Tibetans in North California Celebrates His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Birthday

July 7, 2012 Saturday

San Francisco: Tibetans in San Francisco Bay Area gathered in great numbers at Berkeley Marina Park to celebrate the 77th Birth Anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibetan Association of North California organized the event with three main events. Official function was conducted on the eve of 6th July at John F Kennedy High School Hall in Richmond. The next day, an open picnic and event show was organized at the Marina Park. In the evening, cultural and dance show was conducted at JFK High school hall. Many Tibet supporters and friends had come to show their solidarity and to celebrate the day with the Tibetans. A big Tibetan tent was erected, where people offered traditional Tibetan scarf, Khata, to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the altar. The monks from Nechung, Gyuto, and Bon Gyalshen led the prayers and people prayed fervently for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Traditional Tibetan dances, and purification rite, sangsol was conducted. People came in traditional Tibetan attires, costumes were colorful and impressive. Californians visiting the Park on the day had a very rare glimpse of living and vibrant culture of Tibet. Tibetans also basked in the California sun in typical Tibetan picnic style enjoying the vibrant energy of their identity and culture. Gorshe, a big circular Tibetan dance was performed.

In his speech, Mr. Tsedup, Chairman of the Association reminded the people of the messages of His Holiness the Dalai and urged the people to live by His teaching of peace, non-violence and compassionate society. Remembrance and tribute to the Tibetans martyrs in Tibet was paid, and people prayed and reiterated their firm commitment to the Tibetan struggle for peace and justice. Richmond Mayor and other dignitaries expressed their good wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and showed their support to the Tibetan aspiration for freedom and peace in their homeland Tibet.

According to an early settler, there were only about 40 odd Tibetans in San Francisco Bay Area in early 1990s. The California weather and the friendly environment had the population grow. Many shifted from other areas; new immigrants also tend to prefer the region to start a new life. In this way, today there are around 2000+ Tibetans in San Francisco Bay Area. The Birthday picnic gathering at Marina Park also gave the Tibetans a good opportunity to take some time out of their busy California lives to meet and talk with their fellow countrymen, and rejoice in their culture.   

What to see in a Mandala

བེད་གཤེགས་རིགས་ལྔ་དང་དཀྱིལ་འཁོར་གྱི་གནས།
དཀྱིལ་ལ་སྣང་མཐའ་པདྨ་དཀར། ཆགས་པའི་སྒྲིབ་པ་སེལ་བར་བྱེད།
ཤར་ལ་མི་སྐྱོད་རྡོ་རྗེ་སྔོན། ཞེ་སྡང་སྒྲིབ་པ་སེལ་བར་བྱེད།
ལྷོ་རུ་རིན་འབྱུང་ནོར་བུ་གསེར། ང་རྒྱལ་སྒྲིབ་པ་སེལ་བར་བྱེད།
ནུབ་ཏུ་རྣམ་སྣང་འཁོར་ལོ་དམར། གཏི་མུག་སྒྲིབ་པ་སེལ་བར་བྱེད།
བྱང་ལ་དོན་གྲུབ་རལ་གྲི་ལྗང་། ཕྲག་དོག་སྒྲིབ་པ་སེལ་བར་བྱེད།

Debarshegpa is usually translated as; the one who has gone or arrived at eternal bliss; the enlightenment. Debarshegpa Nga; the five families of Buddhas representing the victorious ones; Vairocana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghashiddhi.

In the Mandala of Chenrizig; Avaloketeshvara, we find this Gyalwa-rig-nga, the families of five Buddha in the middle of the Mandala. Above Tibetan verses tells you how these five Buddhas assume their respective place in the Manadala; how they are represented, and power of their blessing.

In the core center is Nangwa-thaye; the Amitabha, represented by a white Lotus, deliverence from the power of attachment. In the East is Mikyopa; the Akshobaya, represented by a blue Vajra, release from the negative power of pride and arrogance. In the South is Rinchen Jungden; the Ratnasambhava represented by a wish-fulfilling jewel in yellow color, eliminating the dark power of hatred and anger. In the west is Nam-nang; the Vairocana, represented by red wheel, deliverence from ignorance. In the north is Dhondup; the Amogasiddhi, represented by green dagger, cutting the root cause of jealousy or envy.

Above is how the Buddhas occupy their respective place in Mandala according to Tibetan Buddhism. In Japan, it is said that the Vairocana occupy the center seating. It may be little different in  other tradition also. The important point is  that the practitioners or devotees need to grasp the essential significance of this seating and the representation, and immerse themselves into deep meditational contemplation to receive the blessing of the Buddhas to cleanse and to eliminate the stain of nyonmong (five mental delusions) from their mind and heart. 

