Voices and Candlelight

Yesterday was a very powerful day for me. I briefly wrote about it in my last post, but to follow up: there is a really large struggle going on in Tibet right now. The unfortunate thing is many people don't have any clue as to the size and measure of what has been going on for over fifty years. This last month, the Dali Lama spoke to the citizens of Tibet asking them not to outwardly celebrate New Years, because the Chinese government would take footage of Tibetans singing and dancing and use it as propaganda for their cause. Naturally, the Chinese government reacted by mandating the attendance of forced parades and celebrations so that the rest of the world will think that everything is okay. Well, I now know that it is not okay. Thousands of Tibetans die everyday, and even more are brutally beaten.

Standing in the temple courtyard last night, listening to a couple thousand people sing on behalf of their friends, family and countrymen was a very eye opening experience. I was listening to Tibet's voice. I was listening to the only cry and entire country has been able to mutter. Unlike Darfur, Uganda, Burma and nearly every other mass killing and ruthless attack, Tibetans do not have a spot on the world stage. There are very few campaigns advocating for a "Free Tibet." Sure we walk by the Free Tibet store when walking down Pearl Street, but what is happening deserves a response. During the vigil an English speaking Tibetan stood up and asked any of the foreigners to take their message of hope, perseverance and non-violence back to their countries as best they know how. He asked anyone to use their hobbies or their gifts to help support the largest non-violence campaign ever. At one point he said, "Non-violence did not die with Martin Luther King, it did not die with Gandhi and it was not taken to prison with Nelson Mandela... Non-violence is alive and an integral part of EVERY Tibetan's struggle for freedom and autonomy!" It is true, every single Tibetan I have met these past couple of days was so tranquil, so loving and so very humble. I have had many conversations that rocked me to the core, and in leaving Mcleod Ganj I can only hope that I too become more peaceful, more loving and more humble.

I suppose this post is an attempt to share Yeshi, Tenzin, Schuy and every other Tibetan's struggle. I know that this blog does not have a large audience, but maybe the truth about what is happening, to a very beautiful culture and people, will spread.