the aspirations of the Tibetan people and raise Tibet issue at strategic international levels by putting pressure on relevant international bodies.

Describing 2008 as a “critical point” for Tibetan freedom struggle, the committee members of the TPUM today emphasised on the need of “more consolidated campaigns” and urged fellow Tibetans and supporters worldwide to show “even greater unity” for Tibet’s cause.

Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement (TPUM) was formally launched on January 4, initially by Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet, India. The group described its formation as a “global movement of Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet taking control of our political destiny by engaging in direct action to end China’s illegal and brutal occupation of our country”.

Tibetan Youth Congress later withdrew from the group to carry out its own set of actions under the campaign banner “Tibetan People’s Mass Movement”.

“We are today at the crossroad of historic moment in the Tibetan People’s struggle for freedom, truth and justice,” B. Tsering, said reading out reading out TPUM’s press statement.

“We will also support Tibetan Youth Congress in their campaigns, if need be,” B. Tsering said, reacting to a media question. “They have our solidarity since what we are doing is for the Tibetan people’s cause,” she added.

“Our unity in action and focus in purpose during the following months will not only define the long and strategic preparations that we have made for the 2008 Beijing Olympics but more importantly to realise the true political aspirations of our brothers and sisters who made great sacrifices,” she noted referring to enduring resistance shown by Tibetans inside Tibet against China’s rule.

She said the “ongoing popular uprisings in Tibet which began on March 10 in Lhasa and the spontaneous spread to all part of Tibet” had effectively demonstrated Tibetan people’s “deep-rooted resentments against the Chinese colonial policies, and also the united face of the Tibetan people as a cohesive force in resisting Chinese communist regime”.

Protests in Tibet against Chinese rule erupted in March, and China was condemned internationally for its ensuing security crackdown that Tibetan exiles said left more than 200 people dead and hundreds more either injured or arrested.

“The uprising in Tibet further endorsed the non-violent fabric of the Tibetan struggle and brought to the forefront the appalling human rights situation inside Tibet at a time when China prepares itself for international spotlight,” Tsering said.

Among other demands TPUM calls on China “To remove all obstacles to the unconditional return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and his rightful place as leader of the Tibetan people, and “Begin dismantling the colonial occupation of Tibet” and release of all political prisoners in Tibet.

“Furthermore, TPUM will launch an all out-struggle on a war-front scale against draconian designs of spearheading a second cultural revolution in Tibet after the Olympics as declared by Zhang Qingli, the communist party Secretary of the Tibetan Autonomous Region,” Tsering said.

According to Gu-Chu-Sum president Ven. Ngawang Woebar, as a result of China’s military crackdown on Tibetan demonstrators after widespread protests since March and violent repressions taking place in Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, a cultural revolution-like tragedy is already taking place inside Tibet.

If you haven't already, please take to time to make this request to the Dalai Lama.

Petition to the Dalai Lama

To the Dalai Lama of Tibet,
 

We the undersigned ask you to accomplish the following four things:

1. To give freedom to practise Dorje Shugden to whoever wishes to rely upon this Deity.
2. To stop completely the discrimination between Shugden people and non-Shugden practitioners.
3. To allow all Shugden monks and nuns who have been expelled from their monasteries and nunneries to return to their monasteries and nunneries where they should receive the same material and spiritual rights as the non-Shugden practitioners
4. To tell the Tibetan community throughout the world in writing that they should practically apply the above three points.

The Dalai Lama visited the university in May to collect a PhD in recognition of "outstanding achievements in promoting peace globally, as well as for his inspirational spiritual guidance and leadership".

On June 16, the vice-chancellor wrote to the Chinese embassy in London...after being criticised in the Chinese press for the award.Internet groups had been suggesting a boycott of the university, which recruits students from China and has its own offices in Beijing.

Of 240,000 students from outside the EU who study in UK universities, nearly 50,000 are from China. Fees for international students are unregulated.