 

©TGARYA

 

Sakura Festival in San Francisco

San Francisco: [April 22, 2012 Sunday] Japanese Community in Northern California organized "Cherry Blossom Festival" on April 22, in San Francisco downtown city. A grand parade with Japanese and local people in traditional Japanese attire passed the Japan town street dancing and singing. The most captivating of the parade was the group doing the "Taiko" Japanese drum beating. It was a grand show of Japanese presence in the city.

Cherry blossom, Sakura flower is greatly loved and admired in Japanese culture as the harbinger of spring season. Japanese parks, gardens and countryside are full of Sakura flowers at this season. People flock in great numbers; they sit under the sakura trees, and welcome the season enjoying "Hanami" the beauty of the flowers with drinks and songs.

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in San Francisco drew large spectators, and people enjoyed the festival very much. Japanese shopping and eating malls were full of people. It was a great business day for them. Sakuru flowers in San Francisco, although very few, bloomed in great beauty, and inspired the people to appreciate its beauty and live in close proximity with the nature. Sakarua festival is a great gift from SJapanese community to the world to see and to feel the beauty of flowers.

Tenzin Tsundue in San Francisco Bay area

March 21, 2012 Wednesday

San Francisco: A renowned Tibet activist Tenzin Tsundue gave a talk to the Tibetans in Bay area at the Tibetan community hall in Richmond. He received a Hero's welcome and standing ovation. Wearing his trademark, the red band around his head, the Tibetan activist talked to the fully packed hall, and reminded the fellow Tibetans not to forget the Tibetan struggle for freedom and justice. He said that meaningful result would come only if Tibetans all around the world wholeheartedly take the Tibet issue seriously and contribute accordingly.

"The worlds, especially the developed nations, are only interested in maintaining a good business and economic relation with China for their own national interest. The business and economy of China is in the hand of a few communist leaders. So, these leaders and the Western nations are prospering through their lucrative economic partnership. In this, even the Chinese people are victims. Natural resources of the colonized regions are exploited, and with the cheap labor, Chinese product is invading the world market. The fine copper in used in Chinese goods come from Tibet; uranium is dug from Inner Mongolia. Therefore, we need to create our own environment to resolve the Tibet issue rather than relying fully on the Western support." He said.

On the recent spate of self-immolation taking place in Tibet, Tenzin expressed his solidarity with the people in Tibet, and described the situation as very volatile. He said that the standard of Tibetan resistance movement has achieved high status compared to the early 1950's. He stressed the importance of non-violent nature of Tibetan struggle, and preservation of Tibetan culture and moral ethics, and urged the Tibetans in the region to practice Tibetan language and culture.

On Tibetan Autonomy and Tibetan Independence, he said autonomy is a policy and a method, not the objective. If Tibetan people are to rule and manage Tibet, and prosper in Tibetan way, independence is indispensable. But let us not divide ourselves on these two points, serious and sincere struggle is the need of the time. Arguing over the things that are not under our control is useless. He said.
Tenzin Tsudue replied to the numerous question raised by the audience. He also spoke on his recently published book, "Resistance - Tsengol". A few books that he has brought with him got sold out, many placed order for the book.

Many thanked the Activist for his sacrifice and struggle for the common cause, and expressed support to his activity. Some remarked that the Community hall was bought in 2004, many gatherings were done since then, but the fact that the gathering on the day was largest shows the popularity of Tenzin Tsundue, and Bay area Tibetan people's respect to the Activist. The magnitude of the gathering and the people's attentive listening followed by questions from every corner confirmed the heroic status of Tenzin Tsundue in Tibetan people's heart for his selfless determined struggle for Tibetan freedom and justice.


Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) and Regional Tibetan Youth Congress organized the talk event. Tenzin Tsundue was on the last leg of his one month tour in Taiwan and the United States.

Demonstrations Overshadowed Xi Jinping's Visit to Los Angeles

San Francisco, November, 17, 2012: Tibetans in North and South California gathered in Los Angeles city to draw the attention of the visiting Vice President of China, Xi Jinping, to the on-going crackdown and repression in Tibet. The Chinese leader, leading a delegation of more than hundred officials landed in the city on February 16, and stayed at 54-storeyed JW Marriott in LA downtown. His visit and the schedules in the city for two days were hotly pursued by the Tibetans, and the Chinese activists. Tibetan Snow-lion flags, and placards and slogans demanding the end of brutal communist regime in Tibet filled the Los Angles streets.


More than two hundreds Tibetans and supporters from San Francisco took buses and vans to L.A. and joined the fellow Tibetans and supporters in the city. On the morning of November 16, demonstration was done before the China Mart USA building. China Mart is a registered entity created to support Chinese companies to move into the US market and sell their products. The Chinese delegates attended a grand business meeting with the US counterparts in the Mart.

Tibetans and their supporters stood around the building throughout the meeting and shouted slogans to draw the attention of the delegates on the current situation in Tibet. A Tibet supporter sneaked into the meeting, he raised Tibetan national flag and shouted "Human rights is more important than business". He was soon arrested and taken away. Some American delegates when coming out of the meeting raised hand to the demonstration to show their support. One of them even joined the demonstration.
The main demonstration was done at JW Marriott, a luxury hotel in the town, where the Chinese leader stayed and attended official luncheon and dinner party.


Representatives of Tibetan community in Southern and Northern California addressed the gathering about the purpose of the demonstration, and urged the international community to pressure the Chinese leader to stop repression and persecution in Tibet. A Chinese lady spoke for freedom and justice in Tibet and China. Mr. Tenzin Choden, a former Tibetan legislative member spoke about the on-going repression and brutal policy of Communist government in Tibet.


A large banner reading "Xi Jinping, Tibet will be Free" lifted by two large balloons stood hanging in the sky before the JW Marriot Hotel.

Since March, 2010, more than 24 monks, nuns and laypeople sacrificed their lives through self-immolation to protest the brutal Chinese rule in Tibet, and called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet. Experts and Tibet analysts have said that this continuous spate of self-immolation by the Tibetans is indicative of the growing repression in Tibet, and the desperate attempt by the Tibetans to draw the attention of the international communities.

The protest and demonstration continued the next day before the Hotel. Around hundred Falung Gong Practitioners sat at the designated place and observed silent meditation throughout the day. Chinese supporters came with large Chinese flags and staged lion-dances, with the beating of drums and cymbals. They were there to welcome the Chinese leader and the delegations, and to perform at the Hotel. One interesting aspect of the demonstration was that the Tibetans, Chinese and the Falung gong practitioners all shared the same pavement before the Hotel, and no major clashes or untoward incidents was registered.

In fact, many Tibetans and Chinese got good opportunity to talk face to face and exchange their respective ideas. When the discussion became too hot, a security officer would come and say "no fighting and abusive language", and the situation got restored. Some Tibetans who could speak Chinese language did good talking with the Chinese people and conveyed the Tibetan stand-point. Some Chinese secretly reported that they were paid US$ 200/- to attend the gathering. Some Tibetan remarked that it was good to talk with the Chinese at individual level, "they were more receptive and open".


Chinese delegates before the Hotel taking pictures of the demonstration.

Although, Xi Jinping managed to avoid direct confrontation with the demonstration, his delegations saw and heard what the demonstrators wanted to convey. But on the 17th evening, when Xi Jinping left the Basketball hall behind the Hotel, he could not avoid the demonstrators. Through the black-window of his car, he saw and felt the heat of Tibetan demonstrators, and he read the Tibetan message loud and clear, "Free Tibet Now".

The demonstration at L.A. by the Tibetans conveyed clearly to the Chinese leaders and the delegates that the world is watching China and that they must stop the repressive policy in Tibet. It conveyed to the Tibetan brothers and sisters in Tibet that they are not alone, that the Tibetans outside Tibet are always with them. The demonstration also established the fact and confirmed to the international media and supporters that the Tibetans across the world will continue to protest until the dawn of real freedom in Tibet.

Tibetans in SF Bay Area Observes Candlelight Vigil and March for the Martyrs in Tibet

January 13, 2012 Friday

Berkeley: Tibetans in San Francisco Bay area gathered at Downtown Berkeley in the evening to pray and to honor the martyrs in Tibet, who sacrificed their lives by self-immolation to demand freedom and justice in Tibet, and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Tibetan Association of North California (TANC) organized the gathering and the march.

Since March last year, Tibetans in Tibet have resorted to self-immolation to raise their voice against the Chinese oppressive regime. Two young men, Tsultrim and Tennyi joined the list of martyrs on January 6. They self immolated themselves shouting for Tibetan independence and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They were both in their twenties. Before the people could recover from their selfless patriotic acts, Sonam Wangyal, a highly revered monk committed self-immolation to protest the Chinese occupation and brutality. He is the fifteenth martyr to join the list of Heroes, who sacrificed their lives for their motherland, Tibet.

Ms Victoria Dulard, the US States Department's Spokesperson, in her recent press briefing said that the United States is aware of the critical situation in Tibet, and that these act of self-immolation represents enormous anger, enormous frustration among the people in Tibet. And that Chinese government should adopt more productive policy to resolve the issue.

There were about sixty Tibetans and supporters at the gathering. Recitation of Tibetan prayer was done, and the participants raised slogan demanding freedom and justice in Tibet. Carrying Tibetan national flags, placards and candlelight, the participants marched along the busy Shattuck Avenue chanting Buddhist prayer "Byangsem" invoking the spirit of Boddhisattva, a compassionate heart to help the sentient beings.

Passerby conveyed their support to the candlelight march by raising their thumbs, and giving honks. Participants talked about the situation in Tibet, some said that while reciting the "Byangsem" prayer, they meditated on Hu Jintao and other Chinese communist leaders, so that the good spirit of Boddhisatvas may be born in them, and the situation in Tibet and in China is improved.

It is high time that the Chinese communist leader open up to the reality and listen the grievances of Tibetan people, and stop oppression and killing in Tibet. They must acknowledge that Tibet is not a socialist paradise as they claim, in fact, it has become a large prison under the communist regime.

At the end of the candlelight march, a TANC executive thanked the participants and informed them about a forthcoming event on January 27th at UC Berkeley to highlight the Tibet issue and self-immolation. Tendor la, Executive Director of Students for Free Tibet is scheduled to visit and give a talk on the issue.

[Ginkgo, Ichoyo tree - Koyo in SF Bayarea street]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan

His Holiness with Shinzo Abe [Former Japanese Prime Minister]

Tokyo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the last leg of his 10-ten days [29th Oct - 7th Nov] visit to Japan was met by a group of Japanese Lawmakers at the hotel this morning. The group headed by the former Prime Minister Mr. Shinzo Abe greeted His Holiness the Dalai Lama and expressed gratitude for visiting the earthquake, tsunami and radiation affected regions, and for his encouraging and condolence message to the grief stricken people in the region. The lawmakers also expressed their support for His Holiness middle path approach to solve the Tibet issue and expressed their concern about the deteriorating situation in Tibet.

Later, His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended a press meeting organized by Free Press Association of Japan in Tokyo wherein about eighty journalists from major TV stations, newspapers and magazines attended the meeting. His Holiness greeted the press and said that his main purpose of visit to Japan this time was to give teachings organized by Koyasan University in Osaka and Koyasan region. Secondly, to visit the earthquake, tsunami and radiation affected areas to share the people's grief and to say that they are not alone.

Next, His Holiness explained the two important missions of his life: promotion of human value and religious harmony. "Human beings are intelligent beings capable of making positive contribution to the society, but this intelligent should be guided by right motivation based on moral ethics and values. This has nothing to do with religion. With good foundation of human values and ethics, our intelligence could be directed to making this planet a better place to live. As a common citizen of this world, I would like to work for the promotion of human values.

"Secondly, as a Buddhist monk, I am working for the promotion of religious harmony. All the major religions of the world despite some differences in philosophy, they preach the same message of love, compassion, forgiveness and togetherness. Unfortunately, we get involved in religious misunderstanding and creates disharmony. I am saying this to you because the media people have great responsibility to educate and inform the general public, you should take more initiatives in these areas to promote peace and harmony." His Holiness said.

Major questions from the journalists revolved around the repetitive self-immolation incidents occurring in Tibet. His Holiness clarified that He has fully devolved his political authority to the popularly elected leader of Tibetan people this March, and that Dalai Lama's institution now is spiritual only. "But this does not mean that I have resigned from Dalai Lama. The institution has reverted back to what it was during First to Fourth Dalai Lama in early history. I am committed to democracy. Personally, I feel that these self-immolation incidents should be viewed deeply from political, religious and philosophical point of view. Even after sixty years of Chinese rule, these incidents show the real situation in Tibet. These are desperate acts by people seeking justice and freedom. Chinese leaderships should take this seriously and try to solve the people's grievances. They should accept the reality, reality is that there is human rights problem in Tibet, religious and cultural oppression is going on, and there is environmental destruction in Tibet. Is this liberation or occupation? Instead of accepting my words, media people should visit Tibet and investigate the truth." Said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Amidst the cheers and standing ovation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama left the press venue. Later, in the afternoon, Japanese monks and general public and Tibetans flocked at the hotel to see His Holiness leave for his next journey to Mongolia.


His Holiness the Dalai Lama's ten-days visit concluded successfully, everywhere he was received by the general public warmheartedly and in great respect in long rows and folded hands. His Holiness conferred Dorying [Vajradhattu] initiation to some 800 monks and general public at the most Japanese sacred pilgrimage site of Mount Koya. He interacted with Japanese and Russian scientists on the subject of religion, life and universe. Visit to the Earthquake, tsunami and radiation affected areas was greatly appreciated by the public and mass media. Many people cried holding His Holiness' hand and hugging him. Talk and discussion with young school children inspired the young minds to have a greater vision beyond national boundary. His meeting with press clarified his position as Dalai Lama and total devolution of political authority to the elected leader.